Arrivals

Day 1 and 2!

All 14 of us have arrived successfully in Azuaga after a day of smooth travel! Tuesday involved a time of orientation where we ate together and were introduced to our various host families. We were very excited to settle in and have overall had great rest. Thank you for your prayers!

The whole English team together for the first time, praying in Southampton airport.

Today, we split into our two teams; one team to help the Red Cross lead a group of 20 Spanish Children, and the other spending time in an English Language Cafe.
The kids group focussed today on the basics of introducing themselves in English. We used ball games, songs and crafts to get to know them, despite any language barriers. We are all very excited to further these relationships and have begun to plan lots of activities for the rest of the two weeks. Please be praying for continued energy for us team and for us to become close to these children so they might also be blessed, knowing Gods love that so many of them have been deprived.

The English Cafe has started in a book shop with 4 attendees. This was a great opportunity to get to know locals who have committed to coming back. Our team are already becoming close to these people and have arranged some personal trips together. The team has been invited to visit the remains of a mine in Pennaroya by two ex-mining engineers. Pray that this friendship would bear fruit. Please also be praying that the word would spread about the cafe and that more people would come, so that they may also learn English and experience some of Jesus' love.

In some of our down time, we have been going to coffee shops and visiting the town which has been very exciting. People have been very interested by this group of Brits, wandering about in our bright blue t-shirts and seeking our motivations for coming. One of the houses enjoyed breakfast in a cafe after discovering a lack of coffee supplies! They are now planning on making this a regular
occurrence, to both caffeinate and build relationships with the staff. The owners of this house have also been attending the English language cafe, discussing Spanish attitudes and history. It's safe to say, we are all learning.

Wally has been busy in the kitchen already, with sous-chef Ruth! We have been very fortunate with our delicious meals already, as a great opportunity to share stories of the day and grow community. The smell of meatballs is currently making all our stomachs rumble in eager anticipation.

Tonight, we will be trekking to a castle with some local Christians to have a time of prayer together.

The whole team rocking our snazzy new blue shirts

 Please keep praying for...

• the English language Cafe. That more people would come. That people would come back. That our conversationswould bear fruit with both the workers and students.
• the kids club. That we would be able to get to know the kids and engage their energetic minds. But mostly, that their hearts would be tuned to God by seeing our love for them. 
• the team. That Wally and Ruth would have real joy from serving us and, practically, that they can produce nourishing food on time. Pray that our teamwork would continue to flourish, and we would gel even more, resolving any possible conflict. 

Continue to be encouraged. We are really seeing Gods work already as opportunities come thick and fast. Prayer is being answered.

This morning, we focussed together on Psalm 121.

"The lord watches over you- The Lord is your shade at your right hand, the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night." - Psalm 121 v5-6.

 

Pre-trip prayer requests

Please be praying:

• that we will be able to build good relationships with the people that we meet, specifically the local people who some of the team will be staying with, as well as those we interact with in the various activities we will be involved in
• for strength and perseverance while we are out there, as it will be much hotter than in England, so tiredness and fatigue may quickly become an issue
• that we will quickly become acclimatised to the different culture as we will be staying in a small town and therefore the culture will differ significantly from that of home, so prayer for acceptance and understanding, as the culture shock will be different for each person
• that the Holy Spirit will be working in the lives of all those we meet, as well as the whole team, and that our trip would be beneficial to many

Introductions

Welcome to the home of the Above Bar Church Spain Mission Trip 2018!


From the 23rd of July, a team from Above Bar Church, Southampton, will be spending 2 weeks visiting Azuaga in the province of Cordoba, Spain. This is a very exciting opportunity for 14 people from Above Bar Church to work with mission partners Peter and Kate Knowlson. We will be living with local people in the town, aiming to build relationships, see God's hand at work, and bring some of Jesus' love to the people of Spain.

Meet the team...

Back row: Emily Eldridge, Anna Scott, Rod Rumble, Isaac James, Ollie Watkins, Ruth Berryman; front 

row: Josh Puckett, Mark Povey, Levi James, Katherine Trollope, Nick Berryman; also on the team: 

Pippa Jolley, Tim McClelland, and Mary Wallis (Wally)

This team has a range of gifts (and Spanish speaking ability), but are united in the calling to seek God further in this different environment. Hopefully you will get to know us as we post updates on the trip and can have a taster as to what we are up to! Stay tuned!

'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last- and so that whatever you may ask in my name, the Father will give you.' John 15v16