Roads

Tonight I was sorting a box of childhood mementos when I came across a road map of South America. Ever since I was a little kid I've been fascinated with foreign missions. When I used the map as a homeschooler, I learned about my grandaddy's college roommate, Nate Saint, who was killed while attempting to evangelize the Waodani people in Ecuador.

The road I've traveled with God in the last few months has certainly had its turns and twists. Just about two months ago I was laid off from my full-time job at the pharmacy. Although I was sorry to lose the security of a full-time income, I've been excited to concentrate more on my writing work and seek direction in returning to Spain as a career missionary.
Then another twist: I've recently been called short-term to St. Petersburg, Russia, with Student Venture. Deb Lyons, a worship leader at my church, is a worker with Student Venture, which is the high school version of Campus Crusade for Christ. I had read news about her upcoming Russia trip and stopped to talk with her one evening after Bible study. I told her that I was praying for her trip, and she responded that she had been praying -- and that she thought I should go to help her chaperone the high school students and teach English (in order to present the Gospel) to Russian teenagers. What an opportunity!
To be honest, until I prayed more about it, I wasn't extremely excited about the trip. Russia wasn't Spain, I whined. And then all the pieces started falling into place -- my lack of full-time work gave me the time to go, godly friends encouraged me to seek the Lord's will and go, and my family supported me in a decision to go overseas.
And then one of my friends, a Ukrainian girl who recently became a U.S. citizen, told me that it was important that I should go. This girl is not saved, yet knows what I would be doing in Russia.
Now I have to go. And now the Lord's given me excitement about the trip.
One of the weeks of the two-week trip (the last week of March and first week of April) we'll be teaching English at a camp above St. Pete. (Sound familiar? When I saw the photos from last year I was reminded of the camp in Águilas) More than 100 teenagers attended the English camp last year. The other week will be spent in the city proper, teaching English in the public schools.
For more information about the full-time work in Russia, visit Will Rush's blog. Will is a fellow IUP journalism grad and working for Student Venture. You can also view the Student Venture St. Petersburg trip page on Facebook.
Please pray for me as I walk this new road, that I follow the Lord's direction in all of it. Please pray also for my financial support, as I have to raise about $3500 in support for airfare, Russian travel documents and lodging. It's a large amount of money to me, but if God wants me to go I know that He will provide it.

Please also continue to pray for the efforts in Spain. I love that country so much and the Lord loves it way more than I do. Pray for the workers and the ministries there.

The world at my doorstep

It's been a time of great changes this fall. I've recently become involved in an international student ministry, as we have a great number of people who come from different countries to study at the university. On Friday nights we share a meal, then take part in small-group discussions about Christianity. Some come to practice their English, some come because they're curious about Jesus, and some come with a mixture. The majority of the students come from Taiwan and mainland China. What an opportunity! It really seems like the world has come to Indiana's doorstep, with many of the students never having heard the Gospel.
Then there's the Spain connection. The leaders of the international group, George, Alice and their daughter, Amy Huggins, were missionaries in northern Spain for 19 years. It's neat to get to work with such different cultures, but also to be able to work with people who share an affinity for Spain. God is so good.
I've also "adopted" three students as part of the university's international friendship program. I hope to help one Taiwanese and two Chinese girls with their transition to life in the United States by having them over to my apartment for meals, for example. I'll be meeting them soon.
Please pray for us as we minister in this capacity and form relationships with students. Pray for the students' hearts to be open to the Gospel. Pray that I would follow the Lord's direction for my life as I minister here while still longing to return to Spain as a career missionary.
And as always, please pray for the efforts in Spain.

Truth Game

For a minute I'd like to shift focus across the Atlantic Ocean to a new ministry here in Indiana. Verum Venatus, latin for Truth Game, is an outreach for college-age students. The outreach center will be an alternative hang-out with video games and snacks, since Indiana has a drug and alcohol problem. Although video games and tutoring will be used to draw people, the purpose of the center is to evangelize the sizable population of 18-30-year-olds (jovenes!) living here. Please pray for this ministry as we get it off the ground, with an October launch date.
For more information about the ministry, please visit the blog: http://verumvenatus.blogspot.com/

Foreigner

In the week and a half that I've been back in the United States, I've been thinking about what it means to be a foreigner. To the Spaniards, I'm la loca americana (crazy American). To some Americans, I'm a bit eccentric for wanting to serve in Spain -- with its unique culture and language. But as Christians, we're all foreigners in this land. I think many times we get too comfortable with the idea of the world, thinking that it's permanent.
What affected me most about this trip to Spain was seeing the sheer number of jovenes who need to hear and respond to the Gospel. Someday we Christians will go to our true Home. I can think of no greater tragedy than being in heaven and not seeing the wonderful faces of the jovenes I met this summer in Spain.
I posted the picture of grapes at the Lopez-Soto home because there is such a potential harvest in Spain. True, it may be slower in coming than other fields. But God has a plan for Spain. And while we are here -- while we are foreigners in this land -- we can respond to God's call in our lives and listen to how He wants us to bring His plans to fruition.

