Hope for Sevilla

Andrea Simancas

I am 22 years old and I just graduated from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.  I studied History, Political Science, and Spanish. I am hoping that my studies will help me with fitting into the culture of Spain. More importantly I know that God will help me the most with not just fitting in but making a difference in Spain. I am so happy to be in Seville, Spain. God is doing some amazing things here in Seville and I am so glad to be a part of an amazing movement.

Megan Pike

Hi! My name is Megan Pike and I am 22 years old.  I graduated August of 2009 from the University of Alabama with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies.  For many years I  have felt the call to “go” in the midst of serving the Lord and so now I find myself in Spain, working along side the team of Sevilla.  I feel so blessed and am very thankful for this experience…especially considering my lack of Spanish language skills.  Seeing the good and almighty power of Jesus in the middle of trials and barriers such as language and culture is so exciting to witness. He is teaching me what an unchanging and ever-present God He is. I cannot wait to see what all He has in store! 

Rachel Donahue, I am a senior studying Elementary Education at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Fl. I have always wanted to study Spanish in Spain and I also feel called to do full time missions overseas, so working in Sevilla for three months is a wonderful blessing from the Lord.   

My name is Erica Smith. I am 19 years old and a sophomore at the University of West Georgia.   I’m looking forward to the three months I will be spending here in Seville. Due to several things going on in my life at the time, I questioned whether or not this was the best time to take a semester off from college, but after praying about the mission, I knew this was where God wanted me. I just had to trust Him as He began to work every detail out. I cant wait to meet new people, try different things, and share the gospel thousands and thousands of miles away from home!

         David Jones, I am 22 years old and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in May. I am an avid American Football fan and enjoy a good game of fútbol though too. I enjoy reading and studying God's Word and the history of the church. I love people!   I am a people watcher.   Everyone is just so interesting in the way that they learn about, relate to, and engage the culture around them. I have studied the Spanish language and culture since I was in the fourth grade. I am eager to explore Europe and make connections in my mind eye to historical places and the real thing.   Most importantly, however, is that I serve my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom I owe my life. 
 
      Hello! My name is Abbey Clay. I am 22 years old and recently graduated from the University of West Florida in Pensacola , Florida where I studied Communications, Theater and Art. I have had many thoughts of what I wanted to do when I graduated but the Lord kept on bringing me back to this opportunity in Spain.   So here I am, not sure what’s next, but trusting that He’s always leading.  

    Hi, my name is Samantha (my close friends call me Sambo). I just recently graduated from The University of Alabama; I studied Public Relations, Spanish and Business Management. I am a super organized girl and I plan a lot! I love to coordinate events, vacations, get togethers, or anything else I can take on. I also enjoy crafts and renovation work. I am willingly following God's plan step by step and day by day as He reveals it to me. God has given me many desires and experiences that have prepared me for this venture. I am not exactly sure what He has in store for me and those I encounter, but I am excited about it.

 Hi! I'm Abby, and I'm from Orlando, Florida. Last May, I graduated from high school; I'll be spending the fall and spring semesters in Spain. In the fall of 2009, I will attend The King's College in New York City and study Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. I love sports and I'm learning how to cook. One of my life goals is to speak Spanish fluently, so I'm very excited about being in Spain and learning Castellano. At several points along this journey, it looked like I wouldn't be able to go, but God has made a way every time. I can't wait to share God's love with the people there!

Lauren Powell, Jacksonville, FL

Spending three months in Sevilla will change your perspective on life. When I left I had a greater passion to love those around me and a deeper belief that God is still mightly working in peoples lives. An example of this is how I saw God work in the life of one of my Spanish friends. I met this girl one of the first weeks I was in Sevilla and immediately clicked with her. We spent many weekends together hanging out and getting to know one another. While myself and the other interns all had a spiritual conversation with her at some point, it didn't seem like she was really interested in hearing about God. I left Spain a little frustrated because I loved her so much and felt like I had never adequately shared Christ's love with her. The first day I got back home I recieved an e-mail from her where she told me she had been struggling with many problems the year before we met. She explained she had almost given up on people until she met the other interns and me. She noticed a difference in us and realized she was happy when she was around us. I was able to reply to this e-mail explaining to her why there was a difference in our lives and tell her my source of happiness was Christ. This situation made me realize I should never doubt that God is working in peoples lives even if it's not obvious to me. It has caused me to pray with more faith for those around me, believe that God is moving in their life, and to never tire of showing them Christ's love.

Ange Rhodes, Lufkin, TX

I was so excited to find out that I would be able to spend the semester in Spain working with youth and college students. I had high expectations of having a wonderful semester serving God and the people of Spain, and needless to say I loved every minute of it! I got to work with an AMAZING team! I spent a lot of my time teaching high school English and working with college English clubs. It was a great way to meet people and to begin conversations. God blessed us with some awesome friendships, several of which after being home for over a month, I am still able to keep in contact with through e-mail and facebook! God opened so many doors for us, and continues to open doors and work in Spain long after I'm gone. If you have any questions about Spain or our work there please feel free to write me at angerhodes@yahoo.com.

My name is Andrea Ortega, I'm 24 years old. I'm a student at Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas; I have an Associates in General Science and I am currently applying for the two year Radiology Program. I am an Intern on the Sevilla Team. I'm here to help the team teach English at the Highschools, work with university students, and have InterCambios with the university students that we meet. Most importantly I'm here to share the Gospel. "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time." 1 Timothy 2:3-6

Hello! I'm Becca Hester, from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I
studied Acting for a year and a half at Oklahoma City
University. I was unsure about what it was I wanted
to be when I grew up, and where to study, so I took my
sophomore spring semester off. The Lord continued to
put His great commission on my heart- to "go and make
disciples of all nations." During these incredible
three months in Seville, He is showing me how much of
a relational, deeply compassionate, and intimate God
He is. Through the precious relationships I have
made, I am continuing to see God's hand at work
through the Spaniard's hearts, and His glory revealed
in this nation

Check out their Team blog at: www.conectate5.wordpress.com for more info!!!

Eric, Tim, Megan, and Mike from Liberty University were here for a year to work with Mary Alice on our Conectate Student Ministry Team.