Espana

To my supporters, my friends,

(I will apologize now because I am a story teller by nature, just be glad I left the travel back and the one day romping around Malaga out for your sake!)

Spain. The trip was one of opportunity and blessing to those who are in troubled times. As we began our trip I asked that people would pray for some great adventure and opportunity. I was blessed but more by the things I was not able to accomplish then the ones I had. And as far as adventure…are we not always on a great adventure as God’s story unfolds before us?

Our trip started with a 27 hour flight from Phoenix to Malaga in which I was able to get to know my travel buddy and fellow team member a little better. My first trip off this continent was a series of 4 planes, multiple layovers and sleepless flights! I was blessed to be traveling with someone that is easy to get along with when I was not at my best and on the verge of crankiness. I will not lie when I say over the 35 hours I was awake I believe I drank four coffees but I kept the caffeine dose in small amounts. Phoenix to Minneapolis was our next plane except I had a minor issue with some luggage repacking. I just love unzipping my suitcase in the middle of the airport and realizing there are some items that should not be on top for the world to see (God had begun to prepare me for some work in humility). Let’s just say we had to make 3 bags become 2 because of the cost involved and also as on top of things as I am J I still had to check in though my travel buddy was prepared (at least technically speaking)!

Our first layover was in Minneapolis and preparing to be in flight for 9 hours we proceeded to wander about the airport wanting to move as long as possible. We decided since we had roughly 3 hours and a promise of a flight without food we would circle the airport to pick the best place. One thai burrito down we were anxious to get moving about again (and I was anxious to begin the digestion process!) Off we went to lap the long shopping mall like airport we were stuck in when my traveling buddy decided to point out the ice cream stand=joy! Nearly finished with our treat of Ben and Jerry’s an announcement boomed over the airport intercom. “Last call for Amsterdam.” “What? When was the first?” We bolted toward the gate and were rewarded by being allowed on the flight. Apparently international flights must be boarded an hour before take-off which they dutifully let us know as they proceeded to tell us we were the last two passengers and that if we had been 10 or 20 minutes later they would have removed our baggage. Steve and I soon decided being the two last people on the plane was a perfect plan because all we had to do was walk right on and sit down without any people delays in the way. This would be our plan for the rest of the trip.

The flight was long but I was able to catch up on some current movies and befriend the gentleman next to me. His family was from Jordan though they lived in Switzerland. I did not catch his name but did catch the tattoo across his forearm that stated in black scripted ink “Persianality,” in case you had any doubts of his heritage. The family was great and since neither him nor I could sleep we chatted amidst the videos while Steve was able to get a bit of sleep (while I left him alone which I chose to do since I wanted to be friends with him when we arrived in Spain and because we had a long trip to go.) That flight was about 9 hours long and we prepared for our arrival in Amsterdam.

A couple hours and one coffee from Starbucks later we watched as fellow passengers began to board the next plane which would take us to Madrid. It was now morning and I could not figure out when to drink or eat and I was unable to sleep. We patiently planned it so we were nearly the last two people on the flight this time. The flight to Madrid was shorter and I finally managed to take a cat nap of about 30 minutes which I was in dire need of at that point. This was our third plane and we began the decent into Madrid when I noticed that each and every time we would begin landing Steve would pull out what appeared to be the safety pamplette that sits in the pouch of the seat in front of you. Thinking that was a funny habit I asked him why it was he did that. He was preparing ahead at each airport we went to find the next gate! I could not have had a better person to travel with as it seemed I always had the paperwork and itinerary but was lacking in some practical preparation which he seemed to be on top of. Who says God does not have a perfect plan (or a sense of humor since I am certain Steve and I have completely opposite personalities)!

Madrid. We had landed and at that moment I realized there was some urgency in the situation via the expression and verbage from Steve. Unbeknownst to me we had roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes to completely uncheck ourselves from the airport and check back in. (Once again I give props and thankfulness for the travel companion God provided because I was not aware such a situation was possible when traveling…I really need to get out more) So, we took off at a jogging speed which of course I was slacking in via the computer backpack hopping about on my back, the unsteady flip-flops I was wearing and the lack of airflow creating a warm and stuffy environment. We bound out of the airport and traveled up and down searching for some sign of our airline. The lines were extremely long and Tap-Portugal was no where to be found. Finally as time lacked and I was feeling a little clamy I searched out any person I could grab (of course forgetting I was in Spain and I would have to make an attempt at working with a different language). Thankfully he pointed out the obvious (which was not obvious to me) but three lines down from the listed airline on our itinerary was listed Spainair as the operating airline for Tap-Portugal. Gasp! We managed to check in and make in through and rushed to the gate with 10 minutes to spare and praise the Lord we will make it to Malaga!

