the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain...or does it?

I started this blog post a while ago, but forgot to save it. There's just so much that happened that I've been putting off the re-write!

The end of June was crazy, trying to finish off all the projects before heading off to Transform. The conference was amazing! While I was there helping out with registration and any last minute graphic design stuff, I was able to enjoy the conference as a participant. I met my outreach team for Spain, and we spent some time going over what we were going to be doing.

After the conference it was off to Spain! We were at the OM base for a day, and went to church there. We had a tasty Spanish lunch and got to know the church people a little bit. The next day it was off to Ferrol to begin our hike!

We hiked the Camino Ingles, or the English Way. During pilgramage times, ships would leave from England and dock in Ferrol or A Coruna, and pilgrims would get off there and make their way south to Santiago. We did 74 miles (120 K) in six days!

This was a much greater challenge for me than Hadrian's wall. For one thing, even though it was shorter distance-wise, we had many more hills to climb. I also had to carry a pack, which I was not prepared for. There were some times I felt like my arms were going to fall off because of the pressure on my shoulders! There were all fitness levels in our group, so staying together was sometimes a challenge. I was often at the back of the group, and felt like I was keeping everyone back. Also had some killer blisters, way more than I got doing the wall! The weather was not too hot though, which was a relief. The weather in the north of Spain is very similar to the weather in England...which meant we did get a little bit of rain (but not too much!)

Each day we were on the road by 6am (well, tried to be on the road!). We were a large group (18 walking!) so it was difficult to get going on time. We started so early so that we wouldn't have to walk during the hot part of the day, and so that when we got to the hostel there would be space for all of us. One day a large group arrived ahead of us, and they didn't even have mats for us to sleep on. We ended up sleeping on the floor of the gym...which I was so tired by this point, I was just thankful we didn't have to keep walking anymore!

We did meet some people along the way, and were able to share the Gospel with them, but I think the main reason God had us on this walk was for team building. There were us from the Transform conference, but there were also some others who had been in Spain for two months and had been living and working together all that time, so it was good to have this time to mesh our two groups together. The first few days were a little rough, but we began to get to know eachother, pray and encourage eachother, and carry eachother's burdens (literally!) while walking to Satniago.

We eventually made it! We got our certificates, spent a little time sight-seeing, and then headed back to the base. We spent two days there, then headed off to Ribadeo, a town an hour and a half east and on the coast.

The goal for the next five days in Ribadeo was to make contacts for a church to be started. This town had been on the hearts of the OM Spain leaders for nearly 30 years, and finally God was moving! We went into town for three days armed with flyers advertizing the kids' program, face paints, and balloons. Lots of flyers were handed out, free hugs given, and conversations had. For two nights we held kids' programs, and they were both well attended. The kids had a blast, and their parents were also listening to the skits and messages. Both evenings after it was finished, some people lingered to chat, and had some really good conversations. Some even gave their lives to Jesus!

The whole trip was very encouraging. I don't speak a lick of Spanish (although I understand a little bit now!) but I was able to help do things with the kids while others could have those conversations with the parents. They got lots of contacts, and they'll be going over a couple times a month to have Bible Studies. I'm so excited to see how God grows the seeds we planted!

Transform 2013 is here!

Me in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome. We had an outreach day in the city as part of Transform 2012.

Well folks, its Transform* time again! I can't believe it's finally here! I'll be flying to Rome on Friday with my co-workers who are running the AV for the conference. We'll be there a few days early to help set up and get ready for the participants! During the conference, I'll be doing any last-minute graphics that are needed, as well as participating in some of the sessions. Then, after the conference, I'll be joinging the team going to Spain!

We'll be walking El Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, a pilgramage trail that starts in the Pyrenees and ends at the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela. The trail takes months to complete, so we'll only be doing the last 74ish miles or so over six days. Should be a pice of cake after almost 90 miles in seven days, right? We hope to talk to the other "pilgrims" along the way, and some other ministry at the end. I'm not really sure what to expect, so it should definitely be an adventure!

Some things to pray for:
-safe travels for all the participants to Rome and to their outreaches.
-that participants would catch the vision and that God would call some of them to full-time ministry.
-for all of us participating in the Spain outreach. Pray that we would get to know each other at the conference and that we would get a long well and be a united team.
-my "divine appointments" along the way, and that I would be able to spot them!
-my knee...it's still not 100%. Pray that it holds up well under all the walking.
-energy in general. Spain is much hotter than England in July, and I've gotten "soft". Pray that I can handle the heat.

*Wondering what all this Transform stuff is about? If you haven't heard me talk about it before, Transform is not just a quick trip or exotic experience. It’s the chance for Christians seeking to use their talents and passions to share the love of Christ to the people in the nations around the Mediterranean. Specifically, Transform is an event for Christians from all over the world, uniting in Rome for a week-long conference with powerful worship, practical workshops, opportunities to connect, and times of prayer and outreach to the lost – and then launching out on over 20 one-week to six-month outreach trips into the Mediterranean region and beyond.

Transform 2013: the beginning

I just received the fliers I've designed promoting Transform 2013...and wow! I am so pleased with how they turned out, and humbled as well. I look at them and think "Wow God. You are so good. This has come from You. There is no way I could have done this on my own!"

22,000 copies of the English version are going around the world...and I'm working on various translations of the fliers and posters as well as other items for the promotional package. So really, we're just getting started folks! But seriously, what a privilege to have a part in sharing the Good News this way, to help excite and motivate believers to go and tell the story of Jesus to the Mediterranean region.

And you are a part of this story too! This is just one way you are involved as you support me with your prayers and finanical support. Thanks everyone, and God bless!

checking in

Hello, just a quick update in the midst of my world travels this summer! The past week or so has been a whirlwind, packing and getting ready for Transform in Rome, the conference itself, flying back to England, moving the rest of my stuff into my new house, doing laundry, packing, and leaving the next day for TeenStreet in Germany! We left Sunday at noon and drove to the south of England where we took an overnight ferry across the Channel to Rotterdam and then drove the rest of the way to the site where we arrived yesterday. Most of the team I'm on hasn't arrived yet, so I thought I'd take the time to check in on the 'ol bloggy blog.

Transform was wonderful, if a bit overwhelming. I really enjoyed the worship the most: praising the Lord with hundreds of believers from all over the world. The teachings were good and energetic but very challenging as well. It was a little overwhelming being around so many people I don't know, but by the end of the week it was a little better. For some great pictures of the event and outreach in Rome, visit Transform's Facebook page: facebook.com/OMTransform.

it was a beautiful day at the Trevi Fountain!