SPAIN MISSIONS TRIP

DAY 0

Spain, here we come!

We’re about to board the plane! The team is excited for our journey and the adventure that lies ahead. Thank you to everyone who supported us and got us to this point. 

We are grateful for our families and friends who came to send us off at the airport and for Mr. A who prayed over us before departing.

Tomorrow will be a full day of travel from Toronto, transiting through Portugal, and then on to Spain. 

Flying out, 

Team Spain

Day 5

Thank you, supporters, for praying for the weather. The sun was out all day today, which the locals are saying is a rare occurrence. Not only did the clear skies make it possible for us to engage in our ministries but it also helped us to enjoy the city and day’s experience so much more. Praise God for giving us this gift!

We began our morning by gathering at a park. We sang some worship songs and then discussed insights from our devotional reading of James chapter 2. One observation from the group was that verse 19 says, “Even the demons believe - and shudder!“, which led us to ask the question: How do we develop faith that goes beyond just believing? A meaningful discussion then emerged about faith and action. May we continue to digest these words from James.

We took a break from our usual eggs and toast (and from cooking - yay!) and devoured some freshly baked empanadas for breakfast before splitting up into two groups for the day’s ministry activities - children’s ministry and Apotheca remodelling.

The children's ministry team set up their activities and waited for the kids to arrive. The event was due to begin at 11:30, which in Spanish time could be anytime from 11:30-12:30. Luckily, we had no trouble keeping ourselves busy with shoe basketball, object lesson practice, and chatting with the One Collective team. Unfortunately, by the time the food arrived, no children or other family members had shown up, which likely meant that no one would be coming. We learned that an unfortunate incident had happened to one of the most involved families, and that there must have been some other issue going on to prevent the rest of the people from arriving. While we were disheartened, we kept our spirits high and decided to have Abby do her competition hangman verse game, and for Misia and Issac to go through the storyboard painting with us as if we were kids. Delma, the One Collective partner that we met the other day, was also there and she really enjoyed watching the activities that we had prepared. She asked if she could take the completed painting with her to use as both an outreach tool for her upcoming missions and as an example to teach others about how to do children's ministry well. We are grateful that God turned our disappointment into joy, and that He used the moment as an opportunity to reach children in ways that we couldn't have imagined and to train leaders for ministry. He truly is good! We were able to leave the food, treats, and craft materials with Sybille to distribute in the community. Afterwards, we had time to go back to the squares surrounding the Cathedral and participate in more street evangelism. We had many meaningful conversations and felt even more confident in approaching people, listening to their stories, and sometimes having the chance to share about our own journeys in life and faith. 

The Apotheca team served at their general/convenience store, which is closing and being converted into a new ministry site. We were asked to help clean, organize and build as they remodel the space. The hope is that it will become a gathering place for people to work and hang out. Some of our students wiped (very) dusty walls, windows and furniture. They really made every effort to clean things thoroughly and even wiped some spots twice or even three times. Other students used their carpentry skills to repurpose furniture and build/paint a new store sign. Though the work may have ended up a little crooked, Dusty, the lead carpenter, was very gracious in commending them for their efforts.  The students had such a good attitude, even with the not-so-glamorous tasks, and they joyfully served the local missionaries in this very tangible way. On our way back to the apartment, as we passed the Cathedral courtyard, the team was eager to engage in more conversations with pilgrims. We are so impressed by their initiative and enthusiasm. 

We will be experiencing the Camino tomorrow and during our visit to the Pilgrim’s House, another branch of the Apotheca initiative, we were provided with orientation training about the walk. The Pilgrim’s House exists as a Welcome Centre for pilgrims entering the city as they reach their final destination. Thousands of pilgrims pass through the House each year. The staff help to meet some of their physical needs, like providing them with a place to rest or do laundry and make available to them methods of process their spiritual and emotional growth. 

