Blog — Ariel Rainey

All Day, Every Day

I often joke that my life here is one big experiment in how many coffees I can drink in one day. From the first cup ‘o joe I enjoy in the morning, to all the “coffee meetings” I have throughout the day, including the little coffee breaks I enjoy with colleagues, my day runs on Dunkin’—well, maybe not Dunkin’ exactly but it certainly runs on “café con leche.” European coffee isn’t just a drink to quench your thirst or give you a little energy; it’s a form of communication. It’s an invitation to a sacred, shared space of intimacy and friendship.

MissionsAriel RaineyMarch 12, 2019coffee, Europe, cafes, invest

Book Recommendations: Devotional Reading

About once or twice a year, I ask for feedback from friends on Facebook for their book recommendations for my Bible study time. I love year-long devotional books, as well as shorter studies that I do as supplemental reading. And I’ve been tremendously blessed with FANTASTIC recommendations. I feel like my Bible study tribe really gets what I’m looking for, because I’ve been thrilled over the past few years with the suggestions. This year I opted for two of their recommendations, but today I’m reviewing one of them: Kurt Bjorkland’s “Prayers for Today.”

Mercados in Madrid

European living has some distinct advantages, and one of the things I love most is the abundance of fresh produce. When I lived in France I loved browsing the outdoor markets in the town squares on Wednesday or Saturday mornings. Strolling from stand to stand seeing the hundreds of types of cheese, or the 43 types of olives, or the stand that had all sorts of salami was magical. It was a sensory overload of beauty, fragrance, and samples to taste. But now that I’m living in the capital city of Spain, I’ve had to figure out how Spaniards accomplish the same thing on a larger, urban scale.

Visit SpainAriel RaineyMarch 7, 2019market, mercado, Madrid, San Miguel, produce

A Praying Saint

“Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Ps. 116:15

Last week I lost a supporter, a former Sunday School teacher, and a praying saint. She is being laid to rest today, at the age of 98 years old. I’m so thankful that on my last day in Maryland, I spent an hour visiting her. I knew that time would be precious, but I didn’t expect to lose her so quickly after returning to life overseas.

MissionsAriel RaineyMarch 5, 2019supporter, saint, children, birthday cards

Adventures with haircuts in Spanish

“You can survive it! No matter how bad it is, you’ll live through this and you’ll be fine!”

This is my mantra whenever I’m getting my haircut in Spain. I know it’s not the end of the world—it’s not even that serious! But what strikes the most fear into my heart living here in this city is not the spiritual oppression, or any threat to my personal safety (after all, I’m more than a conqueror through Christ!), but what truly scares me is getting my hair cut one more time in this country.

Visit SpainAriel RaineyMarch 1, 2019haircut, Spanish language, European style, Spanish culture

What I'm reading...in the Bible

I’m going to tell you something shocking right now: I don’t read the Bible through each year. I feel like a bad minister somehow admitting that, but I learned years ago that trying to read through the Bible in one year, every year only set me up to read meaninglessly and for a silly checkmark on a photocopy of a reading plan stuffed in the back of my Bible. While I started every year with good intentions, I always got overwhelmed, and then when life got busy suddenly I was trying to catch up with endless chapters. And constantly jumping from Luke to Leviticus wore me out.

MissionsAriel RaineyFebruary 19, 2019Bible reading, Isaiah, joy, sorrow, Major Prophets

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm reflecting today on the love I've been shown in my life and the way I can show love to others.

MissionsAriel RaineyFebruary 14, 2019Valentine's, Love, Oasis Center

Book Recommendations: Muslims

People often ask me for a good book to read if one is interested in working with Muslims. I have read countless books that have been helpful in understanding Muslims or understanding the background of Islam, and a few *really good* books on how to share your personal experience with Muslims.

Missions, Book recommendationsAriel RaineyFebruary 5, 2019Muslims, Jesus, book recommendation

Spanish Idioms

Spanish has some really unique idioms; some make me laugh, some make me confused, and some are just downright creative. At least half of them I’m afraid to actually say out loud for fear that they’re a form of swearing. 🙊

Visit SpainAriel RaineyFebruary 1, 2019Spanish language, Spanish idioms, Spanish slang

Going to the Gym, Polar Vortex or Not

It’s like 47° below zero, and I’m headed to the gym right now to work out. When I woke up this morning swaddled in blankets and fleece pajamas, there was *no way* that I wanted to get out of that bed and get dressed to go to the gym. But here I am.

Health Journey, FAQ SeriesAriel RaineyFebruary 1, 2019Gym, workout, polar vortex, accountability, power, determination, discipline, freedom

Book recommendations for Missions

People know that I read a lot, and sometimes they ask me if I have book recommendations for missions. Perhaps it’s a subject that interests you, or you want to help inspire others.

MissionsAriel RaineyJanuary 29, 2019books, recommendations, missions, prayer

Identity

As a resident alien in Spain I have an identification card (NIE- photo) that goes everywhere with me. It has my photo, address, valid dates, and of course my NIE number. This is a number specific to me, which begins and ends with a letter, and has 7 digits in between. I memorized it before I even learned my Spanish phone number or address, because it’s connected to literally EVERYTHING I do in Spain. I’m required to show it everyone —from the Amazon guy who drops off my packages to any bank or business establishment. It’s part of my contracts for my apartment, my bills, and my internet service. It’s basically my SSN in Spain. In fact, in three weeks when I go to the airport, I’ll be required to show it at the check-in desk before I even leave America! It goes right with my American passport, to prove that I am both an American citizen and a Spanish resident.

MissionsAriel RaineyJanuary 29, 2019identity, NIE, residency, Spain

How to Encourage a Missionary

To paraphrase a movie I once enjoyed, the key to a missionary’s heart is an unexpected gift at an unexpected time. And like the best gifts, these ideas are mostly FREE.