The Same, Yet Different

Yesterday was another packed day.  Surprisingly my laundry is under control and we have only succumbed to a restaurant for one meal.  (we are not eating with the campaign team as it gets really expensive to pay to eat at a restaurant every meal (theirs was included with their hotel and fees) and we live right here in town.  But, on Wednesday night we did enjoy tapas for dinner at my favorite little bar on the plaza. (I wonder why I have no pictures of there.  Hmm, perhaps we need another visit).  For 2.50€ we can have a large bottle of soda and a large tapa.  And they have homemade french fries.

In the morning I cooked with Maria (my friend who is learning English) and our neighbor's daughter (Laura who is 8).  We had a blast and yes, we made something with chocolate.  Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins.  They were definitely a hit and we had lots of English practice!  Now I am looking to buy each of them a set of standardized measuring cups and spoons.  Wonder where I can find them in Spain?


Then off to a reception with the mayor and his assistant.  One of the major differences in Spain and America is that there is no separation of church and state here.  The Catholic Church and the Country are nearly one.  The mayor welcomed the team to Illescas, shared his gratitude and included in his speech "we are more alike than different and we know that God will help Illescas and its people be better."  (Or at least I think that is what he said).  He is right, we are more alike than different - but where there are differences they are big.  But I am always surprised when I hear government talking of the part that religion plays in government here.

After a quick lunch and siesta we returned to help host a Blood

Drive.  The purpose of the blood drive was of course to support the need for blood donations, but even more so - to separate ourselves from the Jehovah Witnesses.  There is a large Jehovah Witness population in Spain.  There are more than 1500 churches, had the 6th greatest number of believers participate in their "Mission Gathering"(a commemoration of the death of Christ) and the 5th largest percentage of believers from all of Europe.  They are known by Spaniards and many run from anything that resembles them.  They do a lot of street corner evangelism and door to door visits.  They do not, however, give or receive blood.  So, in an effort for the people of the town to realize we are not them, we sponsored a blood drive.  Wearing our blue shirts we gave out hundreds of invitations to a blood drive.  We even had a few who asked "but I didn't think you gave blood?"  We then helped at the blood drive by chatting, serving drinks and snacks, and just creating an atmosphere of relationship.

What's up for today?  I am out of commission for today.  Have to take a team member to get stitches removed (had an accident last week) and then tonight Alex comes home from summer camp.  He has been gone for a week and I am definitely ready to see him.  But as for the others, a morning of training for the Bible Festival next week, a fast at dinner, a prayer time, and more time inviting people to the coming activities.

No idea what they are doing - but looks like a fun camp game.