A Day in the Life

Just a few things that are part of my day to day life in Spain:
1) Delinut (the off brand, cheaper version of Nutella/ chocolate hazelnut spread)

2) Always smelling like cigarette smoke. Tons of Europeans smoke
3) Even seeing pregnant women smoking... crazy, I know.
4) Hearing "Hola Guapa!" (Hello Beautiful) just because I'm an American.
5) Walking through the metro stations hearing performers sing American songs even though they aren't really singing English. They make sounds that are similar to English words.
6) Buying milk off the shelf (not refrigerated)

7) Always trying to understand my portero (doorman). He has a THICK accent.
8) Having moments where I realize the vast lostness of this place.
9) Going out to watch the World Cup at a cafe with a TV because soccer (futbol) is SOOOOO important here!
10) Hearing Backstreet Boys or N'SYNC playing in clothing stores. Pretty sure some of the songs were popular 10 years ago when I was 14.
11) Public transportation with all kinds of smells. I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

My metro stop- Avenida de America
12) Having Spaniards constantly ask me what I think about Obama.
13) I had a Spaniard tell me I look Spanish! I enjoyed that.
14) Constantly fighting the temptation to stop in every pasteleria I encounter (bakery)

15) Praying for grace in knowing how to share God's love
16) Trying to find people to smile at on the metro... one day after I smiled at a lady her entire face lit up. Loved it.
17) Going to intercambio nights- where Spaniards want to practice their English and where you can practice your Spanish. I've come to enjoy this.
18) Learning the many meanings behind Spaniards' hand motions.
19) Cafe con leche- coffee with milk
20) No air-conditioning
21) TINY elevators
22) Living in an apartment with a Nickelodeon orange couch
23) Not having a clothes dryer
24) Falling asleep to the sound of street noise
25) Seeing an overweight man dressed up as Spiderman
26) Walking everywhere
27) Being misunderstood and constantly misunderstanding
28) Going out at midnight because that's early for Spaniards
29) Eating later for every meal
30) Getting excited about finding food items like sour cream
31) Seeing how closely cars park

32) Discovering daily how badly I need the strength of God to do this job
33) Hearing from you guys and my parents saying you ask about me/are praying for me

Well I think that does it for now! It's kind of funny because all of those things have already started to become normal for me. Lots of love and let me know how you are!

In Him,

Taryn

Plan A

Thank you all for praying for the concert at the Ecuadorian gathering. Actually, it didn't end up being a concert at all. Plans had to be quickly changed because of a major triathlon in Casa de Campo. The Ecuadorian gathering still happened, but there was nowhere for the band to set up to play and even the other groups that are usually playing weren't there. Because of God's blessings there was still a group of Samford students who were able to walk through the food stands and where people were sitting to engage with some of the immigrants. We are praying that the contacts that were made will be with people who are interested in the Bible and interested in knowing more about Christ.

For Brook and me it was such a great opportunity to finally spend some time talking with immigrants. We found three women sitting under a tree and sat down to talk with them about their life here. They have been in Madrid for 15, 10, and 8 years. Not being new to the area we were able to get information on what they thought about the schools here, the work they have, and life in general. One thing that broke my heart is how they said they can be treated by police, especially on public transportation. Because of accents and physical features, Latinos sometimes stick out so police will stop them demanding that they see their papers. This is a disheartening thing for legal and illegal immigrants. These women, who say they have all their papers, said it's a pain for them. They even said their children are treated differently in schools. When they asked us if we had any problems with the police, I almost felt ashamed to say that we don't have any problems. This conversation reminded me of the ugly face of discrimination. It's not just a matter of having your papers if your children are being treated negatively in schools. No one likes being talked down to, and this seems to be an issue that many immigrants face.

We told them that we were here in Spain to learn about the life of Latinos here and to know ways we can help. We talked to them some about church and then gave each of them a tract sharing the Gospel directed towards immigrants. I'm learning that conversations like these aren't always meant to get to the punch line of "will you now accept Christ as your Savior?" Sometimes these conversations are about letting the Holy Spirit lead and work in the hearts of those you are talking to and encouraging.