We would appreciate your prayer for the following items regarding our Camino experience tomorrow:
- rain-free weather
- endurance to walk the 19 km uneven trail, especially for those with previous knee and ankle injuries
- opportunities to meet and listen to the stories of other pilgrims
- boldness to offer to pray with them and wisdom to know when to direct the conversation toward spiritual things
- moments of self-reflection and conversation with God while on the journey

We are excited for the journey ahead.  Anticipating sore feet but grateful for the opportunity,

Team Spain

Day 6

The Camino de Santiago. In English, the way of Saint James. It is a network of trails stemming from the surrounding countries of Portugal and France, which all lead to the cathedral of Saint James. History tells us that the apostle James walked to the end of the known world, Spain, spreading the good news. While he died along the way, his bones were carried and buried in the city of Santiago. The route that he took became a pilgrimage for other followers of Christ, which, through the passing of time, expanded into the network of paths and roads it is today. It is the stuff of legends, bucket lists, and Hollywood movies. For some, it is a way to prove their devotion to God or complete penance. For others, it is a step in the process of grieving a loved one. For us, it was a time of reflection, connection, and community. 

After a hearty breakfast - fresh omlettes for the girls, microwaved leftover seafood pasta for the boys - the team took a bus to O Pedrouzo, a city just under 20 kilometres from the Cathedral. Our only way back was to take the Camino by foot. While there were those of us dreading this walk, some were wishing to be dropped off even further away (though they may have changed their minds as the day went on). Armed with snacks, water, and sunscreen, some with walking poles, all with iconic Camino shells dangling from our backpacks, we set out, trusting the vibrant yellow arrows to guide us. We also made sure to bring along the beautiful bracelets and bookmarks made by the sending team to give to people we encountered, either along the Camino or in the square at the end. We began with a few kilometres of silent solo time before splitting into our small groups until lunchtime. Like true Spaniards, we lingered at lunch for several hours, enjoying the rest and shade as well as the paella, croquetas, sandwiches, and patatas bravas. Afterwards, our groups separated into preference of pace, one pack taking a commanding lead, while the other two groups decided to take their walk a bit slower. There were not many other pilgrims that we passed along the way, though we did trade turns overtaking and being overtaken by a family from Poland all throughout the day. Eventually, nearing 7:00 pm, we made our triumphant arrival into the Praza do Obradoiro together, running, leaping, and yelling with joy at finishing our small part of the Camino.

Each team member had a different experience today. It is best to let you read about it in their own words (one sentence each):

Dora: Another day appreciating God’s creation and it was surprisingly easier than I thought…I actually enjoyed it! :) 10/10

Abby: I enjoyed the experience and I realized that I enjoy silence. 

Steven: I loved strengthening bonds and pushing past limits.

Nathan: Despite the knees hurting and sun blazing down, there is so much joy in walking through God’s creation.

Damian: Although I can't feel my legs after the walk, I deepened my bond with many of my friends and became more trusting in the LORD.

Alex: Being on this Camino gave me time to reflect on my relationship with the Lord and appreciate his creation.

Issac: A hot and tiring time for me to take in all of God’s creations

Misia: A rollercoaster emotionally, spiritually, and of course physically, but my feet are surprisingly fine and clear skies all the way :)

Sammi: My knees are very worn out, but I thoroughly enjoyed having the time to grow my relationships with my teammates and with God.

JP: Walking through creation can be difficult, but it really makes you think about the creator in an amazing way.

Isaac: OH BUBBA! I had fun walking in crocs, but most importantly it was a great experience to build my relationship with Christ and friends!

Kaeden: The trees, the sky, the river, the air, the food, the people, the talking, everything that happened in this camino made this a memorable experience.

Jessie: Burnt and numb, but I loved collecting stamps and seals along the way – shout out God for all the wonderful things we’ve seen and experienced! :P

Hannah: Though disappointed that we weren’t able to have any conversations with pilgrims, I am thankful for the opportunity to grow in my relationships with my teammates and reflect on the faithfulness of God, who is our camino (the way)!

Mrs. Bennett: "God is a genius artist" - His creation and His people are beautiful and profound. 

Mrs. Tam: Even though my knees have been acting up on our daily walks around the city, God was so gracious to me and allowed me to experience the camino with no pain today and I got to enjoy very meaningful conversations with my fellow pilgrims.

Mr. Chung - “Working through how to bring back the balance of Spain to Canada”

Buen camino, supporters. May your walk in life and in faith always be good. 

