And just like that...

Jeremy and I have been in Spain almost three months. We have dedicated this time to language learning and adjusting to our new home. But really, this is just the beginning. In many ways we are still adjusting and will be "language learning" for many more months. Even though we have learned light years faster than our high school and college Spanish classes, we still have a lot to learn.

I have wanted to share with you a "day in the life" sort of post but really, our days are usually pretty boring. 

6:30- Wake up, eat breakfast, get ready.

7:40- Walk to train station.

7:58- Train leaves station.

8:42- Train arrives in Madrid.

9:00- Walk into school.

9:30- Class starts

11:30- 30 minute break

1:30- Class is over

Possibly stay in Madrid for lunch with friends or for an activity with the school. Or we make our way to the train station and head home.

Some days we have plans for the evening but a lot of days our brains are tired. About once a week now I have a group of kids over to practice English. (Today, I taught the group the word "disappointment."  I was quickly disappointed in myself for teaching them that word.) I have developed a wonderful habit of changing directly into sweatpants as soon as we get home. Actually, I asked our friend Josh the first night of our now weekly Sunday night dinner, if his friend Lucas was coming because if he wasn't, I was wearing sweatpants. Lucas came (and continues to come), I wore jeans. 

I don't know why I told you all that. I'm just really honest. It's a good thing I moved to Spain, the people are really honest here. 

Anyway, the crazy thing is, just as quickly as we have adjusted to this routine, it is coming to a close.

After the last week of this month, our time at language school will end.

Soon our days will look completely different. We will still have language study but instead with a tutor. I am considering taking a class or two at the Cultural Center in El Escorial. This will force me to step out of my Spanish comfort zone and interact with people in the town. Obviously that is why we are here- to interact.

Pray with us as we explore means of meeting people, and building relationships. 

We realize, culturally, that making new friends and building new relationships is different in Spain. But, while the culture is different, the need is the same. People need love. People need grace. People need community. Ultimately, people need Jesus.

Pray that we are aware of these needs everyday. Pray that we are sensitive to specific locations in our town. Pray that the Lord will lead us to new Spanish friends and that He will continue establish a community of people around us. Pray that will be light and life in dark and lifeless places.

Considering Success 2014

The year 2013 was clearly a year of change and tremendous success. It was a year packed with change. We graduated, we raised support, we drove thousands of miles and finally flew across the ocean to a place we are now calling home.  It seems crazy to think it has already been a year but at the same time it has ONLY been a year. The past twelve month flew by and were packed to the brim. As I look back on the last year, I can see how God was present with us throughout it all.

I very much believe that we arrived in Spain at the perfect time. Satan worked to keep us from getting here (VISA issues, I’m looking at you) and he has worked to discourage and distract us ever since we arrived, but we are looking ahead. We are encouraged because God’s provision has brought us here and His purpose will keep us here.  

So,what will make 2014 a success? Many things come to mind when I think on this question. But God reminds me that He defines success differently. Often times we define success in numbers and achievements. I believe God defines success by purity of intention.

I don’t believe it’s the numbers that please God. I don’t believe it’s the fancy programs or advertising. I don’t believe it’s the method or resource guides that bring glory to God. I believe it is the reasons for which we employ the methods and the means by which we achieve the numbers.

Why has God brought us to this country? What is our purpose here? What will our ministry look like? What milestones will define our success in this ministry?

In short, God has brought us here to be light in a place. Our purpose is to bring Him glory and be evidence of grace to the people we encounter. Our ministry will be simple. Live in the Gospel truth as revealed to us and love people as Jesus loved us. Each person with whom we share Jesus with will serve as marker in our ministry journey.

Simple goals for 2014-

*Spanish- To understand and be understood. Fluency will come with time (a LOT of time) but my goal for this year is to communicate comfortably.

*Live intentionally. Be intentional in meeting people and building relationships. This started with our team and now to our community.

Pray with us as we discover how God will lead us this year.

Thoughts on routine, adjustments and language.

After two and a half weeks in Spain, we are beginning to feel slightly more normal. We have adjusted to the time change, are learning our way around town and into Madrid and found an apartment to rent. We still have a few daunting tasks ahead; residency, buying a car, getting a Spanish drivers license and actually speaking Spanish.

We have settled into a daily routine for now. We are up and ready in time to catch the 7:28am train into Madrid. The ride in is really quite scenic. Out one side you can see the sunrise over the four skyscrapers of Madrid and the other; trees, dry fields and a river as you approach each town. The train part of our commute is about 45 minutes. We get off at Principe Pio and quickly make our way down to catch the metro. I really don't like to miss the first one, not because of the time but mostly because this station is not enclosed so it is REALLY cold in the mornings. I often consider that we may have accidentally taken a train to Alaska.

