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
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Thoughts from BOB
Our mission here has been completed. We have felt the Lord's leading during the entire week. Today, Sunday, July 8th the Christians honored us with a cookout in one of the local parks. WOW! What a great day of celebration. It is 10:35 in the envening and we're about to have our last team meeting while here in Spain. Pray for our safe trip back to Atlanta.
Love in Christ
Bob Cox
See you tomorrow honey.
Love in Christ
Bob Cox
See you tomorrow honey.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Speaking Frankly, by Michael Frank
Tonight will be first time ever (for me) to "blog", or type on a Spanish keyboard. This should be fun...
It is the next to the last night for our group, and what an amazing week it has been. In case you have been reading the previous blogs, you are up to date on what an incredible group of people there are in this part of the world, who have and share their passion and hearts for God. You have no choice but to be humbled and know that there is a God and that he is bigger than you can comprehend. Today was the first day that all the leaders of the church were able to come together at the same time this week, along with a few of its members, and see the church for the first time after we completed our renovations. To see grown men overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of their "new" church was incredible. To break out into small groups with the leaders and members and just ask them questions on what they thought the direction and destination was for their church and their community...was also amazing. We heard their needs and their viewpoints, and it was humbling to know that there are people in other parts who have the same obstacles and challenges that we face in spreading His word.
And to preface this next part, I have heard of this done before on other mission trips, and thought the idea of it was cool, but I had no idea... To come across the ocean and listen to a new friend that you have met sing "Indescribable" (by Chris Tomlin) in his language really opens your eyes to see just how big of a part this thing is and how big God is.
It was another long, and awesome day. A morning workout on the beach across the street of our hotel. A devotion led by an incredible man, Bob Cox. A quick visit to the church that they are building here in Vilanova, and then the rest of the day with its members in Sitges. And to close the night with just our group at dinner here on the boardwalk, Oh, and we heard a very intriguing testimony by Carolyn Norton...this a great close to a beautiful day. In shorto, I have had a lot of funo. And I can´t wait to come backo hereo...
Michael and the Spain Team 2
It is the next to the last night for our group, and what an amazing week it has been. In case you have been reading the previous blogs, you are up to date on what an incredible group of people there are in this part of the world, who have and share their passion and hearts for God. You have no choice but to be humbled and know that there is a God and that he is bigger than you can comprehend. Today was the first day that all the leaders of the church were able to come together at the same time this week, along with a few of its members, and see the church for the first time after we completed our renovations. To see grown men overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of their "new" church was incredible. To break out into small groups with the leaders and members and just ask them questions on what they thought the direction and destination was for their church and their community...was also amazing. We heard their needs and their viewpoints, and it was humbling to know that there are people in other parts who have the same obstacles and challenges that we face in spreading His word.
And to preface this next part, I have heard of this done before on other mission trips, and thought the idea of it was cool, but I had no idea... To come across the ocean and listen to a new friend that you have met sing "Indescribable" (by Chris Tomlin) in his language really opens your eyes to see just how big of a part this thing is and how big God is.
It was another long, and awesome day. A morning workout on the beach across the street of our hotel. A devotion led by an incredible man, Bob Cox. A quick visit to the church that they are building here in Vilanova, and then the rest of the day with its members in Sitges. And to close the night with just our group at dinner here on the boardwalk, Oh, and we heard a very intriguing testimony by Carolyn Norton...this a great close to a beautiful day. In shorto, I have had a lot of funo. And I can´t wait to come backo hereo...
Michael and the Spain Team 2
Friday, July 6, 2007
TGIF in Vilanova!
We began our day today with a team meeting where Michael Frank shared his testimony, which was a good start to the day. Isma met us for breakfast at 9:30...where some of us ate a traditional croissant but the more daring team members ate "bikinis." They actually turned out to be not so daring sandwiches of ham and cheese! We then divided and conquered. One group stayed and prepared for the training on Saturday and the rest went to clean the church and put it back together. The cleaning crew was very efficient and innovative. The vaccuum cleaner didn´t work well, so Jennifer made a "lint brush" out of a aersol can and simple roll of masking tape. Might sound funny...but, it worked!!! Bob and Michael swept the carpet...yes, you read that correctly, they "swept" the carpet with brooms. Julie straightened the sound area (cords etc.)...Jim moved chairs and did many other tasks. Melanie cleaned the foyer. Carolyn mopped the floors and ran errands back and forth to the store, and Cara cleaned the bathroom!! NOT a fun job, but very necessary. While we were there, David, Betsy, Jen and Scott stayed back at the hotel and planned for Saturday.
