‘ I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.’
Psalm 121: 1-2
We are still in Italy. This post is made up of four impressions the first stands alone the other three are connected to one subject, a church, and the third of the three is painful and personal.
From the Waldensian valleys and mountains, we travelled through miles of well-irrigated corn their stalks knee-high, which then gave way to paddy fields. The water in the channels flowed brown and soft around the fine shoots of the rice root system. The warm sun made the flat of the Po Valley a fuzzy haze of green tinged with yellow. The atmosphere was close.
After a good while there were Italian towns and then high against the sky right above a cliff face was an amazing church, Santuario della Madonna del Sasso.
I was surprised by its location. Roy didn’t show any feelings and as the road went, the sat nav indicated left then right and left. I realised we were going higher and then the road narrowed, a good road. Then a village with one-way cobbled streets. My question: ‘ Did you set the sat-nav correctly?’
Roy: Expressionless. ‘ Yes’.
Sandy: ‘ Is it a designated camper van park up?’
Roy: ‘ Yes!’
Then we arrived almost behind the church. I was astounded by the views, the church and the safe space to park for the night.
We entered the church with its beautiful colours and rich decorations. Roy then motioned to me that I had to read something immediately. I started to cry and left the silence of the church, a lady followed. She put her arm on my shoulder. I told her my friend had stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She knew no English but the word cancer seemed to be understood immediately. She threw an arm into the sky and closed her hand tightly. I knew it was not a fist of anger. I knew what she was saying with her gesture.
‘ Hold on tightly to God’s hand.’
I needed her and she was there for me.
Here let us do this with photographs.
Isola San Giulio.
A young couple were having special photographs taken at the edge and right close by were the sweet – chestnut trees.
The mountains are full of them.
Unfortunately, I can’t show you the beauty of kindness and I couldn’t get a photograph of the cliff face which was dangerously steep but I can say it was a peaceful, cool place to sleep.
Take care,
Sandy 🙂
Ps
‘ Be kind , for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.’
‘ No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.’
It’s in those moments when we connect with someone through God, no words are necessary. What a beautiful story, our Lord had his arms wrapped around you both.
You’re in Italy, wow, Sandy!! I’ve missed your travels and posts. 🙂
How very true, no language barriers. Yes, we have been travelling for nearly seven weeks. Glad to say hello, again.