Be Apostle in Barcelona:
When Mountain Hikes Become Paths of Faith
A Summer Full of Providence and Grace in Spain
Hello dear friends,
I'm checking in from Spain! I had barely arrived when I received the first gift: Nina, a fellow missionary from EMC, invited me to Portbou for the weekend, where she was serving on a mission. Together with the incredible hospitality of a couple here in Barcelona who welcomed me so warmly, it was the perfectly blessed start to my time here.
The "Be Apostle" Summer Camp
The entire last week, I helped out at the "Be Apostle" summer camp hosted by the Diocese of Barcelona. Even though I hardly speak any Spanish, God blessed me with a deep, almost wordless connection with the teenagers. Many of them come from very difficult backgrounds. That made it all the more precious to see how this camp became a true oasis for them—a place where they could simply recharge in God's presence and be children.
25 Kilometers, Heat, and Trust
The adventure began right on the first day: We hiked up a mountain, camped out in tents under the open sky, and started the next morning with Holy Mass out in nature.
What followed was a true challenge: a 25-kilometer hike over hill and dale to our hostel. It was an extremely tough trek, but it was deeply impressive to see how well the teenagers mastered this effort. Amidst the exhaustion and steep paths, they began to trust us leaders. It was like a living catechesis: Even when the path in life is steep and hard, Jesus is with us on the way.
Tears, Wounds, and Adoration
At the hostel, the days were filled with a mix of talks, games, church services, and plenty of prayer. It was moving to witness how the teenagers found their way into prayer step by step, courageously went to confession, and stepped before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration. When one of the leaders shared his testimony, everyone hung on his every word and praised God together.
Of course, there was plenty of fun too: the camp-wide Olympics culminated on Saturday in a massive, colorful water and paint battle! The spiritual highlight then was the grand, solemn closing Mass on Sunday.
A Farewell That Stays in the Heart
When the buses arrived on Sunday after lunch and we said our goodbyes, one girl suddenly started to cry. In that moment, she realized what an incredible blessing this week had been for her. I hugged her and could only give her one truth to take with her: No matter what difficult situation you are returning home to now, Jesus goes with you. He lives in your heart.
I continue to pray intensely for these teenagers and am grateful for the wonderful local catechists who will continue to accompany them in their everyday lives.
God is at work, transcending all language barriers!
With all my love from Spain and God’s blessing,
Nici