Murcia

Hello friends and family!

Gosh, life in Spain so far has been very busy but a very eye opening experience thus far! We got to Murcia on the 4th of this month (June) and each of us was absolutely exhausted. But we knew that we´d have to get into gear and be ready for what was about to come our way. Before I start in on the details of everything I would just like to once again thank everyone for supporting me for this internship. It has meant more to me than my words can describe. Thank you for the prayers and your thoughts about our team and especially for the prayers for the people of Spain. God is definitely doing some good things here!

The people of Murcia are not like the majority in Granada. Some would say that Granada is the more beautiful of the two...but I would say that the people of Murcia are more beautiful in heart. All the people we have met so far has been very accepting of us ´gringos´or Americans. The people of the church that we are working through have so much passion! A passion that is captivating in every way! It has been wonderful to meet them all so far!

On Saturday, in Murcia, leader and his family (Eric and Sida) took us to the beach and let us check that out and meet some people. Some got to brush up a bit more on Spanish while there and especially got to know Eric and his ministry quite a bit better.

Our first Sunday in Murcia our group was assigned to teaching the kids Sunday school class in the morning. (Fact. in Spain, well Murcia at least, they don´t actually start the church service until about 7pm, and end around9 or 10pm) So our group decided we were going to teach on Jesus and the calming of the storm. We taught them a song and sang together...and it was just an all around fun time! We also had the chance to teach and be with the youth group in the afternoon and take part in what they do as youth members of this church. Later on in the day we started the church service and worshipped together. It was wonderful to be able to be in a place where not all of us speak the same language but all the praise that was given was being lifted up to the same God! It was awesome! After the worship set was done the pastor, Eric, had 3 of us from our group give our testimonies and have Steph (Our coach for the summer) translate it. When the service was done and wrapped up we got to sit with others from the church and start practicing our spanish!

This week - Monday was a day off for us, we each of us was glad to be able to sleep in for a little bit after hitting the ground running right as we got to Murcia just a few days previous. In the afternoon that day we were able to catch a bus to downtown Murcia and explore a little bit. It was nice to be able to walk around and see the different people groups that are within this part of Spain. I think we have met maybe 10 different nationalities since we have been here in Murcia! Tuesday we got to experience a conference that takes place once a year. This conference was for all the Christian Churches to meet together and have one big service and be an encouragement to each other and be in fellowship with one another. We got to meet many others from the churches throughout all of Murcia and even got to hear a famous Latino singer too! It was interesting and definitely fun!
Wednesday-Friday!! This was our groups´favorite day (Wednesday) because we finally got to the part we have all been waiting for...SPANISH CLASSES!!! Eric´s wife, Sida, is the one that is teaching us Spanish and she speaks little to no English. So we have had to learn the hard way to learn their language. This was the day we started our street evangelism. We left around 7pm and made our way to a different part of town to do a church service with a neighborhood. Tonight was our last night of doing it in this area, but we are hoping that it is not the last we see of the people we had met. Our team did songs and did a couple of skits for these past few days and the people of the church we work with did songs and a sermon also. It was touching to be able to be a part of this!

Here are some things to be praying for---
1. For the people we had met in this neighborhood to really feel the Holy Spirit tugging at their hearts. There were a few people that wanted to know more but were still a bit scared. So pray that God will reveal himself to them and they will begin to be more curious about Christianity
2. The safe arrival of our new teammate, Jessica!! She was not able to join us in the beginning of this trip because of some things back home...but God has allowed her to still come to join us on this journey and will be here on Sunday the 14th!
3. For continued growth for our team in spiritual maturity and being stretched and made uncomfortable by the Lord. That we continue to become more united as a team and work together to expand the Kingdom
4. Oscar and Julie - one of the families that has been hosting two of the girls from our team for housing. They leave for Bolivia tomorrow to live and be part of the new church that is there and needing more Christians to mature the church. We look forward in hearing about how God is going to be using them, but at the same time are sad about their leaving Murcia.
5. Rest!! We have been so busy that it seems like we tend to forget about rest sometimes! Please pray that Eric and Sida and their family is able to be rested up for each day and their ministry and for our group to be well rested also.

Thank you all once again for your prayers and support! I hope each of you is doing well and that God is stretching each of you in your walk with him. God bless and keep striving!!