Youth Hostel Missions: Dreaming of Italy

Life is an adventure. Well, it’s an adventure if you make it one. We’ve learned that the hard way at some points. From being stuck in Atlanta to getting lost in Rome, there’s always a challenging situation waiting to be turned into an adventure. It’s all about attitude. If you get it in your head that nothing can truly stop you, then that will be the case. The moment you doubt is the moment you let life win.

God is always in control DESPITE us. It never ceases to amaze me, when I see Him working and moving and orchestrating. The people we meet, the places we go, all of it. All heading in some direction… The same direction. Paths may cross and people may end up landing on random islands in the middle of the Atlantic to become friends: maybe for the sole purpose of encouraging one another, but God is good like that. God loves us SO much that He would put random people in our way just to encourage. I guess, not so random after all.

Visiting the Vatican with our new Canadian friend Jeremie.

We miss Jeremie. Seriously, if this whole trip had been to meet and encourage him, God knows it would have been worth it. Jeremie was our first friend on this trip. He was in our hostel room in Rome traveling alone, because his girlfriend didn’t have the money to make the trip at the last minute. The plan was never to travel alone for him, so he was obliged when we dragged him along in our time in Rome. He was the 6th man we never had. We welcomed him into our family and he reciprocated with stories and jokes and serious moments. His last words to us were, “Thank you.” He thanked us for making his trip and Rome so enjoyable. We parted ways only wishing he could go with us. And we still miss him. We laughed, we got lost, we found our way together, we were in awe at the Sistine Chapel, we lived life: together. The day and a half we had with Jeremie felt like a lifetime (in a good way). Leaving on this trip, I imagined I would meet people, but I never thought I would make such dear friends. Our time with Jeremie isn’t over, it’s only just begun. I pray that God would continue to build that relationship even from a distance.

Rome was a beautiful, but busy place. So many people living and visiting, but SO much history. It was overwhelming. To come from a country only a couple hundred years old, and then to see things THOUSANDS of years old is quite the shocker. Rome will also make you realize the power God has in each of us. Michelangelo accounted nothing to himself in his work; he gave all glory to God. If you’ve ever seen the Sistine Chapel in person, you know exactly what he’s saying. It is impossible. Impossible in the way of man, but not when his hand is directed by God. If we could all be like Michelangelo… Take our greatest work and attribute it to the power of God. Remove the pride, remove yourself and all that will be left is God.

Florence was very “relaxed” compared to Rome. Some of the same beautiful history, but less hustle and bustle. This city taught me a little more about intentionality. We had very little time with our roommates or the people we met. We only had a day in Florence, but that doesn’t mean that god can’t accomplish the same things in a shorter amount of time. It just means that everything you do shouldn’t be an afterthought, it should be a forethought. It’s the thing where you remove your pride and your self and live in the moment. It’s not your time, it’s God’s time. The little conversations I had with our roommates turned into deep conversations about heartbreak and adoption with a few simple questions. You never know what people are going through until you ask, and you would be shocked at how many people just want someone to talk to.

If we only had 30 seconds with a person what are we gonna do? There’s always a choice to make: choose yourself or choose the other. Love God, love people. That’s what life is truly all about. Be intentional in everything. Now we are on our way to Switzerland… The view is breathtaking and my team is awesome. We are ready for whatever life may bring. We’re sure of adventures to come and challenges turned adventures to come. I pray that God will put people in our path and give us safe travels and energy for the days to come.

Until next time,
Kristen