"Creo En Ti...."

Hello All! Beth again... If you couldn't tell before, I have found that God has blessed me with this innate desire to write and write and write while in Spain. Never before have I had a desire to write as much as I do on this blog and in my journals! So, I will write a bit of what I am experiencing!!

Day 8 brought about the pleasant surprise of Melanie and I taking a short jaunt to the store - by ourselves!! Our first "solo flight!" How wonderfully liberating it is not to feel like a tourist for just a few moments. To say - I need to go to the bank, and then actually walk out the front door with my friend and go down the street to the nearest bank was so refreshing!! Going to the bank - such a simple and mundane task in America, has brought so much purpose to my life after I have needed to depend on everyone else for the last 2 weeks!! I LOVE THE BANK!!! :-)

And so, Melanie and I walked down the street. Everything was going along well and the bank trip was quite a success. And then - BAM! - back to "Americans in a foreign country” mode. We just wanted to buy a phone card...it shouldn't be that difficult, right? Yeah....somehow, it was. Finding the store was not the problem. Getting IN the door, yes - that is where we struggled. We pulled, and it didn't open. Pulled again because maybe the first time was - wrong? Pulled 1 last time for good measure - nope...not happening. Now, we had officially identified ourselves as "Gringos" to everyone inside the VERY OPEN store, and everyone walking by. Awkwardness ensued as we stood outside the door waiting to figure out what to do. It wasn't time for Siesta (Yes, they have those here - from the hours of 1-4 or 5:30 depending on when the locals decide to go back to work), and people were inside the store, but why wasn't it open?! So, we waited, until a random person walked right up to the door, and - PUSHED - and entered. A brief look of "Oh Man...Why didn't WE do that" and then we just followed. As I went to buy the card, the man at the counter said "Yes, I can speak English" even before we asked him to...Oh the joys of figuring out life overseas.

Next up on the list of New and Exciting Experiences – Team Spain’s debut on the RADIO!!! Saturday afternoon, we were taken to the local Christian radio station, (which happened to be located in the very back of a used furniture store) and given a 1 hour time slot in which we talked about our ministry here in Spain, politics (whenever anyone finds out we are from the US, they ask us if we voted for Obama…yikes), and the spirituality of The Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus, and whether or not we will ever live in Spain on a more permanent basis. I must admit that some of the questions were a bit nerve-wracking, as I don’t typically enjoy discussing politics with my friends, so thinking about discussing it with people I didn’t know had me shaking a bit, and the girls did a wonderful job of handling The Jonas Brothers question, as I don’t really know ANYTHING about them! Apparently the message we brought, which was that we came to Spain to serve the people and to bring a little bit of God’s love to them, was just what they needed to hear. Someone actually called the Pastor’s house and said that the message was wonderful and was so thankful for our presence in Spain. We later found out that the small radio station was broadcast throughout Barcelona City, the entire district of Barcelones, the entire District of Catalunya, Girona and Madrid. I personally am so grateful that I didn’t know that going INTO the station or my nerves would have gotten the better of me! As it is, I nearly broke the girls’ hands as I was holding them so tight! :-)

Exciting News: We were blessed on Sunday, to have a 45 minute conversation with Chad, as he sat in a coffee shop in China. We attempted to set up a time in which we as a group could talk to them as a group using web-cam, however due to the time difference and not knowing the daily schedule, it didn’t work out this time. It will eventually though!!

Monday’s are our “days off,” however this week our day off consisted of MANY different activities. I spent the morning chauffeuring one of the Pastors from Honduras, Jose Luis and his wife Rosario to the airport. – yes, more driving. (Its getting better now...i might even pass as a European driver much to the chagrin of the girls who reminded me they have to ride with me when we get back to the states...) Sarah and Audrey packed their suitcases (again) and prepared to move (again) to their “new” home! Melanie stayed busy making breakfast for the group. However, before breakfast could be made, the girls were made aware that there was “nada en la casa para desayuno” (nothing in the house for breakfast). This resulted in an impromptu trip to the grocery store down the street. They were told it opened at 9, but in reality – it opened at 9:15 – so 15 awkward minutes outside standing on the street corner. (We seem to find ourselves doing that more often lately…) Once inside, the girls were accosted by a woman yelling at them in RAPID Spanish that there was “NO BREAD!!” Apparently, she was upset…at them? At the store? Who knows… Otherwise – uneventful beginning to an eventful day. The most important task accomplished was the purchasing of winter coats. Prior to coming to Spain, we were under the impression that it was warmer than Pennsylvania at this time of year – even if it is still “invierno aqui” (winter here). However, we have found that the combination of wind, rain, and unexpected hail storms have combined to make a winter jacket quite necessary. We have also found that you can peg an American a mile away – they just don’t wear the same things. We have wanted to discard our warm sweatshirts and hats, for something more “fashionable”. Alas – for monetary reasons, we will remain “frumpy”.

