If you have ever talked to us about what our ministry looks like you have probably heard us say that a lot of what we do is go back to the same place all the time in order to build relationships. It is all about being intentional with where we go and who we talk to. Well, I will be honest, I have never really seen a whole lot come from it. But….

There is a salumeria (meat/cheese store) down the street from our house and recently the owner, Ciro, opened a fruit/vegetable store even closer to our house. We have been going to the salumeria since we moved in. Paul has had some longer conversations with Ciro and Cipriano, a Romanian who works there. However, the most I’ve talked to anyone there is to ask how to make a certain dish.

A couple of weeks ago there was a team here and one day they were in one of the piazzas by our house and who was there? Ciro’s wife, Barbara, her sister-in-law, Dora, and the wife of the man who works in the fruit/vegetable store, Monica. So, we talk for a few minutes and then I had to leave.

But a few days later we were invited to go on a picnic with them. WHAT??? It was very much out of the blue and we were so excited we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. So, we went on an Italian picnic. Who says going back to the same place over and over in order to get to know someone doesn’t work? So next time you’re in Starbuck’s or the grocery store or Wal-Mart, take notice of who is helping you and look for them the next time you go. You never know, you might just end up on a picnic with them one day.