The Alabama-Spain partnership officially came to a close Dec. 31, 1999, but that did not discourage one missions team from Sabadell, Spain, from visiting north Alabama in late June and early July.
Lorenzo Gonzalez, pastor of Creu Alta Baptist Church, Sabadell, Spain, said he was encouraged to bring his entourage of nine adults and one infant to America, after a trip he made here three years ago. The group was sponsored by Lebanon Baptist Church, Falkville, and stayed in the homes of Lebanon Baptist members.
“I wanted more of my members to personally know the members of Lebanon,” Gonzalez said.
Both Gonzalez, speaking through team member Damaris Playa, who translated for him, and Playa herself, said staying in congregation homes brought an added dimension to the trip.
“You really get to visit people … and get to know them when you’re in their homes,” Gonzalez said.
Playa quickly added the interaction with host families will also have an impact on the two churches, long after the missions team has returned to Spain.
“When we go back to Sabadell, it will be easier for us to think about (members of) Lebanon Baptist Church, because we know their faces,” she said.
Team member Pere Elias said he also enjoyed getting to know the Alabamians. “The brothers at Lebanon are my brothers now.”
Time with families
Language barriers did not prove to be a problem, according to Gonzalez, who said friendships were formed despite problems in communicating. “The thing the members are enjoying most is being with the families,” he said.
Lebanon Pastor A. Ray Lee said the team arrived in the United States June 27 and shared their testimonies during various church programs, in addition to teaching Sunday School, before leaving July 11.
Lee said two of the team members plan to remain in Falkville until July 27 to work with youth and help during Vacation Bible School.
Characterizing the trip as a learning experience, Lee said both churches benefited from the trip.
“Both of us have a world vision of the Kingdom and that we might share resources,” Lee said. “The most successful part has been the understanding that has developed between our guests and our people. It’s been wonderful.”
Along with sharing their testimonies with church members, Lee said the group also learned about Baptist life, visiting offices of The Alabama Baptist, Samford University, the Children’s Home in Decatur and other Baptist-related entities. Team members also enjoyed a day at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.
“We’ve kept them quite busy while they’ve been here,” Lee said.
Gonzalez pointed out he brought along a “multiage team” that included a young married couple, senior citizen, a middle-aged couple and a single adult. The pastor said the diversity will enable team members to share what they learned in Alabama with different age groups when they return to Spain.
Maria Lopez, who serves as deacon of education at Creu Alta, said she was learning about Lebanon Baptist’s approach to different areas of ministry.
“It has been a learning experience,” said Lopez, who directs Sunday School, discipleship training and other areas at Creu Alta. Lopez added she strived to absorb a “maximum amount” of information.
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