Finally FREEDOM!

Finally wih much nervousness, I passed! I can drive again. Need I say more!

Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement.

My second drivers exam!

Wow, talk about needing to be flexible! The government loves to keep us on our toes as it gives us a one day notice for my exam. We were told after my first exam that this test probably would not come till Friday but I was just informed that it is tomorrow (Wednesday, 23) at 1:30! So we have rearranged everything and lord willing I will pass this time!

Please pray that I would remember and obey all the rules, be calm and that my examiner would be fair.

Thanks so much, well let you know by tomorrow night the results!

-Adam 

Remember to click 'Adam' or 'Angela' titles (just above this) for more posts

A tribute to Canada... sort of.....

Now I just had to show all of you this because I was quite surprised to see a sign for Canada while driving a street in Spain! And after driving some more I saw it again and again. Who knew that 'Cañada' which is almost the same spelling as Canada if you ignore the mark on the 'n' means cow crossing in Spain! 

Now some could be upset that the name of there home country means cow crossing in another country but I think it's just funny and kind of fitting as Canada's agriculture is a very important aspect of Canada.

 Anyways let me know what you think of it.

-Adam

Building Trust

As we continue to build our lives here in Spain we are continually learning the values and ways this culture works. I find it fascinating seeing how every culture works differently while core values remain the same.

How do you meet your neighbours?
In Spain, you could introduce yourself by going door to door like in North America (maybe with a gift or fresh baking), but more often then not people just don't do that here. It can be seen as rude or pushy to engage strangers, even if there neighbours. While Spaniards live closer to one another (everything is closer here) they actually can seem more distant.. at least in the beginning. A Spaniard shared with us that it is quite normal to be completely ignored while walking down your own street for a long time even after you have arrived in the community.

Building a level of trust
We have hear it explained like this: There will come a day when you are in the bakery down the street and while having a significant conversation with your baker about his family,  a neighbour enters the shop and sees you having this conversation. Observing that a small trust has been building between one well known and respected from their community can go a far way here. It can seem like overnight when the next time you walk down the street people yell greetings to you and stop and talk instead of sweeping you by unnoticed. Building trust is an essential first step to even being able to begin friendships here. While this means the process can be very slow and you must be very intentional and patient never knowing when those breakthroughs will happen, the friendships that come with it are rich and long lived.

Spaniards are social, VERY social and FRIENDLY yet at first can seem cold and rude. We can get mad, impatient or offended often feeling like they are so different, but as our understanding and experiences grow I am just more in awe of how God has made people so complex in our relationships and yet amazingly simple as our basic needs and desires remain the same. To be loved and accepted.

 I am also reminded of God's words about being 'always surrounded by a cloud of witnesses' and the need for all of us to be intentional in showing love and Christ in every moment, in every culture, never knowing how it will open people to Him.

Seeing ministry in all aspects of life

Ministry can often look like a bible study, an outreach, running a weekend camp, ext. But it also often occurs when a person is willing to look for  God in everyday moments and be used by him. We got to go on a hike in Asturias (Northern Spain), and while this was a time of rest for us, we found ourselves walking and talking with this spanish girl and her dad for about 2-3 hours sharing about our lives and why we were in Spain. Often you don't hear or see the fruit from these moments in life but we know God works in them as we remember the ways He spoke to us through seemingly 'simple' encounters with those who are willing to be used by Him.

Cultural Diversity in Spain

We were able to visit a medieval festival in Sigüenza. As we learn more about Spanish culture, we have been amazed to see how diverse and different each region of Spain is. Often when people think of Spain, they think of the flamenco, bull fights, seafood etc. Watching this video, you would think these people were representing Scotland or Ireland, but their bagpipes and costumes are actually representing the time when the Visigoths controlled much of Spain during the 6th to 8th century. As well want to connect, love and reach out to these people we are learning how important it is to learn more of their past and the impact it has made on who they are today.

(little did I know that they would stop and surround me right where I was videoing!)