A project worth partying for!
A very special period of community service is now behind us. For two years, several hundred friends—mostly in their 60s and older—have traveled to Spain and Finca Alamo week after week for work and socializing.
And the result is stunning: Between Andalusia’s beautiful mountains and the Costa del Sol’s fine beaches, Finca Alamo now shines with new and refurbished facilities. It will be a great place to stay for the many groups and families planning trips in the future.
But – the best result of the project is still the wonderful community and experience of the body of Christ that has been so noticeable during this period. The knowledge, community ties and love for each other that the project has provided is extremely valuable, and will have great significance for the individual and for the 60+ work!
More than 80 friends from several countries in Europe gathered for the party. Friends who, in various ways, had helped to make a major contribution to the project. There was a Spanish evening on Friday and an inauguration party on Saturday. On Sunday, a pleasant dinner was improvised inside Fincastuen for those who were still there.
Eva and Kåre Smith were with us at Finca Alamo throughout the party weekend. It made the days there extra pleasant and rich.
Sun and party after rain!
March 2025 will go down in history as one of the rainiest months in southern Spain. After a long period of drought and water conservation, the reservoirs in the Malaga area filled up to 3 years’ consumption within a few weeks.
The inauguration party at Finca Alamo on March 15 was therefore a difficult date in terms of weather.
But many people’s prayers for fine festive weather were obviously answered; in the afternoon on Friday, the sky turned blue and sunny, and the weather remained fine, dry and warm until Saturday evening – a blessing for the festive weekend.
We’re preparing for a party
An eager group of workers arrived at Finca Alamo the weekend before the party. Preparations had already been underway for a long time. However, much remained to be done to get everything ready.
Enthusiasm and good humor characterized the entire group. Craftsmen ran around the property to ensure that the last wires, lamps, switches and paint stains were put in place. The marquee was set up on the lawn with tables, chairs and decorations. The sound system, piano and TV screen were assembled, tested and approved.
On Friday morning, Finca Alamo was ready to party!
Some glimpses of effort and community the week before the party
Friday – Spanish evening
The festive weekend started on Friday with a Spanish evening, Spanish tapas were served and a couple of chefs made homemade Spanish paella. The food was fantastic!
Kåre Smith told us a little about buying the place. After looking at several places, the choice fell on Finca Alamo. Part of the story is told in the movie shown below. A nice picture cavalcade from the volunteer period was shown on a brand new big screen.
Kåre Smith expressed his gratitude for the work that has been done. In particular, he thanked everyone for the heart and commitment that lay behind the effort.
Furthermore, Kåre talked about how we are baptized with one spirit to be one body.
We will inherit blessing. This is what happens when we serve the Lord Jesus. You don’t get an appetizer with God because of a visible and important service. Everything we do for Jesus comes back as a blessing – whether it’s in the kitchen at home with the children or otherwise. For Jesus’ sake, it becomes a blessing.
If we want what God wants, society is unsolvable. Eventually the fullness increases and the community gets better. We will be together for eternity. We look forward to that. I see that the church is moving towards its change. We don’t know when the quality is ready that Jesus is waiting for. But one day the chief angel will sound his trumpet and Jesus will say: ” Finally, the bones of my bones.
The evening continued with a lot of gratitude, singing and music and community.
(click on the images to see them larger)
Saturday – the party continues
Saturday dawned with sunshine and a joint breakfast. The good weather invited calm conversations in the garden, walks in Estepona and a hike with views of Africa for the fit.
In the afternoon, the celebration began with everyone gathering at the main entrance. There, Kåre Smith performed a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a toast to the work that has been done. After that, everyone settled down in the garden to enjoy some delicious canapés and side dishes.
Inside the tent it was covered beautifully and invitingly.
Kåre Smith highlighted the value of the 60+ work, both at Finca Alamo and elsewhere:
Thank you to the 60+ group for your efforts. I’ve always thought you guys are a real workhorse. Here, you can come on vacation and enjoy a sense of community at the same time. Large families can gather here to celebrate golden and silver wedding anniversaries. And it’s cheap, too! Many thanks to Arild and Maja. They are quite upstanding people. They have social intelligence (not everyone does!) and love in their hearts. So they get it done without too much fuss.
Kåre went on to talk about the glory that the law could not lead to:
Philip 3.4 Paul was somewhat after the flesh. The law was too weak against lust. Then we understand how great the glory is that we can share in. Winning Christ. Everything else was a sham. We will not let sin reign – is that possible? Then we must enter into the promises of life in Christ – share in the same life. We must live in faith that the old man was crucified with Him.