Tomorrow, the guys will be helping with Farmer’s Basket to assemble and delivery fresh produce to the community while the ladies will learn about Voces Mujeres, a ministry aimed to reach vulnerable women. Please pray that the team will recover well physically as they rest tonight and will be ready to service and learn from these ministry partners. 

Los peregrinos [The pilgrims],

Team Spain

Day 7

It is hard to believe that a week has passed since we left Canada. It feels both much longer and much shorter at the same time. 

This morning after breakfast the boys and the girls went to separate activities, learning about and getting a taste of two of Apotheca's ministries. The girls went to the church to meet with Megan, the current leader of Voces Mujeres, a group for women. She led us through our own session, mirroring what a group time with the ladies would be. We enjoyed chatting, deeper conversation, prayer, crafting, and some snacking. During our time together, we learned more about some deep-rooted issues of machismo and domestic violence that occur in Spain and why it can be hard for women to escape such difficult situations. Together, we talked about how we can be sisters in Christ that support other women, both in small and big ways. After a time of prayer, Eva, a missionary partner with Apotheca, taught us how to make pipe cleaner flowers. While the craft was simple, the time of bonding and being together was sweet. We talked about life, sang some Disney songs, and made beautiful (and not-so-beautiful) little bouquets. This is the point of Voces Mujeres - to provide a safe space for women, both those with obvious needs as well as those without them, to commune with others, maybe learn more about Christ, and make something with their hands. One of the more elaborate handicrafts that the women make together is Spanish olive oil soap, which is sold to support the ministry. We all made sure to place our orders today!  

The boys, on the other hand, partnered with the farmer's basket ministry. During our stay here in Santiago, our team has had a chance to experience a taste of paradise from fresh fruits and veggies sourced from local Spanish farms. It has been a real treat! Apotheca purchases items from local farmers to sell in their store and to make food baskets, which are both purchased online and donated to families that are in need. This morning, we got to make baskets of these amazing fruits and veggies to distribute to the community. The baskets are not just a way to support the local store, but they also give smaller farmers a chance to sell their produce. Many of the big supermarkets have put produce shops out of business, so these baskets are a great way for One Collective to connect with the community and the farmers, as well as generate business in a different way. Some of us also had the chance to go out and complete the deliveries of the finished products, meeting new people and seeing how wide the reach of this ministry is. 

After a sandwich lunch, the team had time to do some souvenir shopping in the city. By now, we all feel as though we know our little corner of Santiago well, even though we may not quite look like locals. Some of the boys decided that they would try their hand at busking on the street, not for money, but just for fun. They played the guitar and sang worship songs, even attracting several people to stop and talk about their music. The buskers ended up having the opportunity to pray for one of the pilgrims that engaged with them. It is wonderful to see how eager this team is to point others to God, using their personal free time to reach out to others and plant seeds. 

Our evening began with a Camino debrief facilitated by Pilgrim House staff. We were able to reflect on and process our walks, sharing with each other how our experiences were and thinking of ways that we can bring things that we learned back with us to Canada. We discussed topics such as the value of meeting with God in His beautiful creation and the struggle to find times of rest in our busy lives of schoolwork, extra-curriculars, and familial responsibilities. We better understand how valuable this place can be for pilgrims finishing their Camino walks, and how unique a ministry it is. Upon finishing our dinner of pulled pork sandwiches, the team indulged in churros with hot chocolate sauce before walking to the nearby park for our debrief. Mr. Chung led us in a discussion about James 3, reminding us how powerful our tongues can be, both for edification and for harm. We completed a group encouragement activity, each taking a turn to build up another team member. Though we were timid and unsure at first, we opened up to each other in a special way, using a Camino walking stick to help us gain courage to speak the truth in love. Tears were shed, hugs were shared, and everyone's spirits were lifted. While the students could have continued on sharing for many more hours, we all eventually made our way to bed feeling more bonded and grateful for the opportunity to share. 

