Arista en España

Moving...

2009-07-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

It's official, I've moved to..............Wordpress!

Please check out my spankin' new blog at: www.aristaenespana.wordpress.com

Thanks!

A

Arista...en Texas!

2009-06-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

Driving in San Antonio...

Texas hill country...

Eating dinner with my parents, sweet!

America, the beautiful...

In the airport with my parents! My first time to see them in 7 months!

Dallas skyline...

Texas...
I'm in Texas! I flew into DFW a little over a week ago, adjusted to Texas time, packed another bag, and went to San Antonio to spend some amazing time with my family! This first week back has been full of provisions and blessings!

At the same time, I've never felt such mixed emotions...As the train sped away from Úbeda, my home for the last seven months, I found myself wanting the train to go slower. And as our plane crossed into the United States from the Atlantic, I started thinking about my family and friends on their way to the airport and thought, "Speed up, speed up!"

God is so faithful! Amen? Amen! He prepared me to go, provided senders, blessed my relationships within the church, showed Himself faithful to provide divine appointments, sustained me, and brought me back! Everything I have has either been given to me through the grace of God or bought for me with the blood of Christ!

In leaving Spain and returning to Texas, I am reminded that neither is my home. We are never at home in this world. I am a sojourner, a pilgrim, and how short the traveling time is!

How encouraging to think that, "Just as we have borne the image of the earthly, we will also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Cor. 15:49). How amazing that, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immorality"(1 Cor. 15:52 &53). Over this past month, the hope of eternity with Christ has been further impressed into my daily life. I have witnessed countless examples of His amazing grace and am trying to learn more of how to live daily with an eternal perspective.

On a lighter note, it's good to be here! You better believe I'm taking in all the sweet tea, hugs, good food, and familiar faces that I can!

You're invited!
Please come to a Spanish fiesta, Tuesday, June 30th to celebrate and hear details of what you've helped make possible through these last seven months in Spain. There will be plenty of food, stories, music, and pictures. I hope you can make it! If you're not able to come, perhaps we could get together another time?

Hosts: The Young Family
What: A Spanish Fiesta!
When: Tuesday, June 30th, 6:30PM-8:00PM
Where: Trinity United Methodist Church
633 Hobson Lane, Denton, Texas 76205

Praises & Petitions:

Praise Him for safe travels and the blessing of spending time with my family.
Praise Him for His abundance in physical provisions for my time in Texas!
Please pray for my faithfulness and His timing to be sent back to Spain.

It is a blessing to be here! I hope to see you on the 30th, if not sooner!

en Jesucristo,

Arista

How to serve as a sender?

2009-06-20T20:27:00.001-07:00

Many people have asked me how they can serve as a sender...Here is an answer!

Prayer - Would you consider praying for me and those we minister to weekly or monthly? If so, e-mail me and let me know.
Finances - I am praying and searching for monthly financial partners. If you are unable to give currently but would like to give when I depart, e-mail me and let me know. Monthly pledges may begin at any time and still count towards my monthly support now.

a. Check: Make your check out to CAM International, write my support account number in the memo line (090725), and mail the check to: CAM International, 8625 La Prada Drive, Dallas, TX 75228. Be sure to indicate the amount of your monthly pledge.

b. Credit Card Giving Online: Go to CAM's website for online gifts to this ministry. Be sure to indicate the amount of your monthly pledge.

c. Electronic Funds Transfer: The easiest way to give is to have contributions made automatically from your bank account each month. E-mail me for an EFT form, print, and mail it to CAM International. Make sure to include the account number (090725) on the form.

debriefing & goodbye's

2009-06-08T23:20:00.000-07:00

If you think about it, please be praying for this last week in Spain, and this upcoming first week back in the States. It's a mix of endings and beginnings and bittersweet moments.

I'm looking forward to friends, family, and familiarity. I can't wait to be back in an English church service, and meet with all my supporters and share what the Lord has done through YOU! I'm not sucking up, it's the truth. I am excited beyond words to be in front of you and tell you of what you've been a part of.

However, I've also grown really accustomed to speaking Spanish all the time, and sometimes feel that I can even express myself better in this language. And I will dearly miss, my church family here, especially the youth. At my going away party, they gave me a silver bracelet and inscribed "Tus Amigos" on the back. The youth gave out of what they have to give me something to take with me to represent them and remember them in the states.

Also, I am leaving right as I'm really beginning to build friendships, not just people that I hang out with, but friendships, with people my age who are far from God. And strangely, I have grown incredibly comfortable living in another culture. I don't know how to say it other than, God is good, and He just prepared me and has prepared a place for me in Úbeda. I'm looking forward to returning in the Fall!

Me voy, pero mi corazón está aquí. I am going, but my heart is here. Please pray for the Lord to use this time in the states as a rejuvenating, equipping, and worshipful time to be there, but to be sent back out in His timing.

The next two days will be 100% full of food, kisses, hugs, tears, and goodbyes. I am leaving for the airport (in Madrid) this Wednesday, and I arrive in Dallas this Thursday.

I'll see you soon! LOVE YOU!

Arista

Desde Mi Interior

2009-06-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Las Letras de "Desde Mi Interior" por Hillsong, Unidos Permanecemos.

A veces te fallé, mas tú fuiste fiel,
Tu gracia me levantó, me basta tu amor,
Dios eterno, tu luz por siempre brillará
Y tu gloria, incomparable sin final.

Señor, tu voluntad permanecerá,
En ti me quiero perder en adoración,
Dios eterno, tu luz por siempre brillará
Y tu gloria, incomparable sin final.

De mi corazón te doy el control,
Consume todo mi interior, Dios.
Justicia y amor me abrazan, Señor,
Te amo desde mi interior.

Dios eterno, tu luz por siempre brillará,
Y tu gloria, incomparable sin final.
El clamor de mi ser es contigo estar
Desde mi interior mi alma clamará.

Beginnings & Endings

2009-05-23T02:01:00.000-07:00

Saludos from Andalucía,

Something I have grown very fond of in Spain, is sitting at a table, to small for the number of people gathered around it. I think in the states, it would be considered crowded, but here, it is a sign of family.

A new friend...
Last week, I found myself sitting at such a table with friends from church and a new acquaintance. We are the same age and he is a native of this city. A was asking me to explain why I'm here and why I'm a Christian. He is very open to talking about spiritual things, especially Christianity. As we were talking, it was as if the plot to humanity's play, The Purpose of Life, was unfolding. During our conversation over coffee and dessert (several hours), I watched as a reality hit him head-on. The thought of eternity, the thought that this life will not last forever, the thought that we were not made for ourselves, completely changed his demeanor. It is no accident that he found himself sitting at a table with five Christians, pondering the Gospel message of Christ crucified and Christ risen.

College Ministry
Throughout my time here, I have thought about the differences in high school students and university students. In this city, I am mainly serving with jovenes en instituto (students in high school). I loved my years in the college ministry of my church in Texas and lately, have been desiring to have more relationships with university students here. Let's just say, walking with God, will lead you to things you never expected! Literally...

Recently, I was walking through one of our main plazas and spotted a group of young people wearing flip-flops and t-shirts. I did a double take, and immediately knew they were Americans. Spaniards don't wear flip-flops and they definitely don't wear t-shirts. I lingered around to see if I could hear what language they were speaking to make sure, and sure enough, it was a group of thirty university students from the states! The group of sophomores just arrived a day before to spend a month here studying Spanish. So far, it has been an amazing opportunity to share life with them as they are taking in the sights and sounds.

Future Plans
After much prayer and wearing down the passages in my Bible about seeking the Lord's will (serious!), I have some updates to share and wanted to communicate my plans for the future. I will arrive in Texas on June 11th, and spend the following two months with my family, visiting friends and supporters, celebrating weddings, and raising support. Why will I be raising support? Because I would like to return to serve here for a little while longer! I would like to return to Spain in August 2009 and remain until May 2010.

The Lord has been confirming this decision in the past two weeks and I'm excited to follow where He leads. I have been granted two years of residency, and the leadership of the church has asked me to return and continue serving with them. I have enjoyed being a testimony of Christ in this culture and serving within the church here.

Over the past month, I have been trying to discern if He was leading me back to the states to work full time, take classes at seminary, or return here and be salt and light in this culture. Why go back? Because, "He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go!" Luke 10:2-3

Whatever my geography, my prayer is that people would see the love of God in my life, and that they would hear and understand that the same is available to them.

Prayer Points:

Ending/Beginning, please pray for a good ending to these seven months here in Spain and for the process of transitioning into American culture.
Please pray for my new friends...
Please pray for me as I begin the support raising process and submit plans before the Lord. Please pray for people to send me back out into the harvest field.
Please praise Him, for His sovereignty, for His goodness, for His faithfulness, and His grace in my life and yours!

Thank you!
Arista

Flamenco shoes...

2009-05-17T14:49:00.000-07:00

So, I'm going video crazy...

My friend, Luisa, has a niece named Laura. Laura is a six-year old, with the gestures, accent, and Andalucían pride of a sixty year-old woman. She's precious!

As we were walking to take her to her dance class, her high-heels started hurting her feet. So we stopped so she could change her shoes. Pay close attention to her accent!

Las Chirigotas

2009-05-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

This is a small clip of a chirigota. Chirigotas are groups of men that sing silly songs. I can't completely understand what they're saying, but that's ok, because some of the Spaniards couldn't either. Chirigotas are especially popular around Carnaval, which was months ago. I just couldn't figure out how to upload videos until now....Anyway, enjoy!

planes, trains, and autobús'

2009-05-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

Travel. That's the topic for this post...During my time in Spain I have learned to change my perspective, mode, and opinion of travel, and all that pertains to it, i.e. packing, independence, etc.

Up until seven months ago, if I wanted to travel somewhere, I had to pack a bag (with many things I now know that I didn't need), find my keys, make sure I had my gas credit cards, a little cash, and that's it. The words "public transportation" don't occur anywhere in my history of traveling, that is, until I moved to España...

I have really enjoyed the ease and efficiency that public transportation has provided here. I thought I would highlight a few of my main modes of travel...

By train...the national railway system is Renfe. The train is a good (and economical) option if one is desiring to travel more quickly that a bus, but slower than a plane. General, I know, but it's the truth. There are lots of different trains, that run at different times, to different places, and run at different paces. Not trying to resemble a Shakespearean sonnet, but honestly, there are less stops than a bus, and you still get to see the countryside while moving along to your destination. Also, they are (normally) very prompt. There are also high speed trains, called Ave's, that make you feel like your in a plane, instead of a train. However, you will have to pay a little more for this ground-flying experience. Here's a clip of a train experience...

By bus...ALSA is the bus line that I use the most. The good thing about a bus is that sometimes they will take you closer to your intended destination that a plane/train. Many times, the bus station is in the center of the city. However, Sundays and public holidays generally have a different schedule. By different, I mean a reduced schedule. So plan ahead if you don't want to be stuck in a bus station wondering where the nearest café is.

By plane...of course there are large carriers such as Iberia, & SpanAir but for traveling within Spain, and the other EU countries nearby (France, Italy, England, Ireland, etc.), the better option is EasyJet, Ryan Air, or Vueling...just a few of my favorites. These smaller carriers are able to offer amazing deals, such as Granada to Barcelona Girona for €0.99. However, you will be eaten alive if you're not careful about hidden costs. What's a hidden cost? You must make sure to uncheck extras before buying online, if you don't print out your boarding pass (for online check-in) you could end up paying €20,00 for a piece of paper, they might charge a few cents to use the bathroom, if you want to check a bag, if you want priority boarding, etc. All of these things can be avoided by reading carefully and paying attention to exactly what you're paying for. Also, these smaller carriers are very nit-picky about the size of your carry-on.

Wouldn't you like to know...

2009-05-11T00:44:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you like to know...…this is a list of interesting tid-bits from living in Spanish culture. The list may include, but is not limited to: food, people, expressions, daily living, language blunders, etc.

...I was standing in one of the main plazas in Úbeda not to long ago, it was around 10:00pm...and I noticed these funny looking birds flying around. Turns out, murciélagos, or bats, are quite common to see at night time.
...Saying yes, and nodding your head, even when you don't understand, can really get you into trouble. A man (50-60ish) was telling me that when it warms up, I should bring my bikini over to his house and we should all go swimming. I was just smiling and nodding...until my friend told me what he was saying. And then, if you can, picture the look of horror on my face.
...Surnames are a little different here. In Spain, the middle and the last name in a person's name are the last names of their father and mother (in that order). It is called an apellido. In the states, we have one surname, here, they have two. A little more explanation below...
...When a couple gets married, it is not a custom for the bride to take the groom's last name. She keeps her name the way it is. If the couple has children, the are given a first name, and then his/her last name is made from the father's apellido + the mother's apellido.
...I was taught how to put the Andalucían rose in my hair.
...Ojalá is a word which means “Hopefully" or "I hope so." Funny enough, the word is Arabic, not Spanish.
...When I walk into the bus station, the man behind the ticket counter calls out, "Hola Tejas!" I love it.
...I was cooking with my friend Luisa the other night, and when I started chopping some shallots, she asked what they were and said that she has never seen a shallot before. The same thing happened when I made a vegetable dip and served celery to the jovenes.
...You can buy fresh milk (goat, cow, etc.), but normally, milk is bought in cartons and is not kept cold. Most beverages that I buy, juice, milk, etc. are specially treated with Ultra High Temperature Processing (UHT) where the liquid is heated to 275°F to kill bacteria. It generally has a 6-9 month shelf life.
...This past week, the city of Úbeda installed parking meters on all of the main streets. The Úbetenses are not happy about this. However, I have secretly enjoyed walking past and seeing older groups of people frown at the machines and wave their arms at them before storming off.
...On Tuesday, May 12, the Spanish Ministry of Health legalized the "the morning-after pill" (an emergency contraceptive) to be sold in Pharmacies over the counter.

Arista en Abril

2009-04-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

Worshipping, Going, and Living
arista's april update

Pictures T to B: Flamenco music, Singing worship songs at Crystal's going away party, Granada English practice day-eating lunch in the shade.

Time goes by...This last month has been packed with time with the youth. We've become more of a family with the extended time we've spent together. Immediately after Semana Santa, we spent four days in Huesca at Misión Posible, a bi-yearly conference that brings the young people in Spain together. The theme this year was, "Emerge", so the youth have muchas ganas (very eager) to be salt and light to their community. My favorite part of the conference were the times of worship and prayer. Also, I have been spending time with my friend R. She recently had a great conversation about following Christ and being saved by faith. She likes the idea! I hope to meet up with her again this week and be an encouragement to her.

Cali...Last Wednesday, the Lohrenz's, my roomie and ministry partner, and I left Úbeda a little after 5AM to drive her to the airport in Madrid. It was hard to say goodbye. Sharing this time here together was planned, orchestrated, and completely blessed by the Lord. Instead of being sad for her going, I'll rejoice for what's coming. She's beginning Physical Therapy school and will hopefully be back overseas in the years to come.

A recent invitation...Last week, I was invited to come speak to an English class at the local high school. The topic was to speak about my culture and my home in Texas. Afterwards, the teacher asked me to return the next day to share with all of the other English classes! I was able to share a little about my church, my friends, and everyday life in Texas. In one class, they even wanted to know some country dances! I found out later from some friends, that the whole grade was talking about, "la chica de tejas".

It's amazing to think that an hour of speaking English, coincidentally introduced me to over 1oo new jovenes. I will probably pass some of the students on the street, see them in the grocery store, run by them at the park, etc. With cultural greetings the way they are, when you see someone familiar outside, you stop and visit.

Sad but true...My time is coming to a close in Spain. Six months have flown by! I have a little over a month left in Úbeda. I leave for Texas the 11th of June. Over this next month, I would like to begin to process, journal, and pray through some of the things I've learned here. But for now, there's work to be done and I'm excited about finishing strong!

Summary of prayer points:

Please be praying for the debriefing process.
Please praise the Lord for the blessing and encouragement my roommate and minsitry partner has been to me.
There is still time to meet people and plant seeds in their lives. Please be praying for opportunities and boldness.

Con cariño,
Arista

La Crises

2009-04-24T06:21:00.000-07:00

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not the brightest bulb in the box--I recently learned why a birthday suit is called a "birthday suit"--but, never the less, a minimal amount of research has enlightened me.

In addition to the lack of brightness previously mentioned, I also have a distaste for numbers and math. However, when I saw this article title (below), I thought, "That sounds really high."

So, Why have I lost you with my ramblings and what am I talking about (My dad is probably thinking this...)??? Let me explain, Spain is experiencing a very difficult economic crises (kind of like the rest of the world) and more and more people are losing their jobs. In a socialist state, like this one, when people are unemployed the state must then provide support to those people, i.e. welfare. A bigger problem begins to emerge when the state is suffering from inflation and low consumer spending. Taking that into consideration, here is a brief glimpse of the problem.

Spain's unemployment rate recently soared to 17.4%. For a point of reference (taken from the United States Department of Labor website) the unemployment rate in the US is at 8.5%. Stats were always hard for me to see as people, or things, instead of a number. Kind of like gambling, when someone gambles with a chip (that represents money) you don't see it as literal money, you see it as a chip on the table and not a bill. Anyway, back to the unemployment rate, this is where I got curious..I took the population of Spain (40,525,002) and multiplied it by .174, and this is what I got: 7,051,350.

That means that seven million, fifty-one thousand, three-hundred and fifty people are without jobs. Seven million, fifty-one thousand, three-hundred and fifty people have to find a new way to feed their families. Seven million, fifty-one thousand, three-hundred and fifty people have to find a way to pay next months rent. Seven million, fifty-one thousand, three hundred and fifty people have an opportunity to learn about the one true God who says that He loves to provide for His children. God's instruction booklet for life says, The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 84:11-12

*Please pray that these circumstances would be used by God, to bring people in Spain closer to Him.

If you would like to read a short article, see the text below:

Spain's Unemployment Rate Hits 17.4%
"Spain's unemployment rate hit 17.4% at the end of March, figures have shown, with the jobless total now having doubled over the past 12 months. In the past year, two million people have lost their jobs taking the total out of work to just over four million.

