Hello from Spain

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.