Antiquity...

Dear Friends and Family,

We continue to feel the mantle of our calling.  We have been tasked by both the mission president and the Lleida stake president to re-establish a formally-recognized group of the church in the city of Andorra La Vella. This is the capital city in Andorra an isolated country located between France and Spain which is the size of Cache Valley. After a morning prayer to find an adequate place, we drove to Andorra, went to a local property rental business.  At first they did not have anything available, but then the lady said wait.  She checked and found that their next neighbor was moving at the end of the month.  She showed us this three room office space which is exactly what we needed at a very affordable price. Inside of 30 minutes we located the perfect place. I sent info and pictures to the stake president which he forwarded to the area offices in Germany.  We could have approval as soon as this coming week. We believe it will be such a blessing to re establish a group here after being absent from this country for more than 8 years.

Future Andorra Meetinghouse

We found some time on our prep day to do some exploring of antiquity that is so evident in our little village.  In the 11^th century a church was built at the convergence of two rivers, Segre and Gran Vilira, during the beginnings of Le Seu d’Urgell.  Believe it or not, that old church still stands.  Over the centuries it has been expanded through many different iterations to become a massive courtyard including Romanesque pillars with gargoyles.  The main cathedral, Santa Maria de Urgell was built in the 15^th century.  It is mind-bending to see the majesty and advanced engineering and architecture of these old churches.  Though they are still functioning churches with services held every Sunday, they are mostly empty.  During time of the dictatorship of Franco in the early 20^th century, he maliciously suppressed worship, so most Spaniards don’t believe in any religion.

Saint Maria de Urgell, Heart of Le Seu

St. Michaels Church, Standing after 1000 Years

One evening, just at sunset after a long day of work, we decided to take a quick trip to ARFA, which is only 3 miles down the road from the farmhouse.  There again, in the very center of the village, stands an ancient church that was constructed about the early 900’s.  Beyond that these early Spaniards build an arched bridge across the Segre River.  It stood from about 1200 until it was damaged in a flood in 1982.  It has since been reconstructed to its original form.  The antiquities of the structures are truly amazing.

Sunset over ARFA

ARFA Church...Build 900 AD

Bridge Over River Segre

Elder Fowers still has a lot of farm boy left in him even though he left the farm nearly 30 years ago.  He really get a kick out of getting up once in a while at 6:00 a.m. to milk.  Farmer Juan thinks its great that this old, missionary neighbor of his volunteers to help. Nothing better than FRESH milk!

Leche Fresca

One more sweet story to share... a couple of weeks ago we dropped in a sweet couple in our branch that we don't see often.  He has many physical and visual disabilities, the most serious of which is a frozen hip which makes sitting nearly impossible. They have struggled to find acceptance in the community both in and out of the church.  What they need most is kindness.  Pere showed me his intricate, hand-made paper boxes and I made a fuss over them.  When we returned this week for a visit, he presented me with this box.  It must have taken many, many hours, especially with his visual limitations--truly a gift from the heart.  I will treasure it!

Pere's Folded Paper Box

We feel and appreciate your prayers.  We know we are being guided in the work of our Savior and his church.  We know it is His true church on the earth.  We rejoice daily in our service to the Lord.

Love and Prayers from Le Seu,

Elder and Hermana Fowers