Day 34 & 35, León Cathdral, Tapas and Romanian history. #45daysofsummer

We went for Tapas last night, because I said that's the one thing I'd like to do while I am here that I haven't managed to do yet! It was quite a different than what I expected. We all scrubbed up (well, the girls at least), and walked in to the city centre where they showed me the cathedral and told me stories about the history of it's construction.

Spectacular building! Shame it was too late to go inside as it was already closed when we're got there. 

Of course - cathedral selfie.

Actually not sure what this was but there were lots of hand prints so we found the one that our hands fit best.

So much detail!

El Topo is a little café / restaurant right outside the cathedral. A Topo is a 'mole' (the animal that lives underground). I think, from the story they told me, the legend is that the guy who build the cathedral found a giant mole that every night ate part of the cathedral or tried to break it down while it was being constructed. And the the skin of the mole is still inside the cathedral to this day? I think they could have been joking with me but that's apparently why that restaurant is there.

We didn't eat here, but not too far from the cathedral, we found 'my' bar haha.

Then, getting impacient with hunger, we began the hunt for a tapas bar. What I didn't realise is that they don't just go to one restaurant and order loads of plates to share.. They move from bar to bar and order drinks, and with the drinks you get a few free plates of tapas or pinchos. We ended up going to 5 different bars (not really like bars in England) and ordering little drinks like grape juice (mosto) and fizzy orange (butano) and getting sharing plates of tapas. Then after 10 minutes or so, moving on to the next place! It was such a good night - walking from place to place, getting to know some of the youth of the church and trying lots of different foods! It all felt so Spanish :) even the part in the final bar we ate in, when the waiter sent a waitress over to our table to ask for my number and I (politely as I could in my broken Spanish) said no and explained that I don't live here in Spain. When a different waiter came over to ask again for him, and to ask where I'm from, Betsy got impatient and firmly explained (slightly shouted? I'm not sure - can never tell whether their louder tone of voice is anger or just emphasis!) that we were really hungry and we would prefer him to stop asking for my number and take our order so we can eat. Haha! All very Spanish....!!!

On our way towards home before the final tapas stop. Another lovely building in León - they are some many beautiful places there. It's such a gorgeous city!

Today, Betsy, Bianca and I went round Adolfo's house for lunch - his mum invited us round to eat with them and with some of their family friends. It was a lovely afternoon and after eating we all sat round the table talking (me, listening mostly..), which is something that I have really enjoyed about the Spanish culture. After eating, they sit and chat for ages at the table and it's so chilled and relaxed - well animated and loud at the same time because that's in their nature, but I just like that!
Afterwards, anyway, we walked the dog and watched a movie (Year One, in Spanish..) before heading over to the church for the weekly prayer meeting. Admittedly, I didn't understand much from the meeting tonight - I think I was too tired. So I just read my bible for a while, and prayed for things I understood and simply gave over to God what I didn't understand. I had some good conversations after the service with people who introduced themselves to me because they didn't recognise me. I felt a lot more confident to speak with them because I'm finding that I am still understanding more and more and getting better at that. Frustratingly, the speaking part is still the most difficult part for me.

Betsy said to me tonight, "the only things we talk about are food and tiredness and whether you're happy!" Which I suppose is partly true (there is a running joke that whenever they ask me whether I am hungry / tired, I always answer 'un poco'!) But actually, it's hard when you spend a lot of time with people and have the same experiences as them throughout the day, to then talk together about those things, especially if you're with a lot of people who are fluent in the language and who talk about things as we go! However, with new people or with Bianca's family who I don't see much during the day, we have more to say to each other about the day, different things that have happened etc. But the other thing is that when there are more than a couple of people, the conversations just go so fast that I can just about keep up with what's being said and follow the conversation, but if I start to think about things to say or formulating speech in my head, I can't do that and keep up with understanding everything! I have realised that I can sit and understand pretty much all of a conversation (obviously, not every conversation - but after catching the context and general jist, I am able to follow pretty much the whole conversation!) but as soon as someone asks me a question, it fires a different part of my brain which then can't cope with listening, understanding, translating, formulating an answer and sending that to my mouth in a reasonable amount of time.. Ahh it's so hard!

