Happy Republic Day from Italy

Today was Italy's equivalent to our Independence Day. Almost every store was closed and so was the University. We haven't really done any physical exercise since we got here besides walking, so we decided to go to the city park because we were told there was a basketball court there, and who knows, maybe we will meet some people. Well apparently going to the park on their Republic Day is the equivalent of going to the lake on the 4th of July. It was packed! We found the basketball court and began playing with different Italians. Luckily, they spoke good English. We talked with them throughout playing and agreed on coming back later in the week to play again. We are meeting many people here and they are all so interesting and nice people. That is what gives me the most hope about them. It isn't that they are just horrible people that live a morally wrong lifestyle, but that they are uninformed. They are so close to the greatest gift in all the Earth, I am certain that it is just a matter of time before they find it. This is why we are trying so hard to get the word out about who Jesus really is and what he did, because if they know more than just he was this guy who was affiliated with church then good things will surely follow. God is Great, and he loves all of us. Jesus is right outside their door, they just have to hear him knock and open the door. As we make our first big all day campus visit, please pray that they will be responsive and open their ears so they can hear God's knocking. God Bless!!! Ciao!