A NEW SEASON
I am still in the process of assimilating the differences in seasons.
In Argentina, September marks the arrival of Spring, but here in Spain, it's the beginning of Autumn, coinciding with the start of classes (although it's still being determined whether they will be face-to-face, hybrid, or online). The seasons in Argentina are the other way around.
As for our adaptation, we are still assimilating the dry climate, the heights, and the hills of the town, I say it, not because I do not like it, I love it, but I mean that the adaptation process also goes through adapting to changes in weather. Someone who comes from the humid climate of the Pampas Plain to the northern mountains of Madrid will certainly notice this change. We know that little by little we will adapt to the new seasons.
In terms of our adaptation, we are still getting used to the dry climate, the heights, and the hills of the town. It's not that I dislike it (in fact, I love it) but getting used to changes in weather is also part of the adapting process. Moving from the humid plains of the Pampas to the mountainous terrain of northern Madrid is quite a change. However, we understand that with time, we will gradually adapt to these new seasons.
These past few months, we've been somewhat absent, and we would like to explain why.
Throughout July, I was enrolled in ISUM (Instituto de Superación Ministerial) in El Salvador, studying online. Due to the eight-hour time difference, my class schedule ran from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Completing the final seminar of my bachelor's degree in Theology was both a challenge and a joy. The classes were intensive and enriching, and I experienced significant personal growth alongside my classmates.
Meanwhile, Gaby continued to press forward, diligently preparing classes, teaching, and preaching in the church that we support in San Agustin del Guadalix. Although we are not under strict lockdown measures, face-to-face meetings are not possible in our town yet due to restrictions on gatherings of more than ten people, prompted by ongoing Covid outbreaks. Consequently, we continue with our meetings online via Zoom.
The adaptation process takes time, and one must be aware of that to remain patient as we navigate through these changes. However, I must admit that it hasn't been easy at all because we cannot connect with many people. Even though we take the opportunity to meet our neighbors, it is difficult in these times and I imagine you can relate, having been confined since March.
In one of those challenging days, we had a conversation with a dear friend who shared something encouraging: "Even when everything seemed to come to a halt, you kept moving forward." We know that this is not our own achievement; the truth is that without God leading the way, we wouldn't have been able to accomplish anything.
I could keep on sharing so many things we do, but it is also important that you get to know who we are and how we have been doing during these first seven months in the northern mountains of Madrid.
As I conclude, I want to bid farewell by recalling this: God was, is, and will always be with us and with each of you. This is our unwavering confidence.
I am sending you a hug from afar, even amid social distancing, because if there is one thing that we are not prohibited from, it is loving each other. Let's keep loving!
With love to each of our readers,
Mimi Vega