Who would have thought that even cleaning a toilet could shape and change a person’s life? We look back on an unforgettable summer that has left a wonderful mark on our lives.

This was the second time we’ve been able to run our BNE Rome project. So this summer, too, we were at the IBEI Bible School with a group from Switzerland. Together, we delved into the Acts of the Apostles and studied the Epistle to the Romans. We learnt about early church history in a very accessible way whilst in the city of Rome. Through outreach on the streets, we were able to connect with people, give them gifts and talk to them about Jesus. Of course, the time was also filled with shared worship, Bible reading, as well as sport, leisure activities and deep fellowship.

The first 30 days at Bible college were extremely valuable and provided brilliant preparation for the 10-day mission trips. For these, we formed small teams and sent them out to Volterra, Naples, Sicily and Abruzzo.

What could be better than being able to look back on such a time with a heart full of gratitude? God has done and changed so much. We’d love to share a few stories:

• One participant had had a visual impairment since birth. God healed her after a time of prayer.
• An Italian woman living in poverty took part in one of our worship evenings. On that evening, she was deeply moved, encouraged and uplifted by a spontaneous financial donation.
• Shortly before a street outreach in Naples, one participant experienced a breakthrough from fears that had been plaguing him for some time during a personal, profound time with Jesus.
• One participant just had such a profound experience with God whilst cleaning the toilet that he found himself crying for the first time in many years.
• By coming to terms with part of her past, one participant was able to rediscover God’s calling in her life.

We are moved by the way Jesus consistently sees each and every person, loves them unconditionally and meets them exactly where they are. That is why we want to carry on and invest in projects like these. Preparations for the summer of 2027 are already underway, and we are looking forward to what lies ahead.