Worlds Apart

Meet Isa and her grandfather. Isa, 32, is a fellow believer and a member of the Aguilas church. Her grandfather, Felipe, grew up in the evangelical church because his mother was a believer. When I visited his house, he told me that although he has heard the gospel many times, he still doesn't understand or feel the need to accept it. Isa explained that her grandfather married a "woman of the world," a term the Spanish Christians use for anyone who is not an evangelical Christian.
By contrast, Isa visited the Aguilas church one Christmas for a gospel drama. She went as a skeptic, but she said that when she left, she asked for her great-grandmother's Bible, and shortly after came to know Christ. The majority of her family does not believe.
So let us continue to pray for the work in Spain. Let's pray for Isa, that she would be an example in her own family and community. Pray for Felipe and the other members of her family.

Jovenes

Yesterday I had the opportunity to atapear (eat tapas -- finger foods) with a few people my age in town. A few girls from the tourism office, their friends, Abraham and I sat down to a meal that had a lot of food, a lot of laughter, and a lot of discussion. By building relationships in this way, it's often easier to share the gospel with Spaniards.
It was especially interesting to watch how people responded when asked about faith. Many times it's brushed off with a "what you believe is fine; what I believe is fine." But all the non-Christian Spaniards in our group knew what my motivation for being in Spain was without asking. They know about the camps and the church's here. Unfortunately, young people in Aguilas are not interested. This is a widespread problem in Spain -- successfully reaching younger adults.
But as they say here, poco a poco (little by little), Christ's kingdom is being built.
The perspective is different here. Esther said to me the other day that she and Paco are not interested in numbers -- they are interested in a few people to come to Christ, take root, grow and go out and nurture others. Right now the church has about 25 members on Sundays. But the people there are steadfast in the faith. It's a different mindset than some American churches.
It's such a blessing to be able to hang out with people my age and build relationships. Please pray that many inroads would be made and there would be ample opportunities to share the gospel here. The time here is going so fast. Please also pray that I would be diligent in making it count.

Legacies

The church as it is today in Aguilas

Here's a little bit of background to the ministry here in Aguilas. The church was started by Esther's grandfather. Esther is the present pastor's wife and tourism director for the city.
But her grandfather and mother's story in itself is a great story of God's mercy and provision.
During the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) Josefina (Esther's mother), sister, mother and father fled to Barcelona to escape the fighting. Josefina said that she and her sister were in the house when it was bombed, and as a result, her sister 's lungs were severely damaged. Josefina's sister was sent to a sanatorium for two years. During all this time the church in Barcelona helped the family to survive, and finally sent the family to Aguilas to minister there. Tragically, because the family was not Catholic, the nuns who ran the sanatorium refused to give Josefina's sister food and care. She died there at the age of 15, asking for Josefina. The cost of following Christ was also shown when the family was denied ration cards because they weren't Catholic. In wartime Spain, this meant starvation. An uncle who ran a grocery store and again, people from the Barcelona church helped provide for the family.
In spite of great trial, ministry continued. Josefina's husband, Santiago (James), served as pastor in the Aguilas church. Although the evangelical church was forced underground during the dictator Franco's reign, they started a camp for children. Because being evangelical was illegal during this time, the camp was billed as a health camp because of the nutritious food served to neighborhood children. Praise God, this 50-year-old camp served food of the spiritual variety as well.
The family of believers continues today with Pastor Paco, Esther and their sons, Samuel and Abraham. Josefina still lives down the street from the church.

Josefina, on her terraza (porch)

Samuel, Esther and Paco (Abraham was camera-shy)

Abraham and Samuel, the next generation of believers

In Me

How to be a light in Aguilas -- literally!

As I've been ministering in Spain, the lyrics of Casting Crowns' "In Me" keep resounding in my mind. I'm continually reminded of how much I need to rely completely on Christ. I cannot trust my own abilities. I can't even trust that the words I say will be understood. It is only Christ who makes me strong and able to live; to minister.
Tonight at prayer meeting I was struck by the vulnerability shown by the men who prayed. In Spain there's an unspoken law that dictates that men should never show weakness. These are strong men in the Aguilas church, but in prayer they humble themselves before their Savior. What a testimony!

Thank you for praying, as always. I can't believe I've been in Spain almost a week already. Please continue to pray the the Lord would use me for His glory and His purpose.

According to Plan

Two of the campers from my group from last year. Praise the Lord!

I got a little excited about Spain. I rushed off the plane, took the two metros to the long-haul train station and got on my train bound for Murcia with ten minutes to spare. Right train. Wrong time. I arrived three hours earlier than expected. But this timing difference gave me the opportunity to see the Nordgren family and the elementary-age campers before they left. What a blessing to see so many kids from last year return!

