First Week in Milano

Companions Anziano Wilkinson and Anziano Barnes

Anziano Hutchinson and Barnes with Mitchel and another member in Prato.

P-Day at Cinque Terre, one of the most beautiful places in Italy!

A great surprise - meeting Anziano Pastillo (Justin's trainer) at Cinque Terre!

Ciao!!! It's a new transfer!  Anziano Wilkinson is an amazing missionary!  He already speaks Italian very well (he's probably better off than I was after a transfer speaking 100% italian with Anziano Pastillo...).  He has a wonderful desire to serve and has a good ability to teach.  ... Recap of the week:

I got into Milano on Thursday and met Anziano Wilkinson.  ... Friday we actually began our missionary work.  ...

Saturday we did a lot of finding work... but we didn't really find anyone.  However, at the end of the day we got in to one house and taught an awesome lesson.  In the end, we both felt happy and felt like we did the best we could have.  Then sunday came around.  Wow!  It's amazing to be in an actual ward again - there's a ton of people in church!  About 70 or 80 percent of the ward is from South America - and a bunch of them speak very little Italian - only spanish (A bunch of missionaries said that I'll be learning spanish these next couple transfers...).  The Bishop, Bishop Fiorenze, is amazing - I was only able to speak with him for a minute or so, but he seems like a great guy.

Another great thing about Milano, with a decently sized ward, is that there are many activities throughout each week to which the less actives and investigators can come.  I'm excited to be able to have these resources to help the people we have progress.

Oh, my district is great.  I'm district leader again, but this time my district is much smaller.  It's my companionship and a companionship of sisters - Sorelle Ryan (she's been out for 6 transfers) and Mondelli (this is her first transfer).  Sorella Mondelli is actually Italian - she's from a place right outside of Naples (and a funny thing - she knows a family that is in the branch in Prato - the Oguleye, whom we ate with for Christmas!).  However, she doesn't look Italian at all - she has red hair and pale skin.  Oh well, she's really cool.  I don't know my district super well yet (we've only seen each other a couple times and our contact has been limited, so I'll learn more once we have district meeting this coming week).

Then, on Monday, the miracles started.  We taught 5 lessons and got 5 new investigators (that's a heck of a lot higher than average - the mission standard is 20 lessons every week, or 3 lessons per day - and that's the standard, usually we don't get that many...).  However, one of the guys we found is totally solid.  His name is Benito.  We knocked on a door and a Peruvian guy answered.  He wasn't really interested at first, and told us that he was working (it wasn't his home - he was just over doing some repairs or something, and the owner wasn't there).  However, we persisted and began to teach him, ask him questions, and testify on the doorstep.  And, he let us in (I don't even know if he was supposed to do that...)!  We taught him about the Book of Mormon and gave him a copy.  And, we found out that he has a son that is a member, and this son lives in Milano, and this son is actually, right now, a less active member.  We'll be able to do a lot of good with this guy!  As of right now, he's read the Book of Mormon a little bit and he's prayed, and he's committed to come to church this sunday!  A cool little miracle...

Tuesday was another miracle day!  We found a guy named Leo from the Phillipines (and he speaks English!).  He seems super prepared and we're excited to keep teaching him.

... There really is a ton of potential here in Milano - so many people and so many huge palazzi!

We had a zone conference yesterday.  The big thing that I got out of it was that I need to be focused 100% on the work, be 100% obedient to 100% of the work, and rely 100% on Jesus Christ, putting 100% of my faith in Him.  And then, 100% of the things will work out according to His will!  The meeting was exactly what I needed.  I know this is the living church - we continually recieve revelation.

Anyway, that's about it for me this week.

Thanks for everything and I love you all!

-Anziano Barnes

Milano apartment