We arrived in sunny Spain at the port of Tarifa after a windy and breathtaking ride on a ferry.
Like clockwork we gathered our belongings on our backs, went through customs and met our hosts. Our home was to be a basement transformed into a storeroom containing boxes and boxes of 'ingils' (gospels).
Here we spent a week packing and handing out Gospels and other materials to North Africans crossing the border into Spain. We had the loveliest hosts - Spaniards and South Africans. Often times we enjoyed rusks, rooibos tea and on one occasion even biltong.
Joyfully we set out to do all of this. The organization we served is called Operation Transit (a small branch out of the bigger organization Operation Mobilization). Jannie and his team run this - and by team we mean Petra. A woman who we have learnt so much from and one who has inspired us in so many ways. Most of the time she solely hands out Gospels in the sun with so much dedication and diligence. Being there and being able to help her was such a privilege. Enrique is our other dear friend we made, he would always share his lunch with us, no matter how little he had. His heart was big.
At Petra's church we sang for them in Afrikaans and Xhosa. They received us with such warmth and love that we felt immediately at home, even though the worship was in Spanish.
These Spaniards have left deep footprints in our hearts.
Onwards we went in the direction of Madrid. There we came in brief contact with a ministry, On the Red Box. This involves standing on a red box, sharing the gospel in the busy central plaza of Madrid and handing out 'postcards' to by passers.
It was already dark when we arrived in Arranjuez, a small town an hours train ride outside of Madrid. We had to walk to our hosts house. This was no short route (especially not with all our gear) but compared to what we went through in Morocco to walk up to our camping spot this was relatively easy.
Upon out arrival we were welcomed into a house containing ten kids, with the 11th on the way. They had prepared dinner for us and we ate with thankfulness, marveling at the situation we found ourselves in. It's like we had stepped into a house where God could freely pour out His presence. Those children had given up their rooms (and who knows what other comforts) so that we could sleep comfortably on beds.
The next morning to our Luke 10 journeys started. We were all prepared for this, as Marié shared this with us the day before.
Within three days we were once again reunited. All of us safe and sound with many stories of God's goodness to tell. We eagerly shared them over a tasty dinner and at midnight sang for Lelani whose birthday it was.
Our last night in Spain was spent like this, and we would not have it any other way.
All the time God is good, and God is good, all the time.