Now, for those moms out there who might wonder if we are eating well - um, the answer would be...YES. Everywhere we go – we eat. And we eat well. We eat Honduran, we eat Algerian, Chinese, Japanese, Albanian, Argentinean and even McDonalds which classifies as an entire food group in itself – grease. Whole chickens – check. Fresh salsa and tortillas – check. Potatoes and vegetables – check. Rice and seafood – check. Thank goodness for needing to walk everywhere. It’s helping with the digestion of the massive meals.

Along with eating all the food, we also get to cook it!! That has always been an interesting task, as for myself, I'm used to an oven. But here - no such luck. Oil or Microwave are the two options. One afternoon, irma bought a WHOLE chicken...now you are probably wondering the SAME thing I was: How on EARTH do you cook a whole chicken iin oil, or in the microwave!? She made it work, and taught us the same process so by the time we come back - we will have a recipe book as well!!! :-) Our favorite job is making French Fries - they taste like Fair Fries (french fries from a fair). Meals are often so varied here but they are always so colorful: Desayuno (Breakfast) is usually Bocadillos (sandwiches made with Grilled Pork and cheese) and Cafe con Leche, Almuerzo (Lunch) is usually HUGE, chicken and potatoes etc., and Cena (dinner) - tapas are common:-)

Okay, so I must be off to help Melanie make Bocadillos. As I write, Sarah and Audrey are on the Metro traveling to get here! :-)

"Creo en ti,

Creo en ti,

Creo en ti el hijo de Dios

Me has dado la vida

Nadie puede salvar

Solo Jesús."

Using My Senses

"Tap...tap...taptaptap...tap." Its silent all around me, except for that noise..."tap tap tap..." and every so often a soft "whooshing sound" outside the window. A soft sigh every so often...

The sound of a rain storm in Spain. The sound of my fingers on the keyboard of the laptop...The sound of my roommate resting after a long day.

This may seem trivial to write about, and I promise this entry won't be a description of the rain (although it is colder here than i expected...), however, rain is only just the beginning.

Every day here is a challenge for each of my senses...each one is in overdrive. I can't seem to take it all in. The sound of the Spanish language (which is so amazingly beautiful if you truly listen to it...), the subway noise, the random street performers, the cars honking, the police sirens, the roaring of the busses...and still more Spanish language. Even the TV can be overwhelming at times... My mind struggles to keep up with everything, and I have found myself "zoning out" at times while riding the subway, because I think my body tells me to just shut down for a few minutes so my brain can catch up. It may sound funny, but cultural submersion is certainly no joke...Every so often I hear English, and my ears strain to catch it...I miss it ... but I am thankful for that feeling...

At the end of the day, my eyes seem to almost ache because they have strained to take in everything they possibly can - the culture here is absolutely ancient and the country likes it that way. They strive to keep it that way. Although to my amazement, the ancient city streets of Barcelona are immediately contrasted by the blaring lights of "La Rambla" where the nightlife of Barcelona rears its head...immediately across the street. Two different worlds, one ancient, and one modern, separated by a few stones....old and new meet in the middle. A contrast my mind struggles to wrap around. Older couples sit at street cafes while young couples stroll hand in hand down the way wandering from shop to shop for the next "big purchase."

The smells of food fill my head as I go from house to house, visiting my new "church family". Every day it is a different house, a different meal, and a different experience - but always the smells. And outside, the air is so cold and fresh it stings my nose and makes my eyes water. Perfume is everywhere, but so is the smell of Diesel Fuel, and cigarette smoke and tonight - I am blessed by the familiar smell of rain.

