Final Meeting in Spain by Jim Filmore

Today was the culmination of an absolutely incredibible week and an amazing experience. By now, you have read the background on our trip and we have shared many experiences. It is difficult to put into words the impact this week has had upon my life and the friendships that have been forged in such a short time. We traveled thousands of miles to meet a group of people in a different culture who speak a different lanaguage and yet a common thread binds us together. Everybody that I met had a heart for God that was manifested in their openness, friendship, and generosity to others. While we came here to help this community, I feel that they have given us so much more in return.

We finished our meetings tonight by revealing our "Secreto Amigo". This was a system that was set up by Carolyn and Cara to help encourage our team. When we revealed our secret amigo, each of us described what we appreciate about that person and how they impacted us on this trip. We could have stayed up for hours as there was no lack of positive attributes to describe everyone in the room. Of course, we recognized that anything we accomplished was the result of God working through us and was not a result of our own power. If we took a moment to think of those in Spain that impacted our lives, we could also easily assemble pages of thoughts. Isma and Eva were an amazing blessing throughout our week. They re-arranged their schedule and cleared their calendar to drive us from our hotel to the church numerous times. They did so while maintaining a positive outlook. Isma made me laugh so many times with his witty humor that I often forgot that English is not his primary language. Tomas and his wife Pure are parential figures in the church. While Tomas spoke almost no English, it is amazing how I felt his warmth and fatherly presence simply when he laid his hand on my shoulder during our first meeting at dinner Tuesday night. Alvero and his wife Raquel amazed me with their ability to be such loving parents while juggling their commitment to their church. Alvero is such an incredible modest guy and yet is so gifted. A few days ago, he said that he didn´t really play the guitar and yet an hour later he was effortlessly strumming away to a new song. He also didn´t mention that he sung or played the piano and yet he lead morning worship with an incredible voice and a presence behind the piano. I could go on an on about the people with whom we met. However, the bottom line is that we realized that this trip was not about some new paint or decorations that we made to a building. This trip was about God´s kingdom and His church. As Scott stated so eloquently this weekend, a church is not a physical building. If North Point Church burnt down, then the true "church" would continue as small groups would still meet. We experienced this fellowship today during our BBQ. No color of paint on the walls nor any decorations in the hallway could create such fellowship. God working on us...in us...and through us...creates such fellowship and it was amazing.

Thanks to everyone who supported us on this trip. Thanks to those who supppored us financially and spiritually. Your letters and words of encouragement were invaluable during our journey. I pray that what we did here this week has a positive impact on his community in Spain. I know that it had a positive impact on my life and I will forever be changed as a result of this experience.

- Jim Filmore