Gary Clifton, who's part of the Diaspora team in Madrid, directed the Samford students in how to engage in conversations. He said it best when all the plans changed for the concert. He said that going around meeting people without a concert may have been our plan B, but more than likely it was God's plan A. There was initial concern about how the music would be perceived by the Ecuadorians, so God knows best. We don't know the reason why our plans change, but sometimes it's the leading of the Spirit. I've seen a lot of my plans A,B,C and D get changed over the past several months. I would even say where I am now wasn't even on the list of plans. It didn't even make it onto plan Z. I can always trust, however, that the way things occur are God's plan A. This means it should be my plan A too.

Brook and I were able to go later to Plaza Mayor where this volunteer group who were supposed to do the concert set up and sang for awhile. Spaniards gathered around and at the end of several songs some testimonies were shared. When someone starts talking about Christ, people can be quickly turned off. Some people even got up to leave, and I felt physically ill realizing they were walking away from truth. The wonderful thing is that some people stayed. Whether they were listening or even cared at all, they still received information in their hands about Christ. Pray that these Spaniards who received these tracts still have them. Pray that the Spirit leads and softens their hearts to read the information and to find out more about Him. It is a very lost world over here, and it's a dry place. Pray for a great awakening of hearts here among Spaniards and Latino immigrants.

Seeking Plan A daily,
Taryn

June Update

The Process of Preparing:
This past month was a full month! It’s so easy for time to slip away between language school and doing internet research on Latino immigrants in Europe. We have made progress and are finalizing the population information we have found. My supervisor has told Brook and me that the information we compile about Latino immigrants will be what the IMB uses to determine where they need to send more personnel to reach Latinos! When he told us that, I was amazed that I get to be a part of this. I get to help prepare the way! It’s a humbling thought as well.
This month Brook and I will be creating interview formats for one on one conversations with immigrants. From these interviews we hope to discover the level of evangelization of Latinos. This is essential in knowing how we can best share the gospel and how many of the immigrants are plugging into evangelical churches here. Please pray that we determine the right questions to ask and that when we actually begin the interviews, we can begin sharing the gospel as well.
This month of language school was a definite help for me. I’m not exactly sure what language study will look like for me this month, but I’m working on finding a language partner. Hopefully this can be someone I can meet with and practice my Spanish. Conversation is the most helpful when learning a language. I am beginning to memorize key Bible verses in Spanish that will allow me to share the gospel. Specifically I’m working on John 3:16 and the verses used in the Roman’s Road. I get excited thinking that one day I’ll get to share these.
A lot of the work going on now is preparation. I prepare research; I prepare language; I prepare interview formats. Others on my team are doing a lot of preparation as well. By doing preparation it’s easy to get restless and ready to see people come to Christ. I’m learning what it means to wait on the Lord and what it means to be Trailblazer. Those who blaze the trail may not get to reap the harvest, but no matter when the harvest occurs it will be a beautiful one that shows the glory of the Father.

A Change in Plans
One of the things the IMB emphasized at training was the importance of being flexible. Flexibility most definitely explains the team I’m on! Between waiting on visas, car accidents, visa rejections, and inability to obtain proper visas things change! Timelines change and locations change.
Jim and Lori Spikes, who originally were supposed to be arriving in Barcelona, have been waiting on their visa for months only to find that Lori’s was denied. The reason for the denial wasn’t really a good reason. Now they are heading to London and already have their visas! We all keep saying that the Lord must want them in London instead of in Barcelona. So now with the Spikes location changed, the Woodson’s location change, and the Halls already being assigned to London, we have quite a team there! Pray that doors will open up for them as they move to London and begin making contacts.
An exciting opportunity coming up this Sunday is that a group from the U.S. is going to give a concert at a park here in Madrid. Ecuadorians gather in this particular park (Casa de Campo) on the weekends. We are hoping that people are drawn to the music and that they’ll stay and listen to the testimonies that are scheduled in between songs. Pray that people will be able to listen to the music and testimonies because other bands are playing during this time.
Physical Progress Update: Planning on visiting a doctor soon for follow up on my legs. Still having muscular pain and going to see if they have any suggestions of ways I can alleviate that. God reminds me to be thankful for my location and that my job allows me to continue to heal physically.


PRAYER REQUESTS
That I find a language partner
Legs– for swelling to go down/ no pain
Concert at Ecuadorian gathering in the park-this Sunday
That I find a doctor (preferably that speaks English!)

Praises!
Internet Research is being compiled and organized (YIPEE!)
The Spikes will be going to London soon!
Please let me know how to pray for you!

Lots of love,
Taryn