I can't believe how cold it is here at the moment. It was minus five the other day, and yesterday, on our way to see friends, we drove through snow covered mountains and valleys -- a breathtaking winter landscape. It even snowed on the journey, and we wondered if we'd soon have to turn back. In the end, though, we did arrive safely at our destination, and thankfully didn't need to use the hard-to-fit snow chains we'd packed in the boot of the car.

We were in the historic and picturesque city of Cuenca -- there to meet friends who are looking after a small church. Inside, a handful of us huddled together in the cold -- our feet freezing -- to worship God.

A while later, and back in their cosy house, we had a real Irish Sunday lunch -- roast pork, apple sauce, stuffing -- and it wasn't long before we were warmed up and well fed. As we chatted we heard how they'd been in Spain for nearly twenty years.

What an encouragement to meet people like that. Still committed and keen to serve God. Focused on finishing the journey they started all those years before, and not likely to turn back because of a few upsets, difficulties or obstacles. Like us on our snow splattered journey, they've just kept going.

Whatsmore, they haven't had to use those tricky snowchains either!

It's been another busy week. After I got back from the church youth conference in Portugal last weekend, it's been pretty much all go. First of all, the trip to Portugal was worthwhile. I got to meet the leaders of several churches in Portugal, Spain, Italy and England. It was good to hear their stories, and be able to identify with some of the triumphs and struggles. I stayed with a Portuguese lady in her seventies -- that was hilarious as she couldn't speak English or Spanish, and I can't speak a word of Portuguese. But we did manage to communicate using sign language and Spanish.

Back in Spain, on Monday the i-themba group came up from Madrid and stayed with us in Sacedón for most of the day. Their dance performance in the secondary and primary schools was excellent -- they also spoke about life in South Africa, and how their faith in Jesus had helped them through difficult times. We were very content with how it all went. What a great opportunity! We really saw God at work that day.

So.....it's been a while since we last updated the blog. Yes, we're still here, alive and kicking! The truth is that after a busy few months and a busy start to the summer we needed a break -- and we've enjoyed just that. It's been a great time of rest and relaxation.

Over the summer we've done some decorating in the house. We dusted the tent off again -- and headed away camping to Asturias and Valencia. Then there've been the village fiestas -- this year we kept our heads low! In August, Joan's mum paid us a welcome visit. We've also been able to catch up with some friends who are ministering here in Spain and who we haven't seen for ages -- a good time to encourage one another to keep 'running the race'.

The response after our trip to Northern Ireland with the kids from the village was phenomenal. Not only did the children want to stay on longer in NI, but their parents were so pleased with how it all went, and were asking if we're going to repeat it again next year! They were truly bowled over by the love and care shown to their children by the host families during the week.

Looking back on the past few months it's been such a blessing to rest and recover. However, there have also been some 'hairy' moments too. But then that's when we've seen God at work -- as we've cried out for his help.

• Such as when we arrived at the airport in Madrid to fly back to Northern Ireland only to find the long stay car park full! With only an hour and a half to go before take off, we panicked and ditched the car at the side of the road. Thankfully just at that moment -- and after a quick prayer -- a taxi passed along the road, and we managed to get to the airport, only to find our flight delayed.
  
  
• On our return a week later, the taxi drivers at the airport refused to take me back to the car, because it was a short journey, and they'd been queuing two hours for a fare! Instead I had to take the metro to the village nearest the airport. Trouble was I didn't have a map, and didn't know exactly where the car was! But God heard my cries, and after receiving vague directions from a passer-by I came upon the car after a 20 minute walk in the dark.
  
  
• The day Joan's mum flew back to Dublin was the same day as the airline disaster at Madrid airport. We turned on the radio and heard the breaking news while on route to the airport. We just didn't know what to do. But again we saw God at work in the midst of confusion and fear. Joan managed to drive to the terminal despite advice that it was closed to traffic, and her mum checked in just a matter of hours after the crash. She eventually flew home after a delay of three and a half hours.
  
  
• While camping in Asturias Matthew lost his mobile phone. We didn't realize it until we got home again. We searched high and low, and even phoned the campsite -- but his mobile was nowhere to be found. We prayed frantically that someone would be honest enough to hand it in. A week later Joan phoned the campsite again, and yes, someone had found it, and handed it in! They then kindly sent the phone to us free of charge.
  
  
• And finally, on our first night camping in Valencia someone tried to enter our tent while we were sleeping. We were both woken at 3:30am with the sound of footsteps outside and a torchlight. Then we saw someone reach out to unzip the door -- I jumped up, and only saw a dark figure running off into the shadows. As you can imagine we were freaked out by the experience. Joan went and found the security guard on duty. But all we could do was pray for God's protection on us and the boys.

This week has been spent getting life back to normal now that the holidays have finished. On Monday our church linked up with us via telephone to hear what we've been up to, and then to pray with us. On Wednesday, Gabriel returned to school - excited and expectant. Joan also had a meeting with the headmistress about both of us helping in the school.