Day 2

Well, it felt like being right back in Peru. We had a wonderful worship service yesterday. I was surprised to find that the church is filled with immigrants. There were Brazilians, Peruvians, Ecuadorians, Portuguese, , French, and many other nationalities. It was truly an "all-nations" service. What a wonderful time worshiping together.
After the service everyone rushed home to watch the soccer final (Euro Cup) between Spain and Germany. A few of the church members came over to the missionaries home, and we enjoyed yelling at the refs and complaining about missed goals. Spain came out victorious and of course the Spanish people were celebrating like none other. The missionary decided to take us to downtown Salamanca to witness a bit of the celebration. Center city Salamanca was packed with people wearing the red and yellow all over their bodies. Almost every car was honking their horns and the small streets were streaming with people celebrating their country's victory. Let's just say they are crazy about soccer!...and that is probably an understatement.
After two days in Spain I'm not as tired as I expected to be. Either the jet lag has not hit just yet, or I got enough sleep time on the plane ride. People tend to stay up extremely late and get up latter in the morning. It's something I am fairly used to having been working a second shift job. The Spanish tend to go to bed around two in the morning and get up around ten or eleven. I have not gotten used to the eating times just yet: breakfast is at eleven, lunch is around three, and supper is around nine p.m.
Please pray for me as I prepare to speak on Sunday. I will be speaking in all three services. I don't think I have ever done this. Also continue to pray that the Lord would open my eyes to see what I need to see here in Spain. Please pray that the Lord would work in my heart creating a greater passion for Him and a greater passion for lost souls.

Old Spanish Proverb

"Whoever loses the morning loses the afternoon; who loses the afternoon loses life."

Day 1

It seems that without fail there is always some sort of delay or at least a close call when flying internationally. I almost missed my connecting flight in London. Praise the Lord, I made it. I have gotten little sleep, but I think I will soon catch up on this.
On my way to Salamanca, I took a two and half hour train ride through the countryside of Spain. What a beautiful country! Rocky at times, and yet flat at times with many fields. Rome has left it's mark dotted throughout the countryside. As we traveled along I could see remains of ancient Roman walls or fortifications. As I sat there looking out the window, a Spanish gentleman boarded, and we began hitting it off right away. I explained that I was visiting Spain and that I wanted to learn as much as I could while I was here. I asked him everything I could think of...anything from hunting, food, culture and even religion. Catholicism of course is the predominant religion here but only in name only, or as he put it, "it's simply a tradition...something we do only because our fathers taught us, but we really don't believe it." It was interesting to note that as I began to press him about religion, his entire demeanor changed. His attitude changed toward me. He looked at me and said, "Are you a Mormon." Quickly I answered, no, and that I did not intend to offend him. I only intend to learn more about the people of Spain. Then we went back to talking like nothing had happened.
All this to say that it has already become evident to me the hardness of the Spanish people toward the Word of God. Their hearts are as hard as the rocky Spanish terrain but the fields are clearly ripe for the Word to be sown. Maybe I assume too much from one encounter, but as I spoke to the missionary about this he was in complete agreement.
I will be posting some pictures in the next couple days. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Salamanca

As I have been preparing for my journey to Salamanca, I came across these two verses in my personal study of God's Word. The first verse comes from an excerpt from Solomon's prayer regarding his inadequacy in ruling over Israel. This is where he asks from God for wisdom. My prayer is similar in that I ask for understanding of the culture and country of Spain and discernment of God's desire and will for my life. I Kings 3:9"So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
The second verse I found as I read through Paul's third journey through Greece. As I travel through Spain I desire to minister and testify of the Gospel of grace. I pray if will do so fully and adequately. May God see fit to use me as He so chooses and pleases. Acts 20:24 24"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God."

Favorite Quotes of the Week

"The battle ground for consistent change goes on between your ears." ~ unknown
"If you own anything you cannot give away, you do not own it, it owns you. " ~ Augustine

12 days; 12 requests

In three weeks (June 27th) I will be headed to Spain on a personal missions trip. I say personal because it will be simply to survey this mission field with the intent of discerning God's will in my life. I would covet your prayers for me as I will be there for twelve days. These are a few ways that you can pray for me.
1. Safety as I travel.
2. Discernment of God's will.
3. A passion for lost souls.
4. Incite into the Spanish culture.
5. Encouragement to the missionaries.
6. God's Word to be spoken clearly.
7. Spiritual Growth
8. Faithfulness to God's Word in preaching.
9. Encouragement to believers.
10. Boldness in preaching or teaching.
11. Direction as to avenues of ministry.
12. Humility.