Welcome to Italy! How about some Chinese, Korean, Japanese Food...?

That’s right! We had guests from Hungary recently. Stephen, Salome, and Lili. An American, South American/Canadian, and Hungarian respectively. And for their first meal together with us in Italy, together we cooked up some wholesome Italian Chinese/Korean/Japanese food! Actually, it was quite a hit. Especially with Stephen who grew up in Japan. His remark, “I never thought I’d be eating Japanese dumplings in Italy! This is great!”


Everyone acted as both chief chef and food sampler.






Over dinner we discovered that Stephen, during their time in Rome, was assigned to be the chauffeur since he was the only one of the group to own a valid driving license. We also discovered that he was going to be driving a BMW stick-shift… and he’s never driven a stick before! So, promptly after diner, while the girls finished up in the kitchen, Zeno and Stephen set out for a driving lesson around Piazza Giulio Cesare. And they both came back alive!

For Easter, the Hungary-Travelers (H-Ts) went to visit friends/family in Rome while Zeno and I spent the holiday celebrating with Papa, Mum, David and Rosie in Tuscany. Due to a mis-communication in which Zeno and I thought "spending the night in Florence" meant the H-Ts were being put up in lodging for the night in Florence when in reality they meant they were going to wander the streets all night… After Easter we met up in Florence to find the H-Ts very relieved to see us and even more grateful to be able to fall asleep in the back of Pegs (Pegs = our old and faithful Peugeot station wagon). This and other occasions have inspired Zeno and I to take up the noble task on notifying the world that it is not eternal summer in Italy. As the H-Ts can testify, having been told before hand that "Italy is going to be hot. Make sure to bring some good summer cloths!", after wandering the streets of Florence in March on a rainy day with sandals and wearing all the cloths they brought in attempt to keep warm... winter happens in Italy too!

God used our time together with our visitors to remind us of His great generosity toward us and to remind us that all the gifts He has given to us are not ultimately our own, but only an opportunity to be used to give on as a blessing from Him to others.

"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."Luke 6:38

Thank you Stephen, Salome and Lili for visiting us and giving us the blessing of growing along with you in faith and knowledge of God! We hope to see you again... next time hopefully we'll be able to take holiday time along with you. May you continue on your adventure wherever God leads you always becoming more like Christ!