2.Corinthians 3. 5-8 By the law the virtue was from its own power. By faith, virtue comes from God.
What great glory: Divine nature. Then comes righteousness by faith in God. What a salvation: That the life of Jesus should be revealed in our bodies – now while we live
During the party, we watched a movie that gave us an insight into some of Finca Alamo’s history. We were treated to several pleasant and edifying songs. A lot of gratitude from volunteer leaders and others who have made a great effort in the project characterized the content that evening.
Fantastic food produced on newly purchased grills was served. A generous cake table with our own Finca Alamo marzipan cakes was included and made the party extra tasty.
(click on the images to see them larger)
Some thoughts from Arild
The 60+ committee established in 2022 was given responsibility for the Finca Alamo project. Arild Ådalen took on the main responsibility. Many people agree that it was a good choice.
Arild has led the project with a steady hand, great commitment and – not least – a big and warm heart for the project to be characterized by brotherhood and community.
Together with Maja, they have both helped to create a good working environment and ensured that each individual was given tasks adapted to their strengths, abilities and health.
Many of the hundreds of 60+ friends who have contributed at Finca Alamo have returned home with great gratitude for the good experience they got from both work and community.
What did you think when you were asked to take responsibility for this project?
All my life I have loved to do what God wants me to do. When Kåre Smith wants to build Finca Alamo into a place of joy and blessing for 60+, I felt that I would very much like to prioritize time to be involved.
Do you know approximately how many 60+ friends have contributed to the project?
Approximately 550 people aged 60+ have been involved in this work. And in addition, many younger people have asked to be involved. Everyone has carried out the work with great joy, commitment and drive.
Have there been any particular challenges along the way?
There have been many challenges, especially in coordinating with Spanish technical suppliers. That’s why I’m even more impressed with 60+. They have taken the challenges in their stride and found good solutions together with many highly skilled people within the group.
Several people have commented that working and living at Finca Alamo is one of the best experiences they’ve had. Why do you think so many people feel that way?
When they come down, they are well prepared, they have traveled a long way, rented a car and paid all travel expenses themselves. They come with an attitude to perform, not enjoy. It’s like they come to camp, ready for society and work.
Here, they meet up with their childhood friends, whom they work with; they come up with solutions together, eat together, and have a wonderful time. Meals are like a celebration in themselves, several times a day. The evening becomes a gathering of the community, without the usual structure we’re accustomed to.
People get to know each other across the board and often share good stories, faith-strengthening experiences and edifying input in a relaxed atmosphere.
We love being together and feeling the warm, good brotherhood work so well, put into practice.
What has this project meant to you personally?
It means so much to me to meet happy, good friends in a relaxed setting. People who, in their own way—often quietly—have lived a deeply devout life. Many have faced great challenges and worked hard to support large families. Seeing how my friends love being together gives me so much.
You know how the body works in practice, and we are bound together joint by joint. This is so big and has meant so much to me.
What do you think Finca Alamo will mean for us 60+ in the future?
Finca Alamo will be a gathering place for those who want to enjoy a vacation and spend time with close friends in a safe and secluded setting. I think many more people will have the opportunity to become owners of a Finca.
After all, it’s the church’s beautiful place, which we own together!
And finally – as many are wondering: Will there be more opportunities for community and volunteering down there?
There will be more volunteer weeks!
There will be two fixed “park” weeks a year. One in the spring and one in the fall. We have several projects to carry out in the pool area and in the park. An outdoor dining area with a barbecue, pizza oven and bar will be built.
It’s great that so many people are ready for more work, and there are several people who haven’t been involved so far who want to experience this great joy of work. So we continue with more 60+ volunteering.
Greetings from some grateful hearts
Erik Kristoffersen
It has been a great pleasure for all of us to be given the grace to be part of the work to make Finca Alamo such a wonderful place for life, community and well-being.
In the planning and execution of the project, we have felt a spirit of unity and community that has blessed it all. Being and working so closely together over time with dear friends across local churches expands the community and the work of the gospel binds us more and more together with eternal bonds of life,
We feel that this drives us towards new tasks that will come and we long to each other to experience how rich in glory his inheritance in among the saints
Finally, I just want to express how I feel in my heart after all that we have experienced together::
“in the midst of the congregation I will praise you!”
