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.

Working for The Lord

One of my last views of Spain. I miss it so much.

A few weeks ago I flew out of Pittsburgh to visit some friends and look for work. While going through the security checkpoint, a TSA worker initialed my boarding pass and greeted me with "God is good -- all the time!" and grinned. We chatted a while about ministry and God's goodness. I was wearing the t-shirt for my church's campus ministry and he quipped, "nothing like working for the Lord!" 
I didn't have time to explain to him that I hadn't been working for the Lord because I was too busy trying to find a real job.
I need reality checks like that TSA worker. When I tell a friend how God is working in my life, I'm working for the Lord. But it's not for my credit. I don't get a fancy benefits package or a big salary. It's for His glory. And he deserves my work for Him. He alone is sovereign.

Although I don't snag a six-figure paycheck, I do earn benefits. He provides for me, even if it's not the job I envision. And He sends His peace -- and assurance that when it's quitting time for me on earth, I can go to eternal rest.
I doubt many CEOs' retirement plans include eternal comfort and restoration.
So in whatever career path you find yourself, working for the Lord's the best gig! Keep working!

Seeking and Finding

Last night I presented about Spain to Ransomed, my church's campus/young adult group. All of Friday I was excited to share about what God did this summer, but God reminded me of the necessity of being obedient to him about two hours before I started talking to the group. My brother, Jesse, called me from outside the church with the insistence that I come downstairs and "use my Spanish."

I ran down the stairs and found my brother out on the church lawn talking to a Mexican man. "Qué quieres, hermano?" I asked. "What do you want, brother?" The man, a migrant worker, was lost and needed to get to the bus station so that he could work on another farm farther south. So my brother and I walked with him to the station, and along the way, got to talk about what we believed. I never caught his name, but he was excited that "church people" would help him. And as he left us, exultant that he reached his destination, he commented "I am Christ to you, and you are Christ to me."
It really convicted me, then, because I started to wonder whether I was being a good representative for Jesus. Are we seeking opportunities to talk about Christ every day? Are we praying for missionaries that they would be unafraid -- even in light of persecution -- in sharing the Gospel?

The incident with the Mexican man made me so grateful for my experience in Spain, and gave me a reason to keep praying for the work there and in all Spanish-speaking areas. So I ask you, please ask God to show you how you can pray for Spain. You may find that it's a reminder as simple as an e-mail update, or a man standing on your church lawn.