The Bank of Spain recently predicted the jobless rate would reach 19.4% in 2010, as the recession took hold. "It is a terrible figure," Octavio Granado, secretary of state for social security told state television. He said the first quarter of any year was traditionally bad for employment in Spain. Mr Granado also said that 2009 was expected to be the worst part of the economic downturn."So we are in the epicentre of the crisis. We are in the eye of the perfect storm," he said.

The National Statistics Institute said Spain's jobless rate at the end of the first quarter was up 3.45 percentage points from the end of 2008. The BBC's Steve Kingstone in Madrid says the country has become used to grim unemployment data, but Friday's figures are especially shocking.

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will hope that the government's 70bn-euro ($92bn; £63bn) stimulus package will now create new jobs - above all in public works projects due to begin this month, our correspondent says. But critics say deeper reforms of the labour market are needed - to eliminate red tape, and reduce the costs of hiring and firing permanent staff, he adds."

*taken from the BBC News Business Section.

Misión Posible :: Emerge

2009-04-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hmm...how do I begin to describe last week's nationwide youth conference, also known as Misión Posible!This past week (Thursday evening-Sunday morning) more than 1,400 Christians from different places, backgrounds, churches, etc. travelled to Huesca, Spain, to come together to worship, pray, be taught, encouraged, challenged, and sent back out! I'll give it to you in pictures...

We left Úbeda around 8AM last Wednesday, there were sixteen of us all together. From Úbeda to Huesca, it is about an eight hour drive.

Misión Posible is a conference that occurs every two years to bring the young Christians in Spain together. The next conference will be in Huesca, in 2011.

One of the neat things about MP, is that it's designed to help connect people with new churches, friends, and resources. In a country where 4 in every 1,000 people are Christians, it is a great encouragement to build relationships with other Christians. And while you may be the only 21 year old Christian in your city, you may not be the only one in your province.

Praying together...

These girls were my some of my roommates at MP, they're from Málaga!

Over 1,400 people came to Misión Posible. In the final plenary session, people were asked to come forward and put a mark on the city where they're from.
There are some amazing spiritual movements going on in Spain. Praise Him!
However, there are still more than 377 cities and towns in Spain without a church/evangelical testimony.

Wouldn't you like to know...

2009-04-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

…In Spain, when a man is introduced to a woman, the tradition response is “Encontada”, which means, “I’m enchanted.” Doesn’t that sound so nice? I think so.
…In the last few days, several people have commented on my Andalucían accent.
…Last Thursday morning, as Crystal and I were standing in a very crowded and very hot commuter train on our way into the Atocha train station, Crystal blacked out/fainted. It’s a good thing I was there to save her! Just kidding! She’s feeling much better ☺
…When you go to the grocery store, you’re not supposed to touch the produce with your hands. The correct order of operations is to put on the plastic gloves available and then select your fruit/veggie of choice and then hand it to the produce attendant to have it weighed and stickered.
…I love the words, ama de casa, it is the Spanish word for “housewife”. It translates literally as, “love of home”.
…Almost all cities/towns in Spain have a patron saint.
…The Spanish word constipado, doesn’t mean to be constipated. It means to have a cold.
…There are no words to the national anthem of Spain.
…The government of Spain is a parliamentary monarchy; there is a King who represents the nation and there is a Prime Minister who runs the government. An interesting thing about the government, at any time, the people can hold a new election and vote for a new ruling party and prime minister. Typically, elections occur every four years, however; there is no term limit for the prime minister.
…Spanish benedictions are long. When you’re saying goodbye, whether in person or on the phone, it is normal for someone to say, “Vale, vanga, un beso, hasta lluego”.
…In English, we have a couple words for the word “walk”. In Spanish, there are lots. For example, dar una vuelta, pasear, caminar, andar, etc. are all words to describe what kind of walk one would like to take.

Today in history...

2009-04-02T03:46:00.000-07:00

April 2, 1513: Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León sets foot on Florida becoming the first European known to do so.

thanks wikipedia!

Arista en Marzo

2009-03-23T00:53:00.000-07:00

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for He who promised, is faithful..." Hebrews 10:23

Spring has come to Úbeda! Our city has been transformed in the last few weeks. The weather has brought families outside and the parks are full of people. Even when I walk past cafés, the owners inside will call out a greeting.

Como se dice, "dependence"? One of my favorite sermon quotes is, "You must do what you cannot do, with what you do not have." It's humbling to remember that I can't create results, but I can cultivate faithfulness. Before we begin our discipleship group with the girls on Friday nights, you can always find Crystal and I in the same spot. Sitting on our couch praying, and asking the Lord to bless our time with this group of girls. Every single time the door clicks shut after they leave our house on Friday nights, I'm smiling ear to ear. So excited about the Gospel being more evident in their lives.
Two weeks ago I shared a passage (Galatians 4-5), that the Lord had been teaching me about, with the youth. Right up until I walked out the door to head to the church, I was still a little nervous about my verb conjugations, prepositions, and my examples making sense. My inadequacy and my limitations are a humbling reminder of my dependence on the One who is completely sufficient and the perfect communicator. I love encouraging stories and decided to continue reading Hebrews, which I had started that morning. I opened my bible and realized 11 was the next chapter, the hall of fame of faith! How perfect!

Here, there, everywhere...the next four weeks will take me to several different places. We will be going to a nationwide youth conference the week before Easter. We plan on visiting the youth of other churches and building relationships with other youth groups in the area. Crystal and I are going to visit a seminary. We would like to encourage missionaries in our area, and spend time with our landlords and neighbors.

Please offer praises and petitions for...

Please praise the Lord for progress with language thus far!
Please praise and pray, for the Lord's provision in people's lives who continue to make it possible to serve here.
Please pray for my ministry partner (and roommate!) as she returns to the states in less than a month (April 22nd). Please be praying for our last month of ministry together. I'm sad to see her go, but encouraged to see what's in store for her future!
Please pray for a minor problem with my residency card to be solved.
Please pray for an opportunity to share the Gospel with new friends.

I would love to hear how you are, how your Spring Break is/was, and how I can specifically be praying for you! It's encouraging to hear from you!

con cariño,
Arista

Wouldn't you like to know...

2009-03-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

Wouldn’t you like to know…this is a list of interesting tid-bits from living in Spanish culture. The list may include, but is not limited to: food, people, expressions, daily living, language blunders, etc.

...Men yell at the TV screen here too. The sport is just different. Instead of basketball or football, it’s bullfighting.
…Our hot water heater & our stove are both gas. We buy tanks of butane about once every other month and switch them out when they’re empty.
…Recently I heard on the news that the highest population of smokers in Spain is girls between the ages of 15-20.
…I was eating lunch at the house of a friend last Sunday and his father asked me where I was from. Upon learning that I’m from Texas, he said that he loves cowboy hats and has always wanted one. He jokingly said that he would give me his hat size, just in case I wanted to get one for him.He then showed me his collection of hats and explained how it is lacking a good cowboy hat.
…I met the mayor of our city.
…I recently asked a girl if she would like a cookie, she responded by saying, “Estoy guardando la linea”, which translates literally as, “I’m guarding/keeping the line.” I didn’t understand and it was explained to me that this is another way for girls to say, “I’m watching my figure.”
…I’m discovering that every city in Spain has their own little something that it’s famous for. For example, in my area it’s olive oil, in Sevilla it’s flamenco, in Valencia it’s paella, in Madrid it’s monuments, in Granada it’s the Alhambra.
…One Saturday night not to long ago, I was headed home at 2:00AM and it seemed as though everyone in the city was still awake. Café’s were open and bustling, kids were still up, elderly couples were walking around arm in arm, and the younger people were getting ready to go to the discotecas (clubs). This wasn’t even a holiday or anything, just a normal Saturday night.
…I love that when people invite you over to their home, which is often, they bring you the best of what they’ve got. They’re proud to show their hospitality and make you feel at home.
… In high school I learned that the word for husband is esposo and the word for wife is esposa. In Spain, the word for husband is the same, but the word they use for wife is mujer. Spaniards know the word esposa, but they use the word mujer, which means “woman”.
I saw this in the grocery store the other day and had to take a picture.This is a first for me to see a bottle of beer and a chicken taped together.

Just in case you were curious...

2009-03-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

This is my team, my leaders, and my family!
I have learned so much from each of these people. They have become like family to me in my time here! These people have encouraged me, prayed for me, and taught me a lot about serving in a cross-cultural context (which is another way of saying they model humility daily).

From L to R: Crystal (ministry partner & roommate), Loida (wife of our pastor & my language encourager), Jan (John's wife & my 2nd mother), John (CAM team leader), & Lázaro (pastor & shepherd of our church).

Five years ago today...

2009-03-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

Estación de Atocha, Madrid

Five years ago today, the capital city of Madrid was attacked by terrorists. 11-M is another way of saying 9/11. There are two main train stations in Madrid. The larger, Estación de Atocha, was bombed on this day in 2004. 191 people were killed and 1,858 were injured at the height of rush hour.

This is the train station that I come into when I visit the city. This is a first for me to be in a city/place that has been the site of a terrorist attack. It makes me think of a statement I heard not to long ago, "The world that is, is not the world that was." All the more reason to be reminded of my purpose in my time here.

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in His steps--who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth--and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness...
1 Peter 2:21-24a

Somos pequeñas llamas...

2009-03-09T15:57:00.001-07:00

A month from today, the four day youth conference, Misión Posible begins. This is a conference held every two years to bring all of the youth in Spain together, to worship, be encouraged, and be challenged to live more like Christ.

We will be travelling up north to Huesca during Semana Santa, or Holy Week (the week of Easter) for the conference, April 9th-12th. Over the past several weeks, we have been raising money to pay for our travel and the registration fee. Between bake sales of Spanish pastries and American cookies and brownies, making ourselves available for manual labor, and cleaning the church, we hope for all fourteen of us to be able to go.

The song below, is a song we sang at one of our weekly youth meetings a few Saturdays ago. It's called, "One Same Vision". To me, it is the theme of the Spanish youth praying for their country. If you know Spanish, I hope you enjoy it. If not, be encouraged, I'm working on translating it.

Una Misma Visión by Marcos Vidal

Somos pequeñas llamas
prendidas porque un dia
fueron traidas a tu luz eterna
que nos dio vida

Por unos pocos que
no amaron sus vidas Mas que a ti
Hoy estamos aquí
Y nuestra antorcha brilla
Hoy estamos aquí

Una misma vision para un nuevo ciclo
Una generación que levanta a Cristo
Y se une en oración clamando por España
Nuestras posesiones nuestros corazones
Pertenecen al Señor de Señores
No importa el precio salva nuestra España

Las barcas y las redes listas hoy estan.

Paella by Guada

2009-03-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

Meet Guada! This is our friend from church that teaches us how to cook authentic Spanish dishes! We usually spend a Wednesday afternoon with her learning to cook something delicious! Our first class was learning how to cook Paella!

Paella by Guada

Ingredients:

½ lb. of mussels (1 ½ cups cooking water reserved)
½ lb. of shrimp
¼ lb. of squid, cut into ¼ in. rings
1 lb. of chicken (Bone-in, roughly chopped into pieces)
1 cup of white rice (Arroz Brillante)
½ cup of tomato sauce
1 green bell pepper, chopped
¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic
1 ½ tsp of Paella seasoning
Olive oil to sauté chicken
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Clean the mussels under running water with a knife. Scraping the outsides. Boil in water until open. Remove the mussels from cooking liquid and set aside.
In a saucepan, sauté the chicken in olive oil. Add the peppers, onion, garlic, and tomato sauce to the saucepan. Add the squid and shrimp. Cook until mixed well and add Paella seasoning. Let simmer for a few minutes.
Add the reserved cooking water and rice to the saucepan. Bring to a boil. Place the shrimp on top of the ingredients in the saucepan. Let cook for 20-25 minutes until meat is tender.
When meats are tender, add red pepper, lower heat, and simmer until all liquid is absorbed.
Garnish with mussels. Serve warm! ¡Disfruta!

Wouldn't you like to know...

2009-02-16T15:47:00.000-08:00

…Christopher Columbus went to many countries in Europe to ask for funding to explore…Ferdinand and Isabela, the Spanish monarchs, were the only ones to say yes.
…Spain has a communist party. It is still active today, but mainly a leftover from the civil war. When the dictator, Franco, took power, the only political party that opposed him, was the Partido Comunista de España and oddly enough, it’s still around.
…Spanish actually has 15 different tenses. For a point of reference, English has three: past, present, & future.
…I ate fried pig cheek, or, carreta as a tapa.
…From Spain, it costs around 15€ to fly anywhere in Europe, of course the airlines charge for taxes and other things, like if you wanted to use the bathroom. Just kidding.
…So our landlords, Antonió & Ana, brought us an oven when we moved in. However, the oven needed a special electrical plug so they arranged for some electricians to come and install a new socket/plug/something like that. When the electricians arrived, about a week later, it was almost like opening the door and seeing Tweedle-dee & Tweedle-dum on the doorstep. They asked for something to climb on and some dish soap. We were pretty confused and tried to show them to where the oven was, but that’s not what they wanted. For the next four hours, the electricians that came to install a plug for our oven, played with the wiring of the doorbell instead. When they left, I couldn’t help but think, “What in the world just happened?” Anyway, our oven works fine but we still don’t know what the wiring of the doorbell has to do with the plug for the oven.
…all of the following concoctions are perfectly normal and acceptable for Spaniards to order: red wine & coke, red wine & Fanta, beer & Fanta, etc.
…part of the original city wall of Úbeda, is still intact. It was built 1000 A.D.
…El Corte Íngles (The English Court) is a huge store that has a great international grocery section.

...We locked ourselves out of our piso on accident. Instead of calling a locksmith, we went to our neighbors house, asked if we could use the balcony. I watched (and prayed) as Crystal climbed over to our balcony and go in through a window. We live on the 4th floor, which is actually the 5th by American standards.
...We are asked by Spaniards, at least a couple times a week, what we think of Barack Obama.
...Crystal and I suggested getting dinner to our friend at 8:30PM; she said that was way to early.
...Crystal and I wanted to learn flamenco, so we went to get some info about classes. The only thing we found was a dance school that told us we could take classes with the six year olds.
...Little girls have their ears pierced when they are a few days old. It would be very abnormal to see an infant (girl) without their ears pierced. It’s a cultural thing for people to assume the baby is a boy when the ears aren’t pierced.
...The verb, to give birth, in Spanish translates literally as “dar la luz”, or "to give the light".

…I saw a Texas license plate, in Europe.

February 12, 2009

2009-02-12T02:11:00.000-08:00

Outside my window…the sun is shining, no clouds in the sky, I hear some cars go by, I see the tops of evergreens.

I am thinking…about the simplicity of the Gospel, studying for my Spanish tenses exam, and making a grocery list.

I am thankful for...Jesus, the love of the Father to humanity, my supporters, my roommate, pretty days (we haven't seen the sun in a while), a good nights sleep, and brown sugar.

I am wearing…sweats, a t-shirt, and my northface.

From the kitchen…I smell coffee brewing, mmmmmmmm!

I am reading…2 Corinthians/2 Corintios in my biligual bible.

I am hoping…for more days of sunshine.

I am creating…a gift package for a friend.

Around the house…it's still pretty clean from last Friday when I mopped and swept.

One of my favorite things…is to check the currency updates for $ to the €, and food network.com for new recipe ideas.

A few plans for the rest of the week…prayer meeting tonight, English class afterwards, visit our new missionary family, write postcards, cook, start some laundry, get coffee with Luisa, memorize Juan 10:27-28, Friday, take Loles some flowers, meet with John and Jan, go to Cazorla for a bible study, meet with Cesia for youth plans, Saturday, go to Bailén with the youth.

In Need of Grace

2009-02-03T14:48:00.000-08:00

Mendigar [men-de-gar]
1. To ask charity, to live upon alms, to beg

I'm not much of a photographer, but I took these pictures because I could not get over what I was seeing. The man, kneeling on the ground, in the center of the pictures has his hands outstretched, begging. Many words come to mind to describe these pictures...But, the more I thought about this, the more I thought about how that's kind of like us. You, me, everyone. We are in the perfect position to receive the grace of God.

All thy lovingkindness is in thy Son...
I urge his saving name as the One who died for me.
Accept his worthiness for my unworthiness,
his sinlessness for my transgressions,
his purity for my uncleanness,
his sincerity for my guile,
his truth for my deceits,
his meekness for my pride,
his constancy for my backslidings,
his love for my enmity,
his fullness for my emptiness,
his faithfulness for my treachery,
his obedience for my lawlessness,
his glory for my shame,
his devotedness for my waywardness,
his holy life for my unchaste ways,
his righteousness for my dead works,
his death for my life.

Taken from, "God All-Sufficient", The Valley of Vision, by Arthur Bennett

Quote of the Day

2009-02-01T12:09:00.001-08:00

So, let me set the scene...we had just made hot chocolate, were sitting down on the couch with our mugs, turned on the TV to see the news, and this is the dialogue that ensues...

Crystal: "Look, it's Mr. Bean!"

Krista: "...Or the Prime Minster of Spain!"

To say the least, it's been a funny day. You be the judge, Prime Minister or Mr. Bean?

*Crystal really does know the difference between the two men; however, the resemblance is striking.

Interesting...

2009-01-31T04:07:00.000-08:00

The DPAN, published this article about drug policy/laws and the trends of drug use in Spain. The last thing this mini-blurb could be classified as, is boring. It lists some pretty startling facts about Spanish government, reform, and culture. I think this post is better without a picture :)

"Spain was one of the first modern European countries to decriminalize marijuana -- and one of the last to implement needle exchanges. The Spanish government paid a steep price for their initial reluctance to allow harm reduction measures. Spain has the highest HIV rates in Europe among intravenous drug users. These days needle exchanges - including needle exchanges in prisons - pill testing at raves, methadone maintenance and heroin maintenance trials are among the many public health interventions that are supported by autonomous regions throughout Spain. Drug use and possession for personal use do not constitute a criminal offence under Spanish law. However, public consumption is penalized with administrative fines.

Due to its proximity to Morocco and historical ties to Latin America, Spain serves as a transit point for Moroccan hashish and South American cocaine. Like the Netherlands, Spain treats drug consumption as a health problem, but participates in global interdiction efforts and has signed bilateral anti-drug agreements with third countries, especially in Latin America and Europe. Laws against trafficking are among the most severe in Europe. Spain’s marijuana policy is rather unique in that it encourages marijuana smokers to grow their own product. Personal consumption and home cultivation have been decriminalized, but buying or selling marijuana/hashish remains a criminal offense.

