Yesterday, Pastor Jorge took us sightseeing and the views were magnificent. We ended the tour by visiting the cemetery where many of his friends, family and church members were buried. He showed us bullet holes on one of the walls which had been put there by Franco's soldiers when he was dictator of Spain. Jorge's great-grandparents would listen for gunshots and go find the victims and care for the families (or help those who had been wounded but were still alive). That's how their church got started. WOW.
Jorge also showed us the wall that had separated the Catholic deceased from the Protestant deceased (and suicide victims). Up until forty years ago, Baptists were still persecuted. However, a mayor in recent years--who had gone to school with Jorge--gave the pastor and his church members a huge gift: they tore down the wall. Now, Jorge and his Catholic family members who have passed away no longer have a separating wall between them. It brought to my mind Ephesians 2:14, "For He is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."
We have been so warmly received here by our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as the volunteers and teachers here at the school/church/camp. There truly is no barrier between us besides language (which we can work around with broken Spanish/English, gestures and smiles). Many of the children are hungry for affection, which we freely give.
One English girl (whose parents are French and English) has stolen our hearts. She asked Tanner if we were leaving Friday and when he said yes, she responded, "Please stay." When we asked her whether she went to church, she said, "Yes! Twice a year, at Christmas and Easter." It's a common answer. We've learned that Spain is a very secular place, like much of the rest of Europe. Our presence and continued support of this sister church is much needed and much appreciated.
We are missing our friends and family (and pets), but God has truly given us an experience we will never forget.
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