We had our first church celebration service at 6pm on February 10th! It was pretty exciting. I still am blown away that after being here for six months, we're already having Sunday meetings. We were meeting in a small Christian bookstore. We were able to sing, pray, listen, learn, take an offering, and take Communion together. And of course, there was food, which I always appreciate. We found out the day of the service that we would have our first and last meeting there, as the neighbors had called to complain about the noise from a church that was meeting in the same place in the morning. We were a little confused, saddened, but hopeful. And God was faithful. This week we received notice that we'll be able to meet in a place owned by a Christian organization called Ágape. They do not have an operating license yet, so we are praying a blind eye as we will start meeting there this Sunday.
A little over two weeks ago, I had my bike stolen. I had left it in front of the post office, taking the seat with me (to avert any attempt to steal the bike, of course), went to eat with some friends, and then came back to find the chain to my bike: cut and left as a thank you note. As I walked back, seat and chain in hand, I realized I wasn't angry, sad, vengeful, or looking for the hoodlums that robbed me of one of modes of transportation. I was relieved more than anything. Relieved I didn't have to confront them. Relieved that it was "just my bike", and not my guitar, dulcimer, wallet, or-God forbid-my laptop. About two months ago I'd had a bag stolen with two Bibles (English and Spanish) and discipleship materials inside. I could help but grin at the thought of someone rifling through that bag, finding "nothing of value" and then being ticked off enough to sit down and read the stuff in there. I've never had anything stolen from me before in my life before I came to Barcelona. Thank God it's been stuff that's easily replaceable. I have heard that people who are robbed feel violated or vulnerable or want to beat the robbers senseless. I thought I might react that way. But, I think it's moved my heart "further up and further in" to the city I call "home", at least for now. It makes me pray that God's Kingdom come more quickly to Barcelona, and pushes me to work harder to that end. Don't get me wrong. I don't want anything else stolen. But if it moves me to give myself for this city, heck, it's just a laptop with three and a half years of my life, music, pictures, notes, papers, emails, movies, work, dreams, etc... "The LORD gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."... Right?...
***It should be noted that I do NOT wish my laptop or anything else stolen "taken away". I think I would just bawl if I lost this computer. Yeah, I've got backups, but this thing's like an extension of me... I don't think that's idolatry. Maybe personification, but for purely missional reasons...
Just some friendly pictures from Carnaval this year. Enjoy!Grace and Peace,
Nate
