Buenas Tardes!
I am about 9 days from my last update and a lot has happened. Language learning is going well but I am definitely not short on frustration. Learning a new language is hard work all on its own. Learning a new language and trying to minister and serve people with whom you have very limited communication ability is even more of a challenge. It is hard to see the compassion on their faces and yet be unable to understand much of what they are saying. Steph is here to translate when needed but there are 8 of us and only one of her. I try to take comfort in knowing that regardless of whether or not we understand each other, God is still God and He speaks all languages. They people here have expressed great appreciation for us coming which I am thankful for because many times I feel more in the way than anything. I believe God has brought us to Murcia to encourage the church leaders and members here. It has taken awhile to see how He is using us but I know He is doing a lot.
I had mentioned in my last update that I was having some trouble connecting with my host (Pepe). Praise God that we have finally gotten over that hump. I was growing increasingly discouraged because our relationship just wasn´t progressing at all. Finally, at the suggestion of Eric (pastor of the church), I asked Pepe out for coffee. This was on Tuesday morning. Monday night Eric said that I should ask Pepe to go for coffee and that that would help break the ice better. So on Tuesday morning I woke up early and got ready. Pepe was gone but I felt God telling me to just wait for a few minutes. I prayed and decided to wait for 15 minutes and that if God wanted me to talk to Pepe that he had better show up within that 15 minutes. Sure enough about 10 minutes later Pepe road up on his scooter. I told him I was waiting for him (in spanish) and asked if he wanted to go for coffee and he said yes. So we went and for the next hour we did the best we could to communicate back and forth. This is one of the biggest answers to prayer that I have experienced yet in Spain. I believe (based on how people talk about him) Pepe is misunderstood easily by people and people are often quick to judge him as being different. I am happy that God is working in the situation and regardless of the fact that I understand very little of what he is saying, I hope that I can be an encouragement to him. Thank you for your prayers for this situation.
This past Sunday I was asked to preach in the church. I was really nervous especially since I have never preached outside of preaching class and obviously never to a congregation of spanish speaking people. I preached on the Power of the Holy Spirit and Steph translated for me. It was fairly short and I was really nervous but God used it to encourage the people. Afterwards many people were quick to encourage me and tell me how moved they were by the sermon. Praise God for this opportunity as well.
God is definitely stretching our team. I often ponder over what to write and tell you all because I want to be able to speak of all the awesome things we have accomplished but I think that I may not see the full fruit of this trip for awhile. We are at the beckon call of the workers in the church and they have been very hospitable and grateful. I feel stretched and challenged beyond what I can express to you and I am thankful for it. We are only 3 weeks into Spain and I already feel that if I were to come home right now that I would be forever changed. I am thankful for your prayers and support because I know that God has sent me here for a reason and that my life in ministry will be all the better having experienced all the things that I have and will experience, so thank you.
One quick story to leave you with. Eric and Sita (pastor and his wife) have been ministering in the church here for 13 years. The group decided that one night we wanted to give them a date night. So last night the girls cooked a nice meal and set up a table with candles on their roof patio. We bought them gifts and let them get all dressed up nice. Then we served them dinner and took care of the kids while they were able to be alone for a good 3 hours with no ministry responsibility, no work, and no distractions. They said that it was the first time in 13 years that anyone has cared enough for them in that way and they were very thankful to have the time alone. They go hard all the time. Eric is working on his residency to be a doctor as well as pastoring the church and taking care of his family. Sita takes care of the kids and ministers to many women in the church as well as teaches spanish (for free) to non Christians that she meets outside the church. Pray that they will be able to find time regularly to relax and enjoy each other.
Things to pray for:
1. Praise. Things with Pepe are going really well. Continue to pray for understanding on both our parts as well as patience.
2. Praise. That God is using us even when we don´t really see how.
3. Pray. That God will be with our group. The stresses of living in a different country and culture are setting in and different struggles are rising to the surface. Nothing serious, in fact it is all healthy so far.
4. Pray. That our street evangelism campaign will work out. Eric has been working for weeks on getting the permits needed to do these evangelism campaigns. He was denied one today and is waiting to hear on another one. Street evangelism is a big part of their ministry here and so the permits are important.
5. Praise. Jessica made it here safe and sound. She is dealing well with all that has happened to her and she is fitting in great with the group. Her and I have hit it off really well too.
Blessings to all of you. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Next time I write I will likely be back in Granada. We leave next Tuesday morning for Granada.
Blessings,Jared.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Murcia
Hello friends and family!
Gosh, life in Spain so far has been very busy but a very eye opening experience thus far! We got to Murcia on the 4th of this month (June) and each of us was absolutely exhausted. But we knew that we´d have to get into gear and be ready for what was about to come our way. Before I start in on the details of everything I would just like to once again thank everyone for supporting me for this internship. It has meant more to me than my words can describe. Thank you for the prayers and your thoughts about our team and especially for the prayers for the people of Spain. God is definitely doing some good things here!
