End of Fiesta

Last night the fiesta in Cuéllar ended. Most pueblos have fiesta for about a week. It's supposed to be a celebration in honor of their patron saint. Ours includes Los Encierros Más Antiguas de España (the oldest running of the bulls in Spain). There are rides for the kids, game and food booths and the daily bull running and then later in the day the bullfights. I think I was in Barcelona last year for most of the week, although I did see one bullrun (from the safety of my balcony). A friend told me this year not to miss the fireworks the last night, so I dutifully kept an eye on the clock and at 11 p.m. went out on the balcony and watched about a 10-15 minute fireworks show. I decided to try to take some photos and see what happened. Some of them were kind of cool so I decided to post a few here.



















This last one is one of my favorites. It reminds me of a rocket launch and you can see the hillside where they were launching from.

Blogging - Is it for me?

I read a lot of blogs. Well, maybe "a lot" is a relative term. I read the blogs of friends in Spain, Poland, Bolivia and in the States. I don't usually read blogs of people I don't know unless one of my friends refers me to something in particular.

I've noticed something. I don't "blog" like most folks. Perhaps I haven't really figured this out yet. Or perhaps I am uncomfortable sharing some of the personal things that some folks share (it seems like such a public place to put your thoughts in print) or maybe I think my life is too boring to blog about everyday stuff. I don't know. I guess I'm still trying to figure it out.

If you have any comments or suggestions, I would love to hear them. If you're not comfortable posting a comment in such a public place, then send me an email.

(By the way, the photo has nothing to do with this blog, I know, but I just thought I'd stick something in to make it a little more interesting. It's one of the fountains at LaGranja.)

Who Am I?

I have been convicted lately that I'm spending too much time feeling sorry for myself and not enough time praising the Lord. So this morning I put in an English language worship CD on my way to school (I have been trying to listen to Christian music in Spanish but decided today I needed to hear it in my heart language) and this song really ministered to my heart.

Here are the words:

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am,
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling,
And You've told me who I am.
I am Yours, I am Yours.

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me?

I am Yours.
Whom shall I fear,
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am Yours.
I am Yours.

I've heard this song dozens of times before and I love the music and the words, but today the words really pierced my heart and reminded me of Whose I am.

My Spanish Friend

I don't make friends easily. I have a lot of friends, so to some of you that may sound really strange. But it takes me a long time to really trust people and open up my true self to them. It has a lot to do with my past, which I won't go into here. (Many of you have heard my story and can probably figure out what I'm talking about. For those of you have no clue, ask me when I'm in the States and I'll try to explain it to you.)

Anyway, I have one Spanish friend. I have several acquaintances at church and they are all very kind and have helped me move and are helping me learn the language and are concerned about how I'm doing, but I only have one friend that I really talk to (as much as I can with the language barrier) about more than just the weather and things like that. Even then I don't go very deep because I can't with the language barrier. But she makes me happy when I'm with her and I know she truly cares about me.

I was with her this morning. We try to walk together at least once a week, sometimes twice, and she helps me with Spanish. This morning we walked 7 KM (a little over 4 miles). We were really tired when we finished but it was a great time and we went early enough that we avoided most of the heat. We shared a little breakfast and prayed together.

As you can tell by the photo (that's her daughter with her), she's a little crazy. I guess that's one of things that I like about her. She feels free to express her feelings and her faith in unconventional ways. Her doctrine may not always be completely sound, but she loves Jesus and wants to share that love with everyone else. And she shares it with me. For that I am very grateful!

August Update

Numerous Ways to Stay in Touch

WorldVenture has recently increased the features on our personal ministry pages on its website. There is now a blog, photo albums and a calendar feature that you can view. To reach my personal pages, go here and you will find links to the other features. The calendar is mostly to let you know where I’ll be when I’m on home assignment (which I will be talking a little more about next month).

For free long-distance calling through the internet, go to www.skype.com and download their free program. My Skype name: proseman

July was Hard!

A lot factors combined to make me wish I could get on the plane and come home last month, but in the midst of a very difficult time, God brought encouragement through many of you and a few fun days with Spanish friends and missionary colleagues. It also helps to know that my plane reservations are made and in two months, I will be on my way back to the States for a brief visit. I am really looking forward to catching up with many of you and sharing together what God has done in each of our lives.

This month’s quote:

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.”

--Thomas Merton in Reaching for the Invisible God

Praises:

1. I have made some plane reservations for visits I want to make while I’m in the States. Next month I hope to give you an itinerary.
2. We finished moving things from my old apartment. It’s good to have that done. Several of the men from church helped on different occasions and everything went well.
3. I am enjoying language school. I have private classes right now and the review has been good.

Prayer Requests:

1. I still have heard nothing regarding my residence card and I need to have this completed before I leave for the States.
2. Continue to pray that all the details will come together for the traveling I need to do while I’m in the States. I’m looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible.
3. I have two requests regarding finances. My monthly support has decreased by $150 and I still need several thousand dollars to pay off the loan on my car. Pray that God will provide what is needed. If you are interested in helping with either of these needs, please let me know and I’ll give you the necessary information.