04.17.06
One Year
A historical day came and went yesterday (other than the Resurrection!). On April 16, 2005, the Roterts arrived in Ancona, Italy. We were exhausted. We were missing 12 of 13 rubbermaids. But when we walked through the security line and saw our teammates’ smiling faces I couldn’t help but smile back.
What an amazing year it’s been. There have been hard times. Trying desperately to hold a conversation in the early days of language school was discouraging. Dropping our kids off at school for the first day was rough (though they’re doing great now). Calling friends and family back home sometimes makes you more homesick that if you hadn’t called. But overall, our experience here has been great. We have a wonderful team who knows when to push us to handle things on our own, and when they need to swoop in a rescue us from some language barrier. They are encouraging, passionate for those who don’t have a relationship with Jesus, and just plain fun to be around.
After Life Group we shared a meal at the Casey’s house and we took turns asking questions like “What was the hardest part of your first year?” and “If you knew then, at one year, what you know now…” Then we had an Easter Egg hunt in our “backyard” and ordered pizza. It wasn’t formal. They’re weren’t a ton of people there. But it was just what I needed. To hang out with some Americans and not worry about language and culture for a day.
Many of you reading this have given sacrificially for us to be here. You’ve been here for our phone calls and emails. You’ve sent care packages filled with junk food. You’ve encouraged. You’ve asked questions. You’ve been there. For that, we’re grateful.
And now, as we dip our toes into this crazy ministry called cross-cultural church planting, I can’t help but wonder what the next years have in store for us.