"By U.S. standards Spanish drug policy is very permissive. Spain’s drinking age for alcohol ranges from 16 to 18, depending on the autonomous region. Treatment instead of incarceration initiatives like drug courts are designed to mainstream illicit drug offenders and as such do not preclude social welfare benefits denied to drug offenders in the U.S. Drug offenders in Spain are eligible for unemployment benefits. As one of the last countries in Europe to embrace harm reduction, Spanish drug policy continues to evolve. Public drug consumption that was once common during the post-Franco cultural revolution of the 1980’s is now frowned upon. Administrative fines for public consumption once thought to exist on paper only are now enforced in many autonomous regions. In response to a growing problem of alcohol intoxication among teenagers at ad hoc street parties, public consumption of alcohol was outlawed in March of 2002. Outdoor cafes and bars with patios are exempted from “La Ley del Botellon.”

For a link to the article, click here.

Listen to this...

2009-01-23T02:43:00.000-08:00

DTS Chapel Message, Adaptation and Being a Third Culture Person, by Dave Gibbons, 10/30/08

I listened to this chapel message Friday morning and loved it, so I thought I would share. Might I recommend this chapel message if...

you're involved in ministry.
you live in a cross-cultural context.
you love Jesus and want to be encouraged.

This chapel is about so much more than what you're probably thinking. Let me give you some words, from the chapel, to perk up your curiosity: Bruce Lee, Outcasts, America, Jesus Christ, Language, Neighbors, Pandemics, and Purple Cows.

Do you have 26 minutes and 50 seconds to listen to something while you're running, driving, cleaning, etc.? If so, you should!

Living, Planning, Serving, & Encouraging

2009-01-20T13:48:00.000-08:00

Living, Planning, Serving, & Encouraging

Looking back, celebrating the holidays with my aunt, Crystal, and her family was like home away from home. It was pretty fun to celebrate the holidays Spanish style. Between cards from friends at home, Christmas packages from friends and family, and invitations from church members to come over for dinner, I was showered with blessings this past month! In Dec./Jan. the students had a break from school and it was a great time to build better relationships with the older jovenes (Luisa, José, Cesia, Loida, & Maria).

Hit the ground running, that's the phrase which comes to mind to describe the past few weeks! This month, we have opened up our piso to host ministry meetings with our pastor and his wife, invited the youth over for our weekly meetings, and started a discipleship group with three girls. I resumed Spanish classes last week and have also been teaching English classes at the church.

Trying something new (aside from Spanish food), at the end of December, I mis-read my aunt's (flight) arrival time, and had an extra day to spend with some youth leaders in Madrid. Using ideas from these leaders as a jumping off point, we talked with Lázaro Pascual, our pastor, about starting a weekly Tertulía, or an open forum for English practice for people between the ages of 16-25. Crystal and I would plan and lead a weekly meeting that facilitates English conversation in order to build relationships with the young people here in Úbeda.

Praises & Petitions

Leading; eighteen days from today (Feb. 7th), I will be teaching the bible study for all of the jovenes--in Castilian Spanish!
Crystal and I; praise the Lord for providing a ministry partner and roommate that loves Him and has the same heart for ministry as me. We work well together!
Language classes; honestly speaking, sometimes they can be pretty discouraging and overwhelming. Please pray for patience, good teaching, and that each day of speaking would build on the next.

Thank you for helping make it possible to live, plan, encourage, and serve here!

Representing you in the Spanish church,
Arista

Las Fogatas

2009-01-18T10:12:00.000-08:00

Fogata: feminine noun
1. bonfire, fire

Last Friday, Crystal and I found out from our friend (and city event informant) that there were going to be bonfires throughout the city. I've only seen bonfires when camping or at homecoming, so I was pretty surprised to hear this! We heard three different reasons why the bonfires were taking place...

To mark the end of the olive harvest.
To remember the burning of St. Antone.
To honor St. Antone as the patron saint of animals.

Whatever the reason, every year, on January 16th, bonfires are lit throughout the cities in Andalucía. Not gonna lie, it was pretty fun to walk around the city with the jovenes and see the different bonfires. The fires go until 6:00AM and people stay up all night. I went to bed a little after 2:00AM though!

It's tradition to see a few bonfires, and afterward, go out for chocolate con churros with friends.

Honestly, I don't think you could get more Spanish than something like this. Families, adults, and youth, walking all over the city, enjoying the night until it becomes morning; standing in line for churros for over an hour, and not being bothered a bit about it taking so long because you're with friends and, after all, "La noche es joven!"

One of my favorite things about the whole night, was stumbling upon a singing group at one of the smaller bonfires. I'm trying to find a way to post a few video clips, hopefully soon!

He is who He says that He is

2009-01-16T09:34:00.000-08:00

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 The subject in this passage clearly refers to the name of Jesus Christ in verses 10 & 11.

A few weeks ago, advertisements for atheism appeared on the side of buses throughout Britain.

Atheist organizations in Spain and Italy are now following with similar advertising.

"To whom would you liken Me and make Me equal and compare Me, that we would be alike? Those who lavish gold from the purse and weigh silver on the scale hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; they bow down, indeed they worship it. They lift it upon the shoulder and carry it; they set it in its place and it stands there. It does not move from its place. Though one may cry to it, it cannot answer; it cannot deliver him from his duress.

Remember this, and be assured; recall it to mind, you transgressors. Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is no one like Me..."
Isaiah 46:5-10a

Wouldn't you like to know...

2009-01-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't you like to know...this is a list of interesting tid-bits from living in Spanish culture. The list may include, but is not limited to: food, people, expressions, daily living, language blunders, etc.

…we eat comida (lunch) after 2PM and cena (dinner) after 9PM.
…“El Koko” is Spanish for bigfoot, like the sasquatch. I laughed out loud when I learned this!
...I've been using the word "tocar" meaning "to take" and I just found out that that word doesn't mean "to take", it means "to feel". You can imagine, my horror when I thought back about all the different instances that I have said that to people! You've got to be able to laugh at yourself with these things.
…public announcements are made here by attaching speakers to the roof of a car and driving slowly around the city playing recorded messages. I’ve heard a wide range of announcements, anything from a restaurant’s special of the day to an upcoming holiday.
…In Spain, clapping is an art form, i.e. Flamenco dancing.
...the jovenes told me to be ready to meet up at 2AM the night of New Year's Eve.
…In the last few weeks, I have been served blood sausage, dirty clothes soup, and beer without alcohol.
…When we greet one another, instead of shaking hands, we kiss once on each cheek. This is very common and normal between women and women, women and men, (children too!) but I’ve noticed when men greet one another, they shake hands.
…I usually say one of these words in every sentence, “Vanga”, “Vale”, “Pues”, and “Bueno”. These words translates to, “Come on”, “Ok, “Well”, and “Good”.
…Instead of states, we have “comunidads” or communities. So there is a community of Galicia, Andalucía, Catalunia, etc. Each community has their own flag, just like the states. Here is what Andalucía’s look’s like:

…the sound of mopeds or scooters in the background is really normal, at all hours.
…Crystal and I don’t have a microwave or a drying machine. With food, we heat water and warm everything in the oven or on the stove.
…in Spain, it is normal for people to comment on other people’s appearance.
…most families (if they have an oven) don’t know how to use it and instead use the space for storage. (I realize this is probably a huge assumption, but I’ve heard firsthand accounts that support this and I’ve talked with several Spanish women.)
…The word “peacock” in Spanish is “pavo real”, which (literally) means, “royal turkey”.
…For Christmas dinner, we had a turkey. Some of our Spanish friends told us that they thought it was a little weird to eat turkey for a special holiday. One day, Crystal and I were making fajitas (Tex-Mex) and one of the jovenes from the church came over. She asked what we were going to cook for Christmas and we told her we were going to have turkey. She (literally) said, “¡Que rado!”, which translates to “How weird!” Crystal and I couldn’t just leave it at that and told her that turkeys are really popular in the US. We told Luisa that turkeys are all over the United States, they just run free. You'll see them on buses, in the airport, streets, all over! We were on a roll and later told her the truth.
…When you go to a café (which is also called a “bar”), you order your coffee/tea beverage of choice (and maybe a croissant) and then you sit down with friends, and enjoy! You don’t pay when you receive your drinks/snacks. You sit, talk for a while, enjoy the conversation, and then as one is leaving, one walks to the counter and asks for the total.
…In Spain, we type, “jajaja” when we mean, “hahaha”.
…Text messaging costs 3x (maybe more?) the cost of calling.
…When watching a movie on TV, commercial breaks last a little less than ½ hour.

A good quote...

2009-01-02T04:01:00.000-08:00

Andrei Rublev's Icon of the Trinity, ca. 1425

I'm reading, Ministry in the Image of God by Stephen Seamands and strongly recommend it. The book explains why the doctrine of the Trinity matters and what the implications of the Trinity are for us in our daily lives. The quote I wanted to share is pretty simple, but really true!

The author states, "We depend nominally on the Spirit but mostly on ourselves--our training, our skills, our personality, our past experiences, our knowledge, our sincere efforts. As a result, what we accomplish is limited by what we can do...If you rely on training, you accomplish what training can do. If you rely on skills and hard work, you obtain the results that skills and hard, faithful work can do. When you rely on committees, you get what committees can do. But when you rely on God, you get what God can do."

Lottos & Beggars

2008-12-30T04:50:00.001-08:00

I was in Madrid for a few days last week and everywhere you went, you would see long lines for people buying lotto tickets. I don't have a picture of this, but a friend of mine told me she saw one exceptionally long line (50+) of people buying lotto tickets (paying for a chance) and then a person sitting on the ground, close to the lotto stand, begging for a few coins. An interesting paradox, thought I would share this article...

Lotto Fever Grips Spain as Thousands Share in Holiday Jackpot

Jubilation was mixed with disbelief in parts of Spain on Monday as news spread that just under 2,000 tickets would share the top prize in El Gordo, one of the most lucrative lottery jackpots in the world.

Each first-place ticket — with the winning number of 32365 — was worth € 300,000 or $510,000 Cdn. The 1,950 tickets with the top prize number were sold in seven of Spain's 52 provinces. El Gordo’s jackpot hit € 2.32 Euros or $3.95 billion (Canadian dollars), with thousands of other tickets sharing runner-up prizes. As the lottery announcement began in the morning, people throughout the country logged online and tuned in to radio and television to see if their number had been selected. Instead of being spoken, the winning numbers were announced live on television by a Madrid choir singing in Gregorian Chant.

"I'm still shaking," said Ricardo Jimenez, who learned he was holding 15 third-place winning tickets. Jimenez’s bar in Soria, Spain — about 180 km northwest of the capital Madrid — sold all 1,950 of the third-place tickets worth an estimated € 97 million or $165 million. I'll keep on working. I'll share this with my three children," Jiminez said. Television images showed him being showered with sparking wine by celebrating clients. El Gordo, which means the Fat One, has become a Christmas tradition in the country since its creation in 1912.

Four out of five Spanish residents purchased tickets in the lottery and a total of 13,000 cash prizes were drawn, all of them tax-free, the BBC reported. Tickets were also sold online in 140 countries around the world.

To read the original article, click here.

Noche de Paz

2008-12-29T05:06:00.000-08:00

We are still celebrating the holidays and since we have two more big ones to go (New Year's & Day of the Kings/Día de Los Reyes) I can still share this great holiday song and not be too late.

See if you can guess the English song that this translates to! Listening to some of my favorite Christmas songs, in Spanish, has been wonderful. What a privilege to hear and see a church, my brothers and sisters in the family of God, singing songs of praise in their own language. It's hard to describe, but I've felt incredibly blessed and privileged that I get to see and participate in a different (foreign) kind of worship. I hope you enjoy the lyrics as much as I have.

Noche de Paz

¡Noche de paz, noche de amor!

Todo duerme en derre edor,

Entre los astros que es parcen su luz,

Bella anunciando al niñito Jesús,

Brilla la estrella de paz.

¡Noche de paz, noche de amor¡

Oye humilde el fiel pastor,

Coros celestes que anuncian salud,

Gracias y glorias en gran plentitud,

Por nuestro buen redentor,

Por nuestro buen redentor.

¡Noche de paz, noche de amor!

Ved que bello resplandor,

Luce en el rostro del niño Jesús,

En el pesebre, del mundo la luz,

Astro de eterno fulgor,

Astro de eterno fulgor.

¡Arista en Diciembre!

2008-12-17T05:13:00.000-08:00

"For a child will will be born to us, a son will be given to us...and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Pictures Top to Bottom: Lazaró Pascual (pastor); Cesia, Me, Crystal, & Glenda eating Thanksgiving lunch; It snows in Southern Spain, this is outside our piso!

Seasons Greetings from Úbeda! How are you celebrating Christmas this year? I would love to know! This last month, some of my activities have included: youth meetings, day trips with girls from the church, finishing my residency paperwork, listening to Christmas music, finding a language school, setting up English classes, finding ways to stay warm, and adjusting to a new way of life!

Ministry...over the last two weeks, Crystal and I have been brainstorming and having some great discussions about ways to encourage and go deeper with the girls (youth). We have spent much time with several girls and are excited about getting to know them better. Starting in January, Crystal and I hope to have them over to our piso (at least) one evening a week and plan on continuing to spend time with them one-on-one. We're hoping to develop a small group where we can serve them by providing opportunities to process what they're learning, encourage them, talk about accountability, fellowship, and prayer. In other words, "How to love God and love others...in Úbeda!"

Celebrating...the Spaniards celebrate Christmas but they have an additional holiday. Americans celebrate Christmas on the 25th, and New Year's on the 1st. Spain celebrates these days, but in addition, January 6th is the Day of the Kings (Día de los Reyes). This is the day when presents are exchanged and families get together. For Spaniards, this holiday marks the visit of the magi/wise men/three kings to the newborn Jesus. How amazing that the love of God was incarnated in sending His own Son to us!

This week, I'm looking forward to seeing my Aunt Carol! She's coming to visit me for Christmas and I'm excited to see someone from home. The youth have been really busy preparing a Christmas play and are looking forward to the end of the semester. Crystal and I have been helping plan a day trip with the youth and next Monday, we are going to Cazorla, a nearby city with an amazing national park (Sierra de Cazorla).

Victory in the small things...

For the first time, (this past Sunday) I was able to follow and understand the entire sermon at church. You have no idea how encouraging this is!
Last week, before I ate lunch with some girls, they asked me to say the blessing and I was able to pray--in Spanish!
I picked up my residency card in Jáen Tuesday morning--the whole process has gone very smoothly.

Things to praise & pray for:

Please be praying that I would walk closely with the Lord so that He would be my supreme love and that ministry and everyday life would flow out of living the abundant life.
There are many new people in my life. Antonio & Ana (landlords), Roberto (neighbor), and Rosa (Spanish teacher) are just a few. Please pray that I would be an ambassador for Christ in these new relationships and that the Lord would use me in communicating His love to them through actions and words.
I was pretty sick for the last two weeks, praise the Lord for a full recovery!

Merry Christmas! Thank you for your love and support!

Arista

Wouldn't you like to know...

2008-12-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't you like to know...this is a (brief?) list of interesting tid-bits from living in Spanish culture. The list may include, but is not limited to: food, people, expressions, daily living, language blunders, etc.

Someone asked me if I had a "novio" (serious boyfriend/fiancé) and I didn't understand the question so I smiled and nodded.
A sentence I heard on the news today, "A youth of 34 years was in a skiing accident in Almería."
Tapas! When I hear this word, the word "delicious" comes to mind...Tapas are small portions of food that (usually) come free when you order a drink in a restaurant. If you order another drink, more free tapas (and they generally up the ante).
When Crystal and I went to an internet café for the first time, the employee took one look at our matching MacBook's and said "Americans huh?"
Today for lunch we had Paella, a favorite food of Spaniards! This paella included an assortment of squid, oysters, chicken, rabbit, and rice.
Electricity is 3X the cost during the day; however, it decreases at night.
For only €6.00 I bought a Carta de Joven (youth card). A card that gets me discounts on transportation and hostels.
A new concept for grocery shopping: only buy what you can pull/carry home.
We have had three (maybe four?) holidays in the past month. By holiday, I mean nobody works and almost everything is closed.
Unless they studied/lived in the states, most Spaniards (that speak English) speak with a British accent!
Within my first couple of weeks here, the youth taught me an important phrase, "El noche es joven!" Also known as "The night is young!" It is very normal for people (of all ages) to go to bed early in the morning.
A load of laundry usually takes 2-3 days to fully dry. Two words: plan ahead!

This is a picture of (a version of) paella! I'll see if I can post a list from time to time. There's a lot more to share!

Pics from SEND English Camp

2008-12-02T07:52:00.001-08:00

Last month, I (briefly) left the spotted hills of Andalucía to travel to Sacedón, Guadalajara (1 1/2 hours east of Madrid) to the Peña de Horeb retreat center. I volunteered to help with an English camp for anyone that would like to better learn and/or practice their English! I had an amazing weekend full of conversations, good food, and new friends!

*Sidenote: Almost all Spaniards learn English with a British accent! This made conversations all the more interesting for the native (American) English speakers : )

Here are some pictures of my weekend...

The "Casa Grande" where we stayed:

Playing the card game "Mafia", if you think about it, very interesting vocabulary in used in this game...I'm in the light blue shirt, four people to the right of the guy in the striped shirt.

All the townspeople go to sleep...

I had great conversation about the activities, interests, and the world-views of Spanish youth, with a 16 year old, Daniel (pictured left).

Conversing in English...we had eight conversation sessions throughout the weekend where a native English speaker was paired up with one or two Spanish speakers. We could talk about anything we wanted--as long as it was in English : )

Making new friends...

It was an amazing weekend! Senders, thank you for being a part of it!

This is me...

2008-12-02T06:23:00.000-08:00

¡Hola! This is me...

this is me & Crystal...

this is what it looks like...

where we live...

in Andalucía!

The sun also rises...

2008-11-24T10:11:00.000-08:00

Crystal took this picture as the sun was coming up last Saturday, so pretty! Enjoy!

Transitioning...and loving it!

