Missionary Halloween

Italy doesn’t celebrate Halloween, but they do celebrate November 2, The Day of the Dead.  I did a Halloween Poetry activity in my English Class at the church on Tuesday and everyone was knowledgeable about the American Holiday.  We have one Anziano DeLiberto from Milan serving in Catania right now and Halloween Poetry particularly entertained him. I did a choral reading and Reader’s Theater that required students to be dramatic, especially in their voice.  They worked in groups then presented the whole piece together.  It was hilarious to watch them enjoy this activity.  Anziano DeLiberto told me after class, “Americans really are crazy.”  But he did want a copy of each poem for himself!

How about this group of my favorite Trick-or-Treaters? I tried to explain how my family celebrated Halloween!

Yet another year minus Kaci with this bunch! This was the year Ashley proudly announced she wanted to dress up to be a bum!  Garrett got a concerned look on his face and said he would like to be a vampire. He didn't want anything to do with the bum idea! Mike was again a pilot with the green bag and helmet to make it authentic. I have to admit it is difficult to explain to Italians why we do this???

We introduced the missionaries to a family at Sigonella a few weeks ago.  Diana, the Mom is from Peru, she has been a member for many years but has not attended church for at least 20 of the most recent.  The Sorelle is currently teaching her oldest daughter Caylee and her second daughter Ellory. 

Caylee the beautiful gypsy!

Jacob The Joker!

Ellory, the masquerade princess

Halloween on the housing areas of Sigonella was celebrated on Friday, October 26.  Mainly because they always invite the Italian Nationals who are employed at Sigonella to join in this holiday since they don’t celebrate it in their own neighborhood.  We took both the Anzaini and the Sorelle out to the Mariani for the festivities.  Now Anziano DiLiberto is convinced “Americans really are crazy.” The other three missionaries are Americans and they were delighted to see this piece of Americana in action. The streets were crowded with kids in costumes: dinosaurs, Spider man, Batman, Princesses, mermaids, Sherlock Holmes, witches everything you can imagine was wandering the streets in Mariani with a trick-or-treat bag in hand.  The security gate was clogged with Italian Nationals trying to get clearance to join the fun.  Over all it was just short of chaos!

Oh look four people joined the fun dressed like Missionaries!! Anziano DiLiberto, Anzainio Hunstman, Sorelle Catani, Dad, Mom, Sorelle Moshier, Caylee, Jacob and Ellory round out this Halloween crowd!