Things I've learned in Espana

When I awoke this morning- er... afternoon- I was met with the sound of what seemed like our washing machine bouncing around the laundry room. My eyes shot open realizing my laundry was the last one still in the machine. "Oh no." I muttered quickly making my bed and preparing to go face the worst.
As I was gathering up my toothbrush retainer case and the rest of my morning retinue I realized that accompanying the loud banging of our washing machine was singing... children singing.
It soon struck me that it wasn't the washing machine but drums- It was a parade!!
It struck me then that I've learned a thing or two about living in Spain these past two months, so to help any other struggling new comers to Mijas Pueblo, Espana I've decided to compile a list of things I've learned in Spain- especially Mijas.

-The 6:30 bus can become the 7:00 bus if the driver is hungry enough. Yes, that's right he will go grab something to eat before he comes back to drive you to your destination.
-Learn your Japanese. The only way to really put a dent in the mass of tourist storming your street when all you want to do is get home is to speak their language. At least the standard, "gomen" and "sumimasen" (Not sure if I spelled the second one right in english characters) will usually shock them into getting out of your way.
-Always think about how you want to be immortalized when you leave the house, you can and will end up in some ones travel blog, post card or holiday snap shot slide show, think about how you want to look for the generations that see great grandma's holiday photos to Spain.
-Make sure your camera is CHARGED and at the ready. Impromptu parades happen a lot. Well, at least they seem that way when you don't speak the language.
-Party's happen all the time, always be prepared to be invited- even if your not cool.
-The rain in Spain falls mainly on Mijas- So be prepared for it! Boots, Raincoat, Umbrella, Shower Cap, Change of Clothes, Hair Dryer and fresh socks and shoes should always be ready to be carried where ever your final destination is.

Well that's my survival guide to Espana, at least for right now. Hope it helped you brave tourist- or at least illicit a chuckle from your Hawaiian shirt clad lips.

Vision Article

Being a Princess

Before I left home I had the opportunity to apply for the position of princess in the castle in Medieval Times Atlanta.

I really did want that position but I wasn't to sure about it then. I'd have to leave my job at Publix, and I really didn't know how much Medieval Times paid, or if I would even be able to act for the Princess job.

But something in me has changed I think. I really do want that job.

God is showing me more and more that I am his princess! That I shouldn't settle for anything else and that I'm his precious daughter, married to his son.

The princess in Medieval Times is married to the Prince, she may or not have been a princess by birth.

For me I think I'd want to play that part like a real princess, one born and groomed to be in the thrown. I'd want to be dignified, mysterious and gracious.

I'd want to know that I know that if anything would challenge my honor not only my husband would be fighting for me, but our loyal knights and if all of them fell so would the king.

I think I'm understanding more and more what it is to be a princess, and the more I understand the more I want that job.

Please keep me in your prayers about this as a Job when I get back to the states.

Being a Grown Up

I seriously think I passed my self today while running errands, and I'm not sure I really liked the conversation I had in passing.

I knew when I went to sleep at 3:30 am this morning I was going to regret it. "You'll be running on fumes." I said to myself as I laid down to go to sleep. But I hadn't been tired until 3:30.

At 9am when my alarm went off, I was seriously regretting that move. I laid their until 10:30 and finally got up for the meeting planned for 12:30. I felt so lousy, man I shouldn't have slept in that late. It made me cringe, 10:30? Sleeping in? Boy that was early when I was at home.

After attending to my laundry, making my bed, having a bit of breakfast and cleaning up after myself in the kitchen I headed out for my meeting.

After the meeting I had a short list of errands, and was sure that I was on my way to having a lazy afternoon.

That was not the case.

For a list of Glue Sticks, and Colored Paper it took me four hours and two cities.

I passed the same pub owner painting the same sign three times. It was probably just passed his pub that I passed my self.

"Hannah." I said to myself. Of course I was shocked to see my self. "This is what it means to grow up doesn't?"

"What does?" I said, as I turned my head to watch my self go by.

