Introduce yourself and your city?
My name is Tori. I’m a 20 year old English girl living and working in Madrid, Spain.
What’s your city known for?
Madrid is a great city but isn’t particularly famous for much. The buildings are beautiful, the people are beautiful, the food is beautiful. But there’s no beach, there’s no huge tourist attractions, it’s not even that big for a city…so it’s charm springs from the metropolitan, clash of the old Spain (jamón on every corner) and the young, professional and extremely international mixture of urban dwellers. Though it certainly does have the best metro in Europe. Fact.
If we were to visit, what 3 places would you take us?
La Paloma Blanca. It’s a fantastic, super Spanish tapas bar in the centre of the arty district of town. With every drink you order, there comes lots of little plates of tapas to share so the more people in the group, the more variety of food available.
Gran Vía to Retiro, it’s the main stretch of road leading up to a beautiful park…I’d take you all along there to enjoy the beautiful buildings and bustle of the city before going boating in the Retiro Park.
Chamberí is Madrid’s best kept secret. It’s an old metro station that was closed down in the 60’s and yet has remained in it’s 1940’s state. It’s free to enter and a really cool, spooky place to visit and step back into 1940’s Madrid.
How are you serving your city?
I’m working as the youth pastor of Mountainview International Church which exists to serve and equip the international community in Madrid and especially in the North Western suburbs of the city. I help run various projects including a free café in the school where we meet for worship, lots of youth clubs and events and groups for young adults in the city centre.
Where is your fave place to pray in your city?
In the park where I go for a run. There’s a hill at the side which overlooks the urban sprawl and frames the most beautiful of sunsets. It’s where God reminds me how much he loves this city.
Where is your fave place to eat in your city?
100 montaditos. It’s a bar which serves huge drinks and tiny baby sandwiches. On Wednesdays and Sundays everything is 1 euro. Bargain!
How can we pray for your city?
Spain has a very hostile view towards God. They make the automatic connection to Catholicism and the tragedy of the civil war which had a heavy catholic drive. So, as well as praying for specific ministries such as Mountainview, Spain is in dire need of people to intercede for the souls who have been damaged by Christianity in the past. Pray that God will reach Spaniards despite their misconceptions. Pray for God to breakthrough these hard hearts and change this country.
check out Tori’s blog here
We’re running a two week mission trip to Madrid this summer. Email gemma@blessnet.eu if you’re interested