My head is spinning and I hardly know where to start to tell you about these past 2 weeks in Roma, italy and the goings and coming of queste Coopia Missionari (aka this Senior Missionary Couple--the Mumfords). We have had an unusual time these past 14 days--and we are so sad it had to end. The Temple was closed for cleaning and maintenance--so that is how this Adventure was able to happen. So let me give you some HIGHLIGHTS.
ADVENTURE #1
We have said for a long time--even before getting this Call to serve here-- that if we ever got the chance we'd love to "revisit" some of the areas that Anziano Mumford served on his Primo Mission to Italy in 19691971. Well--that opportunity became available as we saw the Temple Closure Schedule and our son Brad and his family's planned visit to Rome to see us--there were a few days that were open. So--Ron booked us a flight to the Isle of Sardinia and we left on Sat evening, 18 of March after we finished our Morning shift (and last one for us--as the Temple closed from Tuesday, March 21 to Tuesday, April 4) in the Temple. We landed in Cagliari, the capital city of this beautiful island, and the very first area that Ron served when he got to Italy in the Spring of 1969. It turns out that there are a few of the Temple Ordinance workers we have been serving with who actually live on this Island and they come and stay for weeks or months at a time to serve in the Temple. The sacrifice of these Italian and other members is no small thing. Besides flying over to the island--there is a Ferry that goes between the mainland of Italy out to Sardinia and back 2-3 times daily--but it is almost more expensive than flying. So these members pay a price for their service in the Temple. There was a Sorella Anjouni that I had served with the first 2 weeks of March and she is from Cagliari. When she found out we were going there for a few days--she was so excited and promptly sent us all the information about their meetings on Sunday and the location of the meeting place. She sent me a picture of this chapel from the Church website and directions to get there. When I showed it to Ron--he was in disbelief--they had a real Chapel!! and they were so pleased that they did!
Cagliari, Sardinia behind usi
We were treated so warmly, we loved being there and as we were leaving, and many were sharing places we "must see" on this trip--we knew we had severely "underestimated" how much time to spend on this beautiful island. But one of them was very intriguing, so we set out for Barumini, which is a village, but also an archeological site--
ADVENTURE #2
Su Nuraxi archaeological zone. Discovered and brought to light in the 1940s and 1950s, during excavations conducted by the great archaeologist Giovanni Lilliu, the area consists of an impressive complex nuraghe, built in different phases as from the 15th century BC and an extended village of huts developed all around it during the following centuries.
The Nuragic civilization developed in Sardinia during a period of about 1000 years (1500-500 BC) giving rise to a very complex social structure, characterized by communities divided into different social classes to which families or clans belonged.
It is named after the most characteristic monument of that period: “the Nuraghe†a word that means “pile of stones” and “cavity” , which goes to indicate a type of military architecture with turreted walls. So far, across the island more than 7000 nuraghes (single towers and complex nuraghes) were surveyed and in the territory of Barumini about 30 of them appear. Su Nuraxi is the most representative of complex nuraghes, i.e. consisting of more than one tower. They were very similar to medieval castles and were used to defend the surrounding lands.
Su Nuraxi presents a cultural stratification of more than 2000 years, i.e. from 1500 BC to the 7th century AD.
We got to this amazing place just as it was closing for the day--(just our luck) so we had to stay and return the next morning for the first tour of the day. We had an excellent English guide who took us up to the Tower--passing little areas that were once huts, and homes, defined very well by the stones that remain behind in an amazing structure of this once strategic "community". As we went inside the large tower, and you look at the huge stones (rocks, boulders or whatever you want to call them) you can't help realizing that these people had to be very advanced in their knowledge of "how do we get these huge stones up off the ground and stack them on top of each other--without any type of mortar-" to a height of 30--40 feet high and walls that were 8-10 feet thick--at the bottom and tapering as they rose up. NO CRANES, NO BACKHOES, OR OTHER SUCH "MODERN EXCAVATING" EQUIPMENT!! (at least, not as we know and define them). It was fascinating and we were so glad we came back to see.
A VIEW FROM THE TOP --LOOKING DOWN ON THE COMMUNE
RON AND CAROL DEEP INSIDE THE NURAGHE TOWER
LOOK AT THOSE ROCKS!More pics from our time in Cagliari climbing to a park overlooking the city of Cagliari
ADVENTURE #3
So by now--we are realizing that we cannot go any further north on the island--to Sassari, or The Neptune Grotto in Alghero, or Olbia (on the eastern side of the island)-- or to Aloetta,
as we were flying out the next day (Tuesday, March 21, 2023) and we would not have enough time to get back to the south to fly back out of Cagliari. We did, however, try to find this Golf Course in Oristano. What a lovely little town half-way between Cagliari and Sassari. We found it--beautiful course--but not yet OPEN for the Season! What a disappointment for Ron!! But Sorella Anjouni had told us about the beaches along the southern part of the island and I really wanted to see them. So we headed in that direction--trusting Google Maps to take us on the "scenic route". Half way through the "scenic route" we abandoned Google Maps (there was nothing very scenic about the path we were on) and just headed south towards the coast. So many beautiful beaches--beautiful blue water, sand as soft as silk . . . . We were so happy to at least be able to stop and walk along the beautiful coastline and hear the waves crashing against the beach. We chose VILLASIMIUS BEACH, as it was closest to where we could drive and get out, snap a few pics and walk along the beach before it got too dark to take pictures. We wished we had allowed more time for this "relaxing activity--just sitting or walking along the beach and hearing the waves"--but at least we found it!!
THIS IS NOT THE MEDITERRANEAN but the TYRRHENIAN SEA on the Southern tip of Sardinia.
VILLASIMIUS BEACH
HEY! THEY GROW "HENS AND CHICKENS" HERE TOO!!
What a short but exciting trip it was. For Ron to see where he served almost 54 years ago this month is no small miracle.To see the Church is growing and being established on this island and on Sicily and the mainland of Italy is not only such a blessing, but the result of hard work and effort by the Saints all across Italy--working, serving and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ by word, by deed and by example. We are blessed to serve along with them.
Adventures to be continued . . . .
Love, Sorella and Anziano Mumford
HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!! HURRAH!!