But tonight on the way back from church, Mihaela and I had a conversation about our day and when we got home, she showed me a map of Romania that they have mounted on their wall. She is originally from Romania but they have lived here in Sspain for many years! She told me lots about different parts of the country, about her city and her family and friends but also about what it was like growing up as a Christian during the time of Communism there. And I was asking questions and active in the conversation, not simply listening. I found that I was hardly thinking about translating what she way saying, I was simply understanding immediately. So that was encouraging. Ooh I love seeing and feeling progress!

The map of Romania in 1938, that's up in their hall. 

Days 29 & 30. Even at my weakest, I am loved. #45daysofsummer

In some ways it feels like these two weeks have gone so slowly, yet in other ways, I can't believe I've already completed two camps and I've survived for this long in another language!

I suppose most of all, I can't believe there are only 14 days left of the summer holidays. That's 13 of my adventures and 1 little day in there at the end for recovery and cultural re-adjustment before going back to work (and it's a great feeling to be excited about the next year at Earls and then about whatever God has planned for me after that!)

But for now.. the past two days! 

Yesterday, the last full day at the camp, we all went along to the football training. The honest intention was for me and Eli to beat Betsy and Bianca in volleyball, but we didn't have a ball so we couldn't play. Instead, we joined the monitors as they played the Brazilians in a final game of football. I can proudly say we drew. 0-0. And I touched the ball about 3 times in the match. I'll take that!

Later in the afternoon, instead of going to the swimming pool, we had group water activities stationed around the block that the camp is on and in the local park. These planned activities turned in to a village-wide water fight with around 50 kids and adults running round the streets with buckets of water!

I actually made the video again last night (the end of day video that the brasilians make with photos and video clips from the day, and a short devotional message). This time I was on there with my epic fall in one of the water activities, that happened to be recorded on someone's mobile. You can trust me that it was hilarious, and in slow motion too. Yay! Haha. Honestly though, I did hurt my head a bit and my neck has been quite stiff since.. Plus I've had tooth ache (wisdom teeth mean I'm getting wiser, right?) and I cut my finger quite badly on Thursday, although thankfully it has healed really quickly! For some reason I've been clumsily in the wars the past couple of days but I'm still standing and think (hope.. pray..) that the next week should be less hazardous. Can't say that for the week after as have no idea what the final camp (de familias) will be like! I'm flying by the seat of my pants this summer, and learning to be OK doing that! God hasn't let me down since and I've been provided for in every possible way with absolutely more than enough!

Last night was the final dinner of the camp and I was totally overwhelmed by everyone singing a simple song of thanks to the cook (which is a normal 'summer camp' thing to do I think!) which turned in to a raging torrent of thanks and celebration, people waving their napkins, standing on chairs, shouting, singing, clapping. United and grateful and enjoying every minute! It was such an experience! 

I also made a little friend called Isra who has been my shadow this week. He's about 12 I think but he's only tiny! Although he spoke very little English he persisted in talking to me, sitting on my table every meal time, next to me during the songs and games on the evenings.. even though I was constantly asking him to repeat his questions and talk more slowly! He bought me an ice cream the other day with his tuckshop allowance, so I gave him a box of my skittles last night in return. He's a proper little gentleman and I'm going to miss him!! 

I think his example, and generally the experience that I've had with most people here has been so deep and profound for me. In some ways over the past few months, I've definitely not being at my best, yet in other ways I think I have been because I know that God has brought me to this place in my life (not literally, to Spain, but to where I'm at spiritually, relationally, emotionally etc.) and I arrived here in Spain still dealing with so much head and heart stuff, balancing feeling broken and messy and yet complete and walking in God's plan for me, with so many prayers and having so much that I hoped God would do.. I can barely speak the language so communication is obviously the biggest challenge. I have spoken very little compared to normal, had too much time to think sometimes, misunderstood instructions and got things wrong, been too nervous to try things sometimes (not often, but sometimes!), felt like such a burden when asking for things to be repeated again and again, made mistakes when speaking..

The people I've met here haven't had me at what I would consider my best.

Not in the slightest. 

And yet, they have accepted me. Loved me. Shown me patience. Taught me new things. Been my friend. It's been a challenge on both sides. But they haven't minded. They haven't judged. 