We push our way in with dozens of others and ride silently three stops, each time making our way across the car to get out on the other side. We have made a routine of stopping for coffee around the block from the school. This gives us time to breath and review work before class.

This morning we skipped class to collect a document for our residency card and figure out what is happening with the electricity at our apartment. The paper we need will be ready tomorrow and our electricity should be on in three or four days. Last night we found a car and plan to pick it up on Friday.

It feels strange that it has been less than a month since we arrived in Spain. The days have gone quickly but it seems like a lot has been accomplished. Each day I feel more and more at home in El Escorial and blessed to be surrounded by a team that desires for us to be involved in the ministry.

We know that in order to be effective in ministry, we must be proficient in the language. For the next couple of months we plan to focus our efforts on language learning. Please pray with us that our minds are receptive to the material we are learning and our mouths will speak well as we begin to speak more. Pray also for humility as we know mistakes will come.

We very much want to communicate with this community around us.

Just a Glimpse

“I’m looking for a person who is looking for something. Are you that person?”

This is the question posed by a missionary in Colombia. This question sparked a conversation with a man who may have never had a chance to hear the Gospel. I can’t say whether or not this man accepted the Lord that day or not. But, nevertheless, he heard it and most likely has thought about that question since that day in March 2012.

All over the world are people who are looking for something. They are seeking out what will satisfy them. What will fill that gaping hole in their hearts and satisfy a longing that nothing else will? We, as Christians, understand that Christ and the love of our Heavenly Father will satisfy this need.

Today marked a turning point in my preparation for Spain. I believe that God gave me a glimpse of what He has in store for El Escorial, Spain.   

With His grace and guidance, I have a vision that every coffee shop and bar in the town to be a place of true hope. Jesus said that where two or three are gathered, there He is. I want to see Jesus infiltrate these places. These are the places where people gather and share life. 

In days where hope is dim and to people many life is losing its appeal- we have a hope and joy that translates seamlessly across any language and any setting.

These simple buildings can become the meeting place of Jesus and the lost. Hope and the hopeless. 

Where those who are seeking can find solace.

This is my vision.

This is your legacy.

The past three weeks at Cross-training has been full of incredible moments. But what I think I will take the most from is hearing the stories that our fellow missionaries have shared with us in Chapel. On Thursday the last of the group shared their stories and summed up what we were all thinking perfectly.

Mike spoke about legacy. He shared about a number of people who impacted his life and how he was a part of their legacy. And he shared about the legacy he would leave.

Have you considered your legacy?
Whose life have you impacted?

The truth is, we may never know the legacy we leave behind. We may never see the fruit of the seeds we have planted in the lives of those we encounter. The people we meet in passing. The people who witness our acts of kindness, or acts of harsh judgments.

“Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

We may never know our legacy. But we all have one. A legacy that reflects each area of our lives.

In what ways is your life impacting the Kingdom? Are you making choices that reflect a desire to see souls brought to Christ? Does every area of life reflect this? Or are you holding on to something?

Are you holding on the comforts and security money seemingly provides? Or are you really, truly, wholeheartedly  trusting God to provide? He is worthy of your trust. He has provided. He will continue to provide.

Leave a legacy in lives around the world. Trust God to provide for you. Make a sacrifice. Maybe you think you can’t do enough. Maybe you think I’m asking too much. Consider all that Christ has done for you. What would you give to see that work done in the lives of others?

“Therefore, having such a hope, we use great boldness…Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:12&17

So I encourage you, I challenge you, leave a legacy that speaks boldness, faith and freedom in all areas of your life. Consider the sacrifice made for your salvation.  What is the salvation of others worth to you?

This is your legacy.

Freely, Freely

So many tragic and unfortunate events have been in the news lately. So many tragic and unfortunate events happen every day that go unnoticed by most. Situations like the Sandy Hook shooting, kidnappings, or stranded cruise ships that remind me of one thing- grace. These events remind me and probably most Christians of our need for grace. How fallen and broken we are. How evil humanity is. How desperately we need Jesus.

But, these events also bring out the worst in people. It is situations like these where anger and vengeance seem so much easier. Our first reaction to any injustice seems to be retaliation. We want to get even. We want to make things “right.” An eye for an eye,right? If you hurt me, well then deserve it. That seems to be our attitude. We feel like we are owed something. This person who has done us wrong must make it right.  It is as if we believe our reaction will right the wrong that has been done. These bad things that happen to us-they just aren't fair! We must make everything fair!

Now, what about the smaller, everyday injustices?