Please pray for use as we enter our final full day in Santiago tomorrow. Pray for the farmers that we will be visiting and for the worship night that we will be leading. Please also pray for the connections that have been formed between the team members and the growth that they are experiencing together. God is moving in our hearts in different ways, but pray that in these next few days, we would all be quick to listen and quick to use our words to uplift one another. 

Encouraged,

Team Spain

Day 8

Hello everyone!! Welcome to the one and only Jessie (Yethica) and Misia (Mitha) take-over! To make our last full day in Santiago de Compostela memorable, the girls were up bright and early to watch the sunrise rising over the cathedral (we were freezing but it was worth it :p), while the guys were taping towels to their washing machine. These jawns decided that putting dish soap AND a tide-pod in the machine was a good idea. It was not. After that fiasco, the guys left their chaos and gallivanted into our apartment stomping up the stairs. It was time for the team to head out to meet Dusty and his team at the park! We were going to a local family farm!! Oh bubba! 

In comparison to Canada at the moment, it was BLAZING hot when we arrived at the farm… but we were able to meet Teresa and her parents. They’ve been running this farm for decades!! Through the helpful guidance of Dusty and Ms. Bennett’s translations, we were able to learn about so much of the farm’s history. We listened to Teresa explain how they planted and tied tomato seedlings, the struggles it took to maintain crops and how to grow and pluck lettuce leaves, as well as HUGE bok-choy. Some members even tried digging up spinach plants. Teresa's mother even said that she saw potential in Issac and JP. Many were contemplating staying and becoming farmers! Hannah, Abi, and Alex even learned how to properly water the plants! The family then showed us their family home and all their chickens! Nathan Fung thoroughly enjoyed clucking at the chickens, and JP was drooling at the mouth, foreseeing KFC. In the end, the team members carried crates full of fresh produce to eat and to bring back to Apotheca and help make their farmers baskets. Ironically, after we returned to the city and the church, a lunch of rotisserie chicken and the freshly picked lettuce awaited us. 

After a long fulfilling feast, the worship team began prepping for worship later in the day while the rest of the team were either messing around on the drums, or deeply passed out on the couches after a long morning. The whole team and all of the One Collective staff came to worship with us and do a last debrief together. We sang songs together, and one verse that stood out to Misia was in Firm Foundation: “I’ve still got joy in chaos, I’ve got peace that makes no sense”, and this is just reminding us that God is with us through every circumstance! Knowing that we can still find peace and happiness in serving the Lord amidst tough times is very important. 

After worship, Dusty led us to reflect on our expectations and experiences after a week of being in Spain. We ended the debrief with a thank you by giving the One Collective staff goodies from Canada that you can’t find in Spain. After the debrief we walked to one of two McDonalds in Santiago. Did you know that European McDonalds is GREEN!! The team enjoyed a triple-cheeseburger (or a quintuple) combo and some even ordered extra menu items that we wouldn’t be able to find in Canada. We were all super duper stuffed. We ended the night wandering in groups around Old town and ended up in the cathedral square where we individually reflected on our experiences in this city and prayed over the people and city of Santiago de Compostela one final time. And that’s our day! Wonder if the guys ever fixed their washing machine… Jessie and Misia signing out

Please pray for safe travel tomorrow as we take a bus to Porto. Please also pray for the health of the team members as we are all tired and feeling the weight of processing different emotions.

Day 9

Olá de Porto, Portugal!

The team has officially left Spain and started our debrief day and a half in Porto before flying back on Sunday. Alongside breakfast, our morning was kept busy with final packing and cleaning. Afterwards, we walked through the city streets one last time before boarding a coach bus and driving to Porto, most of us taking the opportunity to catch up on some sleep. Upon arriving at the bus terminal, we grabbed some sandwiches, pastries, and fruit cups for lunch before venturing into the subway system. The final leg of our journey was a short walk from the subway station which took us to our hotel. We were all glad to drop off our bags and rest for a while!

