The Journey Girls of Madrid!This past Friday night Brook and I went to see Toy Story 3 (in English, wahoo!), and we noticed that the metro was really crowded and that everyone had suitcases. We were a bit puzzled and then realized that August was upon us. It is well known that things shut down in Madrid during this month. Literally offices will be closed the entire month!
With that I am running into a bit of a problem as I am seeking out a second opinion on my legs. Please pray that I can find a doctor in the midst of Madrid’s exodus. With my communication with the Board’s medical team, they suggested a 2nd opinion before looking to any kind of surgery. I am still hoping that no surgery will be necessary and that my body is just still healing. Swelling is still up and down. I get really excited when it’s low, but then it seems within the next few days it’s back up again. Please pray that I don’t get discouraged by this.
Brook and I have been working on some more neighborhood population information specifically for Valencia and Sevilla. We found that Burgos didn’t have a significant Latino population, so we won’t be going there. We have had some contacts with evangelical organizations. We are hoping that these connections will help us discover some of the realities of the immigrants here, and how those things can be bridges to the gospel.
Brook and I keep thinking that travel is around the corner, but we still aren’t set on a specific date just yet. We know it will be sometime this month though. We’ve been working on some interview formats and getting those translated. You have to be culturally aware when asking questions to people because you don’t want to ask something that offends someone.
Please pray that these interview formats will be functional for our work and will help us gather the necessary information about Latinos here. The main focus through all of this is to know how people need to be reached with the Gospel.
Poco a Poco
I really enjoy learning Spanish phrases. Some things they say are similar like “poco a poco” (little by little) and some things are different like “boca arriba” (mouth down instead of face down) and “hablando del rey de Roma” (speak of the devil, but literally means speak of the king of Rome). There are always good language days and of course bad ones. I feel accomplished when I have a smooth conversation and I feel like I understand everything going on. Then there are other times where I wonder if I know any Spanish at all!
With language, work, and relationships I am learning that things in life are “poco a poco.” I have a personality where I like to be going and moving quickly. In many ways that’s changed for me physically because I’m not 100% yet. In many ways a fast pace isn’t how things go in ministry as well. Ministry is a lot of relationship building and time invested in people.
Brook and I have been praying for some Latino friends. We have some Spanish friends, but we both realized that we are here to focus on Latino immigrants. The other day while we were at our local hangout (so fun that I can say we have one!), we were talking to the waitress there. We’ll call her R.
R had begun to respond to us when we would go there because we’ve been going to this restaurant since April. The other day we started chatting with her, and she asked us about why we were here. When we explained our job, she said, “Oh, I’m from Argentina!” Brook and I had no idea that R was Latina! She’s fairer skinned with blond hair and light eyes. We had assumed she was German or Russian.
R is our age and seems very open to us and we plan on spending some more time with her soon. Please pray for her heart. Pray that through our relationship we can share the love and hope in Christ.
PRAYER REQUESTSLegs– for swelling to go down/ no pain
Continued practice of language
Memorization of Spanish Scripture
For R and that her heart will open to the Gospel
PRAISES!
Excited for a new Latin American friend my age!
Language is coming along
Interview formats in the process of revision to be used for travel
Please let me know how to pray for you!
In Him,
Taryn
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