Someone take your parking spot? That jerk.
The store won’t accept your return? Poor customer service.
Did you waiter forget to fill your drink? No tip for him.
Did you have to wait in line too long? You could run the store better.  

Tough day at work? You let 'em have it.
Nearly every day we experience unfair, inconvenient, and crappy situations. Every day we have a chance to extend grace.

Things aren't fair. Life isn't fair. Grace is not fair. 

Every day we wake up and we hope for things to go just our way. We expect people to be kind and considerate. We expect traffic to run smoothly and every person we meet to be pleased to see us. We never hope to encounter a situation that requires patience and grace. We never want to be inconvenienced. But, how do we act when we are inconvenienced?

Do we exhibit the fruit of the Spirit or the fruit of the world?
Are we patient, kind and self-controlled or are we rude, greedy and angry?

Do we hold these unfair things over someone's head? Do we hold a grudge? Do we expect everyone to see things our way?

If we carry the name of Christ this choice is important. How we react to injustice, no matter how insignificant, is a reflection of Christ. It is a direct reflection of how we view Christ’s grace. Do you have a shallow understanding of grace? Do you realize the vastness of Christ’s death and salvation?

Christ’s grace is not just for you. It is not just for your salvation. It is for you, as follower of Christ to take and pour out over every situation and encounter. God’s grace is not just for the big things- it’s for the little things as well. Christ has given us the authority and the means to show grace and to be grace in the world.

A song kept coming to mind it says,

“He said 'Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give. 

Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live. 


Christ freely gives us all grace, all mercy and shows us perfect kindness. 
Are we doing the same for others or are we holding back?

Jesus Across Cultures Pt. 2

You may want to go here first:
Jesus Across Culture Pt. 1

I am an Intercultural Studies major. This means that I'm not sure what I want to do with my life following graduation besides throwing a nice little party for myself. Maybe graduate school. Maybe straight into a new job (Sorry, Liz, makes me sad too). But who knows.

I chose this major because after years of dreaming of travel and new places and cultures I have never encountered before I knew that it was more than just a daydream, this is a calling. A calling God has placed on my heart to see His creation. To experience the hearts of His people across the world. I need to know not just through the television or internet or the stories of others, that there is a whole world out there that experiences the same God I do in ways that are completely foreign to me.

You see, we get into this rut thinking that "the church" is just our building with out sign out front, with our pews, with our pastor, with our sanctuary. You see, that's just not it.  You see, the church is so much more than just a building or a few certain people that we associate with. It's not just one denomination who sings similar songs or preaches similar messages. NO. The church is so much greater. So much larger. So much more beautiful than a steeple or a freshly carpeted sanctuary.

The church is God's children. His children who worship Him with unity only found in Jesus Christ who is our salvation. A unity found not in the color of our skin or the language that we speak, but the same love that flows down from heaven and fills the hearts of those who know God as their Father and Redeemer. The true church knows no boundaries. No walls, no confines to keep it from growing and loving.

The church loves the broken and wounded.
The lost and abandoned.
The scared and the scarred.
The poor and the rich.
Those in darkness who need the true Light of Life.
Those who seem so unlovable, they need the church the most.

These needs know no cultural boundaries. But neither does the love that cures them all.

Jesus Across Cultures

The children ran to greet us as we arrived on our great, yellow, well-loved school bus. They yelled, sang,  pulled, pushed and jumped all in efforts to get our attention. We made our way through the crowd and out into the village. The children followed us wherever we went, some of them attaching themselves to a certain member of the team and throwing themselves at anyone who had a camera. Luckily I know these children are not drawn to us, but the love of Jesus that is filling our hearts. 

Our bus driver pulled us into what seemed like someone's side-yard, turned the bus around and we filed out. As soon as we set foot outside a group of women greeted us with a welcome song that would bring tears to anyone's eyes. They brimmed with pride, excitement and a pure love of Christ. Many of these women have walked nearly all day to be here for their weekly Bible Study. They have gathered to study the book of Ruth which has lessons to teach them that many women of our culture could not grasp as tightly as they can. In this group there is a mother-in-law who came to beat her daughter-in-law over an argument they had recently had. When she arrived here she heard what they were discussing and took the message of Ruth and Naomi to heart. She is now a believer. Relationships between mother and daughter-in-laws are often difficult in this culture. But Jesus' love is still the same.

Nicaragua and Kenya are two of the seven mission trips I have been so blessed to have taken. I love culture. I love seeing people of other cultures coming together. I love seeing people of other cultures worshiping together. It, I believe, is one of the most beautiful things a Christian can experience. To feel the Holy Spirit moving in a place completely strange to you, in a way that seems so familiar and realize that HE is the same. No matter where you are, no matter who you are or who you are with, God still moves. Jesus crosses all cultures.