2008-11-17T03:59:00.000-08:00

¡Buenas! This is the general greeting we use when passing people in the street, meeting a friend for coffee, or coming into someone's home. I thought it was fitting to greet you with!

Arriving... I can say much joy comes from being in the center of God's will. That doesn't mean that things are always easy; however, my hope isn't in my circumstances or my geography, it's in Him. Perspective is something I've been learning over the past two weeks. Almost everything is out of my control. (But hasn't it always been?) Yes, indeed...ministry, if I'm allowed to stay here, travel, language, etc. I'm realizing what a great position I'm in to depend on the Lord. Being flexible and open to a new way of doing things is bringing me hope and encouragement as I reflect on the mission of God (Missio Dei) i.e. the movement of God toward humanity, through His Son Jesus, to redeem the souls of men and women and bring people into a relationship with Him.

Last Friday...I met with Arturó, the realtor, to sign the contract for our piso! I'll move in Monday! The Lord has provided the perfect place for Crystal and me. (As soon as I have a camera, I'll share more details.) Over the weekend I took a train to Madrid to help with an English Camp, Friday-Sunday. I am amazed at how many doors to ministry can be opened by simply knowing English! Much of my time has been spent these past two weeks meeting with girls (some believers, some not) to help them learn English. I'm excited about the new relationships! This week, I'm looking forward to: spending some one-on-one time with some girls/ladies, settling into a routine, and seeing Crystal! She arrives Thursday!

How are you? Do you have any questions/thoughts about all this? I'd love to hear from you!

Things to praise & pray for...

Praise Him for all the new relationships!
Praise The Lord (PTL) for providing: a piso, a place to stay in the meantime, a welcoming church, ease with immigration paperwork, ministry opp's with English, and SENDERS which make it possible to be here.
Please be praying for Crystal and I as we move in together and share the same focus and passion for ministry/discipleship.
Please pray that I would love the Lord first! That everything else I do (language learning, communicating with senders, time with the jovenes) would flow out of a heart of worship.

Partnering with you,
Arista

G-20 Followup

2008-11-11T08:07:00.000-08:00

Look who's going to Washington! The news here made a big deal out of Zapatero's attempts to secure a seat at the summit. Skits making fun of him were broadcasted on TV that resembled something like SNL--funny!

Spanish PM Happy to be Invited to Economic Summit

MADRID: Spain's prime minister said Saturday that he is pleased to have won a seat at a global financial summit in Washington after weeks of lobbying, adding that it is time the world takes his country seriously as a political and economic power.

Zapatero expressed thanks to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who helped secure Spain a seat at next week's summit, as well as U.S. President George W. Bush, the host of the gathering, which will seek ways to pull the world out of its growing financial crisis.

The Spanish leader told reporters that he had spoken by telephone with U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and that they discussed their desire to meet each other and work together, though no concrete plans were made. "We had a very, very cordial conversation," Zapatero said.

In Washington, White House press secretary Dana Perino said Saturday that the American administration viewed the summit of European Union leaders that took place Friday as a positive development.

Zapatero said he is meeting with bankers and business leaders before next week's summit in Washington, and will call for more regulation to avoid financial crises. Spain's banks have weathered the economic storm relatively well, in large part because the Central Bank discouraged them from participating in risky investments that doomed financial institutions in the United States, Britain and elsewhere.

Spain had lobbied hard for a seat at the so-called G-20 summit of leaders of industrial and developing powers, arguing that by some measures it has the world's eighth-largest economy and deserves to be there. Two of the world's top 20 banks — Banco Santander and BBVA — are both from Spain.

Associated Press Writer Jorge Sainz in Madrid contributed to this article from Madrid.

What does a violin, a cell phone, and a bouquet of flowers have in common?

2008-11-10T14:10:00.001-08:00

Well? Any guesses? They are all things that have recently come into my possession!

I'll start with the violin...many people don't know this but I played the violin for five years. Music is an important part of worship during the church service here in Úbeda so naturally, anytime someone new joins, they are asked if they play a musical instrument! John & Jan, both of the elders, and the pastor had all asked me (at different times) if I played an instrument. I jokingly replied that I played the violin for a while. So, after the prayer meeting at church last Thursday night we dropped by a church member's house on the way home. Nothing crazy about that. John and I stayed in the car, and Jan goes to the door...it's pretty dark so I can't see the person inside, but I clearly see a violin case come out the door and into Jan's hands. This is the point when my jaw drops. Jan comes back to the car smiling ands says, "Surprise!" I'm not sure I'll be performing a solo anytime soon, however, we all got a good laugh.

A cell phone...I have one. It wasn't very expensive or difficult to get. And it is a nine digit number (no area code), different huh?

A bouquet of flowers...last Saturday evening, the jovenes (youth) of the church threw me a welcome party! We played games, ate dinner, and had a great time. The pastor and his wife helped organize the whole thing and asked me to say a few words about why I was there and my thoughts so far. I told them about the journey the Lord led me on to bring me here and I told them about the people (my senders) who were praying for them and how they had also made it possible for me to be with them. When I was finished, we prayed and they surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers! The whole evening was an amazing example of hospitality!

Spain & the G-20

2008-11-10T01:38:00.000-08:00

This is an interesting (and funny) article that I have yet again found on the IHT. José Luis Zapatero is the Prime Minister of Spain. His party (PSOE) won the election in March of this year and he has three more years in office.

I think the closing words of this article are poignant and have left me thinking, "Mmm...true." Also, if you aren't very familiar with the G-20, click here for more info.

Spain Wants to go to Washington for Financial Meeting

MADRID: Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's prospects of an invitation to the White House may well have brightened with the election of Barack Obama.

But Zapatero may snag a more urgent invitation at the European Union's summit meeting Friday in Brussels: a seat at the table next week when the Group of 20 industrialized and emerging nations meets in Washington to discuss the global financial crisis.

Ever since President George W. Bush announced the meeting two weeks ago, Zapatero has been on a very public mission to get Spain, which is not a G20 member, into the meeting. The prime minister, who is not normally known for his globetrotting, has used trips to China and El Salvador to enlist support from various leaders. Behind the scenes, officials familiar with his diplomatic efforts say, he has kept phone lines abuzz across Europe and the Atlantic.

"I can't very well stand up," Zapatero joked with journalists this week, according to the newspaper El País. "I have to sit somewhere."

The decision to invite Spain to Washington lies in the hands of the United States, which is holding the meeting, and France, which has two seats, one because it is a member of the G20 and the other because it holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.

"Spain will be there," said the French official, who declined to be identified in advance of an announcement of a decision. "We just have to find a way to satisfy the demands of other countries."

Diplomats briefed on Zapatero's efforts said appeals to the United States have not borne fruit, including a conversation between Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Spanish counterpart, Miguel Ángel Moratinos. Spanish officials say they believe that Obama's aides could help make their case if he decides to be part of the meeting, though it is not clear what role he would choose to have.

The scramble for a seat in Washington has turned the G20 meeting into a national fixation in Spain and provided fodder for facile comedy: In a television skit, a gangly Zapatero impersonator bangs desperately on closed doors and showers Sarkozy with kisses.

Zapatero's continued efforts to attend the meeting reflect Spain's frustration with its lack of international presence, especially at a time when, Spanish and foreign officials argue, the world has much to learn from the country's conservative banking practices.

The situation has also revived debate about the relevance of multilateral clubs whose formats exclude important economic and political members. Spain, which bloomed economically over the last decade, missed being included in groups like the G8, G7 and G20, which took shape over the past 30 years.

"It's a bit of a Spanish complex - we're almost in the club but not quite," said Vicente Palacio, an expert in Spanish foreign policy at the Fundación Alternativas, a left-leaning research group in Madrid.

Spain has the world's eighth-largest economy and a banking system that is weathering the storm better than others in Europe. Its biggest bank, Banco Santander, has snapped up entire banks or parts of them in Britain and the United States in recent months.

"Here in Spain we have a very powerful economy with a strong banking sector that is considered exemplary at an international level," Bernardino León Gross, Zapatero's chief foreign policy adviser, said by telephone. "When it comes to discussing the future of the world's financial system, Spain should be present."

Palacio says Spain should stop insisting that its size is ground for inclusion at the meeting next week - and in the future - and lobby instead for reform of the international clubs. Groups like the G7 should be reviewed using benchmarks like overseas development aid, education and gender equality, Palacio said. "Spain should be saying: 'I don't want to be there just because my economy is the eighth largest. I want to be there because I want to change the world."'

written by Victoria Burnett and Katrin Bennhold

safe & sound

2008-11-04T15:27:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to tell you that I arrived safe & sound late Sunday evening around 10:00PM. The time change is 7 hours ahead of Texas so I have been adjusting! I am staying with my team leaders, John & Jan, for a few days until we find an apartment*. They are such gracious roomies! We are going to the capitol of Andalucía tomorrow morning, Jaen, to begin my residency paperwork. Please pray that everything goes smoothly. There is so much more to tell about learning spanish, the church, the girls I've met, ministry, the opportunity for discipleship...but I'll save it for later!

Do you have Skype? If you do, let me know!

Arista

P.S. My camera did not make it with me to my final destination (it was either lost or stolen in transit); therefore, I won't be able to send any pictures for a while. Kind of sad, but it reminds me that nothing lasts forever! Haha!

*Some of you may remember that I communicated in my October update that there was an apartment all ready for Crystal and me. However, the economy if suffering some hardships here as well as the U.S., and someone came along that offered more money to the landlord and to take up payments immediately. The offer was much too good to pass up so we are going to be looking at a few pisos (apartments) this week. It will be nice to see the places and walk through them with the Lohrenzs' before making a decision.

Thank you!

2008-11-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

Senders,

I just wanted to tell you how thankful I am for you. It would not be possible to go without you. What a journey the support raising process has been! From the very beginning, I have known that there is a specific group of people whom the Lord desires to be part of His work and His church in Spain. It is in His own time that He leads and provides. Thank you for responding!

Most long-term missionaries that I have talked with note that their support raising process helped them to learn things that better prepared them for the field. Through these last months, I have begun learning some great lessons about walking by faith (not by sight), and having an eternal perspective. Oh, the thought of how He’s going to teach me to apply these lessons that I've only begun to learn!

When I have been on mission trips in the past, I am specifically reminded that the graciousness and obedience of others is the only reason I have been given a blanket to keep me warm, food to fill my stomach, or a few coins for a hot drink over a spiritual conversation. Who knew that a British Airways meal could make one cry at the thought of getting what they don’t deserve?

It is a privilege to be sent for you. Please help hold the line here at home and faithfully pray for God’s work in Spain. Thank you for partnering with me in your prayers, gifts, and influence. Here we go. All glory and praise be to Him!

Arista

Food Fight!

2008-10-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

Something I didn't know about Spain was that they have annual city-wide food fights! In Bunol, Spain, there is an annual tomato fight. It happens the last Wednesday in August. I know I'm way late, but I thought it would be fun to share something like this!

According to city legend, the first Tomatina began about 80 years ago when a couple of kids got into a fight close to the town square, and started throwing what was available...tomatoes from the vegetable stands close to them.

There are so many tomatoes being thrown, smashed, squeezed, squished, and popped, that it sends knee-deep rivers of tomato juice through the city streets. This year alone, about 115,000 kg of tomatoes were used to celebrate La Tomatina!

An Interesting Solution

2008-10-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

I found this article online at the IHT and thought I would share. I made a post a while ago about the immigration problems in Spain...this is an interesting follow-up.

Spain Tries to Buy Out Immigrants

A worker from Ghana at a strawberry greenhouse in southern Spain.

On a recent morning in Madrid, Dora Cadena pondered the job openings pinned to the bulletin board of an employment office. The 40-year-old Bolivian recently lost her job as live-in help for an elderly woman, and has been living off unemployment benefits for the past month. Ignoring the steady stream of job seekers entering the office behind her, she drew a finger slowly down the list. "I've worked every day since I arrived in Spain eight years ago," she says with dismay. "Now there's nothing. I don't know what to do except wait and see."

Dora, the Spanish government has an offer for you: go home. Spain's new Plan of Voluntary Return, which goes into effect Monday, entitles legal immigrants who have lost their jobs to receive unemployment benefits as a lump sum payment — as long as they agree to leave the country. Participants must turn in their residence permits and work visas and promise not to return to Spain for three years. In exchange, they receive 40% of their total unemployment payouts before departing and the remaining 60% once they are home — an expected average of just over $40,000 in total.

The measure is one attempt to solve Spain's growing unemployment problem. With joblessness recently reaching a 15-year high of 11.3%, the country's 4 million documented immigrants are feeling the pinch acutely. Unemployment among them is up 67.1% on average over 2007. Between April and August of this year, the number of immigrants receiving unemployment jumped from 165,217 to 280,298.

The Plan of Return also represents a sea change in the Spanish government's once famously lenient immigration policies. Three years after offering work and residency papers to 750,000 migrants in a massive legalization, Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has gone on record supporting the European Union's controversial Return Directive, which allows members states to hold undocumented migrants for up to 18 months. His government is also spending greater resources on preventing migrant-laden boats from reaching Spanish shores, and is studying a plan to restrict regroupment immigration to parents and their under-18 children. (Currently, the law also allows grandparents and in-laws of legal migrants to join their families.) "Politicians respond to public-opinion polls," says Federico Winer, a journalist who writes on immigration issues for Tribuna Latina, an online newspaper directed at Spain's Latin-American community. "And what the polls are telling them is that people are saying 'Basta. It's time to close the door.' "

Most immigrant associations in Spain have come out against the plan. "Until recently, while the economy was booming, immigrants were the solution," says Kamal Rahmouni, president of the Association of Moroccan Immigrant Workers in Spain (ATIME). "Now it's as if they're saying immigrants are the problem. The plan tells society that immigrants are responsible for the economic crisis."

When he first announced the plan in June, labor minister Celestino Corbacho estimated that more than a million immigrants would take advantage of the payout. He has since, however, reduced that number to 87,000, and early signs suggest it may be far lower than that. Ecuador makes up the second-largest source of migrants to Spain, but so far, only 186 Ecuadorans have signed up to return. Moroccans, who comprise the single largest immigrant group in Spain, are perhaps even more reluctant. In a poll conducted by ATIME, only 8% said they would be willing to renounce their visas and return to Morocco for three years in exchange for the payout.

Why the reluctance? In part, opposition stems from a rejection of the plan's specific provisions. "No one wants to give up their residency visa for three years, especially after they've suffered so much to get it," says Rahmouni. But there's an even more compelling answer, and it has to do with why new residents immigrated in the first place. "I came for a better life," says Cadena, "and I got it. Food, clothing, my apartment — they're all better here than in Bolivia. I'm not interested in going back."

Comparisons like that may well be the plan's undoing. "The worst economic crisis here is still better than the regular economy there," says Winer, referring to Latin America. It's a sentiment that translates to other parts of the globe. Waiting his turn to speak to a counselor at the unemployment office, Mohammed Ashref admits that after losing his job as a painter two months ago, he's having trouble paying his mortgage. But still, after eight years in Spain, he wouldn't consider going back to Pakistan. "This crisis is affecting the whole world," Ashref says. "But in Spain, eventually, things will get better. You can't necessarily say that about Pakistan. You can't say it about any poor country."

written by Lisa Abend

Leaving on a jet plane...

2008-10-08T21:27:00.001-07:00

Departing: Saturday, November 1, 2008

After much communication with CAM and my team leaders, plane tickets were booked this afternoon! I will be in Úbeda for 7 months and return to Texas June 09'. Here we go!

Please pray for the Lord to provide the final 1% of support that is needed. Thank you for partnering with me in your prayers, gifts, and influence!

Arista

I'm just a little excited...

2008-10-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks for praying!

This morning I received a call from the Spanish consulate letting me know that my visa has been granted!

I was stunned! Every single day for the last several weeks, I have woken up and thought, "Will today be the day?" All glory and praise should be to Him who has accomplished this!

Not quite ready to leave yet...please pray and petition the Lord to provide at least 3-4 more senders. I'm excited to see who the Lord brings to be part of this team and part of His mission is Spain!

Support Update:

Monthly support needed in order to depart: $327. 00

But I have trusted in your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5-6

Thank you for praying! I'll keep you posted!

Arista

September Update

2008-09-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

I'm not there yet, but I'd love to share with you what has been encouraging to me over this past month!

This is a picture I took of Toledo, Castilla la Mancha, España

Happenings in Úbeda: the church in Úbeda prays for Crystal and myself every Thursday evening. They are petitioning the Lord for our Visas to come through and that we would be with them soon. Also, the church has recently received their pastor and his family back from being on furlough (they are missionaries). The elders have been teaching in his absence and the whole church is overjoyed upon the Pascual family's return. Also, John and Jan (CAM team leaders) let me know that there is an apartment for myself and Crystal ready and waiting!

Visa Update:
I called the Spanish consulate the first week of September to check on the status of my Visa. (On July 1st, when I submitted my application they said it would take 1 month to fulfill.) When I called, they let me know that a Religious Worker Visa could take 4 1/2 months to process.

Support Update:

Amt. Needed Per Month: $1,748.00
% Complete: 75%
% Remaining: 25%

I never ever imagined that I would be celebrating my 24th birthday (in 2 weeks) in Texas. He has always been faithful. I'm reminding myself of the basics, faith is believing without seeing.

HE could have granted the Visa yesterday if he wanted, and I trust that I am here because God loves me and He doesn't withhold any good thing (Psalm 84:11). After all, He does have the whole world in His hands!

Praises:

The blessing of a little freedom with my time; reading, relationships, being equipped, encouraged, long bike rides, etc.
A Spanish roof over my head! The provision of a place to live that was orchestrated by the two elders of the church (Paco Salido & Paco Hidalgo).
Supporters, three more individuals came on my monthly support team. Every single cent that is provided amazes me. Your prayers are much appreciated. Thank you for partnering with me in your prayers, gifts, and influence!

Prayers:

For a few more monthly supporters to be provided and that I would pursue a God-honoring relationship with each of my senders.
For a Visa to be granted at the right time.
That I would live a grace-filled life, and not a self-righteous one.

Thank you! As always, I love updates on you and enjoy your feedback!

Arista

CAM Intl.
8625 La Prada Dr.
Dallas, TX 75228

TODAY is a great day!

2008-09-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

Let me just share what a great day it's been! Here are just some of the reasons...

