Bipolar...

The best way to describe our first week in Spain is BIPOLAR. Emotionally, it's been a bit of a roller coaster for both of us. At one moment we are feeling excited and somewhat comfortable in our Spanish surroundings (especially for Rachel, and B.J. whenever he is actually understanding Spanish); the next moment we may feel the great discomfort and fear that comes with remembering (for Rachel) and trying to understand (for B.J.) all that's going on around us, not to mention all the unanswered questions we have right now. Up and down, down and up...we're told that this is normal, and it will continue for the next several days, weeks, months, and maybe years, in some ways.
On a high note, we had lunch today with a very cool couple, Jeremy & Jessica, who are from California but have lived here for about a year and a half. They're quite an encouraging pair, but the sad news for now is that they're heading back to California in a month.

Tomorrow we head to Córdoba to find a piso (apartment), see the processions of Semana Santa (Holy Week), and join evangelical believers for an Easter weekend retreat. Please pray for us as we head into pura España (pure Spain, as Rachel likes to call it) to scout out the next leg in our journey there.

Safe Arrival!

We landed safely in Madrid at about 1 p.m. this afternoon (local time), and upon our arrival we were greeted exuberantly by Rachel's parents, Ron and Brenda Anderson. The flight itself was fairly uneventful, though we had to wait on the plane in Newark for 3½ hours due to thunderstorms. When we arrived in Madrid, Rachel got through security without a hitch, but B.J. was stopped and questioned by both a customs agent and Guardia Civil officer (basically a federal policeman). So we're in Spain, a new world for us, and we are grateful to God for the safe journey, the welcome, and the time and space to rest a bit before we head south to Córdoba next week.

Saying Goodbye...

An important module of our training at MTI in December was on the value and significance of saying, "Goodbye." So as we reflect on our past few months, we've said a number of goodbyes, to family, friends, and past chapters of our life as we walk into the newest chapter God is writing with us. Below are a few slides with photos of people to whom we've said, "Goodbye," during our time of waiting; those in the photos are simply representative of the greater whole of people and places with whom we are bittersweetly parting ways, though we hope that our goodbyes are simply "See you later's".

March 29th!

On March 29th we will head to Spain! We are excited and scared to death about this move, and we know that we're where God wants us. There are still several loose ends for us to tie up...or to see God tie up, not the least of which is for the Spanish authorities to grant us our residency visas. The Consulate tells us that we should expect a call this week or next (of course they made no promises!), so please pray that barriers would be removed from the granting of our visas. Also, please pray that we'll be able to work out the details of shipping our things, finalizing health and life insurance, and other paperwork. We have great reason for hope!