Heading home

Thank you all for the support and prayers for this trip. We've been blessed by the people we came to serve and have had an unforgettable set of experiences. After some reflection, hopefully we can post some thoughts about this trip from other team members.

For now, we prepare to make the long flight home. See you soon.

Final gig

For our final performance, we were invited to play at a local park. While we played music, students from the seminary played games with children and chatted with passersby. The feel matched the day; laid back and easy. It was a fantastic way to end the performance part of this trip.

We'll have a dinner then back to the hotel to get ready to go home on Saturday.

Prison Performance

Today God moved in amazing ways while we served at a prison 70 miles outside of Madrid. Processing into the prison was quite an experience. We were not allowed to bring items inside like phones, cameras, belongings, etc. We could only have our passports which they kept until we processed out.

The van was loaded down with everything and Manny Jr was allowed to drive it in to unload.

The set up inside included an auditorium with stage and sound. We were there to support a prison ministry that has obviously made some inroads with the inmates based on the warm greetings. Our part was similar to our previous performances where we'd play around seven songs, a few verses translated from English to Spanish, followed by a time for preaching and eventual invitations to accept Christ.

We were also pleased to discover that the drummer for us was an actual inmate. Once again, God provided an answer to prayers by matching us up with the inmate named Julio who plays the drums.

The audience was highly receptive even though the acoustics were very difficult to overcome. We closed with a song that Julio said the inmates knew how to sing in English. It was wonderful to hear them sing along with our music.

Up next...
One more outdoor gig at a park tomorrow. Them prepare to go home.

Streets of Madrid

Tonight we learned a valuable lesson in adaptation and change. The plan was to take two acoustic guitars, bass (w/ battery-powered amp), and three singers. We were going to play a few songs them turn it over to Manny to preach. The seminary students would then reach out to listeners nearby.

However, right before we played we found out we could not use the amp. So, Jimmy got to play the shaker. There was another church group from the US and we joined up with them and their group leader. This turned out well because their leader interpreted in English what Manny Jr. was saying. Street evangelism is very challenging in that it's hard to establish a relationship with anyone. What we needed to understand is that we were there to give an introduction or plant the seed for future believers.

On the music side: The crowd noise was pretty high so Steve, Lisa and Rod were challenged with being heard. We opted for the sax and a couple of guitars for rhythm. That seemed to help bring in people from the plaza. We played every half-hour from 6:30 to 8:30 and were encouraged by the crowds that showed up and stayed.

Tomorrow we play at a prison. More to come.

Practice and a Pig

Last night was pretty great. We has an opportunity to practice some songs for our first true acoustic set this evening in Madrid.

After rehearsal we were treated to a home-cooked meal at Manny Jr. and his wife's home. It Included shavings off of a black-hoof Iberian pig leg (pictured) that had been cured for three years. Easily one of the tastiest meats I've ever had.

The entire meal was delicious and we were thankful for the chance to get together.

Today we are on our way to Toledo this morning then we play in the grand plaza back in Madrid this evening.

Segovia day trip

Today we were treated to a day trip to Segovia about an hour away from Madrid. We toured the historic castle and tower along with the cathedral.

Tonight we'll join our Madrid hosts, Manny Jr. and his wife, Jaime, for dinner and music rehearsal at their home. We will prepare the music to share tomorrow in an outdoor setting. The music tomorrow will most likely be acoustic. We are being blessed with gorgeous weather and aside from a few tired times, everyone is in good spirits.

Thank you all for your continued prayers.

In Madrid

'Origen de las carreteras radiales'

We arrived back in Madrid for the remainder of our stay. Not much to report since we mainly saw the beautiful countryside as we rode from San Sebastián. More to come tomorrow. The photo is the 0 kilometer mark. According to Manny, kilometers radiate out from this point.

A new church

Tonight we were welcomed by a new and growing church and its young pastor, David, pictured above with Rod. The plan was just as before: play songs and have Manny translate as many of the words in the choruses and versus. There are more pictures we'll attempt to share later.

This young church has a great fire and it was amazing to see how God is at work here. It was a pleasure to serve and as before, God provided a drummer. The same player that sat in on Friday was here waiting for us.

Service and fellowship

The team played this morning for Unai's church along with their worship team. Lisa, Steve, and Rod sang a couple of songs acapella for a baby dedication. Hopefully I can get video of that posted later.

Tonight we are on the way to another growing church and will most likely have our first acoustic set since we should be without a drummer.

