Did anyone else wake up this morning at 4:40am wondering where the team was? I wanted to pop down the stairs and see Jim and Michael already enjoying the hotel breakfast and Bob quietly reading in his bible. Oh how I miss even my rock hard bed today!
I fear unpacking any of my thoughts too soon as I want to allow time, as Scott said, to really process just what happened 5000 miles away this week. Im sitting on my couch looking out the window onto the street and for a second I could think that nothing happened to me the last 10 days. Everything here is the same. I am still unemployed (which turned out to be a nice thing since the day was so long yesterday), there is still a wedding to plan in 3 months now, my grass still needs cut and it looks like an afternoon thunderstorm may appear - just as usual. But then I thought I would read over the blog this morning just to take an outside look at what actually happened. After reading over the posts from each of the character's on our team I am assured that something did happen. God showed up.
God showed up in ways I could never have put on paper or in a plan. God showed up in our unity as a team, in the patience of each of us after 10 long days. He showed up in the conversations with Alvaro on the way to the vineyard. He showed up in our group meetings. He showed up everynight at dinner when we would sit for hours and listen to our Spanish friends talk about their desire to see God's church in Spain. He showed up in Chave and in Tomas and Raquel and even in Juan Carlos, the hotel worker. God showed up BIG! And as an added benefit - he showed up in my heart. I am so grateful for the exact team that went to Spain. THe 12 of us in a weird way could be like the disciples...not necessarily the brightest most equipped but altogether - wanting to follow. I realized this week how Big of a God we serve. I am thankful, too, to have somethign else to consume my thoughts. I cant help but thinking incessantly about Alvaro and Dani and Isma and the men of the church. I want to badly for them to see God at work too and I know in a way, this week, they did. I am thankful that I have something to pray for and specific names to remember. I am grateful that we got to be a part of something Huge. I promise you - it may be 5 years and it may be 12 but sooner or later because of the presence of "salt" in this country - light will come. God is working now to prepare hearts and people to be advocates for His kingdom. I feel so priveleged that we may have been some of the first to see his finger print on this city.
Thank you for your constant prayers and support. We feel that you are just as much a part of this journey and we hope too that you are burdened to pray for this church and our new friends. But if you dare, pray Big, too, for Spain and for Europe and for God's kingdom to come to this earth all over the world. You will be blown away as you start to see Him move.
Missing Espana,
Betsy
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
We're back after a LONG 10 hour flight today! Here are some pix from our week.....
a. Julie and Betsy painting the front showcase in the foyar of the church.
a. Julie and Betsy painting the front showcase in the foyar of the church.
b. Alvaro with his kids, Oriol (4) and Noa (2)
c. Carolyn with Isma, Ava and their 4 year old son, Isaac.
d. The entire team with members/leaders of Iglesia Evangeliste.
e. Alvaro, Tamar, Jennifer (from our team) and Dani, sang "Indescribable" (Chris Tomlin) in church on Sunday (in both English and Spanish!
f. From left to right....Alvaro, Isma and Danny
g. Michael Frank with Noa (Alvaro and Raquel's 2 year old girl)... she LOVED him!
g. Michael Frank with Noa (Alvaro and Raquel's 2 year old girl)... she LOVED him!
h. Leadership/ Small Groups training on Saturday (Scott led a lot of it).
i. our group with Eugenio (in front with black shirt), who had the heart attack.... and other members of their church.
j. Julie, Melanie and David painting walls.
k. Michael and Jim moving equipment out of the church.
l. The church before renovation began.
m. David and Julie talking to Chave the chair salesman (see blog on Tuesday or Wed.)
n. Our group enjoying lunch by the sea in Sitges.
o. This one is of Iglesia Evangelica (the church that we renovated all week and have a partnership with) in Sitges, Spain.
Adios Espana from Julie
Well, we are about to leave this great country. We have had a fabulous experience meeting these people and establishing relationships. We have seen God work in amazing ways and are so thankful for the opportunity He gave us to come here and be a small part of something big. God is definitely working here and it was incredible to be a part of that. Thank you all for all your support and prayers. We definitely felt the prayers and they were greatly appreciated. Please keep Vilanova Protestant Church in your prayers as they continue to create environments to reach the unchurched here in Spain. This is a difficult task for them but with God on their side it will become reality. Please pray specifically that God will bring a leader who will take this church to the next level. Thank you and we love you all. Os queremos.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Speaking Frankly, by Michael Frank
It is almost one in the morning over here, and we have had a long, and very awesome day. I am worn out, but I wanted to leave this trip with one last ¨deep thought". I read a blog before I came on this trip with a similar message that I am about to give, I have heard it preached before, and I have read books with the same message. Now I am adding my opnion to it...