Spain, in all its wonderful glory is a different world, a different culture. 1st world or not, Barcelona is NOT Harrisburg, PA...and so I've got to make sure that since I'm here now, I take it all in. I've GOT to experience everything I can to the fullest extent...Otherwise, I'm missing out...

I've got to see it,

hear it,

taste it,

and feel it...

So, as the day comes to a close...I allow myself the freedom to rest - but just before I close my eyes - I come to my senses...

And I listen
....tap, tap, tap....
to the rain.

~Beth

How much hospitality...

Looking outside my window, I see rows and rows of apartments, all similar in height and size. I turn around and I see a little boy, watching cartoons on the TV, wrapped up in a warm blanket, I hear the sound of water running and I smell breakfast cooking. At first glance, my life hasn't changed all that much.


And then, I take a closer look.

The signs around the buildings are all in Spanish, the little boy is watching TV that is all in Spanish, the water running is the sound of my host family preparing for the day, and breakfast will be served most likely at 11:00 AM. In the wonderful words of Dorothy - "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore..." And what a wonderful realization that is!!

If I am correct, the date is Wednesday, December 10 and I have officially been in Spain for 1 week. And in that one week, I have experienced more cultural changes than my mind can quite comprehend.

But, I think the one thing I have experienced the most has been hospitality. Upon arriving I was given a home - complete with "brothers and sisters". I have a bunkbed that I get to share with one of my closest friends, and I have a "family" that is caring for my needs. Granted, I have to assist in this process by paying for things, but ultimately, I am being cared for. Each new person that I have met has done everything they can to communicate with me, and most have attempted to speak in English! Not one person that I have met has been rude or disappointed at my lack of ability to communicate to them proficiently in Spanish...and they enjoy helping me learn. They are willing to work with me in my weakness, and assist me to become strong. And the desire goes both ways - I have this desire within me that I didn't know was there, to learn the language so that I can communicate with them SOLELY in their language.

In some ways, this paralells my relationship with Christ. I can see my weaknesses at times - and in my rough days, those weakened spots are the ones that stick out to me the worst. But Christ has this desire to work WITH me, to walk WITH me, and to love me unconditionally. He wants to communicate with me. He wants me to listen, as He speaks His words of love and life into my life - and even though sometimes I might not understand the message - He is thankful that I am there with Him and listening. He is grateful for my attempts...He is thankful that I am trying.

And so, I will sit down next to the little boy, who speaks next to none of my language, and I so little of his. I will watch cartoons with him, because cartoons are a universal language all their own. I will enjoy my "late" breakfast, and I will wander the streets of this beautiful country - accepting the gracious hospitality offered me.

And I will continue to pray for the wisdom to know how to offer just a little bit of my own to them...because Christ did it for me.





-Beth

Some of our newest friends in Spain, from Amor Viviente Church

Our First Day In Spain

Hey all! Melanie writing...



We arrived safe and sound in Spain, and have been having an awesome day so far! Our adventure started yesterday, around 1 pm and since then it has been constantly interesting. Here are some highlilghts:




- we got to the Philadelphia aiport really early, so we had a little over 3 hours to hang out in the terminal


- on top of that, the flight was late, and then we sat in the plane for a while, so we were over an hour late taking off


- we had some interesting people sitting behind us on the plain, including a kicking and sick child behind Sarah, and a lady behind Melanie who didn't lett her to put her seat back at all


- between the 4 of us we ranged from between 20 minutes to 1.5 hours of sleep overnight


- we then almost missed our next flight, and had to run through the airport to catch it, only to find that the plane was surprisingly and strangely empty


- we got here safe and sound, with all of our luggage


- we piled all of our luggage - 8 suitcases, plus 3 of our carry-ons, into a car, and took a bus to our new home


- we carried all of our luggage up 3 flights of stairs


- our first Spanish meal was a Chinese buffet in the mall - which was amazing, by the way


- at the Chinese buffet, all of us got what we thought were onion rings...only to find out that they were fried squid rings - and we all surprisingly enjoyed them


- Beth enjoyed her first cup of Spanish coffee at a "street cafe" in the mall


- we saw all kind of things that Judit would tell us about during training


- we went grocery shopping in the mall, and Sarah got to carry toilet paper though the streets of Barcelona back to the house


