Rota Celebration FAQs

Why and What We are Celebrating

We will celebrate God’s faithfulness in the ministry of Victory Villa for the last 50 years through stories, testimonies, and worship. We desire to give alumni an opportunity to connect with other alumni and personally reflect on what God has done in their hearts and lives through the ministry of Victory Villa and Cadence. The celebration weekend will also allow current ministry participants to glimpse the history of Victory Villa, meet alumni whose lives have been impacted through the ministry, and inspire young Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen to walk more closely with the Lord. We hope this event will also connect the broader Spanish community in Rota and Naval Base Rota with the ministry.

Dates and Times

October 23-25, 2025
The celebration weekend begins at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, and officially ends on Friday evening, October 25, following the formal anniversary program.

Schedule

Thursday evening, October 23 all alumni and participants are invited to attend the weekly ministry night led by Ben and Melody Bloker, the Hospitality House Directors at Victory Villa. We will gather with those who currently attend their ministry, joining them for dinner, worship, and a Bible study.

During the day on Friday, October 24, Victory Villa will be open for all to visit the house and grounds and connect with other alumni and friends. Day trips in the area will also be offered. Dinner will be held at a local Spanish restaurant, followed by an evening of sharing stories and testimonies at the hospitality house.

Saturday, October 25, alumni can again gather at the house, participate in day trips, or walk into town. That evening, there will be a formal program, beginning with dinner at the house and followed by a time of celebrating God’s faithfulness throughout the years.

There will be no formal event on Sunday, but for those who wish to attend chapel on base, every effort will be made to obtain base access and provide transportation for you. We appreciate your understanding that we cannot guarantee base access.

Location

The Victory Villa Hospitality House is located in Rota, Spain, near Naval Station Rota on the Bay of Cadiz. The delightful and historic town of Rota is a short walk from the hospitality house and is home to a thirteenth-century castle, a sixteenth-century church, beaches, and restaurants.

Victory Villa Address

Avenido Carlos Cano, 28
Rota, 11520, Spain

Accommodations

Guests will be responsible for arranging their own accommodations. We recommend looking on sites such as Airbnb, VRBO, Hotels.com, and Expedia. There are several good hotels in and around Rota. It is advisable to make reservations as soon as possible.

For active-duty personnel or retired military personnel with a valid retired military ID, you have the option to stay in the Navy Lodge Rota on base.

Transportation

Attendees will need to book their own flights. The closest major airport to Rota is the Seville Airport (SVQ). Jerez Airport (XRY) is much closer but small and may not be as cost-effective or offer convenient flight times. Rental cars are not very costly in Rota, if you’d prefer to have your own transportation. A bus has direct trips to and from Rota to Sevilla airport. Once in Rota, you can walk everywhere, depending on where you book your stay.

Cost

There is no cost to attend this anniversary weekend. Cadence will provide dinner on Thursday and Saturday evenings. You will need to cover the cost of all additional meals, including the group dinner at a restaurant on Friday evening. All day trips and outings are also a personal expense.

What to Bring/Other Details

The weather in Spain in October typically ranges from lows of 60 to highs of mid-70s, with occasional rain. Bring light layers, walking shoes, and a rain jacket. You will want to check the weather shortly before leaving in case the weather is atypical for October.

Bring a type-C Euro adapter for any electronics you will bring. Blow dryers, curling irons, and other items must be dual voltage.

ATMs can be found at the airport and local banks in Rota.

Questions?

Direct all questions to Angie.Sprague@Cadence.org