For over a week I have wanted to write this and today I finally had a chance to breathe a little. Café Terra Nova opened last Monday, April 5 2004 with the arrival of Semana Santa. I worked with my team mate Scott during the first morning shift and it was difficult not to be overly giddy when our first customers walked through the door. We spent the week familiarizing ourselves with our stock, the cash register and learning the plethora of ways that one can order a coffee in Spanish and Gallego. This week the training on tourist clients settled down a little as workers and students in the city returned. I have been very pleased to see how the café has already brought many of our friends and how we have met so many new people in the community. In a week we are already beginning to see “regulars”. We have hired our first Spanish worker, a friend of ours from GBU. He has experience in waiting restaurants and Cafés in Spain. This Thursday night we are going to continue the discussion over Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son in the café. We have been very pleased with the overall responses and comments that we have heard about the café. People like the way we have decorated, the styles of music that we play and in the afternoons they especially enjoy sitting in the area that is like a small living room. We have a small terrace in front with potted flowers on the window sills. As you walk in the front door we have two small olive tree topiaries. From inside our 10 ft high windows cover the front of the café with a view of a plaza, Alameda Park, and Gallego hillsides that face the cathedral. We have our first exposition of local art on display. In the living room section we have a red sofa and love seat. Behind the living room area we have a section of wall space where we want to put three internet stations with flat screen monitors, so that with a morning coffee one can send out an e-mail or check out some web news. This will also be an area where we can advertise upcoming events in the café. To see photos of the café go to the click here. Please praise the Lord with us for his faithfulness! Also, please continue to pray for us as we learn how operate this café. Please pray for our families as we attempt to balance our schedules. Please pray that God will grant us unique insight for ways to share his love and truth. Please pray that God will bless our witness as we have a more visible presence in the community.