Yesterday, it was really hard to say good-bye to 5 other teams of fellow HDCers. However, we were really excited that we got to fly with the Indipali team, so we got to be with them a little longer. Saying good-bye to them was really hard, because we've gotten to know that team especially well. Also, it was the last team we had to say good-bye too, so at least for me, it kind of felt like my last little connection to home was being taken away. Then, it was just the Spain team! We watched some videos from training of people at HDC just being themselves, so that made us all laugh. We are all a little overwhelmed by the fact that we're actually in Spain, and will be here for 6 months, but it's been great so far!

Thanks for all of your prayers and well-wishes! We will continue to be updating as we go along!

Melanie

The Beginning of the End...Somewhat...

Dressing up or dressing down, neck ties or sweatpants, Frisbee, soccer, flag football, ultimate Frisbee, piano serenades, late night chats, hot cocoa and a warm blanket, hugs and wrestling, mail and packages, sessions and worship, ministry nights...ministry period, long games of Rook and even longer games of Risk, coloring books and crayons, quiet moments with God and loud moments with friends, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Swahili and every so often Spanglish, Coffee (but only 2 cups) and tea, water and...water, Crown's Chicken (A.K.A Chicken Charlies to some) and Angels Pizza, leftovers (need I say more), Walmart and the park, big vans and small parking spaces, Olympic Games and scavenger hunts, playgrounds, computers and sometimes the lack there of, missing friends and making new ones, happy moments and sad moments, learning about each other and learning about ourselves, highs and lows, ups and downs, realizations and changes, laughter and tears... and so many more things that couldn't even begin to sum up the end of this phase of our lives together...

Hello blog followers...Beth here. This entry will be written from my personal perspective as each of the girls have their own experiences that I am sure you will read about to come. As you probably already know, it is the final week of training, and so this blog entry will merely touch upon the last 2 months of my life. As I am nearing the end of this chapter I am forced to look back on where I came from. It was not too long ago that I was sitting in my house wondering silently to myself and to God, "what is next for me?" I couldn't imagine staying where I was any longer, but I wasn't getting any answers about the imminent "next step..." That is, until I spoke with John King and Chris Epp. I remember the days to follow: the tearful phone call to Mom stating "I'm going overseas" and the tearful response of "I think I knew this before you called." The packing up of my life in boxes and in suitcases, the final day at a job in which I would have an income, the haste in calling as many of my family and friends to inform them, the list of "things to do before..." and then, the sound of my apartment door slamming behind me as I left behind (for a few months at least) the life I had become accustomed to and was comfortable in.

That sound has been and will be ingrained in my mind as the moment in which I chose to free-fall with God.

I have come a long ways in the last few months. I have become confident in my prayer life, and my Bible has become so much more than just a book - it is God's Love Letter written specifically for me. I have seen people's lives changed, and I have observed changes in my own. I have given myself over to the healing process and allowed God to heal me. I have, in some ways, grieved the life I left behind, and have begun to rejoice at the prospects of the life I have ahead of me. I have walked the path of "weighing the cost." What am I willing to lay down for the cost of following my Savior where He calls me? It really isn't much. Yes, I may lose a few friends along the way, I may not have a job or an income when I return, the life I led before will not be the life I lead when I come back, no matter how hard I try to make it so. But Christ has called me to something higher...to serve the Kingdom. And so, I have weighed the cost, and I have chosen Christ. I have accepted this ministry. I have accepted Spain. And the best part about this is:

Christ has also chosen me.

The path that lies ahead of this team will be full of ups and downs and twists and turns. I would expect nothing less than to take a few wrong turns here and there and possibly become so confused and frustrated that we all flop down on a couch and cry out, "What am I DOING here?!" And yet, I somehow long for that time...because it is in those vulnerable and painful moments, when we cry out to God with the only strength we have left in us, that He is faithful and provides an overwhelming sense of peace. He won't always give answers...and to be honest, being as independent as I am, I am thankful for this. But He will ALWAYS show up. And that brings more comfort than anything. It was in that moment, when I cried out to God saying: "What am I doing?!" that he brought me to this program, to this moment in my life. I see the pathway now - clearly marked. It was practically paved...I just didn't see it until now. God was faithful...and faithful He will remain.

