Hello everyone! It's that time again to share with you what God is doing in and through my life here in Mallorca,Spain. Thank you for taking the time to read these newsletters every month.
The month of November began with a retreat for the students. We went on the other side of the island to a beautiful secluded spot with no distractions. Some stayed in bungalows while others camped. Our guest speaker was Kevin Fitzgerald, pastor of Calvary Chapel Dublin,Ireland. Kevin shared on "practical holiness." It was a neat time to fellowship with everybody as well as to go off and spend quality time with Jesus. We also had a Thanksgiving Dinner this month with the students. It was a great time of food, fellowship, worship, and a time of sharing what we are thankful for.
I now have a Spanish tutor. Her name is Toni originally from Bilbao which is in Northern Spain. She has lived on this island for 13 years. Please pray for her salvation. I have been able to share through my homework and lessons why I am here and what I do. She seems very open to hear about the things of God. I have learned more in just a few short sessions than 5 weeks of free courses. Talk about the hand of God! When I first arrived here I met Angela, and English lady who works at the town hall in Calvia. She had given me Tonis' number recommending her. Toni had said she wasn't going to take any more students, but since I was a friend of Angela's (who I only met twice), she accepted. I love learning this language!
I have also been practicing and rehearsing for the Christmas play. I play one of the prophets and one of the kings. It has been a lot of work, but fun at the same time. I hope and pray the church is packed out as this will be one of many tools God will use to touch hearts. The staff meetings have been fruitful this past month as well as we have been discussing everyone's fit and function in the ministry here. Starting in January I will be trained to take over the finances of the church and Bible college. I will also be helping out in regards to driving people around and running errands.
The semester ends next Friday and I already miss the students. There has been a lot of good memories and I have been honored to be able to teach one of the classes. By the way, I will be coming home for Christmas and the New Year in 2 weeks! I hope to see you all! In a few days I will finally be putting up pictures on this blog. The slide show will comprise of various things done over the semester, the missions class,the study in Palma, as well as some of the sites of Mallorca.
Until next time, enjoy Jesus Christ and the abundant life He offers!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Friday, November 2, 2007
Moving Along
Hey Everyone! I pray you are all doing well and falling more and more in love with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. October was a month of continuing in my responsibilities here and also the start of other things.
Early in the month we took our semester trip to Rome,Italy with the students. Most of the student body went and everyone had a great time. The trip was six days long and was a great balance in academics and having a fun time. We went to all the major sites from the St. Peters Basilica to the Catacombs. Different members on staff were able to share at different sites and I was able to share at St. Peter's Basilica. We also had a free day to do whatever we wanted. It was sad to see the idolatry in that city and how Biblical Christianity was so distant in that city. If the people would just read the book of Romans to discover God's perspective on salvation and the Christian life. This also reminded me of the spiritual condition of Spain.
This month I also started teaching the mid-week Bible Study in Palma. It has been going very well. The people comprise of both students and people from the church. We truly have all nations there. We have people from England, Scotland, Guam, Norway, Mallorca, and the US. We have a time of praise reports and prayer requests, worship, Bible study, and great food with fellowship. I am so thankful for PJ and Nell, the couple from the church hosting it at their home. PJ has a projector to display the lyrics of the songs on the wall from his laptop and has also taken up the role of worship leader. His wife Nell is such an amazing cook and has a great gift of hospitality. We are currently studying Revelation. With the exception of two, know one has ever studied this book let alone read it. Everyone is genuinely excited about studying this book and taking notes on what God speaks to their hearts. I am so excited about this opportunity.
Missions class is going well as I am truly fortunate to have great students who are a joy to be around. As every week goes by teaching this class, I am personally growing in my excitement of being apart of God's work in a foreign field. I also was able go to Palma this month and register for my "tarjeta de residencia." More and more just settling in as a resident here in Mallorca.
Prayer Requests:
For the salvation of Carlos Bernardez and to come to the Bible study
My Spanish teacher Jose Luis
Growth of the students and those attending the study in Palma
For me to be sensitive to the Lord and His voice in my life
Well, I am signing off. Thank you all for your continued love and support. I so appreciate your comments and e-mails. It just reminds me that you all share in the work as well out here.
By His Grace,
Eric
Early in the month we took our semester trip to Rome,Italy with the students. Most of the student body went and everyone had a great time. The trip was six days long and was a great balance in academics and having a fun time. We went to all the major sites from the St. Peters Basilica to the Catacombs. Different members on staff were able to share at different sites and I was able to share at St. Peter's Basilica. We also had a free day to do whatever we wanted. It was sad to see the idolatry in that city and how Biblical Christianity was so distant in that city. If the people would just read the book of Romans to discover God's perspective on salvation and the Christian life. This also reminded me of the spiritual condition of Spain.
This month I also started teaching the mid-week Bible Study in Palma. It has been going very well. The people comprise of both students and people from the church. We truly have all nations there. We have people from England, Scotland, Guam, Norway, Mallorca, and the US. We have a time of praise reports and prayer requests, worship, Bible study, and great food with fellowship. I am so thankful for PJ and Nell, the couple from the church hosting it at their home. PJ has a projector to display the lyrics of the songs on the wall from his laptop and has also taken up the role of worship leader. His wife Nell is such an amazing cook and has a great gift of hospitality. We are currently studying Revelation. With the exception of two, know one has ever studied this book let alone read it. Everyone is genuinely excited about studying this book and taking notes on what God speaks to their hearts. I am so excited about this opportunity.