1. I got to sleep in...who doesn't love that!?
2. God is answering huge prayers for a big event at DBC this weekend!
3. Jesus died for me.
4. Jesus didn't stay dead!
5. Jesus is coming back!
6. I got a great update from the church in Úbeda!
7. I got to go for an 11.7 mile bike ride!
8. I had a cup of iced coffee from Jupiter House...mmm de-lish!
9. I am the new owner of a State Parks Pass! (That means you can come ride bikes or go camping with me--for free!)
10. I got to read some C.S. Lewis (Screwtape Letters).
11. I got to listen to some great classical music (Handel).
12. A friend just called me to go to dinner, always fun.
13. Another friend just told me that she feels she's being called to missions!
14. A girl just got in touch with me to talk more about missions, she's considering going on a stint!

HE'S SO GOOD TO US!

Cultural Holiness

2008-09-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about life right now is that I have time to read. It's not just about reading though, I think it's much more than that. It's processing, being equipped, encouraging stories, all of it. A good friend of mine tells me often to "Enjoy this season of life. Because this current blessing of freedom, time, and energy may be quite different from a future blessing."

Anyway, I was reading back through my notes from one of my classes at seminary and found this...and felt convicted. (This isn't to say that I am not surrounded by a great community of believers, I am.)

"Many Christians have what we might call a "cultural holiness". They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them. As the Christian culture around them is more or less holy, so these Christians are more or less holy. But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like Himself. Holiness is nothing less than the conformity to the character of God."

Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness

P.S. I've been favoring the black and whites...so dramatic!

How Deep?

2008-09-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

I am not sure where I heard this quote (maybe from Chip Ingram?) but it's good (and simple), "The solution to doubt, is praise." One of my favorite hymns...

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son, To make a wretch his treasure
How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One, Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross, my sin upon his shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there, until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life, I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything, No gifts, No power, No wisdom,
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward, I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom.

written by Stuart Townend

More Pain to Come...

2008-09-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

I found this article on the Wall Street Journal, a link to it can be found here, or by looking at the Wall Street Journal online.

More Pain to Come But Spain Should Recover

Not only are Spain's economic woes a more extreme version of what's happened in the past year in the U.S. and U.K., they're likely to last longer because of the shallow roots of Spain's recent economic success. A strong rebound isn't out the question, if the government undertakes key reforms, but it's unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Spain's economic boom was dependent on its construction sector, fed by E.U. development money and rapid population growth. Now that property prices are slumping, there's little for Spain to fall back on. An export-driven recovery is unlikely after years of declining competitiveness exacerbated by a strong euro.

The speed of the crisis took the Spanish government by surprise, with economic growth slowing to the worst rate for 15 years. While in April, it became the first euro-zone administration to craft a U.S.-style stimulus package including tax cuts and spending measures, worth 18 billion euros ($24 billion) over 2008 and 2009, analysts predict a recession in Spain by year-end.

That said, Spain's not necessarily condemned to the sluggish growth and weak public finances typical of southern European neighbors like Portugal and Italy. Conservative regulation has left the banking sector in better shape than much of the rest of Europe even if smaller banks could be laid low by the domestic housing crisis.

As for government finances, the public accounts fell into the red in June for the first time in three years. But the Spanish exchequer remains in a healthier position than much of the rest of the euro-zone where deficits are widening. Madrid has more room for maneuver.
The test is whether the government will restructure the economy, notably a rigid labor market, to improve productivity and diversify sources of growth. The current focus on boosting welfare provision -- raising minimum pension benefits by 6% as well as increasing the minimum wage -- doesn't bode well.

by Sean Walters

August Update

2008-08-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

"...we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20

Building momentum...I have no concrete reason to think that I will be leaving soon, but it seems like things are coming together. I have not heard anything on my Visa yet ; ) However, support is coming a little at a time and I have...

big news! I am in need of $682.00 per month! Four weeks ago, I needed $1,100.00 per month! There is still a ways to go, but considering where I began, I'm so encouraged! It has been a very humbling process to call people I've never met, introduce myself, share a little about what I'm doing and ask if they have 30 min-1 hour to talk more. Much to my own surprise (I'm so faithless sometimes!) the four individuals I've called have all wanted to get together to hear more. It is my responsibility to speak and share what God is doing, it is His role to provide supporters. If I don't offer to share and speak with people, then I am making the decision for them. If you still have a red envelope, please consider filling out the page and sending it back to me.

On a fun note, August included many firsts...

My first time to work 40 hours a week
My first time to not have a "first day of school"
My first time to have so many married friends that are pregnant, more than 10!
My first time to visit Grace Bible Church in Sanger, Texas.
My first time to see many college ministries from different denominations in Denton come together and be united.
My first time to meet and encourage other girls that are interested in foreign ministry/missions.
My first time to really read a cookbook.
My first time to run a new trail and didn't think I was going to make it back to civilization.

Things to praise and pray for:
Praise God for my sweet friend and ministry partner, Crystal!
Praise God for the prayer warriors who are a part of this team.
Pray that He would provide over and above what is needed in order to go.
Pray specifically that I would share His words and not my own when I meet with people.
Pray for His perfect timing with my visa & support!

Thank you! Please let me know how I can be praying for you!

Spainair Flight JK5022

2008-08-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, August 20th, a plane crashed while taking off from the Madrid Barajas Intl. Airport. This is the same airport that I flew into and out of in January. This article is from the IHT, to read it in full, click here.

Spaniards Mourn Victims of Plane Crash

MADRID: More than 150 people aboard a Spanair plane that veered off the runway at Barajas airport perished in an inferno that hundreds of rescue workers could not fight because they were unable to reach the fuselage through a raging brush fire ignited by the plane's fuel, rescue officials said Thursday.

Of the 172 passengers and crew members on board the plane, only 19 survived the crash and flames, with one of the severely injured dying overnight. On Thursday, Spain was a nation in mourning, flags were at half staff, the prime minister returned from vacation and the king and queen joined relatives mourning the 153 dead at a makeshift morgue.

The MD-82, manufactured by a company that has since become a subsidiary of Boeing, fumbled its takeoff, veered to the right, and exploded in a ball of flames just beyond Runway 36. The site was off limits to reporters and not visible Thursday, but pictures splashed across newspapers and spooled endlessly on television showed a charred area the size of two football fields around the wreckage.

Six or seven investigators, assisted by officials from Boeing, scoured a grim scene for clues. The two black boxes were recovered, although one was damaged, said Javier Mendoza, head of operations at Spanair.

Spanair officials confirmed Thursday that the plane had made a previous attempt to take off Wednesday afternoon. That first takeoff, almost two hours before the crash, was aborted by the pilot.

On the second, fatal takeoff, witnesses who spoke to the Spanish media reported seeing one of the plane's engines on fire, and speculated that the fuel stored in its wings for the four-hour flight to the Canary Islands, off the West African coast, ignited in the violence of the impact that split the body of the aircraft into pieces.

The airport's own fire service, on permanent standby near the scene of the catastrophe, reached the wreckage in minutes, said Pilar Fernández, an official with the Spanish rescue service Emergencia 112, which coordinated the salvage operation.

"We realized the magnitude of it from the moment it caught on fire, from the very first moments we saw the plane," she said in an interview. "The control tower saw there was something wrong and immediately sent out the alert."

Ambulances followed the first fire trucks, arriving within six or seven minutes of the call's going out for help, she said. In all, 1,000 emergency workers flocked to the scene.

But the first firefighters to reach the plane, and reinforcements from the Madrid District who arrived within the first 15 minutes, had to contend with a brush fire that engulfed the tinder-dry grass around the plane.

"They went into the area with the least fire to get to the survivors and only after that could they get to the other parts," Fernandez said.

A fire brigade official for the Madrid district, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said 70 of his men had reached the scene within 15 minutes of the crash at 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

"Our firemen were first assigned to put out the flames and then to help those who were rescuing the survivors," he said. "Four fire-fighting helicopters poured water on the fire."

He said small fires were still burning on the plane, even as they put out the brush fire; it took two hours to extinguish the last flames.

At La Paz hospital, Burgueño said, nine trauma experts were on hand, as well as plastic surgeons, anesthetists, bone surgeons and other specialists to care for six victims. "One has burns, and five are receiving trauma treatment, some in intensive care," he said.

Asked how some survivors could have escaped the third-degree burns that left others still struggling for their lives, he said they owed their escape to where they were sitting in the aircraft when it hit ground.

Those thrown from the fuselage when the plane split apart were injured, but not burned, he said. One small boy escaped with a broken leg and scratches.

After the plane veered off the runway, it plunged into the sunburnt hillside beside a service road, careered into small stream, and broke apart, according to diagrams splashed across double-page spreads of the daily El Pais.

Grieving relatives, some brought to Madrid from Las Palmas in the Canary Islands on a specially chartered flight, were gathered at an exhibition center close to the airport that had been transformed into a temporary morgue. About 40 doctors were conducting autopsies, and 150 psychologists were on hand to help families and friends through the trauma.

"There are some very tough cases. In some families four people died," said Miriam Gonzáles Pablo, one of the psychologists.

Mendoza said during a news conference in Madrid that the first take-off attempt was delayed by an air intake valve that had reported overheating under the cockpit of the plane, The Associated Press reported. Technicians fixed the problem by turning it off, he said, adding that this was an accepted procedure.

The device was not on a list of equipment that must be working for a plane to take off, he said.

The AP quoted Alvaro Gammicchia, a pilot with the Spanish flag carrier Iberia with seven years' experience flying MD-82 aircraft, as saying that even without the gauge "the plane would not fail to the point of causing a tragedy."

Spanair executives would not say what they thought had caused the disaster.

Perspective

2008-08-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

"...and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we (Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy) also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints." 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren author of The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren said:

People ask me, what is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body—but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act—the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn’t going to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either you’re in one now, you’re just coming out of one, or you’re getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that’s not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life, but also the toughest with my wife, Kay, being diagnosed cancer. I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don’t believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it’s kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for. You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems. If you focus on your problems, you’re going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain. But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others. We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her. It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people. You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy. It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don’t think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease. So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72. First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases. Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church. Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call ‘The Peace Plan’ to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation. Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free. We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity? Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God’s purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don’t get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn’t put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He’s more interested in what I am than what I do. That’s why we’re called human beings, not human doings.

SERVING AS SENDERS

2008-08-03T22:00:00.001-07:00

To my Partners & Supporters:
Thank you so much for what you are doing for me through your support and prayers! You are very important to me. As I continue the support raising process, I have tried to meet with as many people as possible. Some people have been able to support me financially, whereas others have not been able to support me; yet they have made a true investment of prayer in this ministry!

One thing I realize is that my contacts are limited; therefore, I am in need of your help. The question I ask you is this, would you help introduce me to some friends that might share our vision? My vision and the mission that you have become a part of, is one that centers on the Gospel.

For the past 5 years, I have been part of a church community that has fed me with sweet fellowship, encouragement, and challenge. The girls in Spain that I go to mentor and disciple do not currently have the opportunity to be part of authentic Christian community. And yet, their faith is deepened because of their strong roots in Christ.

For the last several months, I have felt so compelled to go; that I know it would be wrong to stay here. I love my home, family, and friends; I will be sad to be separated from them. But separation from the Lord, an eternity apart from Christ, is far worse than being separated from my life here. It is estimated that less than 4 in every 1,000 people are Christians in Spain!

Friend, what a privilege it is that we are working together for His glory! You have partnered with me in your gifts, prayer, and influence, would you share this with others? I hope when you are face to face with the Lord Jesus at last, that you will meet saints from churches all around the world that have come to know Him because of your involvement and commitment in the mission of God.

Krista Young
Missionary Account
CAM International
8625 La Prada Dr.
Dallas, TX 75228

July Update...in pictures!

2008-08-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Allow me to introduce, Crystal Langer! We'll be roommates and ministry partners in Úbeda. God's sovereignty and timing are perfect! We might be able to leave for Spain at the same time. Crystal lives in southern California, but was in Denton last week (of all places!). We spent some great time together! We had a "southern" breakfast at Cracker Barrell, went to the park, got coffee, and went to Barnes & Noble. I took her to the airport last Wednesday afternoon to fly back to California! We are really excited to be serving together, we are shockingly similar in our passions, style, tastes, hobbies, etc.

Volleyball! Two weeks ago I received a call asking if I would be interested in giving private lessons four mornings a week for volleyball. I didn't need to think twice! One of my favorite things about coaching is the teachable moments and opportunity for discipleship. I don't have many expenses right now, so almost all of the funds I make are able to go towards support.

A sweet note from the Davis family! My employers and encouragers!

This past weekend, I mailed a letter to almost every individual on my support team asking their help in sharing this mission with others. The prayer, time, and intentionality that went into those letters was very humbling. After they were printed, I held onto them for a few days to make sure that this was the Lord's leading and not my own. I so appreciate all the encouragement I've received lately. I am amazed by how many of you have told me that you are praying for me, have committed to supporting me monthly, given one time donations, invited me to speak at an event, and more. Thank you for serving as senders!

Spanish Win for Tour de France

2008-07-27T10:22:00.001-07:00

Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre of Spain cycling past the Arc de Triomph in Paris on Sunday.

Photos taken from: The International Herald Tribune

Self-denial

2008-07-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

Christ Crucified Between the Virgin and Nicodemus, drawing by Michelangelo (ca. 1552-1554)

“Yes, there is a doctrine of self-denial in the Bible. We must deny ourselves sand so we can build on rock; we must deny ourselves the praise of men so we can enjoy the approval of God; we must deny ourselves moth-eaten treasures so we can have eternal wealth; we must deny ourselves safety among men so we can enjoy security in God; we must deny ourselves drunkenness and gluttony so we can be guests at the biggest, longest banquet of the universe; we must deny self-reliance so that we can say, "The Lord is my shepherd, I have no wants." Never, NEVER does God ask you to deny yourself a greater value for a lesser value. That's what sin is. On the contrary, always, ALWAYS God calls us to surrender second-rate, fleeting, unsatisfying pleasures in order to obtain first-rate, eternal, satisfying pleasures.”

- John Piper

A picture is worth a thousand words

2008-07-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

In cities all over Spain this past week, people celebrated the festival of San Fermin.

Things you may be interested to know...

Since 1914, 14 people have been killed during the running of the bulls.
The Spanish American Red Cross reports that more Americans are injured than any other nationality (the multiple points of irony in this statement are funny!).
The most common injuries obtained (to humans) during running are: fractures to the wrist and ribs.
The running of the bulls takes place in cities all over Spain, but the most famous is in Pamplona.
The running of the bulls is an event during the festival of San Fermin. There are actually several runnings during the week and then the most popular is on the weekend.
Traditionally, women are not allowed to run. If they do, it is frowned upon.
The cardinal rule of running is, "If you go down, stay down".

Visa Application Part II

2008-07-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

I drove to Houston Monday evening, and went to the Spanish Consulate on Tuesday! I got back to Denton Wednesday afternoon. It went relatively smoothly and they said it could take anywhere from 1-4 months! Just wanted to update you!

Thanks for your prayers! Please continue to pray for the Lord to provide supporters.

Thank you for sending me! I count it as no small thing to think of the sacrifices of time, money, etc. that you make in being a part of sending me. I like thinking of the bigger picture though; considering that we are aligning ourselves with the Lord's will for our lives in seeking first His Kingdom!

Euro 2008

2008-06-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

If you didn't already know, Spain is playing Germany this afternoon in the championship game of the Eur0 2008 Soccer Tournament!

Go here for updates on the game: http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/

A somewhat different update...

2008-06-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

Yes! The first part of my visa application came in the mail Monday! Lord willing, I will go to Houston asap! Please pray that all of my support comes in at the same time my visa is granted. The Lord's timing is perfect. He is willing and able to do it, but even if He doesn't grant the visa soon, His ways are good.

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 3:18

I have been learning much about what it means to be conformed to the image of Christ and dying to myself. There have been several disappointments this month that are out of my control. Have you ever felt like this? Hasn't everyone? These let downs have led me to a "hard but good" place where I have found all, not just some, of my joy in the strength of the Lord. Every time I have sought Him in the midst of discouragement these past few weeks, His lovingkindness has met me. His strength is stronger than my weakness, and even more, the Lord loves to use broken weak people (Ps. 34:18, Ps. 51:17, 1 Cor. 1:27).

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves...always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."
2 Corinthians 4:7-11

I recently listened to a sermon that made the point that people in the 1st century hid their valuables in different kinds of bronze, gold, or silver vessels (2 Cor. 4:7-11). Nothing extremely special about that; however, robbers and thieves would break in and take the expensive and ornately crafted vessels so people began to hide their treasures in earthen/clay vessels so that the thieves would overlook them. So you have this valuable treasure in a weak, common, vessel. The interesting thing is that in order for an owner to access the treasure, you must break the vessel.

"And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Things to praise and pray for:

Praise Him for the safe arrival of the visa documents!

Praise Him for providing housing for the month of June! I am house sitting for 2 couples and I have also enjoyed staying with my parents in between.

Please pray for the Sojourn girls retreat this weekend. I am helping lead a girls summer bible study and our group has a retreat this weekend. We will be processing many of the spiritual truths that we have been learning over the past 5 weeks and seeing how we can apply them to our lives and not just know them in our heads. Please pray for a restful time, that is full of challenge, application, and growth.

Please pray for all of my monthly support to come in at the same time as my visa. This is HUGE! Would you join me in faithfully praying for this?

Please let me know how I can be praying for you! I would love to hear what God is doing in you and through you! Thank you for your e-mails, sacrifices, notes of encouragement, and most of all, your prayers!

Immigration in Spain

2008-06-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

When I was in Spain, last January, there was a lot of talk about the problem of illegal immigrants. I heard the situation compared to that of the United States and Mexico. Like I said, I was visiting in January which is about the middle of the olive harvest. Many of the illegal immigrants in Spain come for the seasonal labor.

Here are some things I noticed from my short time there:

Many immigrants make money, and send it home to their families in North Africa/South America.
Some citizens/nationals are becoming wary (distrusting) of immigrants. Sometimes immigrants are blamed for misdemeanor crimes.
Since Spain is a welfare state and medical care is free...immigrants, or other people that are in the country temporarily, could take advantage of the system and receive the benefits without paying into it.