Eldrid Gangsø
“I’ve had one of my most interesting years in this volunteer period at Finca Alamo. To have been able to work and be with so many “old and new friends” across cities and countries has been very enriching and interesting.
The warmth in the air and the sun in the sky have been good, but it’s the warmth of everyone I’ve worked with that has left the deepest impression.
Knowing the community and the love that exists among friends, it can’t really be described in words, it has to be experienced.
I’m just very grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to be involved and everything I’ve experienced during this volunteer period.
Troels Mittag
Finca remains a dream location.
Very grateful for all I have experienced of brotherhood and community with many from unequal congregations. It’s the biggest thing I’ve experienced since my youth.
A 🔥 has been lit in me at Finca, imagine being allowed to come again and again and do masonry work with hard-working sisters and brothers, I would say that it has been a party from start to now !!!
Thank you so much for letting us join you at Action Finca, and together with the brotherhood we have enjoyed sun, swimming in the pool and the Mediterranean, ripe fruits from the orange grove,
…that’s how the angels sing, soul what more do you want!
Grateful Greetings Dorte & Troels.
Eli Kronstad
Thank you very much for the time I have been allowed to spend working at Finca Alamo.
These have been some unforgettable and enriching days. Working alongside dear friends who were once just familiar “Brunstad faces,” I have now formed strong bonds with them.
I have also been able to feel and taste the goodness and content that lives in the individual.
Working, good food, pleasant evenings and good conversation have been a good combination. This has enriched my life.
It’s been like a 60+ A team😊
Øyvind Baltsersen
The volunteering at Finca Alamo has been an indescribably rich time for those of us who were allowed to participate.
There were many incredibly pleasant working days and weeks with dear friends from different countries and churches. The joy and enthusiasm of the work inspired us all to keep going.
Some of these friends had “only” been a Brunstad face. Now we got to be together in work and heartfelt fellowship and brotherhood. We came to know more of the goodness that was in the individual, a radiance of an enlivened spirit that bound us together with eternal ties that God gives.
This had to be experienced to be understood, it cannot be explained in words. There were many good and rich conversations well into the late hours of the night.
I’m delighted that we’ve been given such a fantastic opportunity to use the site in the future with the many opportunities for enjoyment, trips and activities down there.”
Bjørg Kristiansen
It has been a joy and enrichment in my life to be part of the volunteer work at Finca Alamo.
Living and working so closely with over 60 friends has been a learning experience. We’ve had the opportunity to share our life stories, our experiences of faith, and how each of us has remained steadfast through life’s trials. Meeting familiar “Brunstad faces” and sensing the same spirit of faith that they embody.
I’ve gotten to know how others have stood in different family relationships, and that has given me the inspiration and strength to stand upright in all relationships.
A foretaste of eternity. Highly recommended.
Willy Epland
Being allowed to be part of the work that will be carried out at Finca Alamo is a grace from God! Working with friends who are filled with a pure, selfless, heavenly Spirit that is passionate about the success of the church’s work of God has been a tremendous experience!
It has awakened me to be grateful for all such friends who voluntarily dedicate themselves to the task! This is God’s word in practice! Yes, many heavenly values are revealed in many friends who have shared their life experiences during pleasant, informal and edifying feasts after an active working day here!
The community that is built here is the most important, and will be a good foundation that develops forward in the individual and we are bound together with the ties He provides.
Praise God for our brethren who see this need and provide so well for us!
Gabriele “Gabi” Matulke
For me, volunteering was a summary of well-being, community, joy and work.
Being together with people, most of whom have lived a godly life for many years, creates a very special and unique atmosphere.
A privilege to be involved
Thank you so much!!! It is important in old age to do something for the common good and not live for oneself.
Poul Østermark Larsen
We are very grateful for our time at Finca.
Paul teaches us not to forget to work with our hands (Acts 20:34-35). We have been able to experience this during our time at Finca.
It has given a greater depth and dimension to society and brotherhood, which we are incredibly grateful to be a part of.
With grateful greetings from Annalise and Poul
The social gem on the Sunshine Coast
An interesting film that tells us a bit about the history of Finca Alamo
Memories from a time of volunteering
Some memorable and enjoyable clips from the volunteer period that lies behind us.
Thank you to Inger Skreosen Kristoffersen who has provided most of the photos from the party weekend!
And thank you to everyone else who has contributed with photos and videos!