Lunch was at 3:30 PM and seriously took about two and half hours. Sitting, eating, laughing, and enjoying time together was a great experience. The service was remarkable especially from the hostess/waitress (pictures in red)who seemed to make it her mission to take care of us. There was no doubt she has a servant heart and takes extreme pride in her work and her restaurant. We can all take a lesson in service from her.

Their rehearsal

We showed up early for Sunday service. We were fortunate to catch part of the church's worship team practice part of their morning set. It's comforting to observe another team's pre-service rehearsal.

Concerto Iglesia Segundo

That's supposed to read 'Second Church Concert,' I think I am close. We're getting pretty good. We just finished playing for the Pastor Unai's San Sebastián evangelical church --- another welcoming and warm reception. A few of the attendees remember us from the 2010 trip. They even knew a couple of the songs.

The church has moved from a small store-front into a new larger auditorium right in the middle of a busy sports and activity complex. We attracted some attention/looks when we walked through the area. We passed a basketball, fútbol (soccer) -- sweet! and a few other games being played.

Steve tried to teach them the movements to the song, "Every move I make."

That. Was. Fun(ny).

Once again God took care of us rhythmically; the church's worship team drummer, Nico, sat in with us with minimal rehearsal. The 17 year-old has some chops!

This one was a lot of fun. They sang back to us in Spanish thanks to Manny interpreting for us and them.

We'll be back at his church in the morning for Sunday service.

Morning runs on café

Buenos días amigos. Before we do anything, coffee and tapas start the day. Anyone up for octopus in the morning?

It all comes together

First gig in Vitoria at Iglesia Baptista - fantastic group that seemed very happy to have us. We also were able to pick up a drummer there...a 15 boy from their worship team. He did great for never having played our songs. They were so welcoming and invited is to stock around for some light homemade food immediately after. Awesome.

We are now in the 36+ hours awake for most of us. We'll head to the hotel in Sam Sebastián after a meal.

Hasta mañana.

Greetings from Spain

We made it to Spain after a long day of travel. As soon as we landed, we were met by Manny and Manny Jr. with plans for out first gig at a church in a few hours. No time to go to the hotel, just hit the road, plan some songs, and go.

Also, due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, we are without a dedicated drummer for this trip. So we will move to a predominantly acoustic set. We'll figure it out with God's help.

Let's go. Thank you for your prayers.

Test Post Before the Journey

This is just a quick test to make sure the phone to blog upload is going to work before we leave for Spain. This is only a test.

Meet the 2012 Team

We'll leave for Spain in one week so it's probably a good time to introduce you to the band. We got together last Saturday for a rehearsal and took a quick photo. (Thanks, Jason)

This year's team is made up of (from left to right):

• Steve Newman (acoustic guitar/vocals)
• Jason Munford (drums)
• Richie Escovedo (tenor sax/auxiliary percussion)
• Lisa Newman (vocals)
• Scott Miller (electric guitar)
• Jimmy Simpler (bass)
• Rod Nelson (vocals) 

We'll have one more rehearsal this Saturday, March 3, to clean up a few songs and work some of the arrangements. If everything works out, this blog will be updated during out time in Spain. We welcome comments of prayer and support and are looking forward to making a joyful noise.

Prayer Request: Please pray that each member gets through this week leading up to our departure with all of the details, big and small, manged at home and at work so that we can start this time of service and worship with as many distractions removed.

Dude, we're getting the band back together

Welcome back to the Spain Music Mission blog. In 2010, members from the McKinney Memorial Bible Church Worship team had a remarkable opportunity to use the musical gifts God gave us to serve a small church in San Sebastián, Spain. During that trip, our focus was evangelism through music. We used music as our form of outreach for a growing church, Encuentro con Dios – Encounter with God, and its young pastor named Unai. We took steps in faith and service together to help Unai reach his community.

It's now two years later and that church is growing. Once again, a group of musicians will head back to San Sebastián and again serve along-side McKinney missionary partner Manny Fernandez. (Manny has an extensive church-planting and evangelism ministry there and in other countries around the world.) Our time in Spain will be to support Unai who was one of Manny Fernandez's seminary students. We will meet with him on Sunday for church and help encourage him and his church body. Most of our time will be spent doing outdoor concerts and maybe even a few radio shows like the previous trip. Our purpose for being there is to serve Unai and his church.

There will be more to come on this trip, the team, music and other progress updates. Thank you for your interest, encouragement, support and prayers.