"Being in a rush and keeping up with responsibilities." I laughed as I went back and forth.

Of course I really didn't pass my self, but I did have an epiphany.

I MISS BEING AN IRRESPONSIBLE KID!!

Ill Fitting Shoes

I've been here at the Leadership Academy for just over two months now. I'm learning so much, feeling so much and truly becoming equipped and activated.

Recently we were given an assignment called the vision project. In short the project was to take our vision (What we feel God has called us to) put it into two formats, the first an article between 5- 10 pages long with pictures and type settings. The second is a multimedia presentation.

When I began my research for my vision project (of which I will post here soon, don't worry) I was so overwhelmed. The statistics, the facts and the faces of victims of suicide and depression seemed to drown me and I couldn't wade through it. I became physically sick, nauseous to the point of having to stop and intentionally concentrate my entire being on something else.

When I finally got all of my facts done I sat down to write the article it felt like I'd taken on to much.

How can one person, one team, one idea save an entire culture?

In my heart I know that one person (Christ) can, one team (the body of christ) can, one idea (hope) can change a nation, a culture and anything that ever stands in the way of God. But in my head it seems so daunting.

I remember a conversation with God from before I left home. When everything seemed to be upside down in my life and It was almost like I couldn't take any more.

"God! How much more do I have to take to whole!? Are you trying to really kill me? How much do I have die!?" I cried out to him while cleaning a mirror in the downstairs bathroom, amazing how he chooses the funniest of times to talk to you.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." He replied to me, always so calm. If he was a physical person he'd stress me out with how calm he is.

"How strong do you want to make me?" Of course my language was stronger, angrier but God can take it, he can calm me down, he's calm when I'm not.

"I promised you a nation didn't I?" He finished the conversation with a question. He knew he had promised me a nation, he promised me in his word that the nations would be given to his children. He promised me through his prophets and his promised me in the still whisperings of my heart.

He answered me with a question because the only answer I could give with out lying was "Yes and Amen."

Through the vision project, through the promises and reminders of God I realize I'm taking on a big task, but I'm taking on a blessed one.

Right now it feels like I'm running a marathon in ill fitting shoes, but I'll grow into them.

Support, Plain and Simple

Here it is folks, I need $450 to for this month here in Spain.

When you really think about it it's not a lot. But I can't do it alone.

If 45 people were to give $10 each that'd cover it! If 5 people gave $100 each I'd be covered into next month.

Just to clear the air, I'm not looking for a free handout. I'm looking for supporters, people who believe in me and what I'm doing.

While in Spain I'm being equipped to go out and create social reform for Japan! This equipping is not just for the future but for now as well. Every Thursday night we drive down to the city below us and run a coffee shop for the homeless.

Last Thursday we heard one man recant his tale of going from being a millionaire to living on the streets with out even one euro to his name all because he was in search of something he never had.

I hope that we can teach him that what- no who he's been searching for (Jesus) was with him all along.

But if G42 can't operate then that ministry goes with out the help it needs to run that coffee shop and then who will share the gospel with this man?

This is just one instance of good that g42 does in this community, but if interns like me can't stay here in Spain then none of that is possible.

Please, just a few dollars can make a big difference.

If you want to donate click the link at the bottom of the page and select intern support.

http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate

I think I'm falling in Love

Every day on my way to class I pass this house. This gorgeous Spanish house with all the charm and grace of a duchess and all the mystique and magic of C.S. Lewis's Narnian wardrobe.

The front door's window is knocked out, all the windows are cloudy. The garden is over run and from what I hear the second bathroom is on the roof, has no ceiling and no way to drain water off the floor when it rains.

It cost 550,000 Euros. That's roughly 825,000 US dollars. That's right Eight hundred, twenty five, THOUSAND dollars.

I want this house.

Support and Other Matters

The day has come, February 3rd and the full amount of my support was due yesterday.

God has worked a great miracle in my financial situation in that I have half of this month payed for but I still like five hundred dollars.

Please feel free to give into my account, God will bless any and all seed sown into this ground.

Thank you guys,

Hannah