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The weekend after Megan and Andrea arrived we sent them (and a few American exchange students who are here studying but want to get involved in the work here) off on an scavenger hunt so that they could familiarize themselves with the city a little bit. I don't know if they enjoyed it, but Darby and I did. We went and had a yummy gofre (waffle covered in chocolate and caramel) while we waited for them!
These are our cool fall interns. Andrea (left) and Megan (right) have just hit the one month mark and are doing a great job. They are teaching English in a couple of local high schools as well as working with Martha in the university ministry. It is always so good to have "fresh blood" on the team. They keep us all motivated with new ideas and new energy!
This photo was taken on a day we went sight seeing. We rode on the top of a tour bus in the open air. Thankfully it was a day that was not so hot...it was only in the upper 80s. Whew!
Last week a group of German university students came to do a cultural exchange with students here. One of our team members, Martha, started 2 groups in Germany that are thriving. She is here trying to get one started in Seville. A group of 8 of the German students came last week to work with Martha to help her kick off the new school year. While they were here they also led "Tapas y Temas" on Thursday night. It was interesting to hear all of the languages being spoken in that room! Don't you love that EVERY language will be around the throne?
This past summer we had a group of International World Changers come and work with us. One of the events they helped us with was a Family Fair. It went so well that we decided to do it again this past weekend. This is the youth pastor from the only Baptist church in Seville who brought his group to help out. The clowns and the jumping castle were big hits. And while the children played, we were able to make some new contacts with their parents. It's fun for everyone!
On Thursday nights we have a worship service called, "Tapas y Temas". Tapas are a snack-type plate and temas means themes. We sing praises, have testimonies, hear a short lesson, and then discuss the theme as we have tapas. This used to be a monthly event but we have decided to give it a 3 month trial as a weekly event. Pray with us that we can get a CHURCH planted in Bormujos!!!
This photo is of Margarita while she was sharing her story. She is from Colombia and lives here in Seville with her daughter and grandchildren. She was describing what this weekly event does for her. It is not only a place where she can worship, but it is the community aspect. It is hard to find other believers here in Spain. This event gets folks together and gives them a non-threatening place to invite their un-believing friends. Did I mention we meet upstairs in a bar/restaurant?
Let me introduce us. This photo was taken just a week or so ago at English Worship in the Park. We try to get together with other English speakers once a month to praise the Father in our native tongue, to hear from His word, and to, of course, have snacks and play. Pictured here with us is a couple who runs the seminary here just outside of the city.
Here we go, left to right...
The Acton family consists of : David is holding onto his youngest daughter, Olivia. Next to Olivia is Francesca who has her hand on her mother's back, Chanelle, who is leaning down and holding her son, Christopher's, hand. Also holding onto Christopher is Isabella. They have been here close to 5 years. David is the "fearless leader" for folks in Spain and Portugal.
Chris and Beth are the couple from the seminary who came to worship with us.
Standing in the back middle is Martha. She is here on loan from Germany. She originally came to work with university students for just one year, but has decided to stay with us for a while longer. Woohoo!
Next we have the Blacksten crew. Shaphan is wearing the red t-shirt; his mom, Shelley, is in pink. Dad, Sean, is sticking up behind her while Shalyn is looking oh so fabulous in the cute little cap. Sean and Shelley are our team leaders.
Beside the Blackstens are all "the single ladies". Megan and Andrea are in the back trying to be seen. They are our fall interns. They arrived in September and will be with us until just before Christmas.
Darby is in purple. She is a Journey-chick who has been here nearly 2 years. She was able to extend her term just a bit so that she can finish out this semester at the local high schools where she teaches English.
And finally, that's me, Christy, on the end. I just got here 6 months ago (this week!). No one is really sure what my job is.... I think I am might just be comic relief. And I am now the official blogger.
Okay, that's us. I hope you've memorized the names. There will be a test.
I am sure they don't want to be called "volunteers" since that is the mascot of TN and not FL, but this past week they were volunteers here in Seville. This team of 7 from Gainesville, FL came to help us out in ESL ministry. The biggest event was an "English Chat Weekend" at a local university. It turned out to be a great outreach and we hope to see results with those who attended. The goal is always to offer something that is useful to the people who live here, start a new relationship or strengthen an old one, and through that relationship show them how our life is different because we follow Christ. 
About 20 Spaniards attended the English Chat Weekend.
One of the activities to get the folks to speak English was to toss around a beach ball with questions on it. When you catch the ball you must answer whatever question your thumb landed on. It was a fun way to practice speaking and to get up and move around.
The majority of the weekend was spent in small groups discussing various questions about life in general and then questions about your spiritual life. There were some good discussions. Pray that the thoughts that were brought up would take root and that the folks will dwell on that theme a bit longer.
During the week the team went into the two schools where we help teach English. The students really enjoy a chance to speak English with native speakers. There aren't a ton of foreigners (us) here in Seville and there are even fewer out in the pueblos where we teach. 