For those of you (and I am including myself in this blog for sure, I promise you) who ask the Big questions. Who Am I? What Am I Doing Here? To those of you who sit on I-285 in rush hour traffic, day after day and moan and complain. To those of you who work to get promoted, earn the promotion, and then feel not as fullfilled as they thought they would when they were imagining the promotion. To those of you who are in a job they do not like and do not know where they should go. To those of you who are getting close to retirement, and to those who are just getting their resume in order. To those of you who have just screamed at God and yelled, "What do you want me to do! I am not happy here, doing this. What is it that I am supposed to do!?"
In the blog I read, the author described it this way...imagine God as a General of an Army, and he is giving his command to all of his troops. He gives one mission for everyone to accomplish. He spells it out clearly, giving is objective and his promise. If God spoke to you and told you, "Your Purpose for your life", would you follow his command?
Matthew 28:18-20. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
He said simply, "Go". He did not say, "not to if you were to old", Bob Cox, on our mission trip is 76, and he would have worn out, did wear out, people 40 years younger than him on this trip this week. He did not say, "not to if you were to young". Our leader, Betsy, is 26, and she could give many men twice her age a class on leadership. Jesus did not say only go if you were rich or poor, healthly or sick. He said "Go".
For those of you who say, "Well, I would go, but I need some sort of sign, or plan, or to be told what I´ll be doing first, then I´ll go".
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
And lastly, I will loosely quote from memory, a movie line (its a guy thing) from the movie Braveheart, by the main character, William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson. " Many years from now, when you are lying in your bed, will you be happy for where you are, or will you wish for one chance, one chance, to come back here, to this day! And to Fight for your Freedom!" (again, that was loosely quoted, but you get the idea?)
Translation to what I am talking about... many years (who knows but God how long you have?) from now when you are lying on your death bed, will you be content with your life and what you have done. Or would you wish for one chance, one chance, that you were able to go back. To suck up the courage, push away the fear. Silence the "yeah, I would like to do that, but..." and to do what you have, not been given the option to do, but the command to do with your life.
He said simply... "Go".
For those of you (and I am including myself in this blog for sure, I promise you) who ask the Big questions. Who Am I? What Am I Doing Here? To those of you who sit on I-285 in rush hour traffic, day after day and moan and complain. To those of you who work to get promoted, earn the promotion, and then feel not as fullfilled as they thought they would when they were imagining the promotion. To those of you who are in a job they do not like and do not know where they should go. To those of you who are getting close to retirement, and to those who are just getting their resume in order. To those of you who have just screamed at God and yelled, "What do you want me to do! I am not happy here, doing this. What is it that I am supposed to do!?"
In the blog I read, the author described it this way...imagine God as a General of an Army, and he is giving his command to all of his troops. He gives one mission for everyone to accomplish. He spells it out clearly, giving is objective and his promise. If God spoke to you and told you, "Your Purpose for your life", would you follow his command?
Matthew 28:18-20. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
He said simply, "Go". He did not say, "not to if you were to old", Bob Cox, on our mission trip is 76, and he would have worn out, did wear out, people 40 years younger than him on this trip this week. He did not say, "not to if you were to young". Our leader, Betsy, is 26, and she could give many men twice her age a class on leadership. Jesus did not say only go if you were rich or poor, healthly or sick. He said "Go".
For those of you who say, "Well, I would go, but I need some sort of sign, or plan, or to be told what I´ll be doing first, then I´ll go".
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
And lastly, I will loosely quote from memory, a movie line (its a guy thing) from the movie Braveheart, by the main character, William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson. " Many years from now, when you are lying in your bed, will you be happy for where you are, or will you wish for one chance, one chance, to come back here, to this day! And to Fight for your Freedom!" (again, that was loosely quoted, but you get the idea?)
Translation to what I am talking about... many years (who knows but God how long you have?) from now when you are lying on your death bed, will you be content with your life and what you have done. Or would you wish for one chance, one chance, that you were able to go back. To suck up the courage, push away the fear. Silence the "yeah, I would like to do that, but..." and to do what you have, not been given the option to do, but the command to do with your life.
He said simply... "Go".
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
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
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)
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