Sunday in Spain with our young people

Yesterday, on Sunday, we had our last day with the Riquinios ("the cute ones" – the Spanish students who are our hosts) in Santiago.

We went out early in the morning and suddenly it began to rain. We were on our way to the town of Viagarcia de Arusa and there we had breakfast, paid by the nuns who run the house where we are staying.

After that, we went to an old peoples' home administered by the same sisters and we began with mass together with the residents there, also celebrated in Hebrew. One of the resident women began to be very moved and was in tears because she felt that it was Jesus himself who was saying the mass.

Then we went off to walk around the town and we returned to the old people's home. We went around to these old folk and we made them happy by dancing and singing with them. Then we ate lunch prepared by the nuns who work there.

After that we went off to the sea side and some together with Father Apolinary even went into the water!

Before evening prayer, we gathered together again for some games.

Then we began our prayer and it was the most moving prayer that we have had as a group so far!!!!! We began with songs and reading from the Gospel of Saint Luke. Benny gave a brief homily on the readings. On the altar was water, blessed by Father Apolinary, and each one came up, made the sign of the cross with the water and recited the creed, belief in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in whichever language was easiest. It was at this point that the most moving thing happened that had ever happened in any mass we have had together – the emotion was so great that many of those present began to cry out of gratitude, joy and love!!!!

Each one expressed his or her thanks, mostly thanks that we were brought together with wonderful people who received us with such warmth and love. This was mutual, for us and for the Spanish students – so mutual in fact that we feel as if we are one group of brothers and sisters – "Riquinios Flower" (the group of youth from Israel is called "Desert Flower" and the Spaniards "Riquinios")!!!!

Towards the end of mass we received a moving letter from the woman who had wept that morning.

After this moving mass we all returned to the monastery and after showers and getting organized we came together for a party in honor of the new nuns who had just arrived from Portugal and in honor of the Riquinios who were leaving. We celebrated and sang and it was great fun!!! That evening we also presented the Riquinios with our gift, a slide presentation that we had prepared for them.

This was the most moving day in our week so far and everyone enjoyed it immensely!!!