Contact Us
- Phone: (612) 338-6500
- Email:
- Mailing Address: 1501 West 54th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55419
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Il Soggiorno, Rome
This afternoon we stepped into the Il Soggiorno “living room” for the first time and got to know the guys. I think, to a one, we were amazed at the men’s receptiveness to our presence and how easily they engaged with us. Nothing forced, just a natural getting to know you thing. I, for one, felt a huge sympathy for their current situation and their hopes and dreams for the future. The thing is their future hopes and dreams is something they have to cling to hard because so much is out of their hands.
“Aaron,” age, 34, is trained as a tailor, has a job in Rome making patterns and sewing – for peanuts. He actually wants to stay in Italy and have his own “store.” He anxiously awaits the arrival of his wife from Afghanistan in hopefully six months.
“Wahid” is in his mid thirties. He escaped from Afghanistan with his entire family who now live in Switzerland. He hopes to join them one day. Wali has a very quick wit, a twinkle in his eye and just seems “to get” you in his quiet, understanding way.
“Ali” was most quiet. Contributing to the conversation, but holding back some. His name means Persian tiger.
By the way, have you ever had you name written in Persian? That was a treat. Eddy, Noah and I had our names “drawn” before our eyes in flourishing Persian script.
Karen -City Church Rome Team
Comments
Login/Register to leave a comment
Tamra July 4, 2018 9:45am
Thanks for sharing the stories of some of the men you have met. Their stories are heartbreaking. It must be hard for them to see a hopeful future. Praying that you will all have open hearts and ears and be able to share love and hope with each of them.