Back in Spain

Okay, I realize that my last post was something of a downer. In fact my friend Fred wrote from Czech that he hoped I would hold off sleepwalking through Europe until after we came to see him and Kelly. Sorry for the bad attitude. Travel has its ups and downs, and there are days when you have to work at seeing the bright side.

On the other hand, sometimes the bright side jumps out and smacks you, as it did yesterday when we spent a sparkling day in Segovia with Dave and Daphne. Segovia is a wonderful town with an astonishing, huge and intact Roman aqueduct and a magnificent castle. Best of all it has many small wandering streets with ancient crumbling walls--a perfect place to wander around and marvel at the antiquity of the place. The conversation was stimulating over lunch in a cozy restaurant with decent food and wine. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It's so good to be with friends, and in such a place!

We're here all week and will continue exploring the region around Madrid, using the Fishers as our guides as they have time. Plus we're getting familiar with their friends and colleagues here. And I'm preaching in their church on Sunday.

We also had a wonderful time with Dean and Wendy in Geneva. The city surprised me by being small and casual, almost like a small country town in spite of the many important organizations headquartered there, and the depth of its history. (Think John Calvin, whose reputation has fallen on hard times.) Spring flowers were brilliant, and the Hirsches' apartment was a short walk from beautiful parks and Lac Leman, so we enjoyed walking and exploring the city. One day we drove around the lake and went to a hot bath. We had plenty of time to talk and relax. We ate good food and drank good wine. We went to a wonderful church service. We talked quite a lot about our futures, as Dean is winding up his many years heading up World Vision--he's by far the longest serving president ever--and Popie and I are exploring what we ought to focus on at this stage of life.

We were reminded that when we were kids Switzerland was high on the list of travel destinations. Its popularity seems to have fallen off, but it is as beautiful as ever. Such scenery. From my student days I remember the Swiss as being unfriendly, but that certainly wasn't my impression this time around. A very easy place to enjoy.

And now Europe

It's hard to write about what we're doing without summoning up memories of your neighbors' slides of their summer vacation. We're in Europe. Right at the moment we are in Geneva with our friends Wendy and Dean Hirsch. Sunday night we return to Madrid to Dave and Daphne Fisher for another week. Then, we rent a car and drive into France for a few days before heading back to England for a two-week time traveling around to see various friends. It's all wonderful: good friends, great scenery, amazing museums, history, cafes, wine, etc. Yet at the same time the prospect of home begins to peek around the corner, and that's seductive. I'm a little worried that I'll just sleepwalk through the remaining six weeks. Six weeks! That's a lot of time. We want it to be as good, and as useful in our lives, as possible. And we hope it will prepare us to be good and do good when we return to Santa Rosa. We've been talking to our friends about the future quite a bit.

Lebanon

Here's Popie and Phoebe Shaw (daughter of Perry and Karen) at Baalbek yesterday. This was our final fling in Lebanon, visiting the spectacular Roman ruins there. A stunning place,
with massive structures still largely intact, set in a lovely valley surrounded by snowcapped mountains.

We did some touristing in Lebanon, but more of our time was involved in interacting with Perry and Karen and with John and Nancy Sagherian, who lead Youth for Christ. Along with Doug and Judi Webb, from our church, we got to meet a lot of the people both couples work with, and we did several seminars for different groups. We kept busy, learned a lot, and came away very impressed with what our friends are doing.

Lebanon is extraordinarily complex sociologically and historically, and there's a weight of uncertainty and anxiety leaning over everbody. An election is coming and so posters and flags are everywhere, representing dozens of parties and politicians. We're very thankful for that faithfulness and skill with which people we know continue to serve God in that context.

Last night we had an overnight flight to Madrid, so we're back in Europe. Dave and Daphne Fisher are our hosts.... it's great to be with them though we are very sleepy!

England

We've had two lovely days in London, one with Silas and David Okonji and Verity Lawrence, not all at the same time. Here's a picture at the Tower Bridge with David. David just passed his final exam to be admitted into the Royal College of Surgeons. Now he's heading into his specialty training at Exeter. We really like David and will stay with him a few days when we are back in the UK later.

Then yesterday we had a great time with Silas in Cambridge. He learned how to punt on the Cam. Imagine us leaning back against the cushions as he poles us along. Silas is still grieving the loss, but showing considerable maturity. Now he'll have some time to enjoy studenet life.

It's on to Beirut today.