Here is an interesting article that I found on the International Herald Tribune about the situation...

Spain, like U.S., grapples with immigration

This article is written by Jason Deparle and the original article can be found here.

MADRID: With the United States riven by calls to legalize millions of illegal immigrants, Americans might consider the possible effects by looking at southern Europe, where illegal immigration abounds and so have forgiveness plans.

In the last two decades, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece have run at least 15 legalization programs, including a Spanish effort three years ago that was among the Continent's largest. With little domestic opposition, Spain legalized nearly 600,000 of the African, Latin American and eastern European workers who helped power its economy and brought this once insular land the strengths and strains of diversity.

Immigrants say their prized work cards have brought higher wages, peace of mind and reunions of separated families. But critics say legalizations have attracted more illegal migrants — with spillover risks to nearby countries — and warn that an economic slowdown now puts Spain and its foreigners at odds.

Among the beneficiaries of the legalization policy are Ignacio Cantos and Sandra Delgado, a husband and wife from Ecuador who left four children and an economic crisis in search of Spanish jobs. Legalization has raised their pay and ended their fear of the police, who once jailed Cantos for lacking work papers.

It has also ended their separation from their youngest child, Allan, a gap-toothed 8-year-old sent with his siblings to live with their grandparents when he was 3. Since arriving in Madrid in March, he has been twirling his mother's earrings and stroking her hair as if worried that she is a mirage.

"I would never leave my children a second time," said Delgado, 38, a nanny who has been raising others' children while aching for her own. "I'm sorry I did it."

Though both husband and wife favor legalization, they differ on the critics' main complaint — that "regularizations" attract more illegal migrants.

"I don't think so," said Cantos, 43, a truck driver who argued that migrants moved out of desperation, not legal expectations. "I didn't even know what a regularization was."

But Delgado said repeated amnesties could act as a magnet. "People are thinking they'll be able to get their papers almost immediately," she said.

The United States has an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants, a record number. Its last mass amnesty program, which began in 1987, legalized 2.7 million. President George W. Bush proposed an immigration plan that would give some workers a path to legalization. But it died last year under assault from people who said it would lead to more illegal immigration.

Europe has held at least 20 legalizations in the past 25 years, giving residency papers to about four million people. Italy and Spain account for about two-thirds of the total, to the consternation of northern Europeans who see the south as the Continent's weak back door. With free movement across much of Europe, legalized immigrants can easily head north, alarming those worried about job competition, welfare costs, cultural clashes or terrorist threats.

Southern Europe's tolerance for illegal immigration has several explanations. Its aging populations and booming economies created a need for foreign workers. Its proximity to northern Africa and eastern Europe places it close to countries that supply them. And its economies have traditionally depended more on off-the-books workers.

No country has run more legalization programs than Spain, which has carried out six since 1985. As recently as a decade ago, immigrants made up less than 2 percent of the population. Now they are more than 10 percent. About 40 percent come from eastern and northern Europe; 38 percent come from Latin America; and 20 percent from Africa.

Despite the rapid change, until recently there was little political conflict, with legalizations occurring under both conservative and socialist governments. Spain even offers immigrants free health insurance, whether they are legal or not.

"The attitude toward unauthorized migrants is much more relaxed than in the United States," said Joaquín Arango, a sociologist at Complutense University in Madrid.

The acceptance has been attributed to newfound prosperity, the need for workers, the progressive culture of post-Franco Spain and the shared language with Latin Americans, which spares Spain a major source of tension in the United States.

But with the economy slowing, attitudes appear to be changing. The unemployment rate among foreigners is now 14.7 percent, compared with 8.7 percent among Spaniards. Nearly 40 percent of the recent jump in unemployment has occurred among the foreign-born.

"People are starting to say: 'We don't need immigrants. They should return to their country,' " said Sebastián Salinas, a lawyer with the immigrant rights group Acobe.

Spanish Protests

2008-06-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, John and Jan (team leaders in Úbeda) asked that I would be praying specifically for the country as there are many problems resulting from the rising cost of diesel.

Beginning Sunday the 8th of June, there will be no more petroleum delivered to gas stations. In addition to this, the fishing industry stopped about 2 weeks ago - on strike. This is a huge deal since the country is a peninsula and fishing is a huge part of the economy and the workforce. The missionaries are anticipating that other deliveries, such as groceries, will come to a halt. Regarding a strike on transportation, farmers and taxi drivers have said they will follow the truckers lead.

I found this article on the International Herald tribune. Please read, or at least scan over it : )

Spanish Truckers Block Border with France to Demand Fuel Relief
Madrid: Gasoline at $4 a gallon? If that was America's nightmare over the weekend as fuel prices reached a record national average, pity poor Europe, where the price of oil and taxes levied at the pump combine to push prices to about double the U.S. level.

In the latest show of distress, Spanish truckers Monday began a blockade of their country's border with France, lining up their rigs and slowing them to a crawl to protest the cost of fuel. The strike blocked the highway in both directions in southwestern France. The protest turned ugly when would-be strike-breakers in Spain found their windshields and headlights smashed and their tires slashed.

But the Spanish drivers were not the only ones feeling the pinch. French drivers slowed traffic near Bordeaux to demand lower fuel prices, offering a foretaste of a planned national strike by truckers next Monday. Portuguese drivers blocked roads, and in Belgium thousands of labor union members demonstrated in Liège to protest the rising cost of living as a result of fuel costs.

Fuel prices have been far higher in Europe than in the United States for many years, largely as a result of fuel taxes imposed after the oil shock in the 1980s. Taxes account for at least half the price motorists pay, and sometimes more than 70 percent.

But the sustained surge in oil prices has left many Europeans bewildered by the relentless increase in the cost of gasoline and diesel bills. Depending on where and how fuel is bought, the price of diesel - widely used in private cars as well as by truckers, fishermen and farmers - can reach the equivalent of almost $9 per gallon.

Multimedia Video: Fuel protests spread across Spain » View Related Articles Gasoline prices take bigger bite in rural U.S. Pressure from oil prices spreads Today in Europe Spanish truckers block border with France to demand fuel relief A low-key visit to Germany by Bush Germany and France compromise on car emissions Throughout Spain, approximately 70,000 truckers joined the strike Monday, according to Desirée Paseiro, a representative of a truckers' association that is threatening to paralyze the country unless the government introduces measures to lower their fuel bills.

On Monday morning, groups of slow-moving truckers blocked the major highways around Madrid in a so-called snail protest that snarled traffic. Some food distributors fear their trucks will not be allowed to roll.

"We are the ones who move the merchandise that this country needs to function," Julio Villascusa, a truckers' representative, told the Cadena Ser radio station on the eve of the strike. "If we don't have the money to keep buying fuel to offer this public service, well, then this country comes to a halt."

Spanish truckers say the price of diesel fuel - which varies among European countries - is now €1.30 per liter, roughly $7.73 per U.S. gallon, compared to €0.95 per liter a year ago. At that price, they argue, it costs them far more to buy fuel than they earn from trucking contracts.

The rising European anger may well be matched by the price of oil, said Jeffrey Currie, global head of commodities research at the investment bank Goldman Sachs. At an oil and gas conference in Malaysia on Monday, he suggested that oil prices were likely to hit $150 a barrel this summer, surpassing the record of $139.12 set last Friday, Reuters reported.

"I would suggest that the likelihood of that happening sooner has increased tremendously - sometime in the summer," Currie was quoted as saying. "Demand for oil is weak, but supplies are even weaker."

Dale Fuchs reported from Madrid and Alan Cowell from Paris.

Link to this article from the International Herald Tribune.

Visa Application Part I

2008-06-08T22:22:00.000-07:00

Praise God! The one true God who is seldom early but never late!

Thank you for your prayers! I found out Sunday morning that my Visa documents are ready to be mailed to me from Spain! I will hopefully receive them within the next few days and travel to the Spanish Embassy in Houston by the end of the week (Friday).

So...what does this mean? Basically, 1/2 of my visa application is completed in Spain by the church and the missionaries (Part 1). The other 1/2 is completed here by me (Part 2). I will take the entire application (Part 1 & 2) and my passport to the embassy and submit them as my final step in the visa application process. It will (hopefully) take about 6 weeks for the embassy to notify me that I have been granted a Religious Worker Visa.

Please praise Him for His faithfulness and His timing!

Please pray specifically for expedient and safe travel of the application papers.

Thank you for all of your love and support!

Resting, living, celebrating, etc.

2008-05-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

These last few weeks have been filled with a lot of reading, typing, praying, laughing, and celebrating! My time has recently included, but is not limited to: wrapping up my 1st year of seminary, dancing, ending the CollegeLife internship, a road trip to Lake Conroe, preparing to move, spending some good time with my mom, and laughing as much as I can with my roommates.

Reflecting on the school year: In looking at all the articles I skimmed (haha!), stories I heard, people I met, books I read, ideas I was challenged with, papers I typed, etc... the question I've come back to is, "Has it led me to love God more?" The answer is, yes! Two things that I am just now starting to learn about are: the limitless grace of God and the humility that characterizes a servant of Christ. In wrapping up the semester with CollegeLife, the college ministry of Denton Bible Church, I'm looking forward to what lies ahead...

Summer plans:

I get the privilege to keep working for the Davis family with their oldest son, Stephen.
I will be moving out of the house where I have lived for the past 2 years on May 30th. Where I am moving to is still to be determined. I will probably be here for the next 2 months and stay somewhere temporarily in Denton. Wherever I go, it is my prayer that I would be a blessing to my host(s) and not a burden.
Over the next few weeks, I get to keep meeting with some girls and carry on some amazing relationships. It has been a blessing to see God working in the lives of these girls and see answers to prayer.

So, when are you leaving? The best answer is, whenever the Lord wants me to! I hope to be in Úbeda by August 1st. Regarding monthly support, I'm at 77%! Thank you! I am still in need of $400 a month. In light of the whole, being only $400 away is so encouraging. I'm still waiting to receive documents from Spain which I need to take to the Spanish embassy in Houston to finish applying for my Religious Worker visa.

In the meantime, I'm glad to have some transition time and be faithful right where I am. I greatly desire to be in Spain, however; I submit those plans to the Lord. He could provide a visa tomorrow if He wanted, so there is a reason that I'm here for now. These verses have been encouraging:

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Things to praise and pray for...

Praise God for what He has done for us! He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Please pray for a heart and mind that submits all things to Him.

Please pray for expedience and safe travel of the documents that are coming from Spain. When I go to the embassy in Houston and hand over my application, medical evaluations, etc. I am praying that it will only be a couple of weeks for them to grant me a Religious Worker Visa.

Thank you for all of your love, support, and prayers!

Arista

Psalm 32:1-5

2008-05-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

1How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
2How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!
3When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.
5I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord"; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.

Departure update and an interesting article...

2008-05-07T07:28:00.001-07:00

First, I want to share with you that I will not be leaving in May. My monthly support is at about 77%! I am in need of $400 a month. That's it! I will be here for a bit longer though to finish raising these funds and to finish applying for my Visa. I am excited to be here a little longer and have some transition time! However, please pray for expedience and for the proper documentation to arrive soon. More details to come ; )

This is an interesting article I found on the International Herald Tribune. I think this article does a pretty good job of showing the problem and what this communicates about the government and corruption.

Thousands of homes in Spain threatened with demolition

By Sharon Smyth Bloomberg News
Monday, May 5, 2008

Leo Levett-Smith and his wife, Jean, thought they did everything right when they bought their retirement home in Spain. They used a registered real estate agent, a Spanish notary and obtained their mortgage through one of the country's largest savings banks.
Then in January they received a demolition order saying the house had been built without a permit.
"We really believed we had taken all the necessary precautions," said Levett-Smith, 65, a retired traffic policeman from Cheshire, England, as he sat on the porch of the russet-colored villa in Catral, 42 kilometers, or 26 miles, southwest of Alicante. "I mean, where else have you heard of this happening?"
Over the past decade, developers built about 100,000 illegal homes in Spain, and consumer advocates say that because of the technicality, thousands of those are now threatened with demolition as regional governments try to deter clandestine construction. The crusade may discourage the foreign buyers who fueled Spain's housing boom and deepen a slump that began last year.
"The problem is very serious," said Rafael Pampillón, an economics professor at the Instituto de Empresa in Madrid. "When a country has a system or set of institutions that allow illegal houses to be built and corruption to exist, then evidently foreign investment is going to flee."
At least one house has already been bulldozed. In January, Len and Helen Prior lost their three-bedroom villa in Almeria. The 63-year-olds from Berkshire, England, paid £350,000, or $690,000 at current exchange rates, for the house in 2003.
Each of Spain's 8,111 town halls has the authority to make planning decisions and issue building permits with little oversight from the regional or national governments. As property prices soared, some local officials were drawn into plans to profit from new home construction.
The former head of urban planning in Marbella has been charged with money laundering and accepting bribes to issue building permits. When the official, Juan Antonio Roca, was arrested in March 2006, police seized 2.4 billion, or $3.7 billion at current exchange rates, of assets, including two hotels, sports cars and 103 horses. Roca has denied any wrongdoing.
"When everyone is making money, for example the real estate agent, the town hall and the administration, everyone turns a blind eye," said Bernardo del Rosal, a former ombudsman for the Valencia region. "The system as a whole fails and the law is worthless when that happens."
The local governments with the largest concentration of new housing, including Valencia, Alicante and Marbella, declined to say how many homes might be destroyed in their communities. Andres Lara, a spokesman for the Spanish Housing Ministry, and officials at each of the 17 regional governments referred questions to the municipalities.
Government officials will not provide figures because it puts them in an "abysmal light," said Bernardo Hernández Bataller, a Spanish lawyer and president of a European Union committee that advises on financial services and consumer protection.
"It's safe to say the demolition orders could run into thousands," Bataller said.
Home prices almost doubled in the eight years through 2006, as buyers took advantage of a booming economy, stable employment and low borrowing costs. About two million foreigners own property in the country, according to Ciudadanos Europeos, which works to protect the interests of Europeans in Spain.
Spanish residential property prices fell in real, or inflation-adjusted, terms for the first time in more than a decade during the first quarter, as interest rates rose and banks tightened lending because of the global credit squeeze.
The number of foreigners and non-residents buying homes in Spain fell 42 percent last year, according to the Housing Ministry. Their share of total transactions slipped to 9.5 percent from 12 percent.
The slowdown in the housing market, which represents 9 percent of gross domestic product, is rippling through the economy. The International Monetary Fund has said that Spain's gross domestic product would expand 1.8 percent in 2008, less than half last year's pace, and that unemployment would rise for the first time in more than a decade.
"The bad press and examples of corruption have done nothing to help raise the confidence of international investors," said Miguel Martín Rabadán, general director of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Spain.
The Levett-Smith's story is a parable for how exuberance and greed drove corruption in the Spanish housing market. The couple moved to Spain seven years ago, initially settling in a village near Torrevieja on the Mediterranean coast. When the area became too crowded, they decided to move inland.
In 2005, the Levett-Smiths bought their three-bedroom house in Catral, paying 220,000 to Country Life Properties. The property is one of the 1,270 homes in the community that were built with insufficient permits issued during the 12 years that José Manuel Rodríguez Leal was the town's mayor. Some 160 homes in Catral have been served with demolition orders.
Among the companies that built the homes was Grufade, a developer registered in the name of María Ángeles Rodríguez Leal, the former mayor's sister, according to a complaint filed by the European Association for the Protection of Urban Consumers. Grufade's sales rose to 1.7 million in 2006 from 3,900 two years earlier, according to filings at Alicante's mercantile register.
Rodríguez Leal resigned in January 2007, and his party was defeated in local elections the following May. A court in Alicante is investigating corruption charges against Rodríguez Leal. According to the online newspaper 20minutos.es, there are 93 similar investigations in Spain.
Rodríguez Leal had denied any wrongdoing, saying that the blame lies with his brother-in-law, a builder by trade. "Permits to build sheds and shelters were authorized, but when I realized they were being used to build houses I tried to stop them," Rodríguez Leal said. "But they wouldn't, and I was powerless."
María Ángeles Rodríguez Leal and her husband declined to comment, according to a woman who answered the phone at Grufade's offices in Catral.
The Levett-Smiths tried to avoid the pitfalls of Spain's property market by hiring a Spanish notary to oversee their transaction, getting a 130,000 mortgage from a Spanish savings bank, Caja de Ahorros del Mediterraneo, and paying 300 for an independent survey. No one informed the couple that the building permits were illegal, the Levett-Smiths say.
Antonio Bellido, Catral's new urban planning counselor, is trying to stop the bulldozers. He has proposed charging owners of illegal homes 5 per square meter, or 11 square feet, to have their houses inspected and incorporated into town plans. That could raise 15 million for Catral based on Bellido's estimate that the illegal houses occupy 3 million square meters of land.
"Right now, Catral is infamous for its illegal houses," Bellido said. If the regional government approves the plan, "Catral will become famous for being the town in Spain that found a solution to a mighty problem."
If the Levett-Smiths lose their home, they will have to return to Britain and live with their daughter.
"No one in their right mind would give us a mortgage at our age to start again," Leo Levett-Smith said.

When the Saints...

2008-04-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

These are the lyrics to a great song I just discovered...please read, and then re-read! Here (for a full version, go here) is a link to listen to a clip of the song, "When the Saints" by Sara Groves. It's beautiful! I can't listen to it without feeling compelled to pray for people I don't know. Especially men, women, and children all over the world that are suffering and struggling alone.

Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
it's more than I can handle
but Your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I can’t let it go

and when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars

and when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind
it all can overwhelm me
but when I think of all who've gone before and lived a faithful life
their courage compels me

and when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
I see the shepherd Moses in the pharaohs court
I hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord

and when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
and when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

I see the long quiet walk along the underground railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul
I see the young missionary and the angry spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear
I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sister standing by the dying man’s side
I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come kicking down that door

I see the Man of Sorrow and his long troubled road
I see the world on His shoulders and my easy load

and when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
and when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

"Behold, the Lord's arm is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear." Isaiah 59:1

Culture Shock or Culture Stress?

2008-04-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

Recently, in class we have been talking about acculturation. This is the process of willfully or intentionally adopting another cultures way of life. When we intentionally adapt ourselves to another culture, or a culture other than our own, acculturation is taking place.