Shortly after a water bottle purchase and a shirt change (we had been traveling for many hours now) we waited patiently trying to cool down from the crazy rushing around and possible missed flight situation. Then, the intercom booms again but in Spanish. We don’t know what it said so we rush over only to find out that our departure is delayed due to technical difficulties. (sigh) And so we decided it was time for some food. Headed back the second time to our gate we wait again. A voice booms (and by now I mean booming slightly as I am near crankiness but not there and ready to lay flat as being forced to sit airplane style is not my favorite situation ever). We are delayed once more and told to return this time at 8. Off to coffee we go (hurray for travel buddies who drink coffee, the Lord just continues to bless me!) After I selfishly order 2 coffees (I ordered one but the man only spoke Spanish and so he put the two shots in two cups which I told him I was not sharing with Steve) Steve was forced to order his own though I had every intent of ordering him one as well. We headed a third time to our gate as two people signaled us to move faster if we were headed to Malaga. We were 2 minutes before the time they told us to board but somehow we were for the 2nd time nearing being left behind and the last two people on the plane.

On arriving in Malaga it was smooth sailing. All our luggage had made it through all the craziness (thankfully since my 2nd suitcase was filled with only gifts and talent show items which would have been useless for clothing needs)We spent the first night at my friend Theresa’s house who is a fellow EVBC missionary working in Spain. The next day after 8 hours sleep to catch up it was time to head to the camp. We arrived in a beautiful Spanish camp in the mountains near Malaga. The temperature was similar to that of California this time of year and the scenery resembled something of the white mountains of Arizona. We packed and tied our luggage to the top of a van and Ali (who is from England and driving completely on the opposite side of the road then she is used too) drove us there saftley with only one near death experience! That day we spent our time getting settled in and looking at the campus to put our plans in order for the VBS which would in fact start bright and early the next morning. It was this part of the day I had to re-vamp my entire plan. I was unsure of what the facilities looked like and also the equiptment that would be available to use. I knew two things the first being that I was in charge of the worship for the VBS and the second that I was in charge of the talent show portion.

I can tell you that this camp was a joy to serve in and a learning experience for me. Everything I had planned out was of no use and daily I was re-working the previous day to try and create something that would be a better fit for the children. The week ran from Tuesday to Saturday and the schedule was the nearly the same for every day. About 8:30 a.m. it was breakfast time and then off to corperate worship. Immediately following coorperate worship it was time to run the childrens worship which meant that I was in charge. I was a little unnearved especially in the beginning because I have had very little experience working with American or English speaking children. All of the children we worked with in the camp were missionary children from families that dwell in Morocco. This From there we spent the first half of the VBS breaking off into various age groups with a mixture of games, teaching and crafts depending on the age. About 1:30 P.M. was lunch and then break time for everyone until about 5:30.

About 5:30 P.M. everyday my favorite time of day arrived: coffee and cake time! This is my favorite time of day because it wasn’t until about 5 p.m. every day that I finally felt good and awake (with the 9 hour time difference) and also they eat primarily fish and some pork which I don’t love so I ate very little between breakfast and five. After that point it the 2nd breakout meeting of the day for the conference was to take place and so it was time for the VBS part 2 of the day which lasted until about 8 P.M.

This trip was such a blessing to be a part of and serve on. The children we spent time with are all considered cross culture children because each one of them have grown up or spent time in multiple countrys and speak at least 2 languages. These children live in places I have never been and grow up in very different situations having parents that live wherever the mission will send them. For some of these children Morocco is still their current home and for others tomorrow is very unknown. If you could please be in prayer for them and their families as many of them have lost their ability to live and work in Morocco. There has been many changes and not for the better over the last six months or so. People who have spent many years working in N.Africa who are found to be Christians are being sent out and this includes the parents of some of these children as well. Knowing that made me even more thankful that I was able to serve and build relationships with them. They are such a joy to be able to work with and love on and to be an encouragement to. I was blessed and encouraged immensely by being able to work alongside such wonderful teammates and with such amazing children.

I am thankful for your support and prayers on this trip. By your support God was able to send a team of us to serve others who give their lives to be in countries many of us would never dream of going to . You have then also become a blessing and I am more thankful then you can imagine. I wish I could give you more of the details but for the protection of those involved have to keep the story brief. There were so many children I will not be quick to forget and so many fun personalities and stories.

