Rebels & Yankees

The tension and stereotypes between the South and Northerners actually exists. Think of the differences between Mississippi and Massachusetts. It's real. Part of it has to do with warm and cold climate cultures. The difference between a Latin community and a German. One is even-oriented, the other time-oriented. Another difference is shame vs guilt. Group versus individual. Etc.

In Italy this cultural distinction between north and south also exists. The south is more agricultural, the north, industrial. Southerners are known to be more friendly and hospitable. Northerns tend to be more impatient and curt.

I spent six weeks in Salerno, south of Naples, which is in southern Italy and found the people to be super friendly and helpful, patient and kind. I thought southern Italy was where I wanted to be. It was impossible not to find help or not to make friends, even with completely different-minded people.

But it's the north that is more spiritually desolate and parched without the gospel. So, to the north I came. And though I've only been here a week and there is hardly anyone here in the country, I have found my share of rude, rude people.

First, there was a lady at the post office when I went to apply for my permesso who was just plain cranky. She was short with me and where I had left things blank (like signing and dating or the page numbers) on purpose to make it official or to make sure it was correct, she would tell me "you have not finished!" "this is not complete!" Instead of just saying, "could you sign and date this?" or "oh, you left this part out." Social niceties are not very common around here. There was another lady that same day huffing and puffing and slamming things because it was a little warm in the building. It was far from intolerable.

But worst of all was at the small paint shop we entered. I needed to buy spackle to repair the holes in the walls the construction workers left (yes, brand new place, needing spackle!). We were still trying to figure out the paint system (they dilute their paint and there isn't such thing as 'primer' per se). Team leader Paul and I were inspecting some tubs of paint and trying to decipher the language. The handle was on the front side of the paint, so I moved it to the back and let it drop.

BAD IDEA!!!

The handle hit a rail behind it which was not screwed in properly and VERY flimsy. And on top of the unstable railing was propped up a canvas with a layer of paint. This was on the window display where below were other painted knickknacks. So the handle that I moved hit the flimsy gate which wobbled and knocked down the canvas which proceeded to make the BIGGEST clatter known to mankind. And of course, the whole store went dead silent... except for the lady owner who came over to me YELLING and proceeded to CHEW ME OUT in Italian. I didn't understand anything she said expect for something about it being "bad for business." This seemed to last for eternity and I was COMPLETELY mortified! I turned bright red and got hot and sweaty... but it wasn't even my fault!

I was looking to purchase merchandise from her and bring business. It wasn't my fault the paint was right up against the gate that wasn't screwed in. It wasn't my idea to place a canvas on an unstable flat surface! And then decorate the floor below it! I was sooooooo upset! And my look of embarrassment was probably confused with guilt. And I did feel bad, but really, it wasn't my fault!

I left there very perturbed, hoping it would fall again and she would see that she had no right to chew me out and feel all bad about yelling at a foreigner.

But as I got to thinking - Jesus was falsely accused! And He didn't say a word! I would have given her a peace of my mind, had I been able. But all I was able to say was a sheepish "scusa, scusa..."

The people here don't know the joy that Jesus gives. They have never experienced His love. They have no idea what peace from above would even feel like. These people can only rely on themselves and their business to bring them what they are looking for. When really, the Answer to all their wants and needs is in Christ.

Paul wants to go back to that store and befriend her and her husband - she will surely remember him (she proceeded later on to reprimand his wife, Beth, for looking around)! Maybe it wouldn't be the best for me to poke my head around there just yet, but who knows what may come of this. It's these unforgettable moments that sometimes make the greatest impact... Maybe she'd been having a bad few days and she just let it ALL out on me. Better me than someone who could snap back at her. Someone who can't remind her of all the nasty things she said. I was her best audience to lose it on.

So I trust that God is doing something bigger than me. That He is preparing hearts and making every move so perfect. And I've got a tough crowd up against the message - but I also have a God in whose hand is every heart!