Bob & Sue at Forterocca

Sue and Bob in Italy

 We are now at the Operation Mobilization center, “Forterocca” in northwest Italy.  We will be here for the month of September helping as volunteers.   The center is in a small village, Bobbio Pelice, in a valley at the foothills of the Alps.   The use of the center is unique in that it is used to host both Christians and non-Christians alike.  Forterocca is also located in a unique place in Italy - where protestant reformation took place - before Luther.  That reformation is refered to as the Valdensian Movement and there are still many Valdensian churches in this part of Italy.  In just two weeks we have had the privilege to encourage and serve believers, and to share Christ with those who do not yet know him. It is a privilege to be here to serve!

The Buildings

The main building: Forterocca, "Strong Rock" refers to Jesus Christ or the Fortress as song in Martin Luther's song, "A Might Fortress is Our God"

These buildings - located behind the main building - are the kitchen and dining hall, which are awaiting funds in order to be completed.

One of the bedrooms inside

 A glimpse of the beautiful scenery from the front patio:

 The Volunteer Flat (below) - is the top floor apartment seen in the center of picture.  Sue is standing on the balcony.  What beautiful scenery!

 Another view of the flat, looking out of one of the windows from the main building:

The People



 More important than the buildings are the people who serve at the center!  They are Operation Mobilization missionaries who have a particular desire to reach out to the people in this community.

 The Newly-weds on the staff:  Rita (a Hungarian) and David (a German)

Rose and Matt (from Scottland)

Bob and Matt

Sue and Rose 

Iz (American), Sue (?), and Kati (Peruvian) AND GELATO!

 Sue and Carla (a local woman) cleaning rooms to prepare for a group that was coming that weekend

The group of Italians who came for the weekend for a conference and to offer a concert to the local community.  Sue and I really enjoyed hosting this group and using our Italian.

Some of the other work we are doing:

 Lawncare

 Painting the volunteer flat' kitchen (notice the shirt Sankanacers?)

 After Sue's finishing touches in the kitchen:

Living in community

Sue getting a makeover by Iz



Sue and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary while here at Forterocca and this past weekend we celebrated Sue's birthday!

 After church on Sunday we walked down the street for ice cream.  Here you see Jill (an OMer from the States) and Sue, with Sue being "undone" by tasting a new flavor.

 The Nobili family came to visit us for a week:  Colette, Daniel, Josh, and Cristiano.  They are dear friends from Rimini and from our years working at Camp Maranatha.

The countryside!   Sue and I have done some hiking in the Alps on our time off. 



 The village, "Villanova", located about 5 miles down the road (end of the road) from the Forterocca center:

 One of the local residents 

 A "Rifugio"- kind of a youth hostile - where hikers can stay, at 1700 meters above sea level.

Ammira il Creato, Loda il Creatore = Admire the creation, Worship the Creator

(Part of a memorial to men who lost their lives in the mountains)