We had hoped to have the teenager camp this week, but only two signed up, so at the last minute we were forced to cancel. It's a bit disappointing to not have camp, but the good news is that there is no shortage of work here -- and it's evident that the Lord is using this time for a purpose. Yesterday we cleaned the camp/church building from top to bottom and put things in order. Another thing I've especially enjoyed here is talking one-on-one with teenagers about faith and life. Please pray that the Lord would continue to put people in my path to talk about Him.

Preparation

In just about six hours, I'll hop in my parents' car and make the trek down to Pittsburgh for the first leg of my journey to Spain. Up until this point, I've made the necessary logistical preparations. But God's really reminded me tonight that I need to let Him prepare for me -- I need to let Him prepare my heart to minister, and also to let God prepare His way for me.
Please pray for this assignment God's given me. My love for Spain does not merit much unless the Lord directs my steps.

Please pray specifically that:
-I would be a good help wherever I serve
-People's hearts would be prepared for the Gospel and it would be shared with them
-Missionaries and native Spanish workers would be encouraged
-The church in Aguilas would be filled with the Holy Spirit and be a powerful witness to the city
-Young people especially would be drawn to the evangelical churches
-The Lord would send more workers to Spain!

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. It's been amazing to watch the Lord work through so many people. God has done so much in a year's time!

Transitions

As the title indicates, the last few weeks have brought a lot of transitions in my life. I arrived back in the United States with less reverse culture shock than I'd anticipated, but I think the Lord used the India trip to change how I view the world and to show me a bit of what He has for me. I had the blessing of returning to the U.S. on May 22 and got to spend a few wonderful days with my grandfather, Carey, for whom I'm named, before he went to be with Jesus on May 26.
My granddaddy served the Lord as a Christian radio announcer and a pastor to many western Pennsylvania charges, as well as helping my grandma with her Bible Club mission work. He had a zeal for global missions and even when the Alzheimer's made him unable to speak more than simple phrases, he grinned broadly and said "Yes!" when I told him about the mission work in India and Spain.
So I have the privilege of carrying on the work (albeit in a different field) that my grandfather was passionate about. In just a few days I'll jet back across the Atlantic Ocean and serve in southern Spain. Please pray for this opportunity. Pray that the Lord would let us minister to many people and that teens especially would be irresistibly drawn to the church in Aguilas. We know that God's plan may look different than our plan for this ministry time, so please pray that we would be flexible and wait for His direction.
I can't wait to leave for Spain on July 11. Please pray for this country!

Contrasts

The little boy smiled up at us as we walked, holding his grubby hand out for change. I might not have noticed him because of all the other beggars, but this boy was different.

A thick line of scarring ran from one ear to the other under his chin, with the most scars and disfiguration around his throat. He walked barefoot and stayed close to us for a couple blocks to see if we’d give him any change. Erin commented that his throat and neck were probably mutilated on purpose in order to garner sympathy and enable him to beg for more money. This was one facet of Bangalore.
As we drove through a section of the city, gleaming glass skyscrapers rose out of the rust-colored earth. Just a few feet away tents made from grimy tarps flapped in the muggy breeze. A woman cradled a little girl in the doorway of the tent.
Bangalore is a city of contrasts. The promise of technology, industry and modernization mingle with the impoverished, often in the same city block. Trash cans go unheeded, as garbage is strewn and piled in the streets.
I saw another example of contrasts when I attended an Indian Christian wedding Friday afternoon. India and the West blended in the ceremony. The bride wore a white sari and veil, and the groom presented a mangalasutra – a necklace-like object – along with a wedding ring. The organist played Wagner’s Wedding March as the couple left the church. The guests, with the women dressed in brightly-colored saris, walked to the reception, held in a tent made of tapestry-like cloth.

Another contrast is the transportation system. Vehicles in India drive on the left side of the road and all traffic lines, signs and lights (if they have them at all) are mere suggestions. There are no seatbelts and cars jockey for positions on the road, beeping the horn to alert other drivers. In fact, beeping the horn seems to be the main way of signaling. Rickshaws powered by motorcycle engines and buses crammed with people careen down the road. The rare street policeman, armed with a whistle, is disregarded. Yet there are toll booths that look exactly like the ones on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and hotels and restaurants line the roadways. In Bangalore there’s a Pizza Hut and Ruby Tuesday’s.

Pray for this country of contrasts.
Pray for the workers in this harvest field.

