Singing Men of Texas
Spain Journal
Friday the 23rd
As we gathered in the lobby this morning, we met two representatives from the International Mission Board who will be traveling with us for a few days to cover our trip. We left for the youth prison in Cáceres (which means ages 21-35 here). Arriving at 11:45 and passing through several secure areas, we were escorted to the auditorium. The men gave a 30 minute concert, followed by a sermon by Mike Gonzales. At first, the mood was fairly rowdy, but as we prayed, we saw the attitudes of many inmates changing. An invitation was given, and there were several decisions. David & Joy Borgan hold a weekly Bible study here, and will be able to disciple those who made decisions.
We drove to the city square of Cáceres and walked to the Church of the Precious Blood. The men sang two songs on the front steps and then invited the people into the church for a short concert. We wonder if this church has ever before resounded with the strains of songs like "No Night There" and "Great, Great Morning." The acoustics were wonderful and the men were very well received. As the concert ended with "To God Be the Glory," we realized again how amazing it is that we are being allowed to sing in these "major altar" areas, with statues of St. John the Baptist, St. George and St. Peter in the background. Baptist history is being made.
Today is the Festival of St. Jorge; on this holiday, men present roses to their wives. However the men on this trip chose not to celebrate in this fashion!
Burger King was our lunch site. There was a lovely park across the street, so again we had a great dining experience.
We arrived back at the retreat center in Montanchez at 4 p.m. We are really enjoying this lovely town and our accomodations here. Situated in the hills, this center is similar in climate and scenery to our own Glorieta center.
Before heading back to Cáceres at 7 p.m. we had a light supper of peanut butter and jelly in the lobby. Our 9 p.m. concert tonight at the new Auditorio de Cáceres is free, as are all our concerts. All publicity is being paid for by local banks, and the theatres are being provdied for us by the city governments.
The concert was again a great success - well attended and enthusiastically received. Our handbell group was playing the Spanish national anthem, and the stage hands were backstage saluting tonight during this time. The Spaniards are very appreciative of our efforts to sing songs in this language.
At 11:20 p.m., we left to go to a banquet and Flamenco Festival, which was hosted for us by Raimundo Holgado, a Spanish knight who works for the bank of Extremadura. The menu included hams and cheeses, a Spanish omelet, lamb and local pastries. Don Blackley presented our host with a Texas bolo in a hilarious mock knighting ceremony.
The Flamenco festivities lasted until the wee hours of the morning. Enough said!
Click on picture to see the large version.
Baptist General Convention of Texas consultant, Mike Gonzalez, preaching to prison population.
Inmates at the prison in Cáceres
Prison Concert in Cáceres
Singing in front of the church to draw people in.
Singing in the church in Cáceres.
Singing in the church in Cáceres.
At the Flamenco Festival
Our new friend, Grace Robinette, with Cindy and Bruce Berry Grace is photographer for the International Mission Board