Gloria A Dio

SO.  To fill you in on my exciting news..

I met an elderly Peruvian woman and she assured me she could find me a job in Italy; no problem.  I couldn't believe how nice, carefree, and open she was with me, it felt unreal.  It was however true.

As I was waiting for my tram back home, after the Mass at Duomo, two English-speaking tourists were trying to get directions from this woman but were having alot of trouble since she only speaks Italian and Spanish.  I stepped in immediately because the futbol stadium, they were going to, was right around where I am living.  After I gave them instructions, I got on the first tram that arrived without realizing it was the wrong one.  (It's difficult to remember to check the number because there are so many numbers that pass by one stop!)  But God knew what He was doing.

The woman boarded the same tram, sat next to me, and started talking to me like I was her best friend.  She told me all about how she got transferred from Peru to Torino (Turin) because she is the human resources director of a company and also a teacher, nurse, and lawyer.  (Don't ask me how one woman could do all that in her lifetime!)  

She asked about myself afterwards, and was genuinely interested to get to know me.  The first thing I said is my memorized line, "Vorrei vivere in Italia quindi devo trovare un lavoro" ("I want to live in Italy so I have to find a job").  She looked at me, and then without any hesitations, said she could find me work.  Now, I do not know much about the legal part of working in Italy so I have been praying hard to be guided through that part and to hear that my prayers were answered, was incomprehensible.  So just like that this wonder woman took all my fears away.

She then invited me out to lunch in Chinatown (yes, Milan has a China town!) and I found out she talks to everyone who she finds simpatico (nice)!  It was really incredible to watch.  I found out she is a strong Catholic too, and she offered that I could live with her when I am finished aupairing!  I am so comfortable with her.  She has a passion for singing and dancing; no matter who is watching!  (I even found out she keeps a journal of songs she makes up to perform.)  The entire time I kept repeating "Non ci credo!" ("I don't believe this!").

After lunch, I went around with her as she did some shopping.  She kept telling the shopkeepers I was her niece and was so happy about it.  She likes giving hugs and kisses! It's the Peruvian culture. Then she invited me to dinner at her house, to meet her daughter!  (BTW if you are wondering where the heck my host family is, they were in Germany for the weekend, however Sundays are my day off!)  Her daughter, Jessica, is 36 years old and speaks a little English but we just stuck with Italian.  We enjoyed a great Spanish meal and I have been visiting them every Sunday since then.

Last week I talked to her boss on the phone and got his contact information.  He does not speak very good English but I am to meet him on Sunday, January 19th and bring all of my documents as if I am applying for work!  For some reason I am not very nervous about it.  I am fully relying on My Savior. 

It all was something else.  I know it sounds too good to be true (believe me!) but for some reason I really trust this caring woman and all I can do for now is keep praying for things to go smoothly on the 19th.  (Your prayers are welcomed too because there is nothing set in place yet!)  She later told me that she has taken three years of Psychology and knew right away, after seeing me help those tourists and looking in my eyes, that I am a good person.

When I met her, I said my little prayer of thanksgiving, "Thank you, Dear Lord, thank you so much."

I think it is only fitting that her name is Gloria.