Our first trip to Calabria

A week ago we made our first trip to Calabria (the 'toe' of Italy) to visit three branches, located in Crotone, Cosenza and Catanzaro (also know in the mission as the Three-C's).  We left last Friday morning to Elder and Sister Jones' place in Crotone.  They are a senior couple there working to help shore up the little branches there.  In their branch in Crotone, he serves as the Elder's Quorum and Sunday School President and she serves as the Relief Society First Counselor.  Outside of them and the missionaries, they regularly have six members in attendance.  While in Crotone, we were able to visit with Katia, one of our sweet YSA's.

On Saturday, we headed to Cosenza with the Jones'.  They went with us as far as Santa Severina, a tiny village perched on the top of a hill protected by a foreboding castle.  The castle was in remarkable condition and very nicely restored.  After touring the castle and the nearby Duomo, we had a lunch outside in the main square before getting back on the road.  The Jones' headed home while we continued on, up through the mountains of the National Park of the Sila, in the toe of Italy.  As we approached Cosenza, we dropped off the mountain in a series of switchbacks, passing through quaint little towns as we did so.

In Cosenza, we had an activity planned with the YSA's in the branch, and we had four of them in attendance.  It was delightful to meet these young adults and visit with them.  Gigi, who also serves as a stake YSA leader, organized the activity.  She is originally from Brazil with Italian heritage, and she's currently getting her missionary papers started and will soon be heading into the mission field.  Another of the YSA's was Lord from Nigeria, who's only been in Italy since January where he is attending university on a scholarship.  He's also a returned missionary, having served in Ghana.  In all, it was a very enjoyable evening.  Afterward, we headed back over the mountains to the Jones' home.

On Sunday morning, we caravanned with the Jones' to Catanzaro to attend church.  It was a very lively branch where most of the members are native Brazilians.  I was asked a few days earlier to speak in sacrament meeting.  We had a lovely time and enjoyed being with the saints there.

After church, we then headed directly home, about a four-and-a-half hour drive.  In the process, we were able to catch glimpses of all three of Italy's Seas, the Tyrrheanian, the Jonian, and the Adriatic.  It was a very beautiful road trip through mountains, olive groves and plains.  Once home, we prepared for the second leg of our four-day sleepover with the Jones', as they came up to Bari to attend Zone Conference on Monday.  They also stayed until Tuesday where we took them to Matera to see the Sassi there.

On Thursday, we had the opportunity to drive the Libertà Sisters to see a less active member who lives about 30 minutes away.  It was a sweet visit, and I had the opportunity to give her a priesthood blessing.  Later that evening, we were asked by the Poggiofranco Sisters to sit in a lesson they had scheduled with a man who attends their English class.  It also was a very sweet experience for us.  As Liz and I walked home that evening, we talked about our remarkable day and reflected on the amazing experiences we're having together here on our mission in Italy.

We love you all and we're very much looking forward to participating in General Conference this evening.  The 10:00am session will be live for us tonight at 6:00pm.  We'll watch the second and third Saturday sessions tomorrow, followed up with the Sunday morning session again Sunday evening.  We'll likely watch the last Sunday session sometime next week.

Love,

Anziano & Sorella Ellsworth

Castello di Santa Severina

With the YSA's in Cosenza

At Matera with the Jones'