Some of you may be saying: she shouldn't be doubting! She should be confident. And please trust me, the confidence in this team is beyond words. But there are honest moments when we all look at each other and our eyes express what we are all feeling. This is all new for each one of us, and we have a lot yet to process.

The list of things we have experienced here at HDC is small...and there are many more things to be added, of that I'm certain. I expect a period of mourning, a deep sense of sorrow related to missing the friendships we just made, and a sense of confusion as we leave a safe place to go to a ... well... completely different place that is not yet "safe" for us. But with those things, I believe that God will be faithful and show up...

It is with that expectation that I continue to free-fall...

For Christ and for Spain,

Beth

Matthew 4:19

Sessions This Week!

Audrey (and Beth) here,

We have been through alot this week...Sessions have become much more intense, with the topics all ranging from Pride, to Emotional Boundaries, to Hospitality to God's Gift of Prophesy. Our personal favorite at the moment is the series on putting our Identity in Christ. At times it is difficult to sit and listen to someone speak on how we change our identity at times, to things that are other than Christ, but it is also vitally important to our ministry that we learn these things and become familiar with them before outreach.

We are all feeling emotionally and physically exhausted, as our schedules are rather busy every day. Last weekend was an exception - it was Family Weekend!! Last weekend we had the opportunity to share our living situation, as well as our ministries and our friends with our families. Each member of our team was able to share with at least 1 member of their family for at least a few hours. Bethany's brother visited from West Point, which was a surprise as it is an 8 hour round trip drive. Audrey was blessed by her Mom, Dad, and brother as well as 3 members of her Care Team. Sarah was pleasantly surprised when her Mom and Dad came on Sunday afternoon to share with her, and Melanie was graced with her mom, dad and 1 of the 2 sisters as well as 1 member of her Care Team. To all who blessed us with your presence during our Family Weekend, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We long to share this journey with you and are so thankful that you are supporting us in such real and tangible ways. To anyone else who is reading this - you are just as vital to our team as our direct families and we are so grateful to have you in our lives. Family Weekend was a success, even though at the end of it, we all wished it was at least 3 days longer...

Now, onto a tangible and very hands-on project that we as a team have begun to embark on. Community Outreach!! Some of you may be aware, and others may not, so we have decided to let you in on what we are doing for this aspect of our training. The story begins when during a Life Group session, we took a walk to visit The Silence of Mary Home, which holds significant meaning for Beth. She told us the story of her friend Danielle Forney, who had worked there during their college years and shared a bit of her heart with the group. She also shared that Danielle had passed away a few months following their graduation from Messiah, and the garden we were sitting in was designed in her memory. While we were there, the group really felt that God was leading us to begin our outreach in this garden. It is an opportunity to make a big difference, and also to be a part of a legacy. Beth was ecstatic about this because it gave the group an opportunity to join in a story of her life!! So, that same day, we spoke with the director of the home, and she accepted us with open arms. Since then, every Tuesday and Thursday we have begun working on various projects there - weeding the garden and straightening things up. It is a beautiful place, but tends to get over-run because there is not a lot of people to keep it up. Just yesterday, Sue, the director, came out to see our progress and was overjoyed with what we had been doing. She was so grateful. The coolest thing about this ministry opportunity, is that not only is God working through us, but He is still working through Danielle... The only downfall currently: the horrific mosquitos. We now affectionately call them "Super Bugs" because even with the "Skin-So-Soft" on...we each have at LEAST 3o bites a piece... Moms: Bug Spray and After Bite are welcome in any care packages...:-D

The team is greatly looking forward to this weekend - this will be one of the first weekends of which we do not have anything necessarily planned. We have a lot of free time to just sit and enjoy each others company and do....NOTHING!

Please continue to join with us in prayer for the health of the group, as well as for our exhausted bodies...we need renewed energy!

And as always, pray for Spain...

Blessings to all,

The 4 Spanish Roses

Address for here...just in case

Just in case it is ever a question....here is our address in Harrisburg

(Name)
C/O Harrisburg Discipleship Center
333 South 13th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104

:-D