Erin in Tenerife

I'm approaching the end of my time here in Tenerife. It has been a great time of learning and growth. I've gotten to know several of the people at the church. I've been leading a study on prayer during our Tuesday morning fasting. Mama Emma and I have explored the island, made friends with the neighbors, had the car breakdown and called a tow truck, eaten various Canarian food, and kept each other good company. After church on Sunday, Mark said some words of thanks for my help these months and led a prayer for me and that I would be able to return soon. People gave me lots of hugs and were very kind with their farewells. Oddly, I'm not feeling very emotional about leaving. Maybe that's because I don't feel like I'm saying good-bye. It feels more like a "see you soon" instead of a "good-bye". I was here so recently; it just seems like I'll be gone for a short while and be back to pick up where I left off. Already, I am making a list of...

Someone asked me yesterday how I'm feeling as my time here in Tenerife is drawing to a close (for now). I think I replied with something dumb about my allergies. The question jolted me. Hang on for a minute because I'm about to go deep.  I have no idea where the summer has gone. It seems like I just got off the plane last week. I feel like I've finally figured out a routine here and it's time to go. I don't know when I can come back because I need to get a visa to move here. The visa I qualify for (religious volunteer) requires that a church or christian organization (registered with the Spanish ministry of religion) write me an invitation letter (also known as a sponsorship letter) stating the date and purpose of me moving here (mission work). I include that letter along with a copy of the church's articles of association, and a copy of the church's entry in the ministry of religion registry with my visa application. The church in Tenerife is in the process...