Blast from the Past

¡Bon día!

Well it hasn't even been a week and I already feel like I have done so much. Having explored the town and city, gone to three small groups, two church services, and a Calçotada within the past few days, I have already had some great experiences! 

First, I know that I have already talked about Vilassar de Mar (the town I am living in), BUT I finally went around and took some pictures so people would actually know what it looks like. 

One of the Main streets in Vilassar

Houses facing the Mediterranean Ocean

The Beach! (Where much of my running will take place)

Like I said before, it is a cool little town with a lot of culture and Catalonian pride. On Saturday, I went to my old stomping grounds in the old part of Barcelona and got to reminisce on when I studied there. I had a great time and walked to many familiar places. One place that I never had the chance to go to was Palau Güell, which was just down the street from our dorms. In 2011, when I studied abroad in Barcelona, it was closed the entire time due to renovations. I saw it was open this time and decided to stop and see it! It is pretty amazing and is one of Antoní Gaudí's first works in Barcelona!

Palau Güell Main Entrance

Main Staircase

One of the living spaces

Gaudí's Infamous Chimney's 

Back terrace window detail

Main living space that could double as a religious space

The dome over the main living space

I also went to the old bull ring in Barcelona that was converted to a shopping mall in 2011 and opened basically the same week that we left for the U.S. Bullfighting is illegal in Barcelona (and the state it is in) so they found a new use for the space. Pretty sweet!

Exterior of Arenas Mall

Interior Structure

Rooftop Terrace!

Saturday was a fun day of exploring, riding the metro/train, and thinking about the time I spent here two years ago. However, I know it is not the point of my trip this time. It is great to see all the sites and cool things, but this time I am here for a lot more. I had a great week of meeting new people and starting new relationships within the Christian community. Today was the first day that I got to see the entire church meet and it was truly moving. Our God really is a God of ALL nations. I know we say that all the time, but do we ever really think about it? Worship can happen in any language and change can within someone's heart and soul can happen in any country. It all depends on Jesus moving within. I am excited and expectant for what God will do during my stay in Vilassar. Not only through me in what I say and do, but also in me, that I will learn something from His people here.

The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. 
Psalm 9:7-11

Until next time...

Un abrazo,

Seth

Micah 6:8

Back with a New Purpose

Over two years have passed since I was studying architecture in the amazing city of Barcelona, and I as I returned on Tuesday afternoon, the scene was just as great as I remember it. After an exhausting trek, in which I have now been awake for over 30 hours, I have finally made it to my home for the next couple of months: Vilassar de Mar. An immediate difference I noticed as we pulled in, was the laid back nature of this small town as compared to the crazy hustle and bustle of being in the center of Barcelona. Families strolling, children playing in empty streets, and the sun beaming over the top of the apartment buildings (pictures to come). I think to myself: I am going to like it here. I got a walking tour of the town and our church from my hosts, Krista and Edu, who have already been so welcoming and hospitable, and even had hot chocolate at a cafeteria which blows our version out of the water. Think a very thin warm chocolate syrup. :)

After a successful but tiring day one, I am encouraged by a couple of things. Last time I was here, school was the main focus. This time, investing time in the locals and their community and introducing them to Jesus is the main purpose. I couldn't be more pumped about it.

This verse has been one that God is really stressing on me lately:

"Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears with hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
Isaiah 30:20-12

Until next time...

Un abrazo,
Seth
Micah 6:8

Days 93-96: The Luck of the Irish

So I had originally wanted to do one blog on Ireland, Germany, and Rome...but then I realized that I had way to many pictures for that to happen. haha

Ireland was all I expected it to be and more. It really is as green as people say! Plus, it didn't rain the whole time we were there. :) We went to Dublin, Cork, and Blarney. All were really amazing, but I would have to say Blarney was probably my favorite because of how pretty it was! Although, the best experience was going to an Irish pub in Dublin. There was a live band and people were actually jumping around and doing irish jigs. haha Anyway, here is what I saw!....

St. Patrick's Green (park) in Dublin

There were flowers everywhere!

More...

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Christ Church in Dublin

Interior of main nave..the left wall was leaning outward!

Sculpture on the streets of Dublin

Cool graffiti at the design school

Guinness Factory!

View from the top of the factory

Fleet Street! Ok, I know it is not the original, but close enough...

Spire of Dublin

The river, with yet another Calatrava bridge in the distance

Calatrava's Bridge (Samuel Beckett Bridge)

A cool old ship

It actually is a draw bridge that swivels instead of raises...pretty awesome.

Convention center

More of the bridge...

 The next day, we took a train ride from Dublin to Cork, and then took a bus to Blarney. It was a lot of traveling but definitely worth it! According to Legend, I am now full of eloquence because I kissed the Blarney stone. haha

Blarney!

So pretty!

A cave underneath the Castle

Blarney Castle!

Pretty cool bench.

Walking through the castle...

An etching from the early 1800s, no big deal. haha

Main living area

Getting closer!

View from the top!

More views

Looking down on the main living area

Me kissing the Blarney stone

I just thought this sign was funny 

It isn't joking...haha

The garden had all different types of poisonous plants, pretty crazy.

Huge tree that we climbed on.

More awesome scenery

Blarney House

Fern Forest

Another...

Flowers in St. Patrick's Green in Dublin

All in all, I think that we all wanted to spend more time in Ireland, but we had to get going on the next leg of our travel week. Next stop was Berlin, Germany!

Until next time...

Un abrazo,

Seth

Micah 6:8