How this reminds me so much of what God does for me. Accepts me. Loves me. Shows me patience. Teaches me new things. He's not only my God but He's my friend. And he judged me worthy of the death of His son so I might know Him.

He has been so close this week, whispering encouragement and truth to me in the times of quiet and confusion and questioning. Stirring things up that I would rather He not, but in the process, showing me that I am loveable even at my weakest and even when people fail me, He does not and will not. 

Thank you God.

We had to leave the camp pretty sharpish this afternoon because the minibus driver wanted to go quickly (I think he had a whole day of driving ahead, taking people to various places, stations, airports etc.) And this sadly meant that I didn't have much time to say bye to the people who were still there! Some I will see tomorrow at church, and some next week at the final camp of the summer, but some I had to give a quick hug to and then I was off (yay for Facebook!) And now I am here at my hosts for the week, in León with Bianca and her family, and Betsy will be arriving later tonight. I am so thankful for their hospitality and welcome - and its really exciting to be in a family / home environment for a short time to have some time to properly rest and unwind... Ahh.
Here's to the holidays.

"I've still got room in my hand luggage.." Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland & Hola España... Day 16 & 17 #45daysofsummer

I picked up a few little bits and bobs along the way in Germany. A few free postcards, tickets from things (gigs, trains etc.) and even a couple of Bretle boards (breakfast/bread boards; they're really cute!). It honestly wasn't much.

But every time I found something new to keep or collect, Jess would remind me "Your case was already too heavy on the way here, you're not gonna fit those in anywhere". I've been responding all week with "Yeah I know, but I've still got room in my hand luggage". Which I did have. And yet my case was still overweight in Zurich airport this morning (thankful for another kind lady who waived it through and didn't mind). My hand luggage did feel decidedly more heavy than last weekend - probably also something to do with the giant bag of goodies and snacks that Bekky sent me off with!

But I've made it this far and today is actually day 18 of of my crazy summer adventures.. I'll fill you in on the last two days!

Saturday was spent with Jess and Bekky in Konstanz for a while, looking round the city, a spot of lunch by the lake, a train back to the car and then the sad drive to Zurich (trip #1) to drop Jessie off and say our goodbyes..

Konstanz cathedral

On the way back to the house, Bekky remembered that we pass by the Rheinfell waterfall on the way home so we took a minor detour to make the most of our time in Switzerland and man, was it worth it!

Rheinfell waterfalls

So awesome I pulled this face!

Absolutely stunning.
And upon returning home, for dinner, Sabine (Bekky's mum) had baked spinach and ricotta cannelloni and we had peach ice cream and blackberry cake for dessert and we felt lovely and full as the storm (yes another storm. Can you believe it?!) set in. Her parents speak good English, so we had a good amount of time to sit and rest after another long day of driving, and just chat about life and things and be thankful that we weren't out in the battering rain and hail.

Eventually, bed was calling , after a late night the night before and with the knowledge that I had to wake up at 5am the next morning to make it to the airport (trip #2 to Zurich). The drive seemed shorter the second time round, and I'm pretty sure I only passed about three cars on the entire journey but it was nice to spend some time reflecting on the week as I drove, and listening out for what God was saying. Some friendly ladies helped me work out which kind of petrol I should fill the car with (its all different again in Switzerland!) and then dropped Fifi off...

I made my way through the airport routine. I got heckled slightly for daydreaming in the queue to check in (not moving quick enough apparently, but I was so tired and things weren't processing properly.) My suitcase was, again, overweight, but only slightly and as I mentioned, the kind lady waived it for me. Actually, the woman in front of my had to unpack loads of her stuff to make her case lighter so I was more thankful then that mine went straight through! I also accidentally left my factor 50 suncream in my hand luggage (how I don't know..) and felt genuinely gutted that the security woman had to throw it away. It was Nivea and everything. I'm just hoping that there are some pale Spaniards in the town I'll be in, so that I'll be able to purchase some high factor sun protection but I can't even guess the chances of that. We'll see!