Ruby

The woman in the royal blue sari smiled as she welcomed us into her home. Sambar – a stew-like dish with vegetables and lentils – slowly cooked on a primus stove. A young goat bleated from behind a rusty folding chair, disturbed by the visitors. Five family members lived in the thatch-roofed house that was no bigger than a dorm room. But we were there because of the smiling woman. Ruby is one of the few believers in a remote village 100 kilometers north of Bangalore. Pregnant and with a husband who is not a believer, Ruby lives in a village where persecution at times is bad enough that believers are not permitted to get water from the community well. They’re outcasts because of their testimony to the Name.
We had the blessing of gathering in Ruby’s hut and praying for her, her husband and her baby. The sense of unity in Christ was nearly overwhelming as we stood around and prayed.
Ruby is just one of the Christians I met in that tiny village. Please pray for her and our other brothers and sisters there, and thank you for continuing to pray for us as we minister.

An unconventional life

Some people I've talked with classify Christians as boring creatures. But a friend once said that "when you're in God's will, your life will always be an adventure." I've found this to be very true in my life. It certainly hasn't turned out how I expected, but I've had so many blessings, especially in the last few months.

On Monday I leave for the next great adventure: India! I can't wait to see how Christ is working in so many lives there, and I hope I can be a help there. The Lord has blessed me so much. I'm fully supported and I've been given good counsel by folks in India and in the States.

Please pray for India. Pray for my teammates, Kyle and Marissa, a young married couple, and I as we travel and serve. Pray for that the Lord would strengthen Alan and Erin, and that the transition back to the United States would go well -- and for the baby to be healthy when s/he is born after our return. Pray for the continuing effort in India.

Thank you so much for all the prayers and support. 

Trusting and Planning

In the last few weeks I've been struck by how little I trust. I'm a planner by nature, so I like to know what will happen -- yesterday. With any bit of spiritual stretching and uncertainty I whine and listen to fear. But the Lord reminded me recently that we were not given the spirit of fear, but of power, love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) So I've been given the freedom to seek God's will, plan with a listening ear and trust Him to take care of me even though I don't have control of the timeframe.
Please continue to pray that God would provide the necessary support for both India and Spain. I've been blessed so far and He is faithful.

I chose this picture of Rebekah diving into that water in the Pyrenees because I took a leap of faith -- literally! -- from the height into the icy-cold pool below. I've always been afraid of heights, but in that moment I was allowed to conquer a bit of that fear. 
I can trust the Lord with heights. I can trust the Lord with my life. We serve the sovereign God.

Off the air and in country

This morning I was blessed to share about my time in Spain on Kevin Kubica's "Friendship Circle" Christian program on 1450 WDAD. We discussed the need for more workers in Spain and the need for fellowship programs for Christian youth. We played one of Maritza's songs, Segunda Oportunidad, and talked about how God is blessing the effort in Spain, though work must be done by building relationships first.
But I also got to share some more exciting news: I'll be working again at the Bible Camp in Aguilas in July!
I'm not sure of exact dates yet, but if the Lord will provide the support I need, I'll be headed to Aguilas for a week or so, working with either the children's or teenagers' camp. I'm so excited and blessed to be able to serve in Spain, if only for a little while at this point. 
Please continue to pray for the evangelization of Spain, and that the Lord would provide for me as I look to serve at the Bible camp this summer.

Dios es fiel! God is faithful!

This Just In...

Rebekah and Nora in Azuqueca.

What's almost as good as being in Spain? Talking about Spain! I'll be on Kevin Kubica's Sunday morning radio program on 1450 AM WDAD February 22 talking about my time in Spain and what's next.

Please pray for Spain teammate Rebekah and her dear friend, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Pray for Rebekah as she ministers to her friend.

Remember also to continue to pray for Spain and the effort there. God is faithful!

Late Addition

Don't forget to vote for Christian band Sal150, a candidate for Eurovision 2009. Eurovision is an annual contest wherein each country submits a song and receives votes for the performance. It's like American Idol on steroids.

You can vote for Sal150 here. Nearly a day left in voting time!

Spain by way of India?

Kendra and Javi at one of Karin's English tertulias in Alcalá de Henares.

My path back to Spain may be more roundabout, at least in view of the first few weeks of 2009. But God holds his will for my life, and I'm trying to follow SEND's advice in praying for flexibility.

At the very least, I'll be flying over Spain in a few months, Lord willing. I'm preparing for a mission trip to Bangalore, India, where I'll possibly assisting my former campus minister, Alan, with children's ministry and college women. In addition, I'll be helping Alan and his family move back to the United States, as they need to return in order for Alan to seek medical treatment and diagnosis. Please pray for Alan and his family as they make this transition and find what God has for their lives.
Continue praying for Spain. Eva, my sister in the faith, hosts a weekly evangelical radio program, Destellos del Gospel. You can listen to her broadcast via podcast here. The Guadalajara team is moving forward with their vision for a ministry center. You can donate toward it on the SEND Web site. Everywhere there are signs of the Lord's plan for Spain. Please pray for our dear brothers and sisters there, and that God willing, I could return soon.