I think for the sake of all of us I will write about Spain - perhaps I will aim for 1 update every 2 days for this week so that you can hear all about what we have been up to...
So we travelled to Madrid, Spain to be a part of a culture of honor conference there. Danny Silk, one of the awesome senior leaders at Bethel was speaking at the conference (he has written a book called "a culture of honor" which I highly recommend).
I was asked to lead the student team when Danny and one of his staff (Jason), wasn't around. It's a huge honor. It didn't really entail a great deal, just managing the teams travel and keeping everyone informed and unified.
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| Team Spain with some of our spanish friends - Jason far right |
When the team arrived, Danny and Jason had already been there a few days running some training for church leaders. We settled in and then had a meal before being introduced to a couple of fantastic young men from the church.
These 2 young guys then took us on a quick tour of Madrid. We prayed at the city gates - some of the team had felt like God had showed them that this was significant (Lou being one of them). The temperature was cold and the windchill didn't help. When it started to rain we (I), really started to feel uncomfortable. We huddled up against giant cathedrals, hid behind tiny little umbrellas and made our way to a hot chocolate store.
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| the chocolate was literally melted chocolate - can't say i've ever had a "hot chocolate" like it |
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| We frequently used the buildings as protection from the wind and the rain - I was so impressed by the positive approach the whole team had to sometimes uncomfortable situations. |
The conference was brilliant. The audience was primarily one local church and then some leaders from around the country that wanted to hear Danny and get a hold of his message. For me one of the most exciting parts of the trip was seeing nearly an entire congregation together hearing the messages and "getting it" - I could see the "light-bulbs" turning on for people - one here, then another there then a few over there etc. I guess I enjoyed this so much because I have been to so many conferences and heard fantastic messages and then gone back home and tried to help people see and understand what i had just experienced and what I was now talking about - often after a few weeks it would be hard to tell if I had really taken anything on board because nothing in me (let alone those around me), was really changing.
Seeing a whole church go through this together was so exciting for me - they would all know what the messages were, they were all touched and challenged and the congregation as a whole was choosing to move forward with what they were hearing - forget critical mass (as a smallish percentage) - this was a whole congregation moving together.
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| The city was transformed by the setting sun as the clouds continuously changed colors |
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| We really enjoyed the food in Spain - we weren't having a romantic dinner for 2... the others just chose to get out of this picture. |
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| This is just ridiculous. after being here in the USA I don't think that this even qualifies to be called a car, it honestly could fit inside some of the cars I have driven over here |
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| Actually the small car above would have easily fit inside this one. Driving in Spain was different... enjoyable in the end...lol |
Madrid is a special and enchanting place. The people are brilliant, lots of fun, friendly and really hospitable. We saw many people healed during our time there - one young guy I prayed for had a really bad back. After a few seconds of praying I asked him how he felt and he said that it was feeling really good. The next day I saw him carrying really heavy sound equipment...I guess it was all better!
Another guy had problems with his knees for the last 6 years - "had" is the key word! He was totally healed. There was a couple there who have been in ministry for some 30+ years. They were tired, and felt a little beaten up. I got to spend some time praying for them and prophesying to them. God showed me the things that they had once had high hopes for, and the promises that He had given them. As I shared these with them they were reduced to tears. God was pouring out His love on them and affirming them. I caught up with them a number of times throughout the conference and they left totally recharged, refreshed, and with hope - the dreams they had let go of were now firmly back in their sights.
The "Culture of honor" teaching is so significant on so many levels. It brings freedom like nothing else I know (feel free to correct me and tell me that it is the Holy Spirit that brings freedom - I simply mean that He really seems to enjoy using this material). It doesn't stop at freedom however, one of the key points of the teaching is the price or responsibilities that come with freedom....to some that sounds like an oxymoron - freedom and responsibilities...YEP!
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| The city square - it was inspiring - what had transpired inside of that square throughout time?? |
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| One of the Castles in Madrid, it's easy to get lost in the beauty of the city and these magnificent buildings. |
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| Segovia was our "tourist jaunt" on the final night - we walked around the city and were captivated by the Roman aqueduct. |
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I had some really amazing times with God in Madrid. I learnt things about myself, let go of some inhibitions, made some brilliant friendships and gained lots of perspective and clarity. One of my favorite aspects of the trip was some of the conversations I got to have as we drove around and visited different places. Those from the church that drove around with us and directed us etc have commented that their lives were changed - more and more I am seeing that sometimes the "best ministry" takes place just in the course of everyday life. A conversation as we drive brought clarity and hope to some, without anyone having a clue - as far as I was concerned we were being a little rude having our own conversation.
It's hard to really give a great overview of the trip because there was so much happening on so many different levels. Even as we drove home from Sacramento airport (a 2hr drive), I had a great chance to chat and minister to members of the team - actually that chat would be one of the highlights of this year so far.
We as always would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have - actually sometimes i think it would make life easier because I would have something specific to talk about....lol I will honestly attempt to get a blog about Latvia up within in the next 48hrs - though this one has taken me much longer than I could have imagined.
On a personal front Lou and I are making some really big decisions about next year. We would really value your prayers for us. Love always Shane n Lou.
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| This is point zero. All measurements pointing to Spain are measured to this point. It's a calibration point. |
 Okay so I lost the plot with this one! I grabbed Lou's umbrella twirled it like I was a professional dancer and frolicked around the light pole much to the amusement of the locals. |
