There were fifty of us, boys and staff, from all over Italy. A few surnames among the list of those enrolled remind us of distant nations or territories going through a complicated political situation, but it matters little. As suggested by this year's slogan, 'Encounters with Jesus', and the hymn theme chosen in the run-up, 'Talking to you', we are desperate to run into Him.
The spiritual message
The daily encounters between the six family groups with our spiritual guest, Jonatan Tejel, current director of the Youth Department of the Inter-European Division (EUD), were similar to the waters of the region that welcomed us, i.e. forges of "deep" and "salty" teachings, to be understood in the evangelical perspective of Matthew 5:13. Between the lines, however, Jonatan evoked all those situations in which, sooner or later, 'intruders' appear in our path, unpleasant surprises that go far beyond harmless roleplay. Negative people or feelings that have boycotted (and continue to do so) a divine plan designed for mankind under the banner of a peaceful eternity. We can count on a Father who cheers us on and works in our lives. God transforms dark moments into new opportunities and dreams.
Hurricane Paul (we support sign language)
The Lis (Italian Sign Language) pills were parentheses between learning and tenderness, perfectly embedded in the programme. We learnt how to 'make signs' out of letters of the alphabet, verbs such as play and want, greetings such as 'buongiorno, buon sabato, God bless you'. Assisting us in these short tutorials was Francesca Dalfino, head of the Adventist Ministries for the Deaf (Mafs) in Palermo.
Francesca arrived from Sicily with her trolley, and with an extra special 'gift'. A six-foot-nine force of nature. A hurricane named Paul, by whom everyone, bar none, was willingly swept away. Ghanaian, 22 years old, this big guy who is deaf, but with a smile and a sympathy that is difficult to replicate humanly, is the son of hearing parents. His brothers are also hearing and live in Africa. He has lived in the Sicilian capital with his father and mother since he was one year old. He got to know the Adventist Church in Palermo in 2021, thanks to a sports event organised by Adra. Since then, Francesca began attending Saturday morning worships, equipped with Lis translation, and actively collaborates in the basic Lis courses organised by the Mafs Palermo in collaboration with Michela Dolce, national head of the Mafs and Lis teacher.
Social activity: free songs and hugs in the park!
On the afternoon of Saturday, 26 August, we reach Viale Caduti senza Croce in nearby Chiavari, aware that we are equipped with everything we need: blue t-shirts with the slogan 'Meet Jesus', hundreds of Bible verses carefully written by our 'street artists' on as many coloured cards, musical instruments ,and men-and-women-sandwiches, wrapped in 'Free Hugs' signs, ready to 'hit the townspeople hard' with soft 'free hugs'.
We form a big circle, pray, and split into two groups. In the square, we sing 'Father', 'And there you are', 'Prince of Peace', 'Here I am', 'Blessed be your name'. Around the centre, the other half of us test, with the human contact of two arms wrapping around perfect strangers, how much settled suffering there is between people and how little is needed to provoke an emotional reaction.
Activities and outings
Edoardo, from Bubble Football Milano, helped us with the Bubble Soccer activity on Monday. We visited magnificent locations such as Camogli and San Fruttuoso, thanks to the Golfo Paradiso society; and the Bay of Paraggi, with fun snorkelling, Sup, and kayaking activities through the Outdoor Portofino society.
The indoor activities were very much appreciated: five-a-side football, volleyball, basketball, the 'Avanti gli altri!' quiz, the 'Auction of Values', the 'Street Food' evening, the 'Water Party', 'La Mole', the efficient bar service, and the very welcome 'cake moment' on Saturday evening.
Final Greetings
There was no shortage of final applause for the entire staff of organisers and animators, Pr. Alan Codovilli (camp director), Pr. Daniele Passaretta, Gabriella Barbuscia, Romina Perrone, and Ismaele Di Maggio; for the excellent cooks, Maria Santarelli and Mario Bencivenga; for the spiritual guest, Jonatan Tejel, and his kind wife, Daniela Sciarabba; and, finally, for the heavenly Director who never deprived us of His special spotlight: we love You, Lord!
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