Personal Express Autumn 2001

Rest... Ha!

A 9-month sabbatical went quickly and was more a change than a rest. It was good to get involved in activities which had a more structured programme than our usual life, both in the Help Center working with young people with a variety of psychological, physiological and substance-related problems... then after 3 months moving to OM's German office in Mosbach. Here Hilde was on reception while Chris helped both in the bookkeeping and with preparations for the January international recruits' conference. The final month of the sabbatical was in Britain, where we attended a training course among other things. Already early on during the time away it became clear that for the time being the Extremadura job is right for us.

Transition

During the spring and summer months we have met the team, found a house to rent, put Arganda up for sale and moved in the hottest weather and between visits to the summer campaign, which this year began with a conference in Paris and then moved to Pamplona, world capital of bull-running. Our week there at the end of the campaign was one of excellent open air opportunities and we saw a number of decisions.

My kind of job!

We have signed up for an initial 2 years as co-ordinators for the OM Spain western region. So far, much of the ministry has entailed driving the beautiful open roads of the region, up to 200 km for a lunch, then back home at night. Those who only know M4 traffic will undoubtedly be surprised to learn that there are still parts of Europe where you can cruise at 75mph for hours (well, half hours) without passing a single lorry. Birds of prey, including eagles and vultures, are more common sights on many roads. Countryside varies from virtual desert conditions to the most beautiful green or snowy scenery. Paddy fields, cherry orchards, common oak forest and vineyards are interspersed with grazing grounds where fighting bulls and prize “pata negra” pigs shelter under holm and cork oaks. One day we will have to start real work!