What a relief this weekend has been! Coordinating things was a little tricky because I wasn’t sure exactly how all of the transportation to and from bus stations would go and what Emily’s schedule would be like for the weekend, but everything ended up working out beautifully, and I know that it was just as God planned it…there’s no way I could have connected the dots so flawlessly…it had to have been Him.
On Friday after class, I went home to finish packing and have lunch with Rosa before heading to the bus station to catch my bus to Portugal. Originally, I just wanted to walk to the bus station, but when I walked there to buy my ticket a few days ago, it took me about an hour to get there, and with a duffle bag and backpack I was a little reluctant to make the trek again. Rosa instead helped me find the public bus I should take to the station, and I easily got there that way with plenty of time to spare.
I waited at the bus station for a while, and then once I was on the bus I slept pretty much the whole way from Sevilla to Lagos, about a five and a half hour journey. I originally thought it was only going to be four and a half hours, but there’s a time zone change, so it was actually five and a half. Anyway, I got to Lagos around 8:45 their time and it was completely dark out. The bus station in Seville is a pretty big hub of activity, and I’ve heard of many people going to Lagos, so I was expecting to arrive at a similarly large bus station with taxis waiting outside and lots of people. However, the scene I was greeted by was completely different.
When I got off the bus at the small, poorly lit station, there was hardly anyone around, and everyone that had arrived with me quickly dispersed on foot in various directions. I asked the bus driver where to find a taxi, since there were none to be found, and he pointed me down the nearest semi-busy road. I walked down the street towards what seemed like the heart of the town and was grateful to find another group of girls walking with their luggage on the same street. They seemed to know where they were going, but I stuck with them as much as possible just to have other people around until I could find a taxi.
With every passing car, I asked God to bring me a taxi, and eventually I arrived at a gas station where I was planning to ask someone to call for a taxi for me. Praying “God, I trust you” over and over again, I stopped at the gas station, and when I turned around before heading inside, a taxi was pulling up right behind me. Praise the Lord! I asked the driver if he spoke Spanish or English, and we somehow pieced together a broken conversation while I pulled out my phone to call the study center where I would be staying. Luckily, they answered right away, gave my driver really detailed directions, and 20 minutes later I was hanging out with Emily.
The study center we stayed at was part of A Rocha, a Christian environmental conversation organization, and throughout the weekend we talked a lot about God’s creation, our role as stewards of it, and the joy we have in the hope of Christ. The center is located out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the beautiful nature of Portugal, about 20 minutes away from the nearest town of Lagos. It was absolutely wonderful. I was showered by love by the group Emily is studying with and by our hosts, and Emily and I spent the whole weekend catching up and encouraging each other. It was so good to be with someone who knows me and who I could relate to in the desire to honor and grow with God.
There were a few little details that I was worried about throughout the weekend, such as confirming my bus ticket back to Sevilla and finding an ATM to pay for my stay, but our hosts were so accommodating and patient that my worries just dissolved. Everyone I spent time with this weekend taught me more about the love of Christ, and I feel renewed and ready to finish out the semester with a greater awareness of God’s hand in it.
On Sunday, we headed to the beautiful beach of Lagos where we enjoyed playing in the sand and waves and walking along the beach. We were amazed to see a herd of dolphins swimming off in the distance as we were leaving, and God’s presence was simply undeniable among such beauty. Emily and I stayed up late every night talking about the journeys God has us on- we talked about what He’s been teaching us and about how we can redirect ourselves to live more fully for Him in the rest of the semester.
This morning, when it was time to go, I was so sad to say goodbye. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so attached to any place in such a short amount of time. What a blessing it was to get away and be reminded of God’s love in a big way. The leader of A Rocha Portugal, Marcial drove me to the bus station this morning and stayed to see me off, which was so kind of him…it felt so good to have someone looking out for me, and it reminded me of God’s great care for us.
The bus trip back to Sevilla was similar to the one getting to Lagos, although I didn’t sleep as much, and I’m currently trying to get ready for the next chapter of my fall break, which will include more traveling and more of God’s love. I’m so excited to see my mom tonight and to experience Italy with her. I pray that God would keep my eyes open and focused on Him and that He would continue to strengthen and encourage me throughout my break and the rest of the semester so that I can learn what He has for me and be His witness in every situation He brings me to.
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