It's been a week now so it's about time that I introduced you to my beautiful new Spanish house mate Esther Vazquez. Esther exploded into our lives about a month ago, and though she's only been in 15 Caledonian rd a week, she's already winning our affections...
Those keen blog readers amoung you will be able to cast your mind back and remember that a month ago I was in Madrid visiting the Spanish 24-7 team. While I was there I met a determined and surprising young woman called Esther who was looking for a chance to change her life, make a fresh start and be part of a Christian community.
Her genuine passion and determination really struck me so I checked with Bex and Smiles and we decided to put our money where our mouths are and offered Esther a room in our home. We spend so long talking about hospitality and what our spare room could be used for we figured it was now time to put our thoughts into action.
Last week Charlotte and I drove to London and brought Esther home with us. She's all moved in and bringing a different flavour to our home. Most evenings the air is filled with the sound of singing as her clear voice belts Spanish songs. As her English improves her sense of humour is coming through and as she settles into Chichester, makes new friends and applies for jobs her face has a new vitality and warmth it was missing in Madrid.
I really admire her. If I knew I needed to change my life would I have the guts to move to another country to live with a group of total strangers and rebuild my life from scratch. In one week she's already one the affections of a Chichester boy, made many many friends and sung her way into a weekly slot at an open mike night in Havanna's.
Please pray for Esther to find a job quickly and pray for Bex, Smiles and I that we can be good friends to our lovely new house mate... xc