We had our second baptism this last Sunday. José Antonio has been a Christian for about three years, but was never baptized. I wanted to inclue two videos, one of the baptism, and one of his prayer beforehand. Check them out!
José Antonio is a very articulate guy, so I thought I'd translate his prayer.
"Father, I thank you so much with all my heart, that I'm able to be here with my church, my natural family and my family in Christ. Today, I'm taking an important step toward you. Today, I leave behind (**wind**) and all the rest the faults that you can find in me, and I embrace this symbol of faith in you and the salvation the you freely give us, to all who search for you, to all who entrust our lives to you and believe in you, faithfully know that you are the Truth and the Life. I do this today, Lord, with my head high and happy, proud and surrounded by those I belong to.I give you thanks for all of these marvelous gifts that you've given to me, that have filled my heart with joy. Amen. (at the end, he started to get really choked up).
Pray for us, as we continue forward here in Barcelona.
Grace and Peace,
Nate
9/20/2008
9/05/2008
Starting: Starting Over... Again... And Not...
Hello folks! Yes, I realize, LONG time. Where have I been for almost three months? Welp, here, there, and everywhere... Oh, the places you'll go. Some pictures from along the journey.
My good friend Jesse got married this summer, and I was able to attend the wedding, and actually be a groomsman. My Dad and I got to take a day trip around the Texas hill country on motorcycles... And eat some great Texas BBQ.
I also got to see both sides of my extended family, even having a reunion in Vermont! It is always an adventure being able to spend time with so much family:-).
And of course, coming back to Barcelona, in August (vacation month, renowned for doing NOTHING), with most people from our new church gone or out of town, I've been hanging out with the people, and taking an intensive Catalan class. It's been good... Slow, but good...
And now, thank God it's September! I feel like I've been holding a starting position in a race, and, after a month, the gun has finally sounded. It's been good to have about two months of chill, reflecting, doing things but nothing too structured, planning a bit... But now! Now is the time! Now we start!
But wait, didn't we already start?! Yes... and maybe no. I've been in Spain for two and a half years now, and this is the third time I've started. Arriving in La Coruña, arriving in Barcelona, and coming back to Barcelona. Sometimes it feels like a balloon that keeps deflating, getting bigger, then smaller, then even bigger, then a bit smaller. This is the starting of the starting over...
And it isn't. As much as it may feel like we're finally starting, we're at a VERY different place this year than we were last year. I remember arriving, and my first Friday night meeting was with five other people in a Haagen Dazs. Now, we meet in homes, have a small group on Fridays of about 15-20 people, an Alpha course of 10 people, and a Sunday morning of about 15-30 people, depending on the day. We have a website (located in the "Links" to the left), and are taking the steps with the Evangelical Counsel of Catalunya to be officially recognized as a church.
We are also realizing that the nature of the city of Barcelona is very transitory and dynamic. People come and go all the time. We've had about 15 or 20 people over the last year come, be involved for the time they were here, and leave. That's great! We've been so thankful for their time here, their participation, and their encouragement. In this, we realize that planting seeds also means that some are carried away, out of our "plot of land", and dropped in other fertile soil, and grow there. It's very exciting to see and be a part of.
So, this year? What's going on? As a church, we are trying to do many things:
-maintain our Sundays and Fridays
-keep up our Alpha course twice a year
-continue serving the community in anyway possible
-exploring "official" church status
-possibly adding another group
-first mission trip as Covenant Churches of Spain
I am so excited about all of this. For me, there are some possibilities brewing already:
-learning to keep up with church growth and administration
-possibility of studying a masters this year in Barcelona
-meeting many Catalans, using the language as an excuse get to know them
-French classes that I am being gifted
-continued relationship with focus people
So, we've got our hands full. But we're very excited, and trusting that the Father cares for us and sees us, keeping Christ as our vision, and being fueled and led by the Spirit. Please pray for use. "Beloved, these are dangerous times." These are also times for celebrating! Un abrazo fuerte (a big hug)!
Grace and Peace,
Nate
My good friend Jesse got married this summer, and I was able to attend the wedding, and actually be a groomsman. My Dad and I got to take a day trip around the Texas hill country on motorcycles... And eat some great Texas BBQ.
I also got to see both sides of my extended family, even having a reunion in Vermont! It is always an adventure being able to spend time with so much family:-).
And of course, coming back to Barcelona, in August (vacation month, renowned for doing NOTHING), with most people from our new church gone or out of town, I've been hanging out with the people, and taking an intensive Catalan class. It's been good... Slow, but good...And now, thank God it's September! I feel like I've been holding a starting position in a race, and, after a month, the gun has finally sounded. It's been good to have about two months of chill, reflecting, doing things but nothing too structured, planning a bit... But now! Now is the time! Now we start!
But wait, didn't we already start?! Yes... and maybe no. I've been in Spain for two and a half years now, and this is the third time I've started. Arriving in La Coruña, arriving in Barcelona, and coming back to Barcelona. Sometimes it feels like a balloon that keeps deflating, getting bigger, then smaller, then even bigger, then a bit smaller. This is the starting of the starting over...
And it isn't. As much as it may feel like we're finally starting, we're at a VERY different place this year than we were last year. I remember arriving, and my first Friday night meeting was with five other people in a Haagen Dazs. Now, we meet in homes, have a small group on Fridays of about 15-20 people, an Alpha course of 10 people, and a Sunday morning of about 15-30 people, depending on the day. We have a website (located in the "Links" to the left), and are taking the steps with the Evangelical Counsel of Catalunya to be officially recognized as a church.
We are also realizing that the nature of the city of Barcelona is very transitory and dynamic. People come and go all the time. We've had about 15 or 20 people over the last year come, be involved for the time they were here, and leave. That's great! We've been so thankful for their time here, their participation, and their encouragement. In this, we realize that planting seeds also means that some are carried away, out of our "plot of land", and dropped in other fertile soil, and grow there. It's very exciting to see and be a part of.
So, this year? What's going on? As a church, we are trying to do many things:
-maintain our Sundays and Fridays
-keep up our Alpha course twice a year
-continue serving the community in anyway possible
-exploring "official" church status
-possibly adding another group
-first mission trip as Covenant Churches of Spain
I am so excited about all of this. For me, there are some possibilities brewing already:
-learning to keep up with church growth and administration
-possibility of studying a masters this year in Barcelona
-meeting many Catalans, using the language as an excuse get to know them
-French classes that I am being gifted
-continued relationship with focus people
So, we've got our hands full. But we're very excited, and trusting that the Father cares for us and sees us, keeping Christ as our vision, and being fueled and led by the Spirit. Please pray for use. "Beloved, these are dangerous times." These are also times for celebrating! Un abrazo fuerte (a big hug)!
Grace and Peace,
Nate
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