After considering my options, I finally decided that my best option for keeping you all abreast of my goings on in Valencia, Spain this summer is to begin a blog. I haven't been much of a blogger in the past, but perhaps it's time to join the bandwagon, shall we say? For those of you who have sent me your e-mail addresses for periodic updates, I will still send one out every couple of weeks; but for the day-to-day updates and more pictures, check here. And please, do leave comments!
To briefly catch you up to speed, I have now been in Valencia for almost two weeks. I spent my first week getting to know my supervisors, Chris and Anita Anderson; familiarizing myself with the city and public transportation system; learning the ropes at work; and ALWAYS working on my Spanish. Valencia is a beautiful old city, with a rich cultural heritage and much to be proud of. However, it is a city with great needs as well. Each day that I go to work at Mission Urbana (a local evangelical ministry that seeks to help Valencia's needy in the name of Christ), I am reminded of how great a multitude of people we overlook in our cities, who are so greatly blessed by just a little bit of help. At Mission Urbana, we provide breakfasts, sandwiches, showers, clothes, shaves, haircuts, laundry services, food distribution, and the Word of God. Usually, I help prepare breakfast, make sandwiches, or distribute food to families according to their monthly ration. Food distribution has actually been my favorite assignment so far. Whereas the other jobs usually have me working in the kitchen behind closed doors, in the distribution center I actually get to see the people file in to receive their food and can watch as they respond to the aid we supply. Some are infinitely grateful. Some assume it's their right to receive aid. And for many of these people, I would have never guessed they were in difficult situations (some are simply heartbreaking) if I were to pass them on the street. (Those who come in for meals and showers, it's a bit more visibly evident they are needy. Although, some come, too, simply because they are lonely.)
In the upcoming days, I hope to include some pictures in my updates. I barely took any pictures the first week, because it just wasn't convenient to lug around a large camera while running errands all day. I was living outside of the "Old City" also, trying not to look too conspicuous as a lost stranger in a distant land. Plus, the director of Mission Urbana asked me to hold off on taking pictures until the people grew a bit more familiar and comfortable with me. However, I suppose I can leave you with just a few pictures from Valencia Week 1:
A family waits for a bus to go to the beach. This is the street where I lived the first week--an interesting experience because I felt it was very unstereotypically European. In fact, it reminded me more of Asia.
A window from an old, dilapidated building.
The alley where Mission Urbana is located.
Shelves of food and supplies in the kitchen at Mission Urbana.Thank you for your continued prayers. In future posts, I will also include prayer requests and praises. Check back soon for more!
Con amor,
~Joanne
~Joanne
You are right. The street does look strangely Asian.
ReplyDeleteI think they are pretty smart to let you distribute food. IT would be a mistake to keep your smile "locked up behind closed doors."
=D