Within acculturation, people tend to experience a phenomenon generally known as "culture shock". However, through discussions in class, perhaps the better term is "culture stress". A shock generally refers to something short-lived. We touch a hot cup of tea, and jerk our hand back. Same with testing the water in a pool, an electric fence, etc. "Shock" tends to be short-lived.

Another word for culture stress can be disorientation. Think of it like this, we generally use maps to orient ourselves. We follow the directions that maps layout, our culture is a map. And our culture orients us to a way of life. A way of life is how we go to school, how we eat, how we shop, how we travel to work, etc.

If I am in North Dallas and I want to go to South Dallas, I would use a map to see which direction to go and which roads to turn on. However; if all I have is a map of Manhattan and I'm in Dallas, I can't navigate Dallas using a map of Manhattan. Given, some things look the same (buildings, streets, etc.) but it's really not going to help me. Stress/anxiety happens when we cannot determine or predict what is happening to us at the experiential level.

Cultural incidents that leave us thinking, "What just happend to me?" can cause anxiety. An example of this might be when I walk into a poultry store in Poland to buy a chicken and I come out much poorer with a block of white cheese.

Again, the thought comes to mind that cultural stress is disorienting. A reaction that I might have is to just, “…let somebody else do it, that's more efficient.” However, if someone else does it for me, my anxiety is never alleviated and I never go back into the shop that gave me cheese when I wanted a chicken. It seems that living beside the culture as opposed to living in the culture is probably not the best idea.

Over time I hope I can develop an idea of what’s going on around me and thereby reduce interpretive uncertainty. Over time, I also hope to learn how to predict behaviors and cultural norms, (i.e. what’s going to happen next) and thereby reduce predictive uncertainty as well. It seems that most missionaries encounter cultural incidents, maybe even on a daily basis, that leave them disoriented. This seems to be stress, not shock, due to the fact that it happens over time ; ) What do you think?

30 Days?

2008-04-17T05:49:00.001-07:00

30 days from today, I might be boarding a plane to move to Spain for the next 12 months. 31 days from today, I might be landing in Madrid. This whole idea is becoming more and more real to me. In the meantime, I am still praying for Support and a Visa!

I should know by May 1st if I am leaving Saturday, the 17th, or at another later date.

The Missionary Problem is a Personal One

2008-04-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

These are two small excerpts from a book by Andrew Murray (1828-1917), a dutch reformed church missionary who was sent from Scotland to South Africa. The book is titled "Key to the Missionary Problem". I just wanted to share two quotes that were insightful and powerful to me.

"The missionary problem is a personal one. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Author and Leader of Mission. Whoever stands right with Him, and abides in Him, will be ready to know and do His will. It is simply a matter of being near enough to Him to hear His voice, and so devoted to Him and His love as to be ready to do all His will. Christ's whole relation to each of us is an intensely personal one. He loved me, and gave Himself for me. My relation to Him is an entirely personal one. He gave Himself a ransom for me, and I am His, to live for Him and His glory. He has breathed His love into my heart, and I love Him. He tells me that, as a member of His body, He needs me for His service, and in love, I gladly yield myself to Him. He wants nothing more than that I should tell this to others, prove to them how He loves, how He enables us to love, and how blessed is a life in His love."

The other excerpt is an illustration...

"We are often at a loss to understand the need of much continued communion with God. And yet it is the same as with the things of earth. Take the gold put into the furnace. Exposed to insufficient heat, it gets heated but not melted. Exposed to an intense heat for only a short time and then taken out again, it is not melted. It needs an intense and continuous heat, before the precious but hard metal is prepared for the goldsmith's work. So it is with the fire of God's love. They who would know it in its power, and in power to proclaim and convey it to others, must keep in contact with the love of Christ. They must know it in its intensity and what it is to continue in it till their whole being realized that that love can reach all, and melt all."

In light of reading words such as these, Romans 5:8 comes to my mind, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Oh geez!

2008-04-03T12:20:00.001-07:00

My monthly support is on the rise! I am amazed at this! I guess I shouldn't be in a way, this is what I have prayed for, for months. You should see my tear stained pillow ; ) Should I be so surprised when He is faithful? Anytime God does something only He can do, it amazes me and increases my faith!

Support Specifics:

I am at around 50% of my monthly support costs. Currently, I am in need of $1,020 per month to live while I am in Spain.
If support is in by May 1st, then I will be able to leave Saturday, May 17th (Visa pending).
Please praise God (literally, just say a quick thank you if all you have is a moment) for His provision.
Please pray with me for 10-20 more supporters that would partner with us in this ministry.

I really can't even imagine what the Lord is going to orchestrate over this next month.

He is good.

2008-03-26T21:48:00.001-07:00

I found out today that I have a little over 100% of my one-time outgoing costs (visa, plane tickets, etc.)! Praise Him, for He has done this!

I am still praying for monthly supporters. After this point, if I receive one time gifts, they will go into my monthly support and be divided by 12 (or 9) months.

Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:5

Interesting quote...

2008-03-25T06:01:00.001-07:00

A statement from one Lebanese Muslim child to another:

"In the name of the prophet Muhammad, Jesus Christ did rise from the dead!"

Updates!

2008-03-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else feel like the time is flying by? I can't believe it is mid March! I would love to share with you what our Great God has done over the past month.

It seems like life is going 100mph sometimes. I really enjoy my time at seminary and feel that my classes and the material I am learning is really applicable. The amount of reading required to keep up in each class is a challenge though. Much of my time over this past month has been spent investing in discipleship relationships. The Lord is gracious to let me spend time with and love on some amazing girls!

Spain updates:

In order to depart for the field, I must have 100% of my support. There are two types of financial needs that must be met. The first is outgoing cost and the goal is to raise $3,000. This includes my visa costs, plane fare, etc. Due to the Lord's provision in people's lives, and their desire to give back to Him, I am now around 90% of outgoing cost. Thank you! The second type of support needed, is monthly. Please pray with me for the Lord to provide 25 people who would want to be a part of what He is doing in Spain by giving between $50-$150 a month.

Visa update; I will be applying for a Religious Worker's Visa that will allow me to stay in the country for at least a year. I won't have to worry about going in and out of the country every 90 days.

My departure date is tentative. If I am at 100% of my support by May 1st, then I will depart Saturday, May 17th. However, if I am not at 100%, then I will be in Denton for the summer and hopefully be able to leave in August. Praise God that His timing is perfect!

Prayer: Praises & Requests

Please pray that I would be able to obtain a visa.
Praise Him for providing supporters.
Please pray with me for more partnerships. It is not so much about people supporting me so that I can go, it is more about us working together for the sake of the Name!
Please pray for the jovenes (youth) in the church in Úbeda, that they would live out their faith to the culture around them.
Praise God for bringing more jovenes to the church in Úbeda!

If you would like to prayerfully consider joining in, in what God is doing in Spain, you can either contact me for more information (arista.young@gmail.com) or give directly to CAM International. I would love to talk with people that are interested!

CAM International

8625 La Prada Drive

Dallas, TX 75228

Account #090725

Politics

2008-03-09T20:59:00.000-07:00

I have an update on the visa situation, and I also have a meeting with CAM this Tuesday to talk more about support raising, the status of my support, communication, visa applications, my departure date, etc. I would love to give details on all of these things after Tuesday.

There is something more important that I would like to share for now. You might alrady know, but last Friday, March 7th, a Spanish councilman named Isaias Carrasco was killed in the north-eastern city of Mondragon. He is thought to have been killed by ETA, (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) the Basque separatist organization. This man was a member of the ruling socialist party but it doesn't really seem clear as to why he was killed.

Spain has an election every 4 years and the last one was in 2004. You might remember the Madrid train bombing that killed 191 people a few days before the 2004 election. I am often reminded that there are "politics" in any organization, which is sad, but that politics exist because someone/some people want their agenda accomplished. Here is a good article summarizing what has happened in Spain and the effects.

If you would like more information on Spanish government/politics I have researched and summarized some here...

Spain is a parliamentary monarchy, which means they have a king, (Juan Carlos I) but they also have a prime minister who is elected by popular vote. The current PM is José Luis Zapatero, and he represents the Spanish Worker's Socialist Party (PSOE) or in Spanish, Partido Socialista Obrero Españo.

This election has had a pretty bitter campaign between the two candidates and this murder came at a very hard time, just two days before the elections. The election was held today, and Zapatero won the majority of the seats in parliament, claiming 169 out of 350. Here is a New York Times article reporting on the election.

"The Spanish parliament is called Las Cortes Generales and is a bicameral parliament consisting of the Congress of Deputies (El Congreso de Diputados), the Upper and Lower Houses (La Cámara Alta and La Cámara Baja respectively) and the Senate (El Senado). Government and members of the Spanish parliament are chosen by general elections held every four years. The Spanish Prime Minister (el Presidente del Gobierno) responsible to the Cortes is elected by Spanish parliament."

taken from:http://www.spanish-talk.co.uk/about-spain/spanish-politics/

Luke 18:1-8

2008-03-06T06:23:00.000-08:00

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lost heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, “Give me legal protection from my opponent.” For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, “Even though I do not fear God or respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

First, if you are reading this, please know that I would rather have a conversation with you about these things than just postulate these things and throw my thoughts out there. In writing this, I see (and feel) the downside of a blog, it is entirely one-sided communication. I really really dislike that. However, sometimes it is not possible for you or me, to have a latté, sit down on a cozy couch, and talk (I would love that). One of my favorite things is listening to other people's thoughts and it saddens me that I am unable to hear more of what you think--so if you do want to talk more--let me know!

To me, this parable is Christ's own encouragement to pray continually in faith. I see things of myself within the widow! She is helpless and in need of someone to act on her behalf. I am unable to breathe on my own (Genesis 2:7), let alone raise support or be a missionary. Within my inability, He is incredibly able. Recently, I was writing and I am even more convinced of this sentence's validity, "For the rest of my life, I want to be a part of trusting God to do what only He can do." To me, that is everything from breathing, to raising support for this stint! (Note: I am not comparing God to the judge, it seems like, if anything, Jesus is teaching by contrast.)

I am praying, here is an official invitation to join with me in prayer. Some specifics:

Praising God; for His act of grace by moving toward humanity for His glory and their salvation
Asking God; for grace. It is encouraging to me to remember that (one way) I express my faith to God is by requesting His grace.
Please pray with me against wrong motives "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." James 4:3

What can I pray for you about? Sometimes I think I talk in circles, and say things that I need to hear.

World Travellers

2008-03-04T14:32:00.000-08:00

On my way into class this morning, I was walking in at the same time as one of my professors. We talked on the way up the stairs and as we came to the top, he yelled at an elderly gentleman sitting in the window sill and continued on to class. The old man looked a little familiar, but I was surprised to see Dr. Young yell at someone. The old man waved him off and shouted something at him in Spanish with a smile on his face.

As we walked on to class, I asked Dr. Young if that man happened to be Dr. Oscar López, and it was! I understand that you think I got excited about nothing but, if you knew this man's story you would think differently. I have wanted to meet him for a while, but he now teaches at the seminary's extension campus in Houston. So being ridiculous, I put my things down once I got to class and went back to talk to him. We conversed in spanish for a while and then I had to get back to class.

Click here to listen to a 30 minute chapel (Consider Yourself A Servant of Christ) by Dr. López, you won't be sorry you did!

Also, something that one of my professors mentioned as a prayer request was his trip to Beirut, Lebanon this Friday. He will be in Lebanon for the next 2 weeks. He is going to meet with some missionaries and NGO's to discuss the opening of a school for children with special needs. After his visit to Beirut, he will be traveling south into the Hezbollah region. However, he does not have permission yet so he asked that we could be in prayer for passage into the area and for progress with the plans of the school. I really enjoy getting to hear about (specific) global prayer requests!

Visa...paper not plastic

2008-02-28T06:12:00.000-08:00

(this is a picture of the Spanish embassy in Houston)

Until recently, I was not planning on applying for a visa to live in Spain for a year. CAM, my team, and I, thought it was unnecessary to apply for a visa since visitors are allowed in the country up to 90 days. The plan was to travel to Africa (which isn't far) every 90 days and stay at least overnight (you have to leave the EU) and then re-enter Spain and be set for another 90 days.

However, John and Jan recently let me know that Spain has adopted new laws that stipulate for every 90 days you are in the country (as a visitor) you must spend 90 days out of the country. Some people call this the 90/90 law. This affects short-term people like me, but not people who are long-term (John and Jan) since they have religious worker visas.

So...I am beginning the application process for a visa! The Spanish embassy in Houston is pretty tricky, or so I have repeatedly heard, and it can be difficult to obtain a visa. Honestly though, I'm not really worried about it. It will work out exactly as the Lord desires it. I don't want to communicate that I am lackadaisical about it but I am remembering that if I am supposed to be in Spain then it will be God who provides. It isn't my job to determine the results, it is my responsibility to be faithful. Plus, this makes the process more interesting! More on process vs. product later! (thanks Brady & Amber!)

Comida de España (Spanish food)

2008-02-20T11:42:00.000-08:00

Many people have asked: What is the food like in Spain? and/or What kinds of things will you eat? Interestingly enough, there is a lot of seafood, pork/ham, pastas/breads, soups, and sandwiches.

A sidenote: Something that I remember from being in Spain 2 years ago was the "Menu del día" (Menu of the Day). So if you went to a café for lunch or dinner, you would likely order the menu of the day for €4-6. (By the way, this is the symbol for euros: €) What you get when your order the Menu del día is, a drink, bread, soup, a meat, and a dessert (usually fruit or yogurt). When I was there over the Christmas break, I noticed that due to inflation, the Menu del día price now starts around €8-9. Interesting...keep in mind that for every $1.00 it equals (around) €1.40. Depending on the DOW or other US stocks/markets, the dollar becomes stronger or weaker to the euro. (I know, way too much information, sorry!)

Anyway, back to Spanish cuisine. I was reading something that John & Jan had posted, and they said that a friend of theirs summarized Spanish food in four major things: olive oil, bread, ham, and tomatoes. I would agree that Spanish people really like these things, but it is not nearly limited to these four things. Also, since Spain is surrounded by water, there is a lot of seafood to taste! Tuna fish is really popular. It is not so much like "American" tuna fish salad, they usually eat it plain out of the can. Here is a picture of the olives on the tree before they go to be cleaned, weighed, pitted, and smashed for delicious olive oil.

Ham is also served a lot. People put it on bread or eat it with tapas (popular bite-size Spanish snacks). This (below) became a familiar site at grocery stores... These legs were €69! That is over $100! Of course you could eat on it for a long time, but it was new to see whole pig legs in the store.

Also, I'm not sure why, but Spaniards think it is really odd to eat eggs for breakfast.

Enjoying school

2008-02-17T19:37:00.000-08:00

I am thoroughly enjoying my classes this semester. This sounds funny, but whenever I drive up to campus, walk in a classroom, sing in chapel, or just sit and watch people on campus, I am really encouraged.

This semester I am taking:

Introduction to World Missions: Currently, in this class we are studying the foundation for missions in the Old Testament, then we'll move on to the foundation for missions in the New Testament. This is my favorite class!

Dynamics of Missionary Development: Right now we are studying trends and issues in the world that are relevant to missionaries, i.e. globalization.

Intercultural Communication: The best way to summarize this class (so far), is to say that we are learning about how to communicate clearly/effectively in a culture other than our own. This is very interesting to me, but it is also pretty abstract sometimes. I don't do a very good job of communicating in my own culture sometimes--just ask my roommates or parents! I am encouraged though, it's a learning process.

Trinitarianism: This is my one online class, but it doesn't seem like an online class. I watch recorded class sessions and have the same class notes that a regular class would have. Up until now, we have been learning about the characteristics of God, i.e. the holiness, love, mercy, grace, judgment, and wrath, of God. There are many more that we have talked about, but these are some. We also looked back in church history to learn about the doctrine of the Trinity.

Something that you don't pay for, but comes free with these classes, is a good dose of humility ; )

God's Answer to Prayer

2008-02-06T08:07:00.001-08:00

Part of raising support is meeting with people and sharing with them about what God is doing in Spain, and God's leading for me to go. The other part, is prayer (Mark 11:24).

Many people have shared with me that they are at their maximum support of missionaries and are unable to support me in addition to what they are already doing. This is a great thing to hear that people are supporting missions and aligning themselves with Christ in His march to publish His name to the world!

So I started praying and asking the Lord to send strangers into my life that would want to know me and would like to be a part of this stint in Spain. I felt like I was asking God to do something impossible, but remembering that, "...with God, all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26), I began to pray. With this prayer in mind, I would like to tell you what He did.

Recently, I walked into a store called Pace Creek Enterprises in Yellowpine, Texas. I wasn't necessarily shopping, just waiting for my mom to finish up a meeting. One of the ladies in the store, Claudine, recognized me. We began talking and she was asking what I was up to since I graduated in August. I told her that I was in seminary, and that I was hoping to move to Spain for a year to be a missionary. Upon hearing this, she said that she would like to introduce me to someone...

Mary Ann Mc Daniel, is the owner and manager of Pace Creek Ent. She is also an RN and frequently goes on short-term mission trips to Africa to serve with medical mission teams. She is also, an example of God's provision in my life.

We started talking and she told me about her brave daughter who also spent a year abroad doing missions in Southeast Asia. She told me one of the most amazing stories I have ever heard about her first experience as a missionary on the West Coast of Africa. She also told me (after knowing me less than 30 minutes) that she would like to financially support me on this trip.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

Blessed Assurance

2008-02-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

This is a sweet song to me. I like looking at the words and seeing the promises of God found in scripture.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Hmm...

2008-01-29T14:31:00.000-08:00

This is a thought-full post. It is full of my thoughts.

Last Wednesday evening, I opened my front door thinking it was my neighbors coming over to say hello. Instead, I was surprised to see my mom and dad standing on the front porch. I knew before I said anything why they were standing there. They came to tell me that my grandmother had passed away. Her name was Ina Elliott, but I called her "Granny". She was 94 years old and on the day she died, she laughed with her granddaughter, enjoyed her lunch, talked with two friends, laid down, and slipped peacefully from this life into heaven.

I think over the last few days, I have more reasons to praise the Lord rather than to question His purposes. She trusted Jesus Christ when she was 14 years old and was a member of her church in Yellowpine, Texas, for over 80 years.

