Just one example of this is last time I wrote about someone who stated they wanted to be my first pupil to learn more about God, since then we have been able to set up a time to have a bible study every week on Thursday nights. We have had two so far and they have went very very well, and I am so excited to see how God is going to work. Right now I am just working on building relationships, learning the language, and being open to God's leading whatever or where ever that might lead.
I decided that just in case some of you don't get my newsletters through e-mail that I would post my monthly newsletter on here as well, so here goes...
Well I finally am here safe and sound in Granada, Spain, thank all of
you for your prayers for safe travel and good transition! I arrived Tuesday,
the 15th of March, in Madrid then took a 5 ½ hour bus ride to Granada. Once
here Chris and Nicia Irwin picked me up at the bus station and took me to
their home, where I stayed for a few days. Once everything was ready I went
to the apartment where I will be living and met my roommate Iveth. Everyone
has been so wonderful, and I can’t wait to get to know them better.
The first week I arrived here, I started my Spanish classes, which will
be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for two hours. The classes have been very challenging especially because the teacher does not speak in English at
all. I have heard though that is a very good approach and that I will be
thankful for it later. It has shown to be extremely important that I know
and can speak Spanish well, because most of the people here do not know
English at all. Although that can be overwhelming at times, it has
challenging me to fully rest in Christ for peace and wisdom, and to allow
His power to work in me to learn quickly.
Open Hearts...
I have had the opportunity to meet and work with the youth group from the
church a few times now. Most of them do not speak English, which has been a
challenge, but they have been really welcoming and I am starting to build some
relationships with them through my actions, interpreters, and the little bit of
Spanish I know. I have really been reminded over and over again while I'm here
that the way I live my life, not necessarily my words, often speaks louder of
Christ and His love to those around me.
I also have the great opportunity to go into the school system every
Tuesday and Thursday and help teach an English class to 2nd graders. This is
such a great opportunity to show Christ’s love to the kids and teachers, and
to build great relationship in the community. I have already had the
blessing of meeting with a couple of the teachers who wanted to practice
their English and offered to help me practice my Spanish. During these
meetings I really have felt that these women just wanted to meet not just to
learn but because they just want to be friends. I really feel that God is
definitely opening a door through this for me to share about Christ with
them.
I attended a meeting a couple of weeks ago about the Cinderella’s House
and meet Elisa and talked a little bit to her about me desiring to help with
the ministry. She was very excited about that, but we have not been able to
have another meeting because she was leaving the country for a couple of
weeks. I will keep you updated on more as I receive more information.
It hasn't been easy these past few weeks, I have dealt with the culture
shock, my computer's hard-drive crashing, the language barrier, and so much
more, but God's grace, strength, and peace has truly flowed in every
situation since I have been here. I have seen Him work situations out like
only He could, and open doors that only He is capable of opening. The people
here are in such a desperate need for Christ, they are broken and their
hearts have been hardened from years of false religion, but there is hope.
Through relationship and patient love God is opening hearts to hear and
receive the message and I firmly believe God is going to do great things in
the lives of these people!
Please be in Prayer for...
-Relationships to continue to be built, and that more opportunites will arise
for me to share Christ with the unreached.
-For the meetings I am having every week with the two teachers
-The youth group and their leader Raul
-The Cinderella's House
-That God will continue to open my mind to learn the language
Words cannot express how thankful I am for all of your prayers!!
" I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy!" -Philippians 1:3-4