After sleeping for the majority of the two-hour flight to Barcelona, I then had a 7 hour wait there until my next flight to León. I read a little, slept, read some more, prayed, ate, had a little wander around the check in room (way too early to check in so couldn't go through to departures yet).. And after only two and a half hours of this, I started to panic a little.

I'm just not very good at having long periods of time alone with nothing to do. Not only that but I had no internet or signal (not necessarily a problem, but my concerns were mostly that I had no way of contacting the people who I had been communicating with in Spain, so I had literally no idea what the plan was when I finally reach León airport). Plus, on a good day I find it hard to make friends with random strangers, so that was unlikely to happen, also given that I think I had only heard English spoken by two other people in my time there waiting.

So, sat alone in the airport wondering what I can do to fill the time and how the evening ahead is going to pan out, I decided to go off in search of the business lounge to acquire some internet, and who cares that it cost me a Euro for every 7minutes?! I chatted with mom for a little while, told the Facebook world how I was doing and found an empty inbox (still no email from the my Spain contacts) but instead of worrying, I felt a quiet assurance that God knows what He is doing and I can trust Him. And since we live in the first world, I'm absolutely sure I'll be able to contact people and make my way to the camp some how, if I reach León and no one is there.

In searching out the internet lounge, I also stumbled across a posh little café, with room to charge my nexus and spread out comfortably. After a few minutes there, and probably because I was the only customer in there, the man came over to give me a glass for the rest of my Ice Tea! I felt a bit posh myself at that point..

Notice the palm trees in the background, the blazing sun outside. It was a good spot.

But it was also a quality chunk of time and a quiet space, where I just spent some time with God, coming to Him with how I'm feeling and reminding myself of His presence and His purpose, letting go of the past and looking to the future He has for me, which I'm already in :)

I also managed to order myself my first meal in Spanish hahaaa. I use the word 'meal' quite lightly. I had mozerella fingers and a fanta lemon, but I did also ask what salad options they had and she understood me, so bonus!

I knew that when I arrived at León airport, I was totally in God's hands from that point on.. I didn't have a plan for after the airport and hadn't had any full details through from the people I'd been communicating with, but when I arrived, the director of the music camp (the first week of camp is a music one - will tell you more about it in the days to come!) was there to pick me up and drive me to the camp. We got there in the middle of dinner, and I spend the rest of the evening with Ivan (who is also volunteering for the week) and Lluna, who has adopted me as a friend and has been so welcoming and friendly. I met what felt like millions (of course, I exaggerate!) of other people, some with a little English, some with barely any at all so it really has been a deep end experience so far! But I have been able to (just about) piece together some very broken Spanish to have some conversations with people, and to find out my duties.

It's definitely going to be a challenging few weeks.. But I'm eager to learn, and I'm thankful that Jesus understands me even if no one else does. It's me and Him out here.

Day 13 - Good food, good friends, and good news..!! #45daysofsummer

Again we are without WiFi (for the next couple of days possibly), so I will have to update this post with pictures at a later date! But pictures are not always necessary, and I hope for today, words will suffice.

Day 13 of my Summer, here in Germany, was another good one although it was challenging in various ways too. So far the week has been incredible but we all know that life is not always sunshine and rainbows.. 

I have had this trip planned for many months, with the intention of catching up with old friends, resting, exploring, using my free summertime to it's maximum potential... And it's not that I was unaware but perhaps I was expecting too vast a difference - life is the same wherever in the world you are.

My struggles and challenges and the things I am working out and working through have come with me to Germany. So these past two days I have been continuing to process and pray and cry a little too. 

And I know this is OK. 

I also know that I am not alone in any of it. 

Conclusions from yesterday:

I am thankful for Jessie (I have been thankful for her on other days too!). Thankful that she has come on this trip with me, that she is one of the funniest people I know who makes me laugh more than anyone else in the world, that she knows where I'm at and knows my heart, and that she is patient and encouraging and willing to stand with me. 

But more so (and of course Jess won't mind me saying this!) I am more thankful for God. And thankful to be reminded again that wherever I am, location-wise, in my head or my heart, on my journey, He is there. My 'stuff' comes with me, but my God is already there. He is right beside me, dwelling in me by His Spirit. 