This is what has given me comfort in the past few days...

This verse: "...to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

I am sad that I will not have the opportunity to spend time with my grandmother anymore. But, when I consider what she has gained--heaven, which is eternal worship of the one true God, I consider that she is better off than I. I would not want her back on this earth (it's painful and hard), when she has what I, and other believers, long for. Heaven!

Questions & Answers

2008-01-22T12:24:00.000-08:00

I have been back for almost two weeks and I think I have adequately adjusted to American time; mainly with eating times and sleep schedules.

I wanted to share more details on what I am left with after spending 2 weeks in úbeda & baeza.

Maybe you have some questions...If I were you, I would like to know:

1. Was it successful? Meaning, did you accomplish what you wanted to?

Answer: Yes. I accomplished everything I wanted and more. However, some of our to-do list did not get fully completed (language school and housing).

We visited my language school, Adabat (pronounced addah-bat), but since they decided to take an extended Spanish holiday they were not open for us to get more information. John and Jan will be working on getting more info about this since I am not there.

Regarding housing, John, Jan, Paco Hidalgo, and Paco Salido (<--church elders and cousins) will be working more on this since it did not get finalized in my time there. It looks like I will probably live with an older woman or a family from the church. Since it might be difficult for someone to host me a whole year, it seems like it would be best to live 6 months with someone, and then stay 6 months with someone else from the church.

2. Did you have fun? Meaning, do you still want to go back?

YES and YES! I had a lot of fun, and really enjoyed the church, the people, the food, the geography, the city life, and most of all, I loved spending time with John and Jan!

* Keep in mind, the newness of these things, which is probably half the excitement, will wear off eventually. Lately, I have been challenged by the question, "What will keep you here?" Meaning, when you want to go home, when you are frustrated with the culture, when you feel lonely, when you miss American food, when you don't feel like loving people, what will keep you where God has called you (Spain, in this case)? The answer is, the Gospel. Contending for and proclaiming the Gospel is what will keep me there when it becomes (a little) difficult.

I really can't imagine going in May for a year, without taking this short trip. I consider it a great blessing for the Lord to give me an idea and small insight as to what life there looks like, before I am there for a year.

Pictures from my 2 week trip

2008-01-19T20:38:00.000-08:00

This is me after a day of travel, I was on my third and last plane on the way to Spain. I enjoyed flying Iberia. Iberia Airlines could be equivalent to Southwest Airlines. I was tired in this picture, but obviously having fun!

The picture below is of the airport in Málaga.

This is a view from a hilltop in Baeza. We could usually see snow on the mountains in the distance.

I am working on uploading more pictures, it is a learning process. My father would probably say that my speed of learning is faster than a tree, but slower than a slug ; )

I'm back!

2008-01-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

I arrived back in the States around 7PM last Friday night. Friday was a long day. I woke up around 5:15AM to head to the airport in Malaga, and then arrived in Madrid around 8:30AM.

I had some time before my flight left for Chicago, so I explored the airport a little bit. It is quite new and has stores in it like Gucci. Interesting for an airport to have stores like that. I think that communicates something about the culture and how highly they view fashion.

Anyway, I got on the plane to Chicago at noon, Spanish time. I had thought that the flight was supposed to be around 9 hours but instead it was 10. I picked up my bag, ran through customs, re-checked my bag, changed terminals. and ran to the gate just in time to board! It was close, I made it but my luggage didn't : ) They found it and delivered it Saturday morning, no worries!

By the time I landed at D/FW, the clock said it was 7PM, but my body felt like it was 2AM (Spain is 7 hours ahead). It was a great feeling to see my parents and my friend Rachel at the gate!

All in all, I had an absolutely amazing 2 weeks abroad. I really can't imagine going back in May without taking this mini trip first.

P.S. I have so many pictures, I am so excited to post them!

Things you might not know about España

2008-01-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

New insights:

--> Spanish people do not look a certain way. A Spanish person can look like anything! I have seen all kinds of people from different ethnicities speaking fluent Spanish.

--> GAS IS OVER SIX DOLLARS A GALLON!

--> People answer their cell phones by saying, "Dime" (pronounced deem-ay). When you walk into a store, the clerk or salesperson will say "Dime". It translates as "Tell me".

-->The roads are pretty great in Spain, but the drivers are tricky. The weekend before I left, 14 people (in 2 days) were killed in car accidents. That is a very high number considering that the country is about the size of Texas.

-->Marriage between people of the same sex has been legal since 2005.

-->The country is currently experiencing it's longest period (ever) of democracy, peace, and freedom (about 30 years).

-->There is a high population of gypsies in this country and they are frequently victims of racism.

-->Flamenco music and dance originated in Andalucia.

Another update!

2008-01-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

A run down of the last few days...

There is a lot I have learned and observed in the last week.

We spend a good amount of our time outside the piso (apartment), therefore, I get to see life, Spanish style, quite often. I am learning more and more about church and ministry here. It is really different in some ways and really similar in some ways. Being here changes my prayers for this community, country, and church. You could say it is more specific and multi-directional now. I will add more on this later.

summary:

Tuesday: We were invited over for New Year's dinner by a family from the church. We spent the afternoon and much of the evening with Jose, his wife Encarné, and their daughters Maria (17) and Eunice (14). This was a ton of fun. Encarné is a wonderful cook and we played games all afternoon. I think we stayed over 6 hours.

Wednesday: John and Jan took me over to úbeda and we walked around and explored the historical section of úbeda.
Later in the evening, Luisa (17), a girl from the church invited me to go eat dinner with her and some friends in úbeda and see a movie. I was thrilled at this invitation! It was a lot of fun. I met one of her friends, Esther, who is someone I will try to meet up with again when I return (Lord willing) in May. We watched Alvin and the Chipmunks (I understood some, but not all, there were not English subtitles) and then got pizza for cena (dinner).

Thursday: John and Jan took me to Toledo (northwest from here, about a 3 hour drive) to meet the field directors for Spain, Rob and Karen Jaworski. They have been here 22 years and have 2 sons that are 11 and 13. Their sons were both born here in Spain. This was a very insightful meeting, they are great people, really nice and friendly. We also got to visit the historical section of the city and see the cathedral. I had no idea that Toledo is over 2,000 years old. Some of the original wall to the city is still standing.
It was a beautiful drive, we went north out of Andalucía into the southern part of Castillo de La Mancha. The best part of this day was the conversations I had in the car with John and Jan. WISDOM, really is priceless.

Friday: Earlier in the day we dropped off the rent to John and Jan's landlord (Felix) and he invited us in. We had snacks and visited with Him for a while. I noticed that their family owned many of the same DVD's that are next to our TV at the Mohican House. Interesting.
This was the first day I went out on my own in Baeza. I went to go mail some postcards, stopped for coffee, and shopped a little bit. Very exciting for me!
All of the jovenes (youth) came over for dinner last night and it turned into craziness. They wanted to know how Americans dance and what kind of music Americans listen to. We played card games for a long time, ate dinner, and then watched a movie. They showed me some flamenco moves--amazing and so beautiful. Andalucía is famous for it's flamenco music and dancing. It originated here ; ) I want to take classes!

Saturday: I went out of my own for a little longer today. I stopped near the city plaza for leche manchada (espresso and sweet milk) and journaled for a while. It was good to process and write down all the things I am taking in. Tonight, we went to the parade of the Kings in Baeza. Luisa (17) and Marie Carmen (16?) called and invited us to meet up with them, so we went over to úbeda around 6pm. Every town/city has a parade since tomorrow is their big holiday (like Christmas day for Americans), "Dia de Los Reyes" (Day of the Kings) where they exchange gifts and get together with family.

Tomorrow, Sunday, we are going to Tomelloso. I think it is about a 3 hour drive too, same direction as Toledo. John has been invited to preach at a church there.

So far...

2008-01-01T15:23:00.000-08:00

Where to begin?

Let's start with the thankfulness that I felt when I saw John and Jan at the airport in Málaga when I walked out of the secured baggage claim area (w/ both my bags). A day of travel, 3 airports, and 3 planes later--I arrived without a problem. You know when you can just tell when people are praying for you? I had that feeling a lot.

If you want a specific story...I had that feeling when my plane landed in Miami later than expected and I had to find my way to a different terminal (which was not in the same building) within a matter or minutes to make sure I boarded the plane to Madrid in time. I speed walked to the gate and got there with the last few passengers.

I was pretty tired when I got here so I took a little nap in the car on the way to Baeza. It is a little over 200km to Baeza from Málaga. Baeza is northwest of Málaga. So we drove west and went through Granada and then turned north to Baeza. My ears popped for the first hour or two in the car because we were driving up, down, around, and through, mountains. The Sierra Nevadas to be exact. It was beautiful.

We walked around town a little bit and I went to bed around 8pm my first night here. However, because of the funny time change (we are 7 hours ahead) I woke up around 1-2ish and couldn't go back to sleep. My mind started going crazy. I had all these thoughts in my head: I am in another country. I am a foreigner. My friends are not here. My parents are not here. After feeling a little overwhelmed, I started remembering the Lord Jesus Christ. And what He did in order to accomplish His mission. He stayed the course by having His objective be to glorify the Father. Remembering that Christ is my Savior, and that the Holy Spirit still indwells me (and does not just exist within me in America) quieted my thoughts.

The next day...I actually went out, and harvested olives. More info to come, without the pictures and videos, I can't do justice to what this experience was like.

I am learning a lot about this country, the people here, churches in Spain, missionaries in Spain, language, culture, cultural norms, food, etc. I am not quite sure how to communicate all the things I am taking in because I am still processing it.

If you would like a few quick observations:

*The news is not censored. This can be very bad.
*As a greeting, you always kiss on both cheeks.
*Baeza is located on a hilltop (so is Ubeda), so I have some amazing views.
*It is expensive here! Inflation is a factor.
*There is no drinking/smoking age. However, you must be 18 to buy alcohol.
*Both of these cities have some buildings that were built before there were any pilgrims in America.
*ETA (pronounced "etuh") is a terrorist group in Spain, mainly the Northern region.
*There are about 56 chairs in the church. It is a little smaller than DBC.

Un día en España (A Day in Spain)

2007-12-31T09:45:00.000-08:00

Before I can tell of a re-cap of the last few days, it must be prefaced with the details of what the typical Spanish day looks like thus far in a mid-sized city. (this is probably an immature observation since I have not been here very long at all)

*Note: I am staying in Baeza, this is a smaller place than Ubeda, which is 5KM away. The church is in Ubeda. The church is trying to reach people in both places since they are so close together.

*Another note: Since we are in Andalucía, there is a dialect of Spanish here that is different than in other places. Many of the words have a "thuh" sound in them as in the beginning of "thick". Instead of saying gracias, they say grathias. But it is still spelt the same. This sound is put on most words that have a "ci" in them like Andalucia, or even some that don't, like dos. This makes it very hard to understand people sometimes especially when I don't know the language really well anyway. And they speak soo fast.

El Espanol Día:

8-9AM: Wake up around this time. It is nice to sleep this late. We eat desayuno (breakfast) at 1oam. And today we went out and had churros for breakfast. They are these fried sticks of sweet bread that you dip in thick chocolate. Mmmm mmm delicious!

11AM: People go to work around this time, maybe a litle earlier. Businesses and shops start opening around this time, maybe a little later.

12PM: Time to eat again. This time it is called almuerzo. A small snack like pastry and coffee to get you to the big meal, which is...

3PM: Comida, this is a big meal. You eat this with friends or family and spend a long time enjoying the food and company.

(If you haven't noticed so far, their day works around their eating/everyday pleasures. This is a culture where this saying is incredibly true, "Spaniards work to live, they do not live to work."

3PM-6PM, it is Siesta: Nothing is really open and people nap, visit friends, or are at home with family. Some things are open, like big supermarket stores, but not much else.

9PM-10PM: Cena, dinner! Mmmm! More time with friends and family. Getting the picture?

10PM-12PM: Hangout, go to a concert, a movie, etc. Most people do not go to bed before midnight.

*Yet another note: They do celebrate Christmas. And I have heard a lot of American (English) Christmas songs. Today in the supermercado (grocery store) they were playing "Jingle Bell Rock". They celebrate "Día de Reyes" or Day of the Kings (the 3 wisemen) moreso than Christmas. This is where they exchange gifts and celebrate the gifts that the 3 kings brought to baby Jesus. So, there are a lot of Christmas decorations still up and people running around buying gifts.

Aquí en España

2007-12-28T09:29:00.000-08:00

I made it! I am here and safe and well and tired and excited! Today has been a wonderful day.

That's about all I can say for now. I am going to bed early!

What it is

2007-12-26T12:17:00.000-08:00

Packing is underway! I leave for the airport at 11am tomorrow.

I am thrilled about these two weeks! If you think about it, I would love your prayers for this trip. Some prayer requests for this trip would be...

1. travel (6 planes, solo travel, communication barriers, baggage claims, terminal changes, unfamiliarity with the area(s), etc.)

2. that I would be a blessing to my hosts, John and Jan Lohrenz.

3. that I would be faithful. that I would walk with God and glean all that I can from this experience that He has provided.

4. that much would be accomplsihed (setting up language school, a place to live, meet other misisonaries, visit the church, have fun!)

Thank you for reading this, thanks even more for interceding on my part before the Lord God Almighty.

I will try to post some updates while I am there. I hope you had a Merry Christmas!

countdown!

2007-12-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

I am leaving on a 2 week trip to Spain in less than a week and a half! I AM SO EXCITED!

I will be leaving D/FW on December 27th and fly to Madrid overnight, I will land in Madrid on December 28th and board a connecting flight to Malaga. I will arrive in Malaga mid-day on the 28th. John and Jan will pick me up and we'll be off on our adventure! I will do this all over again when I leave on January 11th to come back to the States.

Some things I hope to accomplish while being there...

* solidify where I will live while I am there for my stint. there are a couple of options, some people in the church might be willing to have me stay with them.

* test my Spanish to determine language school and my language acquisition.

* live as Spaniards live! just experience the Spanish day (slower pace of life, siesta, staying up late, food, etc.)

* meet other missionaries in the area, gain a larger perspective of missions and ministry in Spain.

*go to a cafe, and have chocolate con churros (pronounced choc-o-latte).

* visit the church in Baeza, this is the church plant that I will be working with.

Map of Baeza: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Baeza,+Spain&ie=UTF8&ll=38.335193,-3.468933&spn=0.504131,1.713867&z=9&om=1

(they are about 5 kilometers apart)

Map of Ubeda: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Ubeda,+Spain&ie=UTF8&ll=38.350273,-3.414001&spn=0.504026,1.713867&z=9&iwloc=addr&om=1

Breakfast, family, and everything Spain!

2007-12-09T22:46:00.000-08:00

My team leaders are great, and so normal! I don't know what I was expecting, but they are down to earth and not super-spiritual. Just regular people!

I arrived a little early for breakfast so I stayed in my car and prayed for a few minutes. I was really excited to meet them in person and didn't know for sure how it would go. As I previously posted, we have been talking for months through e-mail and Vonage.

Something about John and Jan that I noticed was that they really complement one another. They finish one anothers sentences and serve each other constantly.

They cooked me breakfast and it was de-lisch! Also, throughout our visit I met: 2 of their 3 sons, John's mother, John's sister, and Noah (the family dog).

They asked me about myself and through this convo we were able to talk more about ministry opportunities for me in Spain. For example, what are my strengths/weaknesses, likes/dislikes, etc.

From there I asked them their story and how they came to be missionaries. The gist of it is that they met at Northwest Bible Church in Dallas several years ago, got married, and decided to go to Guatemala as missionaries with CAM International (circa 1985). They have been in Guatemala with CAM for the last 22 years and in early 2007 decided to move to Spain. They have been in Baeza (Bah-eh-suh), working with the church there, since mid 2007.

From there, I started asking tons of questions. Some of the questions, and answers, were...

1. Will I ever be left alone for long amounts of time? Like by myself without leadership or supervision. Overall, no. They will be returning to the states for Christmas in 2008, but other than that, nada.

2. What is the church like in Baeza? Small, but growing. The doctrine of the church would basically be equivalent to a bible church here.

3. What books/resources can I bring? I will probably only take a few of my books and then, only the really important ones to me. Such as: my bible dictionary, bible atlas, and a good concordance. Maybe a few puritan books, i.e. Spurgeon.

4. What is the Spanish day like? Businesses begin to open around 10-11am, most people work till 2-3pm, and then they go home for lunch (big meal of the day) and siesta (nap/down time). People go back to work around 5-6pm, and then you go home and have a (small) dinner around 10pm. Then it is time to go out! Younger populations usually come home between 4-8am. I am anticipating that this concept of time will be hard to transition into when I arrive and out of, when I return to the United States.

5. What would it look like for me to build relationships with younger people (i.e. pagans)? Time, time, time! I will need to spend time with people and develop a relationship to gain access into people's lives to tell them about the Gospel (by this I mean, the truth that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead). People are interested in authenticity and seeing someone live out their faith and not just talk about it. In spending time with people this will probably mean that I stay out late too and hang out with sinners. Surprise!

Near the end of our visit, we talked a lot about the girls in the church in Baeza and what they were like. They showed me pictures and told me about the different personalities of the girls. It was neat to see what they look like and put a face with the names I have heard. It is exciting to think I will be doing this thing called life with them in a few months!

This is a long post, and it only begins to describe my time with the Lohrenzs'!

They're here!!!!!

2007-12-04T08:54:00.000-08:00

So John and Jan Lohrenz will be in the United States of America in Dallas, Texas, for the next three weeks! They have family in the Dallas area and have come for a short trip. John told me they landed late Thursday night around midnight (which means 7AM Spain time).

They invited me over for breakfast tomorrow (Wednesday, the 5th) and I am thrilled to meet them in person! We have been dialoguing through e-mail and the phone for the last several months, but now they are here!!! AND, they are in Texas AND in pretty close proximity to me! God's sovereignty is sweet!

Something neat is that we will get to meet each other here and spend some time together in our own culture before being in a foreign one together. Such a blessing!

John and Jan will be leaving on the 20th of December to go back to Spain for Christmas. I will see them again on the 27th of December when they pick me up at the airport in Malaga, Spain, when I visit them for my "scouting trip".