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.