Around 2 pm we all went to Barcelona (Isma drove us in our van) and met up with the ¨planning¨team for lunch. Carolyn was even able to meet up with Ben, one of their Coca Cola Scholars who was in Barcelona too! We walked around and shopped and saw the sights for a couple of hours, and then took the train back to Vilanova. We had so much fun with Ava and Isma, and we´re already sad knowing we have to say goodbye to them in 2 days.
Tonight David played tennis with Alvaro and his brother Danny (at courts by their house), and he had a chance to talk to them about their vision for their church. Then, we split up and some of us went to dinner with Isma and his parents (Joseph and Mercedes) and the rest went to dinner with Danny, Tamar, Alvero, Raquel and their kids (at Danny´s house). Both dinners were outside under the stars. Our new friends in Spain are very hospitable and make us feel so welcome!
Those of us who were at Danny and Tamar´s house finished the night watching all of the pictures we´ve taken so far on this trip...on Danny´s movie projector at home. Truly, we feel like these people are FAMILY. God has been sooo good to us!
Tomorrow we have a big day of planning and training for church leaders. We will do icebreakers with them and then break into small groups and discuss different things that our church does at home that they want to learn. There has been a lot of division at this new church, so your prayers are needed for a great day of fellowship and ¨bonding¨ tomorrow (especially between the members and leaders of their church). We fully expect God to show up big again, so we´re not worried, but it´s been very tough for them lately. They work in their regular jobs all week and then spend all weekend preparing for church Sunday (unpaid of course), and the men especially also feel the pressure of being a good husband and father aside, so they are exhausted. We have told them how all of you back home are praying for them and it means so much to all of them, so MUCHOS GRACIAS from Iglesia Evangelist. (:
Hasta Luego....until tomorrow.
(Cara, Carolyn, Melanie...on behalf of Spain team)
Around 2 pm we all went to Barcelona (Isma drove us in our van) and met up with the ¨planning¨team for lunch. Carolyn was even able to meet up with Ben, one of their Coca Cola Scholars who was in Barcelona too! We walked around and shopped and saw the sights for a couple of hours, and then took the train back to Vilanova. We had so much fun with Ava and Isma, and we´re already sad knowing we have to say goodbye to them in 2 days.
Tonight David played tennis with Alvaro and his brother Danny (at courts by their house), and he had a chance to talk to them about their vision for their church. Then, we split up and some of us went to dinner with Isma and his parents (Joseph and Mercedes) and the rest went to dinner with Danny, Tamar, Alvero, Raquel and their kids (at Danny´s house). Both dinners were outside under the stars. Our new friends in Spain are very hospitable and make us feel so welcome!
Those of us who were at Danny and Tamar´s house finished the night watching all of the pictures we´ve taken so far on this trip...on Danny´s movie projector at home. Truly, we feel like these people are FAMILY. God has been sooo good to us!
Tomorrow we have a big day of planning and training for church leaders. We will do icebreakers with them and then break into small groups and discuss different things that our church does at home that they want to learn. There has been a lot of division at this new church, so your prayers are needed for a great day of fellowship and ¨bonding¨ tomorrow (especially between the members and leaders of their church). We fully expect God to show up big again, so we´re not worried, but it´s been very tough for them lately. They work in their regular jobs all week and then spend all weekend preparing for church Sunday (unpaid of course), and the men especially also feel the pressure of being a good husband and father aside, so they are exhausted. We have told them how all of you back home are praying for them and it means so much to all of them, so MUCHOS GRACIAS from Iglesia Evangelist. (:
Hasta Luego....until tomorrow.
(Cara, Carolyn, Melanie...on behalf of Spain team)
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Church is Finished at Last
After luncho, we wento to the churcho (By the way, we are speaking a new language made up by Michael Frank that we call "Frank!"). At the church we worked hard until about 9:30pm painting and putting the finishing touches on the display case in the foyer. It looks magnifico! I (Cara) just know the church members who haven´t seen it yet are going to love the improvements and feel proud of their place of worship. We quickly ran back to the hotel to get changed to go to dinner with Tamar and Danny, two of the members of the church here in Vilanova. They took us to a restaurant on the sea where many of us had our first taste of paella, which was muy bueno! Then, we took a short walk down the street and have just returned home. Tomorrow, we will be cleaning the church and planning for Saturday. Hasta luego!
