God's Flashlight

We feel so blessed and honored to take God's Word to the people here.  God's Word is a "lamp", right?  A more modern term would be a flashlight.  Matt and I have talked many times about the church being a "light on a hill" and that we sometimes feel like we are God's "flashlights" going into the trenches and the caves looking for those who need light.  That is exactly what our ministry is.  We go every week to two different towns and share God's Word with some very needy people.  We never know what we are going to run into.  They are inundated with dark problems such as abuse, suicide, prostitution, hate and drugs.  This last week, we went to do our study at Emi's house just to find out that two of the people had had a huge fight.  They were yelling at each other and the atmosphere was full of insults.   Neither wanted to take the first step at reconciling.  After talking with them for about an hour, we began to read James 4 with them.  They read that fights come from the war within themselves centered around their own desires.  God wants them to be humble before Him and He wants to give grace.  We should draw near to God!  One of the guys that does NOT believe in God had a huge discovery.  He said, "Wow.  We really needed to hear these verses!  The only time I talk to God is when I curse and when I am angry at God."    It may seem overwhelming and hopeless at times to work in a group that is SO lost, but God has shown me (Rachel) how much change He has brought to every person that comes to this group.  The fact that they sit down and listen to us respectfully is incredible.  At the end, Emi told us that she doesn't know why, but she feels so comfortable and is full of peace when we come.  Another girl told us just before leaving that when we read the Bible, she feels "full."  What an opportunity! Please continue to pray for these young people to run to God and to know Christ FULLY! 

Support

When I type that word "support", my first instinct is to put a "frown face"!  We continue to be short on our monthly support level.  We have had many of you increase your monthly commitment.  So, please know that we are thankful!  Matt has been making calls in the middle of the night in order to share our ministry with people in the US.   It is a necessary stress in order to do what we do.  But, we do need your help!  Please consider being a monthly giver to our church planting efforts in Spain!  


Family Update

Logan.  Logan will be turning seven on April 30!  He is excited and has already given us many "gift ideas!"  He has recently gotten into soccer as all the kids in our neighborhood play.  He keeps us laughing as he is an "imitator" and "clown."  He is very smart and is doing great speaking two languages depending on who we are with!  He is full of deep questions for us like, "Did Adam and Eve come out of God's belly?"

Jada.  She is a firecracker.  Everywhere we go, people fall in love with her because of her charm!  She has a smile as wide as Texas.  She has fun playing with a few of the neighbor girls (Laura, Yanira and Ana).  They play school and hair salon.  She has impressed me with how quickly she learned to read in spanish.  She caught up with her classmates and looks for opportunities to practice reading!!

Owen.  All I can say is "Oh my!"  He is so fun!  He is growing and changing so quickly.  Owen gets passed around from person to person at church.  In fact, they fight over him!  He is in the beginning phase of crawling.  He gets up on all fours and bounces.  He mainly gets around by scooting and turns by sliding on his belly.  Yesterday he started to wave.  He seems to be social butterfly because everytime he sees a little baby he flaps his arms, kicks his legs and squeals in delight!  It is hilarious!

As we raise our children here, we have many modern conveniences, but there are occasional cultural and moral/spiritual challenges that we face as we instruct them as parents.  Please pray for us to have wisdom as we raise these three beautiful children in Spain.