On this trip I was also able to learn many things about myself and God used this trip to show me I need to be a much more humble servant. It is the times I am comfortable in life that I don’t seem to grow as much. Therefore I am thankful that He allowed me to see and seek Him more when I did not have perfect circumstances and did not know what to do. Unlike the trips to Caborca, Mexico I help out with each and every year this is the first mission trip in nearly 5 years that my growth steamed from not being in charge and not knowing what was going on. The challenges that effected me were things from being uncomfortable, the jet lag, constant program revamping and fighting selfishness because when circumstances are undesirable it rears it’s ugly head more then usual. I am so thankful that God allows us to be stretched and to grow and would not have changed any part of it. If I can honor Him what does a little jet lag matter and how should I only praise Him the more when I am feeling up to par and ready to face the world head on? I am genuinely thankful for your time in reading this, in supporting me, in checking up to see how it went, and the hearts you have shown to help spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Other things I learned:

How to play paintball! And can I just share with you all that I was able to capture the flag and I won one round for us with an awesome teammate who “covered” me as I charge for the opponents base!
Paintball is painful. I was shot in each arm, in the shoulder and one exploded on my head which hurt for roughly 3 days.
Fish in every country is gross and in Spain it is included in nearly every meal.
Icy Hot makes terrible toothpaste and keeps it’s flavor well once applied to bristles.
When you can’t figure out how to use an American hairdryer feel free to keep moving your hand under the automatic hand dryer located near the exit door in the bathroom at different angles to keep it blowing.
Coffee con leche (or half coffee and half warm milk) is a God sent blessing everywhere.
I can’t sleep on planes.
Once a boy of any age finds out you are afraid of bugs they will continue to find ways to put them on or around you.
You can drink from fountains, they are not just a decoration.
Jet lag is a real thing.
Mountain hiking in the dark is amazing, especially when you get to watch the sunrise.
God is sufficient.
If you eat a hamburger in Spain it is primarily pork.
The body of Christ is everywhere.
God, doesn’t waste anyones time
Thank you all so much because without you I would not have been able to serve. You have blessed people who were aching and hurting and needing blessing and encouragement. I would also like to thank you for your patience with my letter as I try to give you a brief picture of what the ten days looked like for me. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them so feel free to contact me at any point. I will be enclosing some photos but for the safety of the children and their parents am unable to send anything with them in it.


Because of Christ,

Heather Testa

Cafe Con Leche

There is too much to say simply. I sit here in Pj's as is the frequent practice when in front of this glowing square screen. I am forced to be focused on it for the backing up of computers is a lengthy process I do not maintain the focus span for. "In the Secret," plays in the background and I am reminded of the first night I ever heard it. I was sitting inside a coffee job I had recently discovered and a rather attractive gentleman stepped up to the mike. I listened as he sang the words of this song and sat stunned and amazed. I could neither fathom or believe that a man was able to sing a song as such to a deity. Now, I completely understand and have love that song every since showing us the ache in love we have for God.

I returned from Spain last Monday night nearing 10 PM. The flights were long and yet there is something to be said about the company involved. I made a great travel friend who I had known for months yet never spoken to (as far as I have never chosen to have a conversation with this extreme extrovert )until the day his parents drove us to the airport for departure. He was so great to travel with and my opposite in many ways. There is much to process from the trip with the greatest lessons to still be learned. God is great and to Him be praised in all ways and at all times. The trip was extremely humbling and a learning opportunity that I needed like all the others.

I wish I had been more myself or the trip had been easier but that would have defeated the purpose entirely. The jet lag was worse then I had expected yet again not something I would have traded. I needed the situation to be a bit of a challenge to learn the things I did. It takes me 3 to four days to recover completely from jet lag and we arrived that Sunday night without having any time to process or switch on the schedule. The travel there was Phx to Min, Min to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Madrid, Madrid to Malaga and finally after 27 hours of travel and lay overs we had arrived. The trip was exhausting especially when I slept a total of 30 minutes in about 35 hours.

And now I sit and process. There is much to think about. The weakness of me and the selfishness that arises too quickly in my heart astounds me. When things are easy it is not as difficult to be selfless. When times are difficult it is only agitated and stirred up within me. There is time to thing and write and pray I must. I fall so short and allow weakness to creep into every corner. I choose to fall. God allows us an grants us the strength not to but we do any way. I do.

Tonight, I prepare to begin training tomorrow for the PF Chang's marathon. Wondering if I can complete an entire one if I begin training now. I am desperate to learn more discipline and I learn that in physical training. Watching eating and getting on a schedule, working with a budget, working on yet another degree change (two days ago) and all the things life offers along the way. And my new favorite tradition...cafe con leche (more explanation to come on that later)!