Spring 2021

From student to intern! Well, almost...

Covid-19 Travel Round 2!

Several stressful Covid-19 tests and mask endured flight-legs later, I arrived back in Montebelluna a week before the fall semester started for the CCBC Italy students. Due to the strict international travel restrictions that were still in place, I ended up returning to Italy as a student/intern. This wasn't necessarily my first choice, but this gave me the opportunity to take the theology class that I would have missed out on if I had only been an intern. Through this, God worked mightily in my heart and mind that semester.

I spent the weeks fulfilling several roles. With the church, I served on the worship team, ministered at youth group and college group, did some projects for the coffee shop while it was closed down, and participated in work days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The work days were full of re-upholstering chairs, stuccoing, painting several walls, and more! It felt like such a practical way to minister to the church as we fixed things and worked to provide beautiful spaces for future, interpersonal ministry.

Although exhausting in the midst of a busy week of classes for myself and ministering to the college students, the work days are such an important place for me to practice humble service and giving God glory in even the smallest ways. My constant reminder is to let the work of my hands be pleasing to Him in all things.

And, when I get worn out, I simply step outside and take in the beauty of God's creation!

CCBC Italy Students!

One of the joys of this semester was getting to minister to the students who were attending the Bible college. My roles here included grading some coursework, leading bible studies, discipling, running the cleaning team, and overseeing the worship aspect of Community Worship nights. While the students are present for the semester, one of their ministry responsibilities is cleaning the church building weekly. As the ministry head for this area, I went with them each week and cleaned alongside them! This made me laugh because at home, my mom had run the cleaning ministry at church for several years. Further, we joke that all of us Shivvers have the "cleaning gene." God's sense of humor is amazing! He doesn't waste a thing!

It was a very stretching semester. I believe that God has given me a natural propensity towards leadership, but it is an area that I am greatly seeking to grow in. This semester, He gave me many opportunities to step outside my comfort zone and develop in this area. Beyond leading the cleaning team, the worship pastor asked me to lead the Community Worship nights, which are for the students. Two of the female students were assigned this area for part of their practical ministry hours, so I got to practice leading a worship team. I have played keys for various worship bands over several years, but I have never lead or coached vocalists before. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but an incredible opportunity to see God work in and through us.

My favorite part of the semester was deepening relationships with people at the church and pouring into our students. We had one female student who lived in the apartment. One of my roles is to live with the female students to oversee things and to be available for whatever they may need. It was a unique semester with only having one girl student in the apartment with us. However, it was such a blessing to get to minister to her. In fact, God used her to bless me probably more than I blessed her! It is incredible to see God utilize the body of Christ in this way.

Traveling Fun!

Although Covid-19 restrictions were severe for a majority of the semester, the students were finally able to get out and see a bit of Italy towards the end of the semester! They were able to travel around our region, Veneto, and participate in both their Footsteps of Paul Tour (to Rome and Naples) and their Outreach Week (to Tuscany). Two other missionaries and I were even able to take our female student who lived with us to Cinque Terre! The most beautiful part of these trips was the ministry that happened all along the way!

As the semester came to an end, I re-affirmed with the pastor at CC Montebelluna that this was clearly where God was calling me. So, it was time for the next step for me. I then began the process of obtaining my religious visa so that I can return at the end of the summer for my first 2-year missionary commitment! I cannot wait to see what God does in me and through me in the next few years!