Buen Camino

Day 2
18 miles. 
8 hours. 
7000 feet upward.
20 pounds on my back.

....And there I stand at mile 17. Almost to the top and done for the day. So close, but yet so far as the saying goes. I look ahead and all I see is the trail as it climbs upward on the mountain into the clouds. Rain is pouring down from the sky and I can barely move my legs. My quads are cramping and my feet are soaked. Steam rises from my jacket because of the cold rain as it hits the heat of my jacket. I wipe my bow on my jacket and traces of salt are left on my sleeve from my sweat.  We stop to take a break on the trail that has turned into a stream because of the downpour and I think to myself, "I can't finish. There is no way."

Now, how many times in our life are we left thinking something similar to that in all sort of situations? We go through difficult or impossible times, get to our breaking point, and think, "That's it, I might as well give up." Well, the honest truth is...YOU'RE RIGHT. There is no way you can do it...BY YOURSELF. That is definitely something I was reminded of while standing on that trail with rain hitting my face, my body aching, and my mind mentally exhausted. I need God. Not want, but need. Yeah sure, there are times where I 'want' God. But I ALWAYS have a need for Him and His love that was ultimately shown through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Never has this set of verses (that we hear all the time) been truer. Read it and take it to heart and apply it to your life circumstances. He will sustain you? How cool is that?

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the fain, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint."Isaiah 40:28-31

So, obviously I finished that day, but I didn't do it without a little (or a lot of) help from above.

Anyway, for those that are lost, last week I had the opportunity to go on a backpacking trip through northern Spain. We hiked for four days through the spanish wilderness on the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James). This "Camino" is a very famous pilgrimage route in Europe ending at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, which houses the remains of the Apostle Saint James. We did a 100 kilometer section of the Camino from Ponferrada to Sarria. There are all types of people that go on this trek for various reasons, but we went to be able to enjoy God's creation while also sharing the Gospel with people who may be searching for something. First, some pictures, since I know I have already written a ton! haha

First day leaving Ponferrada

Walking through the Vineyards

Crossing a random river

Street in Villafranca

Street in Villafranca starting the Second day

Villafranca view from our first few kilometers on the second day

Hiking on top of the mountains!

A small town we hike through

Starting the trek up!

The 'path' as described in the story above

Me after surviving the story described above. Most probably a fake smile haha

But the view from the top made it worth it :)

The landscape was so beautiful!

Like I said, amazing...

Reminds me of Texas....sort of ha

The path was really different at a lot of points

That was the scenery from the Camino. So beautiful! But one of the main reasons we were on the trip was to talk to people and share our faith with them. I had a lot of good conversations, especially with one guy named Chris from Switzerland. He had just given up his well-paying job, car, and a lot of other forms of technology to go on the Camino. We spent an hour talking about our lives, the importance of God and Jesus in mine, and why I was on the Camino in the first place. While we didn't necessarily agree on things, I was encouraged because he is going to come visit us in Barcelona to continue our conversation on what exactly this whole Jesus thing is about!

We finished the trip by visiting the coast and driving to the Cathedral where the people who complete the entire Camino would finish!

Torre de Hercules in A Coruña

Spanish Coast at A Coruña (Bay of Biscay)

Torre de Hercules

View from the deck of A Coruña Aquarium

Reppin' A&M in Spain GIG 'EM

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

High altar during mass

Remains of St. James

Panorama of a beach at Valdoviño

Bay of Biscay at Valdoviño

Coast outside Ferrol

Castle near Ferrol

Bay of Biscay at Valdoviño

Part of the beginning of the bay at Ferrol

Anyway, that was the majority of the last two weeks and the main reason I haven't blogged in awhile! We returned on Monday and I have been resting and working on the translating materials that the church has had me working on. It has been good to wind down after seeing so much stuff in such a short amount of time! 

Also, today I had to give my testimony in front of the entire church in Spanish! I was fairly nervous, but I think it went pretty well. God definitely was guiding my words or it would have been interesting to watch. I think that is it from the past couple of weeks, and hopefully I will have more adventures to share in the coming weeks! I leave you with a verse that is on the projector every Sunday at church:

"Lámpara es a mis pies tu palabra y lumbrera a mi camino." Salmos 119:105

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalms 119:105

Until next time...

Un abrazo,

Seth

Micah 6:8

Vale la Pena!

¡Buenos dias!

After my first full week in Vilassar I think I am finally starting to get the hang of things (i.e. making my way around, speaking in Spanish all the time, etc.)!

During the past few days it was great to start working on projects that I will be doing during my time here! The small groups at the church are going through the genealogy of Christ, starting with Adam and Eve. I will be assisting by translating narrated versions of the stories of each person from English to Spanish. It has been really great to dive into stories that I have heard who knows how many times since I was a kid and see all the details I may have missed or see how it applies to my everyday life now. I also started work on the church's website translating it from Catalan and Spanish to English. This is also helping me to build a vocabulary to where I can actually talk to people about Christ in Spanish. I haven't ever really had the opportunity to share my faith in a different language and that has been one of my main prayers while I have been here: that God would give me the words in Spanish to communicate his love for His people.

I have a couple of other projects that I haven't started yet, but I am excited for the opportunities I will have when I begin them. I guess you will have to stick around and read my future blogs to see what they are... ;) TEASER. haha

This week I also had the opportunity to play tennis with one of the elder men at the church. For those of you who know me real well, you know how great this was for me. Playing tennis, in Spain, on a clay court, with a Spaniard. YES PLEASE. Needless to say, he ran me all over the court! I meant to take pictures, but was so tired after that I forgot. Let's just say that this was basically me:

"Me" playing tennis in Spain ;)

Don't worry, we are playing again soon and I will take some then. But in all seriousness, not only was it fun to just play some tennis and get some exercise, it was also another great way to start building relationships with people in the church besides small groups and service on Sunday!

On Saturday, a bunch of the young people from the church decided to go to a restaurant outside the city  in Montseny to eat Calçots (Pronouced Calsot). I realized in my last blog I mentioned this (a Calçotada) but didn't actually describe what it was. Basically what people do is roast onions (different than ours) on a grill, peel them, dip them in a sauce, and eat them. This was going to be my second one this week. Now I am not a huge fan of onions, probably the opposite in fact. But I decided I have to take the advice of my blog title, "When in Spain..."! (Do as the Spaniards do, if you didn't know the end). So I went and I ended up having a great time! I had a couple of Calçots and they weren't bad. The salsa is actually the best part and it is good to eat with the other stuff they serve like all types of meat and bread! On top of that, it didn't hurt that this was the scenery:

Mountains around Montseny

Some of the Town

Calçots pictured in the middle!

My friend Vladí demonstrating how to eat a Calçot

It was a really cool experience, not only because of the food and the scenery, but also because I was able to get to know other college-aged people at the church a lot better. There are people from all over, not just Spain, so it is great to hear their stories.

This next week, or two weeks actually, I have the opportunity to backpack in the Spanish wilderness! A few people from the church are going to backpack the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James), which is a very famous pilgrimage route that goes all throughout Europe and ends in Spain at a cathedral that houses the remains of the Apostle James. For our group it is just a great time to escape the business of everyday life and just be with God in creation. It is also a great way to share Jesus with people who may be searching for clarity in their lives. Either way I am excited for the trip and hope God shows me a lot during it!

This also means I will be taking a break from a lot of social media! So that means there probably won't be another blog for awhile, womp womp. But it should be a good time to relax, be with God and others, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. :)

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring the good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."
Isaiah 61:1-3

Until next time...

Un abrazo,

Seth

Micah 6:8

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