The people of Murcia are not like the majority in Granada. Some would say that Granada is the more beautiful of the two...but I would say that the people of Murcia are more beautiful in heart. All the people we have met so far has been very accepting of us ´gringos´or Americans. The people of the church that we are working through have so much passion! A passion that is captivating in every way! It has been wonderful to meet them all so far!
On Saturday, in Murcia, leader and his family (Eric and Sida) took us to the beach and let us check that out and meet some people. Some got to brush up a bit more on Spanish while there and especially got to know Eric and his ministry quite a bit better.
Our first Sunday in Murcia our group was assigned to teaching the kids Sunday school class in the morning. (Fact. in Spain, well Murcia at least, they don´t actually start the church service until about 7pm, and end around9 or 10pm) So our group decided we were going to teach on Jesus and the calming of the storm. We taught them a song and sang together...and it was just an all around fun time! We also had the chance to teach and be with the youth group in the afternoon and take part in what they do as youth members of this church. Later on in the day we started the church service and worshipped together. It was wonderful to be able to be in a place where not all of us speak the same language but all the praise that was given was being lifted up to the same God! It was awesome! After the worship set was done the pastor, Eric, had 3 of us from our group give our testimonies and have Steph (Our coach for the summer) translate it. When the service was done and wrapped up we got to sit with others from the church and start practicing our spanish!
This week - Monday was a day off for us, we each of us was glad to be able to sleep in for a little bit after hitting the ground running right as we got to Murcia just a few days previous. In the afternoon that day we were able to catch a bus to downtown Murcia and explore a little bit. It was nice to be able to walk around and see the different people groups that are within this part of Spain. I think we have met maybe 10 different nationalities since we have been here in Murcia! Tuesday we got to experience a conference that takes place once a year. This conference was for all the Christian Churches to meet together and have one big service and be an encouragement to each other and be in fellowship with one another. We got to meet many others from the churches throughout all of Murcia and even got to hear a famous Latino singer too! It was interesting and definitely fun!
Wednesday-Friday!! This was our groups´favorite day (Wednesday) because we finally got to the part we have all been waiting for...SPANISH CLASSES!!! Eric´s wife, Sida, is the one that is teaching us Spanish and she speaks little to no English. So we have had to learn the hard way to learn their language. This was the day we started our street evangelism. We left around 7pm and made our way to a different part of town to do a church service with a neighborhood. Tonight was our last night of doing it in this area, but we are hoping that it is not the last we see of the people we had met. Our team did songs and did a couple of skits for these past few days and the people of the church we work with did songs and a sermon also. It was touching to be able to be a part of this!
Here are some things to be praying for---
1. For the people we had met in this neighborhood to really feel the Holy Spirit tugging at their hearts. There were a few people that wanted to know more but were still a bit scared. So pray that God will reveal himself to them and they will begin to be more curious about Christianity
2. The safe arrival of our new teammate, Jessica!! She was not able to join us in the beginning of this trip because of some things back home...but God has allowed her to still come to join us on this journey and will be here on Sunday the 14th!
3. For continued growth for our team in spiritual maturity and being stretched and made uncomfortable by the Lord. That we continue to become more united as a team and work together to expand the Kingdom
4. Oscar and Julie - one of the families that has been hosting two of the girls from our team for housing. They leave for Bolivia tomorrow to live and be part of the new church that is there and needing more Christians to mature the church. We look forward in hearing about how God is going to be using them, but at the same time are sad about their leaving Murcia.
5. Rest!! We have been so busy that it seems like we tend to forget about rest sometimes! Please pray that Eric and Sida and their family is able to be rested up for each day and their ministry and for our group to be well rested also.
Thank you all once again for your prayers and support! I hope each of you is doing well and that God is stretching each of you in your walk with him. God bless and keep striving!!
Gosh, life in Spain so far has been very busy but a very eye opening experience thus far! We got to Murcia on the 4th of this month (June) and each of us was absolutely exhausted. But we knew that we´d have to get into gear and be ready for what was about to come our way. Before I start in on the details of everything I would just like to once again thank everyone for supporting me for this internship. It has meant more to me than my words can describe. Thank you for the prayers and your thoughts about our team and especially for the prayers for the people of Spain. God is definitely doing some good things here!
The people of Murcia are not like the majority in Granada. Some would say that Granada is the more beautiful of the two...but I would say that the people of Murcia are more beautiful in heart. All the people we have met so far has been very accepting of us ´gringos´or Americans. The people of the church that we are working through have so much passion! A passion that is captivating in every way! It has been wonderful to meet them all so far!