In today's debrief, we dove into several topics to help us process and reflect on our experiences. We remembered the sounds, tastes, and sights of Santiago, each sharing special glimpses and memories of our days there. It was a time of joy to recap the many things that transpired and to relive moments from each others' perspectives. We also talked through unmet expectations, frustrations, and disappointments that we may be feeling as our time in Spain is over. We recognize that while we do our best to be flexible and just serve God joyfully as best we can, we also walked into this experience with expectations, both our own and others'. Though the trip was different from what many of us were picturing, we all know that God has been at work and we feel that it has been edifying for us, for the One Collective team, and for the city of Santiago. We will continue to discuss and process our thoughts together and we eagerly anticipate sharing with you what we have witnessed and felt God doing. Very fittingly, our devotion on James 4 reminded us to submit ourselves to God, and to hold loosely to our plans, instead saying, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that" (vs. 15). 

Dinner tonight was traditional Portuguese food such as octopus risotto, sea bass, and cod croquettes. We enjoyed experiencing new foods and good conversation. Our final activity for the day was to wander through a bit of old town in search of the iconic pasteis de nata, Portuguese custard tarts. We are happy to report that we found some and we are happier to report that they did not last long!  While walking, the team enjoyed seeing the mix of modern and historic on every street and had fun spending time in community with one another. 

Please pray for our conversations and our times of reflection, that we may continue to be open with one another and that we may support each other along the way. Please pray for our time of exploring Porto tomorrow, that we may have good weather, and for our safety. Finally, please pray that we may not feel the weight of expectation from ourselves or from others, and that we may instead focus on building God's kingdom wherever and however we can. 

Processing,

Team Spain

Day 10

Our last full day in Europe has been blessed with wonderful weather - yet another sign of God's faithfulness and provision towards us, in things big and small. Mrs. Tam prepared a wonderful day of sightseeing and exploring the city, ensuring that we see many of the top attractions while not feeling overwhelmed or getting too tired. Our first stop was a large market full of fruit stalls, pastry stands, meats, cheeses, veggies, and so many other goodies. We split off to find breakfast and all were able to hunt down something good like fruit salad, meat pies, and eclairs - perfect fuel for the day of walking ahead. 

There are many places to visit in Porto, and while we could not get to them all, we did manage to hit some of the best. We ate chicken nuggets at the world's prettiest McDonald's. We marvelled at the intricacy of the famous blue and white tiled buildings. We soaked in the sun and the spray of the water under the bridge and along the harbourfront. Perhaps the most amazing visit today was a totally unexpected one as we managed to run into a group from Markham which included two PCA Grandparent Eagles from Markham! Eagles nation is going global! 

For lunch, we went into small groups along the waterfront, with many team members deciding to go to yet another market, this one filled with Poke bowls, pasta dishes, sweets and treats, and typical Portuguese dishes such as the Francesinhas sandwich. While deciding was hard, it seemed like any choice was a good one. While out and about, we stopped for debrief to plan for upcoming sharing and reviewed James 5. We reflected on the instruction given to "be patient and stand firm" (vs. 8 ), even in suffering or times of hardship. Back at our hotel later, we spent some time in John 15 talking about what it means to abide in Christ and how we may bear good fruit upon our return to Canada. We know that it will come in different forms, some more obvious or quicker than others, but we believe that we are all capable of being God's fruit bearers. 

Our final dinner together was an unexpected treat as we went to a Portuguese churrasqueira which specializes in meat in many forms. Plates were filled with ribs, chicken, steak, veal, sausage, pork chops, fish, and more! We enjoyed good conversation and reflection on special moments from our time together. Many talks continued further into the night as team members process the whole experience and continue to build community with each other. Please pray for our times of reflecting and processing, and that we may live out our desires to abide in Christ. Pray for good rest tonight for the long day ahead. Of course, please pray for safe, smooth travels from the hotel to the airport and from the airport to Toronto Pearson. We are so thankful for your prayers until now and we feel well supported and loved. 

Abiding, 

Team Spain

Home!

Dear Supporters, 

After an early wake-up call and an adventurous journey (I’ll let you ask the team about it), we are now home with our loved ones. 

Thank you for coming long side us for the last 11 days and for praying for us throughout. We hope that these posts have given you a glimpse into our experience in Spain. 

Please lift up the team in prayer as they continue to process their experience while reintegrating back at school and home. May God cause the seeds planted in their hearts to grow. 

Muchos gracias, 

Team Spain