My husband and I love Italy, although, as with anywhere, it has its negatives and downsides. But when we look back over the years, we think of the wonderful people we’ve met and come to love. We reflect on the beauty of the land and the culture. And we recall God’s unwavering faithfulness to us throughout the years.
To this day, I still remember our first train ride. We were heading to my husband’s birthplace in southern Italy, our first journey to the tiny village!
Today’s modern trains are equipped with dining cars, snack bars and internet connections. But back in 1989, vendors walked up and down the aisles selling snacks out of dishpans! You just had to grab a dubious-looking paper cup jammed among the bottles of water, soft drinks and bags of chips, and enjoy!
Lunch? — no problem! As lunchtime approached, other vendors came on board carrying dishpans filled with cellophane-wrapped sandwiches, made that day (?) or fresh coconut, sliced and ready to eat.
It was like a scene from an old Italian movie: rambunctious children jostling among the shouting vendors. Old women, as wide as they were tall, cradling screaming, plump babies against their ample bosoms. As Italian mothers pulled seemingly endless amounts of food out of huge shopping bags or baskets. Giant sandwiches, boiled eggs, cheese, bread, fruit, wine and even pasta!
Italy: land of my heart!
‘So this is Italy,’ I thought, “This really is Italy!” Yes, the old Italy of yesteryear. An Italy which has largely disappeared as the country has modernised and its younger generations have become more cosmopolitan.
But what a delight it was with its food vendors, shouted conversations and gesticulating hands! The mammas stuffing food into chubby-cheeked children — in between slaps for misbehavior, yelling all the while.
All this took place against the backdrop of the marvellous Italian countryside passing by outside the windows. It was then that our love of Italy was etched into our hearts. It’s a love that has never faded.
Italy’s Deep South
We were taking our first trip to my husband’s hometown. Down to the little village in Italy’s deep south that would completely capture our hearts and minds. A fellow passenger informed us that we were going into Italy’s deep south. Before the day was over, we discovered just how far down in “the boot” it was!
The Cilento area, where my husband was born, feels like another world, even to this day. Visiting is like a journey back in time. In fact, I wondered at the time if we had landed in a third world nation instead of 20th century Europe!
To get a glimpse of what it was like back then, watch the trailer for the Italian film Christ Stopped at Eboli at the end of this post. Set during the Fascist era of World War II, it vividly depicts the villages and their old-world charm. This old-world charm still remains in places that change very little.
A God-given love!
That day, we fell in love with the rural mountain villages of southern Italy. Their unfathomable fascination still continues to tug at my heartstrings. There’s something indescribable about the culture and the beautiful, simple people. It’s something far beyond the beauty of the landscape. An intangible something that tugs at the heart and soul.
But it’s also more than just emotion. It’s the special love that God instills in missionaries when He calls them to a particular place. It is a deep-seated love for the people and a longing for them to experience the fullness of God’s love, freedom, and forgiveness.
It’s knowing that you are where God has called you and placed you. It’s a conviction of needing to be there and a sense that, unless God directs your steps elsewhere, that’s where you’ll stay. For us, that place is Italy.
The love God gives someone for a nation is more than just a feeling. It’s the special love He places in the heart of a missionary when He calls them to a specific place.
Signora Sheila
Now, watch the official trailer for “Christ Stopped at Eboli.” It’s in a combination of Italian and a southern dialect, but don’t worry — there are English subtitles. But be careful — you might end up falling in love with Italy and its special villages, too!
These are my people, God has given them to me, and I will live or die with them for him and his glory.
Gladys Aylward, Missionary to China
📷 Image credits: beverages; others are my own.
Since Liz’s family is Italian (Sicilian) and I’m an “adopted” son in one other Italian family, there’s a lot of cultural things I recognize in there. My favourite was “cuffs on the ear for poor behaviour”. ;) (Though I’ve never been on the receiving end thankfully!)
Ha, that’s a good one, Mike! I’ve never been a recipient of ear cuffs either. But I loved that first train ride and all the cultural exposure we got even from just that. Exposure which started a never-ending love affair with the nation!!
I love how well you love where the Lord has taken you! How you’ve embraced Italy with a passion and purpose that can only come from a loving Father who has engraved this country and her people on your heart!
Well spoken, Dayle! I am totally convinced that it is the Lord who has engraved them on our hearts. Yes, Italy is a beautiful land; that’s well-known. But the love he placed in our hearts goes so far beyond that, that I know it’s not simply a human love. Not just a love for the beauty, the fabulous food, and the wonderful dolce vita. Our only prayer is that we can truly make a difference here!
Well spoken, Dayle! I am totally convinced that it is the Lord who has engraved them on our hearts. Yes, Italy is a beautiful land; that’s well-known. But the love he placed in our hearts goes so far beyond that, that I know it’s not simply a human love. Not just a love for the beauty, the fabulous food, and the wonderful dolce vita. Our only prayer is that we can truly make a difference here!
For some reason I haven’t received your posts via email in a long time. That’s sad because I know I’m still “following” according to WordPress. My gosh this area is so beautiful! I do pray it works out that I could travel to southern Italy next Fall on a mission trip. It would be a dream to meet you, <3
Perhaps you should check your settings in the reader Ellie. Where Sheila Scorziello is listed as a blog you follow, click on settings. Perhaps the “Email me new posts” button got turned off somehow. Otherwise you could try resigning up through my “Follow blog via email” widget. Anyway, if you do make it over – let me know. Perhaps we could meet up somewhere. That would be like a dream come true!! And yes, it is a beautiful area!!
Thanks Sheila, I’ll try that. (I’ve noticed WordPress seems to change the “goal posts” from time to time.) If I remember right, the trip is to Paglia and it looked gorgeous!
I’ll look that up, and will be praying for the Lord to open the right doors!!
Through your pictures and descriptions it would be easy to fall in love with such a place.
Well, we sure think so. But we have known others who ran away. Such quaintness and isolation was too much for them. I believe that’s because God prepares our hearts ahead of time for the place he wants us to serve in. But I’m glad you seem to be falling in love with it too!!
I also love reading your posts about Italy and looking at the beautiful photos.
Oh good! I’m SO glad Shari. These are some of the easiest posts for me to write because I love this place so much. And want everyone to fall in love with it – and pray for it!!
Italy sounds so beautiful. :) I absolutely love reading your blog because it’s so easy to visualize and be a part of what you’re describing! Thank you for continuing to share your experiences. :) xo
Awe thanks. Those are such generous and encouraging words! I imagine it’s because I truly have a great love for this place and its people. This really is the land of my heart (after heaven) and I love sharing about it!
Of course. :) And yes, I am sure you do, it certainly comes across. :) I love reading it, thank you for writing! 💖
Thank you! What an encouragement!!!