On Saturday, in Murcia, leader and his family (Eric and Sida) took us to the beach and let us check that out and meet some people. Some got to brush up a bit more on Spanish while there and especially got to know Eric and his ministry quite a bit better.
Our first Sunday in Murcia our group was assigned to teaching the kids Sunday school class in the morning. (Fact. in Spain, well Murcia at least, they don´t actually start the church service until about 7pm, and end around9 or 10pm) So our group decided we were going to teach on Jesus and the calming of the storm. We taught them a song and sang together...and it was just an all around fun time! We also had the chance to teach and be with the youth group in the afternoon and take part in what they do as youth members of this church. Later on in the day we started the church service and worshipped together. It was wonderful to be able to be in a place where not all of us speak the same language but all the praise that was given was being lifted up to the same God! It was awesome! After the worship set was done the pastor, Eric, had 3 of us from our group give our testimonies and have Steph (Our coach for the summer) translate it. When the service was done and wrapped up we got to sit with others from the church and start practicing our spanish!
This week - Monday was a day off for us, we each of us was glad to be able to sleep in for a little bit after hitting the ground running right as we got to Murcia just a few days previous. In the afternoon that day we were able to catch a bus to downtown Murcia and explore a little bit. It was nice to be able to walk around and see the different people groups that are within this part of Spain. I think we have met maybe 10 different nationalities since we have been here in Murcia! Tuesday we got to experience a conference that takes place once a year. This conference was for all the Christian Churches to meet together and have one big service and be an encouragement to each other and be in fellowship with one another. We got to meet many others from the churches throughout all of Murcia and even got to hear a famous Latino singer too! It was interesting and definitely fun!
Wednesday-Friday!! This was our groups´favorite day (Wednesday) because we finally got to the part we have all been waiting for...SPANISH CLASSES!!! Eric´s wife, Sida, is the one that is teaching us Spanish and she speaks little to no English. So we have had to learn the hard way to learn their language. This was the day we started our street evangelism. We left around 7pm and made our way to a different part of town to do a church service with a neighborhood. Tonight was our last night of doing it in this area, but we are hoping that it is not the last we see of the people we had met. Our team did songs and did a couple of skits for these past few days and the people of the church we work with did songs and a sermon also. It was touching to be able to be a part of this!
Here are some things to be praying for---
1. For the people we had met in this neighborhood to really feel the Holy Spirit tugging at their hearts. There were a few people that wanted to know more but were still a bit scared. So pray that God will reveal himself to them and they will begin to be more curious about Christianity
2. The safe arrival of our new teammate, Jessica!! She was not able to join us in the beginning of this trip because of some things back home...but God has allowed her to still come to join us on this journey and will be here on Sunday the 14th!
3. For continued growth for our team in spiritual maturity and being stretched and made uncomfortable by the Lord. That we continue to become more united as a team and work together to expand the Kingdom
4. Oscar and Julie - one of the families that has been hosting two of the girls from our team for housing. They leave for Bolivia tomorrow to live and be part of the new church that is there and needing more Christians to mature the church. We look forward in hearing about how God is going to be using them, but at the same time are sad about their leaving Murcia.
5. Rest!! We have been so busy that it seems like we tend to forget about rest sometimes! Please pray that Eric and Sida and their family is able to be rested up for each day and their ministry and for our group to be well rested also.
Thank you all once again for your prayers and support! I hope each of you is doing well and that God is stretching each of you in your walk with him. God bless and keep striving!!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Arrival: 31 May 2009 (Michal)
Our team is here safe and sound in Granada, Spain!
The flights were long and tiring but everything went very smoothly. We didn't have to go through customs at all, and none of our luggage got lost even though we didn't check it at each airport (it was really nice - we checked it in Louisville and then just got it in Granada). Tiffanie had some pretty unpleasant motion sickness but that was the most trouble we encountered, which is pretty awesome considering where everything usually goes wrong.
Jetlag is a crazy thing! It's definitely different losing hours than gaining them. Right now it's 2 am and I feel like it's around 9. We ate lunch at 5. We have a couple days to rest at the Irwins' casa, and it is a good thing!
We were scheduled to go to Murcia (they say "Mirthia") this Wednesday morning but the missionaries aren't ready for us yet. We are leaving Thursday instead. With the extra time here in Granada, we are going to help the Irwins map out the area and check out more of downtown (... and try some European ice cream!) We'll go to Murcia for 3 weeks, and they have some plans for when we get there but we're not entirely filled in yet. This is where we are doing street evangelism and skits and staying in pairs with Spanish-speaking families. At our Pre-Field Orientation (PFO) we learned some language acqusition techniques which we will be putting into practice.
We're all excited to see what God will do this summer and will try to keep you updated!
Thanks for all your love and support!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)