It may seem a strange title seeing that I have never been to Israel and that I lived most of my life in Africa. Born and grew up in Kenya and then South Africa. But it reflects the the spiritual journey that Israel’s Messiah has mapped out for me. For a more detailed bio, read the Africa link.
It all began on the 5th of January 1975 in Cape Town , South Africa. That fateful night when the Holy Spirit convicetd me that I was a sinner and where I met the Saviour.
Born of Italian parents, baptized as a baby, christened (I still have the photos of the Bishop of Nairobi laying hands on me) and grew up as a Catholic. Like 95 % of my countrymen, I believed that I was a Christian, albeit not a good one, but as long as I went to confession & communion I would be OK. Nobody told me about repentance as a 180 degree turnaround, new birth, sanctification.I learned to blaspheme the Lord when I was 15 years old . (There is a separate blog on italy and blasphemy under Italian Culture).BUT GOD, I like this expression in the bible !BUT GOD, so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son that I should not perish but have life eternal-[1] John 3:16. So Israel’s Messiah took hold of my life that night and 30 years later, here we are in Italy witnessing and winning souls for Him.
You may ask : Aren’t Catholics Christians? No. In the same way that belonging to a Protestant Church does not automatically make you a Christian. There is only one qualification : “you must be born again”- [2] John 3:5. When I came to Italy 8 years ago I used to make a distinction between Protestants and Catholics. Now I realise that many Protestant denominations are sliding deeper into apostasy. Many denying the Lord Himself. Truly as Jesus said ” a dog returns to his vomit and a sow wallows in the mud “.Traditional churches that were born out of the Reformation and whose early pioneers were murdered and often burnt at the stake , now openly support homosexuality, abortion. Some leaders do not even believe in the Deity of Jesus, virgin birth and other fundamental beliefs.
So here I am, a thoroughbred Italian in the flesh, but a thoroughbred Christian in the spirit, sent of God to witness to my fellow Italians - i 2 i.