We arrived at our hotel in Barcelona about 6:45 p.m. local time after a (happily) uneventful 20-hour trip. We’re 6 hours ahead of Tampa, so our body clocks will be undergoing some adjustments for a couple of days.
Our time with Christians here begins tomorrow evening and will continue every evening through the end of next week. The congregation here was established back in the late-80’s by Efraín Perez, a preacher from Chile. He and his family lived in Spain for several years to establish churches and build up the work. When I was here two years ago, the Barcelona brethren comprised two very small congregations in different parts of the city. Since that time, they have come together again as a single Body. I look forward to renewing friendships tomorrow, and to forming new relationships.
The three of us (my father Royce, John Umber and myself) will be sharing a room throughout this trip. It’s a bit cozy, but we’re all on good terms.
Our entire personal space for the next week.
I look forward to posting photos of the brethren soon. Here is a photo of some of the young people in Barcelona two years ago. My daughter (pink outfit) somehow made it into this picture. She is also, remarkably, in the picture on my previous post.
Some of the young people in Barcelona - January, 2007
Bible, Archaeology, and Travel with Luke Chandler 
Will be checking your updates. I was able to visit the congregation in Badalona in the 1980’s (I think) before Efrain Perez came. What a strategic spot for the little church!
I had thought Efrain established the church in Barcelona, but I could have heard wrong. I visited as a college student in 1990 and met Jerry Falk, along with the brethren at that time. My understanding is that 5 congregations exist in the country at this point. We’ll visit with three of them on this trip.
Hope to see you in a few weeks, assuming you survive the latest cold wave up there.
When I visited there with Greg Perkins, the preacher was a Cuban named Garro who was associated with mainstream churches. Efrain came in and taught them more perfectly the way of the Lord. I heard there was snow in Madrid a few days ago. I suppose the elevation there makes it a little colder. I doubt Barcelona ever has snow in town although there may be some in the surrounding mountains.
Pingback: Worship in Barcelona « Luke Chandler
hey Luke, so happy that you are all thriving in Spain. The pictrues are great and it so encouraging to see so many turn out. Love your comments on the
Gadi photos of the architecture. Sure wish I could come with you all to the
British Museum. I am rarely jealous but I am about this…. boo hoo. Still no snow. The girls are calling frost on the grass snow. Ha