Pics from our Spanish Christmas

Here are some pics from our Christmas. Christmas in Spain lasts from early December till January 6th (or Three Kings Day). We celebrated as a family, had a visit from Granny and Papa and enjoyed Three Kings Day with a parade and some cake.

Back in Spain

We are back in Spain and back to work. Evelyn is back in school, a new one at that, enjoying kindergarten. Here are some pics from our first weeks back.

European New Staff Training- Ligonde, Camino de Santiago, Spain

From July 26th to August 10th Garrick attended Agape Europe's New Staff Training with student volunteer Sam. With 35 other staff, students, and volunteers from Spain, France, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, and Holland they served modern day pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, spent time in theological and ministry training, and built a community of faith and service. Here are some pics:

Spring Pics

Mathis celebrates Barcelona's Championship

Our life at the airport

Roman Ampitheater in Tarragona, where we went for our national conference

Worship at La Conexion

Sam, Evelyn, Dziu, and Kate in Tarragona

All the Agape kids at the national conference

Bomberos! Evelyn Goes to the Fire Station

Evelyn's class went to visit a fire station. She had a good time, but did not want to dress up as a firefighter like the rest of her classmates. Bombero is the spanish word for firefighters.

Christmas in Granada

Christmas has been an eventful time for the Roegners this year. Evelyn's class visited the town hall one day to visit the Natvity Scene there (called Belenes in Spanish, everyone puts elaborate ones up from banks to department stores to government offices). While there Evelyn and her class met and sang for the mayor, and even were recorded for local TV. We missed the news that night, but heard from our friends that Evelyn was on the local news. Pretty cool.

Also, the last day of school, Evelyn's school gave a Christmas concert. Evelyn dressed as an angel and her class sang a traditional Spanish Christmas song.

Christmas was spent with our friends the Mayers, and their teammates Pablo and Judy. Also, fellow Agape staff and Texans, Wes and Meghan came up from Malaga to spend a few days.

Garrick's parents came in for New Years. And on the night of January 5th we all attended the Cabalgata. The Cabalgata is a huge parade that every city has, as the Three Kings (or Reyes Magos) enter the city to bring gifts to children. Spain celebrates this day to commerorate the wise men who came to worship and give gifts to the newly born Christ child. The parade is a spectacular show consisting of much candy being thrown into the crowds. Evelyn said it was the best parade ever. We also spent part of the night with our friends Sam and Sheila, and visited our neighbors Rosario and Maria.

Thanksgiving in Spain

1 Turkey, 5 Americans, 12 Spaniards, 1 Italian, 1 French dude, Pumpkin and Apple pie = lots of Thanksgiving fun