Cara (on behalf of Spain Team 2)
Cara (on behalf of Spain Team 2)
Late lunch by the sea....
The wind is blowing, the sky is the most brilliant blue you could ever imagine. The only thing inhibiting our view of the Med sea is the green tops of the palm trees. We are eating tortillas or bocadillos or "Subway" type lunch and then heading up the hill to finish our work on the church. Oh, and FANTA is our drink of choice!
Our friend, Alvaro is our tour guide today and he has skipped worked to make sure we are taken care of.(and we have been very well taken care of (Is that English I just spoke or Spanish? I dont know anymore.) Anyway, Alvaro keeps laughing at us because he is hoping to have a true Spanish style lunch with us today but as typical Americans, we are wanting to finish our work. But even a quick sandwich in the middle of Sitges (the town where the church is) is a treat here!
I may be writing too sappy for my team (as they sit throwing down a fast sandwich)and they can get on to me later but my senses are on overload!!! I think my heart wants to jump right out of my chest. Even eating lunch on the side of the street I can feel God at work. He is at work in me persoally, he is at work in the unity of the team even in the midst of 5 straight days together. He is at work in the lives of so many of the people we have met....Chave the chair salesman, Lars the fabulous tour guide at the winery (Okay, so that is another story and could take a whole afternoon to write but yes, we visited a winery during our half day of recooperation) and especially in the hearts and lives of every person we have met with the church here. My cup is so full right now and I am so grateful for each and every circumstance that has allowed us to be right here right now in this moment. Thank you, God, for the wind and the 78 degree temperature and no traffic and no humidity and for Alvaro and Sara and grapes that make wine and Eva and her heart. Thank you for bocadillos that nourish us for a busy afternoon to finish our work. Thank you for FANTA, thank you for your beautiful Spanish countryside. Thank you for allowing each one of us to be a part of something so large. On to work now - we promise - well, maybe after we stop and get a gelato on the way up the hill. It's a must for an afternoon of painting!
Tonight we will start to plan our "retreat" with the Spanish team on Saturday. We will be spending the whole day with everyone from the church here. Please pray for direction and pray that we would listen as we are guided in how to create a "retreat" with lasting impact. We feel and appreciate your prayers.
Ciao from Sitges.
Betsy and Team (and, yes, we have had gelato everyday! Rough rough life.)
Our friend, Alvaro is our tour guide today and he has skipped worked to make sure we are taken care of.(and we have been very well taken care of (Is that English I just spoke or Spanish? I dont know anymore.) Anyway, Alvaro keeps laughing at us because he is hoping to have a true Spanish style lunch with us today but as typical Americans, we are wanting to finish our work. But even a quick sandwich in the middle of Sitges (the town where the church is) is a treat here!
I may be writing too sappy for my team (as they sit throwing down a fast sandwich)and they can get on to me later but my senses are on overload!!! I think my heart wants to jump right out of my chest. Even eating lunch on the side of the street I can feel God at work. He is at work in me persoally, he is at work in the unity of the team even in the midst of 5 straight days together. He is at work in the lives of so many of the people we have met....Chave the chair salesman, Lars the fabulous tour guide at the winery (Okay, so that is another story and could take a whole afternoon to write but yes, we visited a winery during our half day of recooperation) and especially in the hearts and lives of every person we have met with the church here. My cup is so full right now and I am so grateful for each and every circumstance that has allowed us to be right here right now in this moment. Thank you, God, for the wind and the 78 degree temperature and no traffic and no humidity and for Alvaro and Sara and grapes that make wine and Eva and her heart. Thank you for bocadillos that nourish us for a busy afternoon to finish our work. Thank you for FANTA, thank you for your beautiful Spanish countryside. Thank you for allowing each one of us to be a part of something so large. On to work now - we promise - well, maybe after we stop and get a gelato on the way up the hill. It's a must for an afternoon of painting!
Tonight we will start to plan our "retreat" with the Spanish team on Saturday. We will be spending the whole day with everyone from the church here. Please pray for direction and pray that we would listen as we are guided in how to create a "retreat" with lasting impact. We feel and appreciate your prayers.
Ciao from Sitges.
Betsy and Team (and, yes, we have had gelato everyday! Rough rough life.)
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