Shifting

I leave for Colombia in less than a week. I don't feel completely ready, but I'm praying that the Lord's grace will be sufficient. That verse in 2 Corinthians has given me a lot of peace in the last few weeks.
I've been in my job nearly two months. Because of the commute, I had to buy a car - my first car. I bought a stick shift because I wanted to master it in anticipation of driving in Spain, and I kept the verse right in front of the shifter to remind me during those first, faltering weeks. Praise God for his mercy. His grace is sufficient.
Please pray as our Tenth team as we leave Thursday. I'm assigned to a medical team conducting a cardiology clinic. Please pray that we would work well and the love of Christ would show through our work. Please pray for fluency (I'm feeling a bit rusty) and understanding. Finally, pray for the two sister churches down there. Pray that we would be an encouragement to them.
And please pray for Spain. The Lord continually reminds me of the work and friends there.

Three Years Out

Cliff-diving in the Pyrenees. I was terrified.

Three years ago today, I landed at Barajas Airport for the first time. I didn't know that arriving in Spain would change my life's calling, but it did. Three years later, I'm still feeling the effects. I never thought I would end up working in Russia or Colombia, let alone moving back to Philadelphia. I feel the Lord gently guiding me where He wants me to go. And I can't get Spain off my mind - or my heart.
Tonight, as I sat deciphering Spanish soccer league schedules (only slightly more confusing than the Madrid Metro schedule!), I thought back to 2008. Youth groups. The beginnings of a church. Kids clubs with Bible lessons. And best of all, sweet brothers and sisters in Christ. Many have become dear friends. I'm so blessed.
And lots changed here in Philly in only three days. On Monday I was offered a job doing public relations and marketing for a manufacturing startup. The logistics have been a little crazy, and I'm sad to leave my job at Tenth, but I have peace about it. It's one more step in my path back to Spain. I can't wait for that day when I land at Barajas Airport again.
As always, please pray for Spain.

Training

It's been a busy week on the Spanish-speaking front. On Monday I helped some friends prepare their new house for their move next week. The house is in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, and I got to speak with some of their Mexican neighbors. God's giving me plenty of opportunities to spot errors and polish my Spanish. Praise the Lord!
The job search has picked up, lately, too. Please pray that I would have wisdom as I discern God's will in terms of full-time versus part-time employment. I'd like to stay at Tenth on Fridays, if possible.
I'm getting more and more excited for Colombia. If you'd like, my support letter is available for your perusal here. 
And don't forget to keep praying for Spain. The earthquakes in southern Spain destroyed a new evangelical church, so you can be in prayer for the parishioners. (Note: article is in Spanish, so English-speakers can view it via Google Translate.) Pray for them as they minister to others affected by the disaster. God is sovereign.

Parkour

I can sympathize with the Apostle Paul when he writes in his epistles about running the race of faith. For me, sometimes it seems more like parkour, or to stay in the race analogy, a triathlon. But what are we supposed to do? Press on!
In the short term, I have some exciting options. I'm beginning work with dear friends on a writing project for a web encyclopedia (no, not that one -- this one) and continuing to seek out freelancing opportunities. I interviewed for a public relations internship on Tuesday, with the hope that working for a firm would beef up my skills. If the latter works out, I may be scouting out a part-time gig, too. Once again it seems that God is reshaping my über planner personality. My mother recently reminded me to "enjoy the process." And for now I'm content to let the proverbial pieces fall into place.
Please pray for these opportunities as they fit into the larger goal of returning to Spain, and that I would use my time in Philadelphia wisely. I'm really missing friends and people I worked with in Spain, and sometimes the thought of returning as a full-time worker seems so far away.
But for those across the ocean, please pray for the individual congregations in Guadalajara, Azuqueca and Alcalá de Henares. To get current information and prayer opportunities, go here, here or here.