"I can't wait for Erin Mackenzie to arrive."

And much as I looooooved Portugal, the feeling was mutual. 

I couldn't wait to arrive [in Madrid for the Volunteer Coordinators' Conference], either. Annual in-person time with this workgroup is a gift. We brainstorm with the best of them and fiercely pursue excellence when it comes to equipping our volunteers, keeping them safe, and converting them into long-term advocates, but we also laugh A LOT. 

We came together from (L to R): St. Louis, PR, the Czech Republic, the DR, Kenya, and St. Louis again. Our photographer was a Coordinator alum also from the Czech Republic; not pictured are additional representatives from the DR and Kenya.

Three of those pictured had gotten to Madrid Monday morning and were struggling to communicate with the sweet sisters who hosted us at a Catholic retreat center in the Canillas neighborhood. I'm told the title sentiment was uttered often, and sure enough, Migdalia and I were besties as soon as I showed up around 6:30 pm. One of the immediate questions for her was about heat; there were radiators throughout the building, but they weren't on. She said they were expecting a maintenance guy to come light the pilot light (or something like that) anytime, but we all suspect they had no intention of turning on the heat until December. 

I piled my bed high with blankets and joined fellow caribeña Ashley (and our Africa counterpart, Britt) in huddling around the space heater in the dining hall. 

My birthday fell on the first full day of conference programming. I'm happy to report I turned the group into a bunch of tinto de verano lovers.

Speaking of conference programming...much of our conversation centered around why it's important for volunteers to understand and be able to apply the 3 pillars: Spreading the Gospel, Planting Lutheran Churches, and Showing Mercy.

(Buuuuut the birthday festivities continued the day after with a mid-morning pastry break. My chocolate-filled Napolitana took me back to my study abroad semester, when I'd often stop for one on the walk from the Universidad de Granada back to my apartment.)

Another topic we hit pretty hard, given one of the resolutions at the most recent Synodical convention, was how the role of Volunteer Coordinator dovetails with supporting FORO visitors.

The space heater may have blown a fuse once or twice, but it was nothing the hysterics of story time with Erin A. (3rd from L) couldn't fix. 

Thursday afternoon, Erica Griebel (3rd from L), an expat member of Congregación Emanuel, joined us to share about the history and present reality of the Spain mission...and enjoy the menú del día at a neighborhood eatery.

We hit the city center during a block of free time in the afternoon. Forget "beginning" - it was already looking a LOT like Christmas, if "Cortylandia" on the facade of the department store behind us is any indication. 

Our exploration of the local ministry context continued that evening when we met up for an early (by Spain standards - 8:40 pm!) dinner with the Rev. Allison Henn (2nd from right) and family, recently arrived from Brazil. 

The goodbyes amongst the Coordinators started when we got back to the retreat center, given that some of our number would be up before the sun to catch their Ubers to the airport in the morning. For me, though...and my travel buddy!...vacation part II was on the horizon. 

Until next time, blessings in Christ!