Sevilla, Spain

My first international trip was to Spain 30 years ago.  It was hard!  I was doing a study abroad program through the University of Houston for the summer and I was completely overwhelmed.  Do any of you remember the days of calling cards?  Trying to call home had a steep learning curve 😊.  While that summer was difficult, it was also beautiful and exciting.   These were the days before I knew Jesus as my Lord and Savior but something within me broke open, and a yearning to learn about cultures began that summer.  The desire to see and travel around the world began to bloom.

Now 30 years later, I am still excited about learning other cultures!  Going back to Spain was truly comfortable and felt like going home.  This was my first time to Sevilla but the kindness or “amable” of the people was inspiring.  We stayed in a suburb of Sevilla for a month and it was truly the best month of our travels so far.  Why?  Maybe because it was the first time we slowed down and stayed put, maybe it was knowing a bit of the language and culture that felt familiar, or maybe it was the first time in a while that we felt the sun on our faces 😊.  Our host was fantastic and took great care of us, we got daily messages from her checking on us and telling us events happening around town. 

Araceli, our host, is Mormon and one day she saw my bible sitting on the table and inquired about it.  She declared she had the same bible.  It was an opening that connected us.  The Lord moved me to start praying for her.  I continue today to pray for her that she will know the truth and accept Jesus as her Savior.  Her care for us ramped up after that day, I believe she felt a connection to us.  She brought us produce and even shared about the local treats that are only made during the Easter season.   Her English is better than my Spanish but we managed to bumble along 😊.  Please join me in praying for Araceli.

We connected with an international church in the city during our visit.  It was so fun to worship in Spanish and English.  They did a great job with translations and we improved our Spanish through the worship time.  We met Missionaries from Canada, Rich and Joy.  They have been in Sevilla for 8 years and work with university students and connect with the students in their children’s classes through cross cultural learning and language.  It may seem easier to do the Lord’s work in Western Europe but in reality, hearts are hard and the people are misled by the traditions of their ancestors.  Please join me in praying for Rich and Joy, to make deep spiritual connections, to be intentional in using their ministry time and to have the funds to support their family as inflation has hit Western Europe hard.

Another couple we connected with are Andres and Jocely from Mexico.  We had met them when we were still in Arkansas.  They recently moved here and are experiencing culture shock.  While they speak Spanish, Jocely explained there are many differences in the culture and even language.  She is working to make friends with the parents of the students in her sons class but it has been challenging.  Andres is working on getting citizenship and needs his papers to get a job and for any future travel for the family.  Please join me in praying for them.

While we were in Sevilla, we went to see a few of the tourist sites but truthfully we were tired and did not want to fight the crowds.  We mostly stayed in our suburb and met with workers for coffee and meals.  Sevilla is a lovely city, the people are warm and welcoming. We will definitely return one day!