It's fun to learn new things in a different culture.  I was waiting for my kids to get out of school when a mom, who I've had coffee with a few times, of one of the boys in Brennan & Reegan's class handed me a packet.
I've now been introduced to Torrijas.  A traditional pastry eaten during the Lent season.  I couldn't wait to give it a try and do a little research.

Torrijas are similar to French Toast.  Bread, milk, egg, vanilla, cinnamon.  The only difference is they are deep fried in olive oil, which does give it a slightly different flavor and a bit more oily.  But they are good!  I plan to make them myself sometime!
 Do you like trying new foods?

Honestly, the questions in my last post were somewhat selfish.  Isn't that often how we as human beings think?  Or maybe it's just me!!
I often wonder what people, friends, family think of us living in Europe.  Are we crazy?  Are we on an exciting adventure in beautiful places?  Are we uhm.....crazy?  That first and last question are probably very true!  We are a bit crazy!
 
Thinking through and discussing these kinds of things is always interesting to me.  Peoples perspectives and ideas can be so vastly different based on so many different things.  Our education, experiences, places we've lived, people whom we know.

Sometimes I wonder how expats living in Europe are viewed.  Do you think it would be easy?  Western Europe has running water, toilets that flush, flashy fashion trends.  Doesn't sound so bad.

Honestly, it's not that hard to live here, comfort wise.  We have everything we need and more! I even have better internet than my parents!

I try to think back to before we moved to Europe and how I viewed it.  One of my lifelong dreams was to ride a gondola in Venice, Italy.  Based on that dream alone, I think I romanticized it just a bit.
Of course, there is plenty to romanticize.  It's beautiful!
Did I enjoy that gondola ride in Venice?
 Oh how we look so young....with glasses.....and skinny!!  Circa 2000 with our spankin' new mammoth of a digital camera!

Have I seen my fair share of beautiful castles?

However, the castles, the cathedrals, the Alps, the gondola rides are just a scratch of the reality that makes up Europe.

When picturing Europe most probably think of Western Europe, but in our communications work with our organization we see and cover Portugal to Far East Russia, from Finland to Greece.

It is put so well by a fellow in Spain.
"Missionaries living and serving in the Western Mediterranean region of Europe have a much different life than they grew up reading about in traditional missi. They have no huts, no bush and no fear of the jungle or cannibalism; nor do they see tribes of people converting to Christ. Instead, they live in big cities with busy people caught up in materialism and the post-Christian culture of Europe."

I also really like this article and think it's a good definition of what some do in Europe called Horizontal Missions.  The article is describing this as it pertains to volunteers that come to work in Europe, but I think it is so true of those of us who live in Europe as well.
"With no physical needs to meet and with no apparent opportunities to assist habitants in daily life, the foci can be more on prayer and building relationships than performing specific tasks. Trip planning is less about a predetermined daily schedule and more about following the Spirit as He leads. A typical day on this mission trip might be spent prayerwalking a neighborhood or hanging out in a coffee shop, prayerfully seeking to connect with one or two locals.  
 Citizens of the United States have the ability to travel to remote locations of the world and help the helpless, and should, for the sake of the Gospel. Yet those who exist in cultures just as advanced as theirs should not be forgotten."

Yep, that about sums it up.  In Western Europe, we may have a lifestyle similar to that in the US, but the task before us is huge and long!

I guess this is a bit of a challenge to you.  Will you take the time to think past the things you know that make up the reality of Europe?

You may be asking what that is.

Human trafficking and prostitution, to name a big one!
I came across this blog post last year titled "The Sex Cafe." I would encourage you to read it. It gives insight into where the human trafficking begins. It's sickening, but it's reality.

Did you know that the city we lived in, Prague, Czech Republic is a main thoroughfare for human trafficking?  And even more pointedly, the district of Prague 3, where we lived, is home to much of the cities sex industry?  Among all that beauty, cobblestone streets, picturesque views is a very dark city.  A very lost country.

