~Barcelona Commentary - June 2011

 Barcelona Commentary

Rev. & Mrs. Nathan A. Harrod
  Missionaries to Spain 

    United Pentecostal Church International

Revival Report...

Our First National Ladies Convention

In the Month of May we had our first ever, National Ladies Convention in the city of Zaragoza. Ladies from all over Spain traveled to receive a blessing. We were privileged to have Sister Jessica Marquez, missionary to the Dominican Republic, come and speak during this great event. There were over 700 ladies that attended with many receiving the Holy Ghost during this two day meeting.

Record Sunday In Barcelona

The Lord is blessing the church here in Barcelona. Most Sundays we have been averaging over 350, but this past  month we had a record Sunday with 445 in attendance. We have also had over 40 receive the Holy Ghost so far this year at "Los Pentecostales de Barcelona." God is bringing the increase!

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Together we are claiming Spain in Jesus' name!     God Bless, Nathan, Tanya, Alaina and Lincoln Harrod The following pictures are of Barcelona, Spain: Additional information on Barcelona:

Barcelona, Spain's second largest city, and the 2,000 year-old capital of Catalunya, is a thriving port town with an excellent year-round climate, a cosmopolitan attitude, and enough art, architecture, nightlife and gastronomical delights to satisfy travelers of all ages and budgets. Indeed, if you are planning to travel Spain Barcelona should not be missed.

Barcelona Spain was the seat of a vast Mediterranean empire when Madrid was one-horse outpost on the sweltering Spanish steppe. Since 133 BC, the Romans, Visigoths, Franks and Moors have all, at one time or another, controlled Barcelona. The city grew increasingly more powerful throughout the middle ages. In 1561 the more centrally located city of Madrid became the seat of the Spanish Royal court, though well into the eighteenth-century Barcelona enjoyed special privileges and autonomy in the Catalunyan region.

Though it has a population of over three million, Barcelona Spain feels much smaller and more accessible. For the wandering tourist,Barcelona attractions are easily seen on foot.

Barcelona is comprised of four main districts: Ciutat Vella or the Old City, El Barri Gotic or the gothic quarter, La Ribera (the waterfront area), and El Raval, the outskirts southwest of the Rambla. Like Madrid's Gran Via, La Rambla is Barcelona"s main thoroughfare, and among the best Barcelona attractions. La Rambla bisects Barcelona"s Old Town, and is a perfect first stop for tourists looking to familiarize themselves with the city.

After a walk down La Rambla, and a stop at the nearby Boqueria Market, head to the Gothic Quarter to see the Catedral de la Seau. Other Barcelona Attractions include a stop at Antoni Gaudi"s unfinished architectural master piece, the Sagrada Familia. In color and texture this towering cathedral resembles a sand castle that has been smoothed over by a wave, or perhaps a sculpture of ice that is slowly melting away.

After a day trip through downtown, make your way up to Parc Guell. Also designed by Gaudi, this park overlooking downtown Barcelona was originally designed as a residential compound, though only two houses were every built on the site. Nonetheless, the twisted ceramic benches, towering pillars, warped sidewalks and multicolored tiles lend an Alice-in-Wonderland feel to this most original of Barcelona attractions.

After a long day of hoofing across Barcelona, the hungry traveler should look for some authentic Catalan food. The Mediterranean diet of virgin olive oil, seafood, onions, garlic and red wine is a mainstay in Barcelona.