Sixth week in Spain :(

Hola friends,
    As I look back from the beginning of my journey to Spain, I didn't expect to love being overseas, I didn't expect to fall in love with the culture and more so the people. Truly, God has answered prayer when I ask him to give me his perspective of people and to have a heart broken for them. I can say that Spain will forever be a part of my life and my heart will remember the people. At the beginning of this week, it feels different, in that, I'm not busy at work but taking it slow. It's not a hard core week but maybe a time to really process everything and try to easy back to knowing that home is close by.
    On Monday, we had a time of evangelism training that helped us to prepare for that evening's event. It sounds easy to do but completely different when you actually evangelize to a person face to face. Street evangelism is not my strongest gift but it definitely teaches me that God can use any form of method to convey the Gospel into the hearts of people
     Tuesday, we spent a day in Segovia and it was AMAZING. This place has a lot of history-ancient history. Like the aqueducts are dated back 2,000 years when Jesus was born and still it is standing 90 feet tall completely together. There is no sign of decay or damage. The aqueduct was built by the Romans for the purpose of carrying water from the top throughout the town. Truly, the Romans knew a lot about constructing and very practical. We also saw the castle of the queen and king of Spain and it is believed that Columbus was commissioned to go to the new world. It was so big inside and the style of furniture looked like it wouldn't be comfortable. Then we saw the Cathedral which was beautiful in architecture. Still, there was a sadness to it. Some of the pictures were interesting to look at.
        Wednesday, we saw the outside of the Muslim Mosque that is the biggest in the world. We couldn't go in to see because of Ramadan but it still looked nice from the outside. Then we went and heard an evangelism session called red box which is a public preaching so all can come and go to hear the Gospel. Some of the Evangelist told their personal story and then related it to the Gospel and how God had changed their lives. It was amazing to see their passion to tell the Gospel and then talk with pass-byers to be more personal. I really enjoyed it and truly saw people moved by the message.
       
The remainder of our time here is assessments and having a last tour of Madrid. This week has definitely made me feel like I don't want to leave because I have loved the experiences.

Some prayer requests:

• The remaining time will still be a time of learning and growing
• Safe travels on Sunday. our flight leaves at 7am Spain time and we have a lay-over in London. Pray for clarity and a smooth transition from London to U.S. 
• The jetlag back to the states is harder, so just being able to have time to relax and process when back at home. 

Fifth week in Spain

Hola Friends,
    This week we said good-bye to Caceres which was the hardest thing to do. I think I understand what a missionary feels when they have to move from one location to another. After being in Caceres for 4 weeks, it becomes home to me. Whenever we travelled and came back to Caceres, in my mind and heart I feel like I've come home. I can say that anywhere I go for a lengthen of time, I have accumulated a place called home in my heart.
     On Sunday afternoon, we made our way back to Bejar and had the opportunity to teach English through doing crafts for 2 days. It felt weird to teach for a short amount of time, since the previous week was full of activity. I loved being around Craig's family and getting to know their ministry of church planting.
     On Tuesday, we had the opportunity to visit a Jewish museum about the Jews in Bejar. Their lives were drastically changed because of the Roman's influence and governing over the land. Most of the Jews were accused by the royalty that they were a bother in a sense and could not worship their God. So they were given two choices: convert to Catholicism or leave the country. Most Jews left and they were not allowed to bring anything with them. It is said that some Jews went on the ship with Columbus when he went to the new world.
      Wednesday morning, we had breakfast with the Bejar church women and it was soo sweet know that they want to know us. Some of the women I knew before when we were there the last time and I was so glad to see them again. I had the chance to tell my testimony and I was a bit nervous. I'm not sure why but I learned that telling my testimony is a blessing for others as a way of encouraging them of God's faithfulness. Each women told their testimony and hearing how God has been a big part of their life, truly shows their trust in his faithfulness. Their hearts are full of the joy of the Lord and I'm so encouraged by it. That evening, we had a prayer meeting and again I told my testimony. I found it to be easy to tell. It's true about what they say when you say it once it becomes easy to do again and again.
     Thursday, we left Bejar to stay in Madrid for the remainder of our time. Another good-bye but we won't say it, rather, see you later. It's hard to believe that 5 weeks are completed and the 6th week is about to begin. Friday, we traveled 7 hours to Santiago where our experience to walk the Camino began. We had an opportunity to see inside the Cathedral and experience mass. It was spiritually hard to see these people working their way to heaven. It's very sad but the experience was worth it as a way to pray for these people.
     Saturday, at 9:30 we began our Camino of 22km. The landscape was beautiful and cool. There were many hills that I felt like I couldn't breathe. Yet, I persevered to finish it. I saw some pilgrims walking and I had time to just observe them. In my mind, I know that their journey is spiritual and their search for answers. Other pilgrims' journey are for physical purposes and others for the experience. I of course went for the experience but still prayed for the unbelieving pilgrims. We arrived at our hostal that was amazing and much needed since my body was soo sore.
       Sunday, we took the bus back to Santiago because I was not able to walk it back. However, I can say that I would definitely do it again with much training before hand. My ideal plan is to do it for a week. We will see if this will ever happen. Hopefully.

Thank you for your prayers and I've enjoyed sharing my experiences and the journey I have been doing.