Josh and Gabriel share a few words after the church community's meal on Sunday. Good conversations have been plentiful and helpful in discerning our future in the region. |
David, in blue, discusses Saint Francis of Assisi, the idea of being God's instruments of peacemaking, and shares LCC's Ukraine-Russia "flag story" as an example. Also, Josh was asked to sit in for the worship music. |
It's official: we're serving with the Mennonite community in Barcelona!
For the past several months, we've been talking about Spain and, more specifically, Barcelona as our ultimate destination for service after working in Lithuania for four years. However, nothing was final until the church community had a chance to get to know us better and decide -- via consensus -- that they want us.
In upcoming posts, we'll describe in greater detail what our roles will be, but one excerpt from the proposed job description illustrates why this decision was being made with such caution:
In other words, could the local church community commit to us in the same way we vow to commit to them?
In upcoming posts, we'll describe in greater detail what our roles will be, but one excerpt from the proposed job description illustrates why this decision was being made with such caution:
We want to offer (and look forward to) blessings, enrichment and mutual growing -- both personal and communitarian -- in maturity and in number, working together in our hardest issues and improving our mutual abilities...as we become “one body.”
Asher proves he can lose his hair and still be cute. There has been no short supply of community members seeking to hold him and give him lots and lots of love. |
This makes the fact we were accepted without any reservations all the more significant!
To say we are excited would be an understatement. Both the metaphorical and physical embrace from the community has been unreal and it only stokes the fire that God ignited within us long ago. Whether you describe it as identifying your vocation or your calling, we feel like we're right where we're supposed to be.
The past week has been filled with so many meals, meaningful conversations, laughter,
singing, exploration, living in community, and prayer. Language has not been an issue -- Josh's Spanish is serving well, Alisha is learning lots, and Asher's cuteness overcomes all boundaries.
singing, exploration, living in community, and prayer. Language has not been an issue -- Josh's Spanish is serving well, Alisha is learning lots, and Asher's cuteness overcomes all boundaries.
Next Steps
The first Sparrows concert in Barcelona just outside the church building. |
While we are quite excited about our future work in Spain, we are also eager to take advantage of this chance to reconnect with our North American family, friends, and other supporters.
Our current travel plans are as follows:
- July 12-17: Northern Indiana/Southern Michigan
- July 17-24: Central Indiana
- July 24: Phoenix Valley (Arizona)
If you're interested in connecting, please let us know! Just e-mail JoshuaSGarber@gmail.com or AlishaGarber@gmail.com and we'll work something out.
No comments:
Post a Comment