Tertulia

Yesterday my teammates and I discovered one of Karin's ways to talk about the Gospel, since the m word (missionary) is a risky term to bandy about. In Spain, people often meet in the coffeeshops for tertulias, or discussion groups. One person will throw out a term or issue, and everyone will take sides and debate it. So Karin started an English language tertulia, since a number of Spaniards want to learn or improve their English so they can get better jobs.

Only one person was able to attend the tertulia Monday night, but the four of us were able to have a great conversation with him anyway. Javier, or Javi for short, is a policeman and wants to eventually be an air traffic controller -- and to do this, he needs to learn English. Javi is not comfortable with the Gospel so far -- we tried to talk with him about how he would want to be remembered when he died and he became quite nervous. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would open his heart and through these conversations might learn about Christ and come to know Him.

I had been rereading Acts since I came to Spain, but today I opened to Psalm 119 and it just spoke to me. Sections Gimel and Daleth are my prayer for now, as I try to learn new things from Scripture and grow in my personal walk.

And for your delectation and delight, here are some photos to give you a sense of Acala:

Mail delivery motos. Que guay, no? (How cool)

One of the many Catholic churches in the town (sorry for cutting off the cross at the top) where storks nest. The noisy birds roost wherever they can -- whether it's at the top of the convent or the university buildings.

Kendra and Javi at the cafe. The three of us really enjoy the cafe con leche.