IFES Debriefing

We spent the second week of June in Calafell, just outside Barcelona. We'd never been to Spain before and Jonathan was encouraged that, although he could speak no Spanish, he would have been able to say all that he needed to (to Spanish staff etc) if we had been in Greece!

Being on any conference with 3 small children limits one’s involvement(!) but we were able to spend some quality time with our IFES colleagues and with each other.

The highlights:
For the kids

• the Hay family (Brussels), Luke is 5 and Daniel 3. Joel and Hannah spent quality time with them!
• The beach AND the swimming pool where both grew in confidence in swimming and sand-something making (a boat!)

For us

• being able to relax and enjoy great company - good chats with colleagues
• good food (in abundance!)
• a great Eurovision-style fun evening on the beach
  
• and just being witness to God’s work through faithful workers.

I was particularly encouraged to meet some Relay Homestarters (1 year with UCCF, 1 with a different IFES movement) and see that programme in reality.

The setting, a hotel near the beach, was very comfortable and relaxing, and we (from Athens) enjoyed the relatively cool temperatures (top 20s) and sea breeze! Athens felt even hotter on our return!

We will see many of these guys again at IFES Orientation in late August—Team Leaders and those staying on for a second year.