Hello Granada and Green Grass

Yesterday was great! I couldn't have asked for a better day. In the morning the team, the pastor's family, and our host families along with a few people from church went into the city and had a great time sightseeing and just spending time together. Even though many of them have spent a significant amount of time in Murcia many of them are not able to go into the city because of the cost of transportation and time. We all had a lot of fun and I was very grateful to be able to spend my last day with my host family.

That evening it was very hard for me as I said, "Adios" to some good friends. At the church we had a big dinner with our host family, the pastor's family, and some of the church members. It was a lot of fun! We laughed together and shared some time together before the team headed off for Granada. The host families expressed their love and appreciation for us, and the pastor's family also gave us a nice goodbye. I barely made it through the first speech before I started to cry. The people in the church have been so wonderful and my host family has been great! I didn't know what to expect coming on this internship but I know that any expectations I would have had would have been blown away by these people and the Alcantarilla community. I have loved my time here and even though it has not been easy it has been a blessing. I am blessed for having known these people for the short time that I have and I am blessed to be able to be apart of their lives. They have touched my heart deeply. Saying goodbye is never easy but I know that the friends I said goodbye to in Murcia is not forever for I am sure in my heart that I will see them in heaven one day. Their passion for the church and for Christ is outstanding, it was beautiful to be able to see such loving and selfless people working hard and with all their heart for God's Kingdom!

Today I am safely in Granada. Hearing Chris Irwin, the Team Expansion missionary, speaking English to me after a long bus ride was a nice relief. Though I did cry a little because I know that life in Granada is going to be very different than in Murcia. Here in Granada I am going to be working with more language learning and starting this week we will begin language classes and next week we will begin language routes. Language routes will consist of me going into town with the team and then splitting up to find people to talk to in Spanish. Despite my difficulties and frustration in learning the language I am very determined to make the most out of this experience, and I am very excited to go out and meet new people! Well, it is almost time for dinner, yay! Nicia, Chris's wife, is an awesome cook!

Please pray for team unity because as of now, in Granada, we are going to be in some stressful situations with learning the language and in a smaller space. Pray that we would live in peace and also please pray for Chris and Nicia as they take on the task of having us in their home for the next 2 weeks. Also please pray for our language routes, pray that we would have open hearts, develop relationships with new people in Granada, and be stretched.