The first time we had dinner with them was at their home, and it was the full five-course Italian feast (incredible seafood--I blogged about it). When they first came to our home we fixed Fajitas and apple pie. Fajitas were a completely new experience, and they weren't quite sure what to make of them, though Fabio ate five of them. Apple pie they loved. Our dinner last night was kind of spur of the moment, so I went with what I was going to make before they were coming--Sloppy Joes. I felt like it was a pretty authentic "American" classic. Though we committed a major taboo by not serving any wine (red or white with Sloppy Joes?), they LOVED them.
I also served cut up veggies with Ranch dressing (dipping is also a completely new idea. . . one I think they enjoyed once they got into it) and chips. I took of a picture of the chips I got. Though you can find Kettle chips in America, you definitely can't find Sea Salt and Balsamic Vinegar flavor! An Italian spin on an American icon.
We have had several opportunities to talk about issues of faith with Fabio and Alyssia, but we haven't had that chance recently. Fabio usually seems pretty indifferent, and Alyssia comes across as slightly abrassive. We really hoped to talk more last night about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. We were blown away when Cody's simply asked, "So what's new?" and Alyssia shared that Alice was getting ready to start Catechism classes. Their family does not attened Mass regularly, so we were pretty shocked! It opened up such great conversation! They asked us so many questions about the differences between Catholicism and Evangelical Christianity. . . we really got to share a lot of our heart and why we want to get to know a God who desires a personal relationship with us.
Please pray for these precious friends of ours! We know it is a long process for Italians to come to faith. We delight we get to share our lives with this family and love that we are already able to share so openly about the Lord. We are beginning to pray that as Alice starts learning about the tenets of Catholicism, God would start working in Fabio and Alyssia's hearts to getting them questioning their beliefs too. We're praying they would frequently initiate conversation about the spiritual issues they're thinking about. We would covet your prayers for these things too.
We do not take the occurance of this friendship lightly. God knows our greatest need in the past year has been organic friendships. He has provided so graciously. It is such a privilege to be able to care so much for these friends and offer to them the incredible love of the Savior.
