I can't figure out why not all of my pictures want to load properly. I'm missing a few of them of the Tuscan countryside, which were some of my favorites. I'll get them up here as soon as I can. In the meantime, you can google image search "Tuscan countryside" to get an idea of what I saw. INCREDIBLE!
Here are the pictures of Siena, here are the pictures of Rome. Tomorrow I'll put up the pictures of Alberobello and Polignano.
Anyways, I have an amazing story to tell you! God answers prayers!
A bit of backstory. Every since I read this article, and a few others like it, I was inspired to take my career plan in that direction. I always knew that I wanted to be an international lawyer, but I never knew any more specifics other than that. After pondering it, I received the feeling that I should aim towards taking my international lawyer services to NGO's (Non-Governmental Organizations) that specialize in helping rescue and aiding children, such as Save The Children, UNICEF, Operation Underground Railroad, and the like. I love the idea of not just working to provide for my family, but also using my work to give a second chance at a normal life to a child that otherwise is destined for a very short and tortured life.
I wanted to use this opportunity that I have here in Italy to do something. Yesterday I signed up on the Save The Children website as a volunteer, and I saw that they have a volunteer office in Bari. I sent them an email, asking them what I could do to help. They weren't very helpful, and I felt kind of useless. So today, all day, I was pondering on this feeling that I have, this inner desire I feel to use that which the Lord has given me and which He may give me to alleviate the suffering of others, especially children. I was praying for an opportunity to build my charity and to do something that would make a difference.
Today, I got out of work, and was going to go out with the missionaries. The missionaries called me and told me that their appointment was cancelled, so I decided to go to the beach instead. I hopped off the train in Bari Central Station and was walking towards the beach. I was crossing a plaza, and I saw two girls wearing Save The Children vests! What a "coincidence"! I ran up to them, and asked if they were part of the Save The Children street team, because I was looking for volunteer opportunities. They said "we're looking for more than just volunteers! We're actually looking for someone to fill a job position!" They work for a fundraising agency that works for Save The Children, UNICEF, WWF, and a ton of other nonprofit charity organizations, collecting funds and recruiting volunteers. Right then and there, the girls took me to their office, which was a few streets away, and I had an impromptu interview with their manager. Even though I was dressed for the beach, they were kind enough to give me an interview, and were curious as to what I was doing in Italy and how I learned Italian. When she asked me if I had any experience with talking to people on the street about important causes, I almost laughed in her face! I explained to her what I did as a missionary here in Italy for two years, and she was pleased to hear that it's similar to what I'd be doing in this job. She asked if I could come back tomorrow for a more formal interview, and I agreed. This time I'll go back dressed for an interview, not for the beach. I'm so excited about this opportunity! This is exactly the type of thing I was looking for! A chance to earn money to pay for my internship, and while I'm at it, helping organizations that really make a difference in people's lives every day! It'll also look great on my resume if I'm going to go into NGO work, and may lead to contacts. God answers prayers, sometimes in very obvious ways! Don't ever believe in "coincidences"!
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