I am not alone. And God is even more patient and encouraging, allowing me to experience all that I am this week, with friends, nostalgia, new experiences, adventure, fun.. but also allowing me to continue to face and work on the things I need to, to grow, to change.. albeit a painful process, but a good one. He is so good.

So that's a bit of what was going on under the surface of the day... now let me give you a quick run down of the rest of the days events! (pictures to follow!)

Jerina, who was on Pais in Canada the year after I came home to England, lives in Frankfurt which is only an hour by train from Marburg. She arrived just before 10am and we all had a remeniscent Canadian style breakfast (pancakes, maple syrup, bagels, cream cheese, blueberries, fruit salad etc..). Needless to say, delicious!

Then we went out to expore the city some more - I have some great photos of the city from up high, at another local landmark (which sadly I can't remember the name of... I do remember that there were A LOT of stairs involved though!). This was followed by Casserole, a typical German dish (again, delicious!) and then our goodbyes were made... :(

The tower we climbed..

Top of the tower, here with Jerina!

View of Marburg.

The journey to Keltern began. :)

No storms this time, yay! In fact, minus the quick detour we had to Mannheim (just to say we've been there.. there is a German band both Jessie and I love called Söhne Mannheim), we made pretty good time until we actually made it to Keltern and got lost. After meeting what felt like half the village to ask if anyone knew 'Frederick Beck' (surprisingly, it seems that everyone does know him.. and each person got us a little closer to finding his house!) But we arrived finally, to see the lovely Anna. She had made Spezel (not sure of the spelling of that, I will have to find out) - basically a baked dish with pasta, vegetables and sauce (again, delicious!! Danke Anna!)

When Freddy arrived home, we drank Irish coffee and ate dessert and we heard their good news... THEY'RE ENGAGED! (Cute picture of them with their rings to come.. honest!)

They have been engaged since June and are announcing it mostly as they see or speak to people. Of course they told us the story of how and when (so unbelievably romantic!) but we were privileged to be the first people to whom they told the story in English!! So cute! :)

The rest of the evening was spent eating more dessert, catching up, playing music, booking tickets for the William Fitzsimmons gig we are going to tonight... and then, finally, to bed!

The above are pretty self I explanatory. We stopped off in Mannheim for some quick snaps of the city!

The happy couple - Freddy & Annschön and their rings!

Day 8: Dangerous prayers get dangerous answers. #45daysofsummer

There are some prayers that I find hard to pray sincerely, and they feel somewhat dangerous when I speak them out. But these are the prayers that I know I need to be praying and bringing before God, even if I'm not quite sure I mean them yet, asking for a desire to do so.

Your will be done... Have your way... Break my heart... Stretch me... Teach me how...

Something that God has been talking to me about recently is about having fun, letting go and enjoying the journey. I'm not sure why I struggle with this, but I suppose I tend to plan ahead, striving for excellence and order and taking things fairly seriously and this can often get in the way of enjoying the moment, seeing the fun and fully engaging with the present. But He is working on me this!

I believe God is a God of creativity and fun, of adventure and excitement. But the same is true for Him taking me seriously, knowing how I tick, seeing the depths of my heart, my deepest desires and He meets me there.

I know that despite finding these prayers hard to pray, my desire is truly for God to have His way in my life and be glorified through the fun stuff and through the serious stuff. He knows this and hears me and takes me at my word.

Over the past few days I have been reminded of the prayer of surrender, Have your way, LORD. One which I have prayed so many times regarding so many situations, even knowing that His way is not necessarily the way I want things to go. And so many times I have seen Him answer this, sometimes in the way I hope and expect, but more often than not, in a very different way which I later come to realise is so much better. I have been encouraged this week by friends who I know are also praying this prayer sincerely, and seeing God faithfully answer, working out His perfect will in their lives. And its not easy, but it is so good. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts on than your thoughts..."

Day 8 has been quieter and more reflective. I have again been for coffee (well, peach iced tea this time!) and enjoyed time in the sunshine with friends, I finished Her Daughters Dream, I've been watching the swimming in the Commonwealth Games, but I have had a lot more time and space to pray and think and simply be, today. I've needed that, I think, before I head in to these next few weeks of fullness, newness, challenge, fun and adventure.
Time to breathe in and out and come again before God.