Two Ladies in Spain

Our week here in Spain had absolutely flown - it's so hard to believe this is our last full day here!  

On our way in we had a considerable layover in Brussels.  We were able to take a mini-tour of the city and get just a taste of Belgium.  We'd love to go back - four hours was not nearly enough!!

On Sunday we arrived safely and got settled in our rooms.  We were able to get prepped for Tuesday, our first day with the children, that evening, so we were able to see the sights in nearby Malaga all day Monday.

Tuesday was our first day with the children.  We had an absolute blast getting to know them, playing games, making music, and teaching them to be secret agents searching for clues to prove the truth of Jesus' salvation.

Wednesday the entire conference went on an excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar! Rachel and I rode up the Rock in a cable car and hiked the 9 kilometers back down.  There is also a place on the Rock from which we were supposed to be able to see across the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa.  Unfortunately, the day was cloudy and we weren't able to make out the other side, but we got a picture from where we were supposed to be able to see it. ;)

The past two days we've spent with the children.  Our time with them will wrap up at the closing service tonight, where the kids will perform some of the songs and recite the Scripture they learned this week.  Then tomorrow Rachel and I fly back to Cleveland with Dinita at 7 pm and boom! the trip is over!!  It's been a crazy week, but we've had an awesome time seeing Spain, getting to know some wonderful families, and working with a team only God could provide.  

See y'all back on the other side of the pond!

Another day-before post

Once again, it is ONE day until I leave for Spain!  Packing and prep have gone pretty smoothly.  I think I'm getting the hang of this thing! (Aunt Barb, I know you're reading this....I'm only taking TWO books this time!  I hope you're proud. ;) )


The best part is that I get to take my beautiful new guitar with me!  Last week I received an email from Amazon saying that my order got processed early and that I should receive my guitar by May 31.  Sure enough, I did - a week before I originally thought I would!  What a relief :)  Thank you all so very much for your prayers!


Hey everyone!  This is Rachel: yes, Monica let me write on her blog.  ;)  I just want to thank everyone for their contributions to this trip.  Whether through prayer, donating items for the garage sale, coming to the pancake breakfast, coming to the garage sale (even if you didn't buy anything, it was great to see you!), or donating money - I couldn't have done it without you!  Let me just tell you guys, sometimes I step back and wonder how on earth I got here.  God is so good!  Who would have thought I could have made almost $900 with one garage sale?!?  Certainly not me!


I am almost all packed; just a few things left to throw in the suitcase (which is working out really well: thank you, Boscaljons!).  I am sooo excited to go on this trip: to spend time with lots of kids, experience SPAIN!!!!, spend time with my big sis, see what God has to teach me on this trip, and fly on an airplane for the first time.  (Unlike Monica, Aunt Barb, I am bringing more than two books... :D )  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.  Love to all, Rachel <3


As you can see, we already have a TON of reasons to praise God for this trip.  And the fun hasn't even started yet!  We can't wait to discover more of God's hand in our lives through this trip.  As you remember us over the next week, we ask you to pray with us for these things in particular:


-first and last, that God would be glorified in our interactions with anyone and everyone, from the children and their families, to the locals, to our teammates
-our safety, on and off the plane
-our health
-wisdom and discretion as we lead, teach, guide, and have fun with the children
-humble, grateful, teachable attitudes


You cannot know how much you have blessed us over the course of our preparation for this trip.  From the deepest part of our hearts, thank you all.


Stay tuned for a post (and pics!) from Torremolinos!  Until next week, America!