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!