Totally Not Normal: Blessings Edition
My last post was kind of a downer. My grandma and others have been asking about what the pandemic experience has been here in Spain, and yesterday's post summed it up: a 100 day state of alarm, 45 days inside our apartment, constant bad news following by much better news, and the gradual, confusing move into what the government is calling "la nueva normalidad," which is not normal at all.
That said, God has been at work in the midst of these strange circumstances. In our small church, at least 5 people contracted the virus and spent time in the hospital. It was scary for a few weeks and as a church we prayed and helped them as much as possible. Through the difficulty, two husbands have spent more time studying the Word because they were scared for their wives and because they had extra time due to not working. Unemployment has been a challenge for many as well, and we've been able to provide for some needs and see God provide employment as well. Our Spanish pastor Miguel Ángel has done an excellent job shepherding us through the changes, and the preaching since we've been able to meet in our building again has been such a blessing! We also know that many more people than previously are listening to MA's sermons online. I personally hated online church, but many people who would otherwise not attend have heard some great messages.
After my coworker Cami went to the states for furlough (another blessing! People with residency have been able to travel between the states and Spain without major issues), I started leading her Tuesday evening Bible study. We have done a verse by verse study of Colossians. I tend to use the references a lot, so it's been fun to see the ladies flipping around among the books of the Bible to see how it supports itself.
Some neat things from the strictest part of the lockdown in early Spring:
being less busy, having more time to rest
reading aloud as a family
the children cooking with me in the kitchen
Austin trying more food because he was more involved
celebrating Easter, Passover and birthdays with special, fancy food
keeping the house clean so we enjoyed it
small chances to do homeschool lessons in the midst of e-learning
family movie nights
Susanna learning fun new, creative skills
Once we were allowed outside, we went for walks and enjoyed the improving weather. Our favorite park remained closed for a few weeks, so when it finally opened, all the roses were already in bloom. We went every day and even had a picnic with friends when we were allowed to gather in small groups again.
The kids learned to roller blade and mountain bike this spring. Now it's too hot but it was fun while it lasted!
In the "free time" - which is really the time I've taken for myself while the kids watch TV - I've done a lot of writing for Takingroute.net, where I contribute, and was featured in an Instagram post that had a lot of success. Click A is for Airport to read my Expat Alphabet. I don't include these to boast. Although I am proud, writing for Taking Route has been healing and productive during a time I've felt depressed and guilty about my lack of contribution to our ministry.
I also hosted quite a few online Trades of Hope parties. We've raised money for Be the Bridge, given solar lamps to families in Africa and funded ultrasounds at a birth center serving moms in Madagascar. Yesterday was World Day Against Trafficking of Humans, and I am so proud that work I do through Trades of Hope fights the poverty that makes people so vulnerable to trafficking around the world. If you'd like to host a party to support the fight against poverty and human trafficking, empower women to keep and care for their babies and win some free jewelry, let me know! When ministries pick back up I'll have less time, but I still hope to do at least one party a month.
The biggest blessings of all have come from the sweet shepherding of my Savior, as He reminds me that I am not the sum of what I accomplish, teaches and admonishes me to bear the fruit of repentance among the people who most need to forgive me (the ones who live with me!), and continues to grow my heart for seeing His Word preached among Spanish people. Chris and I have both found ways to work on our Spanish, and now that we're out and about a bit more, we can tell that we've improved. God is so faithful. He is there in the disappointments and the frustrations, and I know more deeply than before the pandemic that I can trust Him.