In another part of Europe, the country of France, one M speaks in this article about prostitution and how they are reaching out to these women.
"In France, legalized prostitution includes paying taxes, accruing vacation time and having access to social services such as health care. But despite the fact that a secular government has given legitimacy to this profession, its dependents are still robbed of their hope and dignity.
Most women on the streets are either victims of circumstance or something far more sinister. Sex trafficking is a thriving industry in France.  Many prostitutes have been brought from other countries, had their passports taken, experience physical, sexual, emotional, financial abuse, and are often forced into dependent substance use.  Threats and intimidation are an every day reality for these women. "

There are so many more, but this post is already getting long, so I'll spare you.  But just to give you a little peek.......persecution of Roma (Gypsies/Roma are the largest minority in Europe), war torn Balkans, alcoholism in Russia.  This is just a tiny bit of the realities we are faced with all over Europe.  Maybe I'll share more about these at a later time.

Did you know some of these things existed?  Are you surprised?  So what are your thoughts of on the  work in Europe??

Will you join with us and pray for the people groups that make up Europe?

I would be ever so grateful!!  And would love to hear from you again!  Thanks for all your comments on the last post!

I'm curious......a little interactive post here.

Three questions for you.

What are some of the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of Europe?

Do you think of it as a whole, as the European Union?

Or do you think of it individually?  France, Italy, Germany??

I hope to hear from some of you!  I know there are a lot of lurkers out there!!  Speak up!  I'd love to hear from you!!

I'll be back to tell you a little more of where I'm going with this.

Be thinking and comment away!!

My friend and colleague, Mara, hosted a Scrap n Chat event in our city of Alcobendas this week.  I wish I could say that I was crafty.  I am not.  But I went more for the chattin'!  Ha!
I obviously didn't read the information (in my defense, it is in Spanish!) because my idea was that we would be sitting working on photo books.  That's not what this was at all.

This is my neighbor, Chus (pronounced Choos.....it's an "s" sound on the end and not a "z" sound like in English).  We periodically meet for coffee (and sometimes Churros) and I really enjoy spending time with her!
She is one of my "go to" friends when I have questions.  Her family introduced us to membrillo and her highschool daughter is great with my kids.  They love them some Anna time!
She speaks much more English than I do Spanish,  but we definitely have the Spanglish thing going for us and often are looking up words!  Ha!

Chus is from Valencia (did you know in Spain it is pronounced Va-len-thia?).  Just like yesterday, she told me about Las Fallas (pronounced "fayas" in English), a fiesta in Valencia.  It sounds quite interesting!  Beautiful paper status are created all over the city and then on March 19 at 12 am they are stuffed with fireworks and lit on fire.  Spain sure has the most interesting and intriguing fiestas!  I love the creativity in this country!

Chus has invited us to go for a Saturday trip to a nearby city, Sigüenza.  We hope to plan it for two weekends from now.  I'm so excited to spend some time with them and see a new Spanish town!

If you think of it, will you pray for them?  Her husband, Alberto is an engineer and lost his job due to the economic crisis in Spain.  He is waiting on a phone call at the end of this month to see if he has been accepted for a new position with a Chinese company here in Madrid.

If you've ever taken a look at my "Path to Parenthood" tab at the top of my blog, then you know a little about our story and the incredible ministry that I am a part of, Hannah's Prayer (HP).

I found the online forums just over 6 years ago.  For the last 4 years I have been involved in leadership at HP.  First as a moderator and then the last 3 years as co-director for the Board of Directors.

A highlight of HP.....the retreats!  Since 2005, we've hosted 3 retreats.  This year in June will be our 4th!

Do you or someone you know struggle from infertility or loss?
Take a look at our events page for all the details!!

And guess who is going to be our speaker??

Holley Gerth!!!  Co-founder of (in)courage and writer for Dayspring.

We are SO excited to have her as our speaker!!

Consider joining us!!  And be sure to tell your friends!

Hello swimming pool.  We miss you!  We'll see you in about 4 months!  Oh how I wish it was sooner!



Thanks for joining me on a tour of our neighborhood!