To find the University of Bologna, you have to know where to look. There is no central campus like we are used to here in the States. The school itself is perhaps the oldest in the Western world having been started around 1088. David and I joked that to ever get on the cover of their alumni magazine would be a huge deal. You would be joining the ranks of Copernicus, Dante, and Guglielmo Marconi.
But, as impressive as their alumni reunions might be, there is a real spiritual need for a fresh experience of the kingdom of God on campus. The school boasts a registration of around 100,000 students. This huge mission field is currently being served by Campus Crusade staff and David and Nicole.
The picture above is where the law classes are held. God arranged for David to have the opportunity to assist in a class on Comparative Law, with David speaking about how cases would be handled according to US law. This has given him a unique opportunity to connect with students and professors.
Each week they engage students on campus, at coffee shops (about every 10 feet in the town), and at a fun event called Aperitivo (appetizers.) There students come to a local fun restaurant and enjoy food and conversation. The night I was there David's entire law class came out for the event.
Getting around Bologna requires creativity and a good scooter. David is confident as he sports Nicole's pink helmet. I thought for sure he'd make the new guy wear it. (He probably wouldn't want me posting this picture.)
One of the many landmarks in Bologna, these towers are old examples of "keeping up with the Jones'." Today we buy expensive cars and big houses. Then, people built towers.
This is a rented room used by "Nuova Vita", the local evangelical church where David, Nicole, Ruby and other missionaries in Bologna worship. The room is part of a local car wash, so that's convenient. But, more importantly, this church is a strong support network for David and Nicole. In Bologna a unique partnership among different ministries is working to build the kingdom of God. Missionaries are helping one another. The local church is involved. There was a real special spirit of cooperation in the air.
This unity is vital in growing the kingdom on hard ground. The soil in Italy is indeed hard. People are confused about why the Hannahs are there. The people are Catholic, after all. They know about Jesus. Why would they need missionaries? A small fraction of the people may ever actually attend Mass even once a year, but still, missionaries go to other countries, not Italy.
Evangelicals are treated like a cult, a strange sect in the country. David and Nicole have a hard time explaining to people in simple terms why they are there and how they are paid. It all sounds very strange to the locals.
So, the fact that the missionaries can work together like they do presents a united front in spreading the gospel. They are already on the fringe so why not work together?
Piazza Maggiore is at the heart of the city. People come here to hang out, shop, eat, enjoy entertainment, and tour the huge Basilica San Petronio.
The Hannahs are blessed to live in a wonderful apartment near the University. This is a shot looking out one of their windows toward downtown.
Pray for the Hannahs to continue to be encouraged, strengthened, and inspired by what they see God doing. This post is only a small part of the many stories I could tell.
Only having been in Bologna for 9 months, they are already seeing wonderful fruit. They are blessed to be a part of a fantastic network of experienced and new missionaries in the town. The Hannahs are people magnets. The students want to be around them. David is gifted at working a room and meeting new people. Nicole is great one-on-one and her hospitality will open up many conversations. Both of them realize their purpose is to know Christ through being missionaries, not to accomplish a set of goals or to leave behind a program. In knowing Christ more, they will make him known through their lives to the Bolognese.
God is really knitting together a wonderful ministry through them and the team in Bologna. I came away with a heart for the city as much as for what David and Nicole are there to do. There are great opportunities for DBC to engage and get involved in what God is doing in Bologna. I was extremely grateful and humbled by the Hannah's hospitality, not to mention the amazing apricot scones Nicole made. I lost count how many I ate.
For more information on the Hannah's and their ministry, visit www.revivalinitaly.net