Missions class is going well as I am truly fortunate to have great students who are a joy to be around. As every week goes by teaching this class, I am personally growing in my excitement of being apart of God's work in a foreign field. I also was able go to Palma this month and register for my "tarjeta de residencia." More and more just settling in as a resident here in Mallorca.
Prayer Requests:
For the salvation of Carlos Bernardez and to come to the Bible study
My Spanish teacher Jose Luis
Growth of the students and those attending the study in Palma
For me to be sensitive to the Lord and His voice in my life
Well, I am signing off. Thank you all for your continued love and support. I so appreciate your comments and e-mails. It just reminds me that you all share in the work as well out here.
By His Grace,
Eric
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Settling In
Hello Everyone! Well, I hope this newsletter finds you all well and experiencing the grace of God. September was definitely a month of settling in and my role being more defined for the time being.
The students for Mallorca Bible School arrived on the first of the month and we had a great orientation. Everyone on the staff has commented that this semester's students are a really neat group. Everyone seems so far to want to be here and are eager to learn. I would have to agree. I also started teaching the Missions class this month and have enjoyed the privilege of doing so. My passion is to inspire and encourage the students to develop a Biblical worldview and see beyond their own countries. Youth group is also going good as I am developing relationships with the kids.
I also had success with registering for Spanish courses this month in Magaluf. I have had 3 classes so far and my professor is a really neat guy. He seems to be open to what I am about and said it was important to teach the Bible. However, he is an atheist who believes in the devil and that there is a good and bad energy. Please pray for him, his name is Luis.
I also met a man from Argentina who works at one of the bars near the church. He pulled me aside to inquire of the church and what "religion" I was. He said everyone always asks about it and he doesn't know what to tell them. I have spoken with him twice and at the end of our second conversation he gave me his phone number and e-mail. Please pray for him, his name is Carlos Bernardez.
On October 18th I will also be starting to teach a mid-week Bible study in Palma (capital). I am so excited about this opportunity as both Luis and Carlos happen to live in Palma. I will also be going to Rome with the students for the semester trip sharing at a view sites. I will also be teaching on a Sunday morning at the church for Pastor Rafael as he will be out of the country. These are all my prayer requests as these ministry opportunities develop.
A routine and schedule has definitely been developed for now, from church cleaning to youth group. I am honored to serve God here in Mallorca! Until next time enjoy Jesus and the life He gives! Miss and love you all!
By His Grace,
Eric
The students for Mallorca Bible School arrived on the first of the month and we had a great orientation. Everyone on the staff has commented that this semester's students are a really neat group. Everyone seems so far to want to be here and are eager to learn. I would have to agree. I also started teaching the Missions class this month and have enjoyed the privilege of doing so. My passion is to inspire and encourage the students to develop a Biblical worldview and see beyond their own countries. Youth group is also going good as I am developing relationships with the kids.
I also had success with registering for Spanish courses this month in Magaluf. I have had 3 classes so far and my professor is a really neat guy. He seems to be open to what I am about and said it was important to teach the Bible. However, he is an atheist who believes in the devil and that there is a good and bad energy. Please pray for him, his name is Luis.
I also met a man from Argentina who works at one of the bars near the church. He pulled me aside to inquire of the church and what "religion" I was. He said everyone always asks about it and he doesn't know what to tell them. I have spoken with him twice and at the end of our second conversation he gave me his phone number and e-mail. Please pray for him, his name is Carlos Bernardez.
On October 18th I will also be starting to teach a mid-week Bible study in Palma (capital). I am so excited about this opportunity as both Luis and Carlos happen to live in Palma. I will also be going to Rome with the students for the semester trip sharing at a view sites. I will also be teaching on a Sunday morning at the church for Pastor Rafael as he will be out of the country. These are all my prayer requests as these ministry opportunities develop.
A routine and schedule has definitely been developed for now, from church cleaning to youth group. I am honored to serve God here in Mallorca! Until next time enjoy Jesus and the life He gives! Miss and love you all!
By His Grace,
Eric
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Arrived
Hello Everyone!
Well, I arrived safely here in Mallorca, Spain. The church family here is really friendly and welcoming. Talk about all nations! Where I am at here on the island, there are many English, Scottish, Irish, and Germans. This island is the tourist destination for most of Europe.
It has been 3 weeks tomorrow since I landed and already it has been busy. A lot of practical things I have had to accomplish so far such as: moving around 3 times, grocery shopping, paying rent, going to the town hall to register as a resident which is called "Empadronamiento." I also went to Palma (capital) to obtain my N.I.E. number.
I am also establishing new relationships with the staff, students, and congregation. I share a flat with 2 roommates. Trevor Woolf (21) from CA and Paul drain (27) of Scotland. God takes cares of us in even the smallest things of life. Paul happens to be a chef, talk about hooking it up with dinner! They are both really neat brothers and we get along really well. The staff is really young and started all at the same time last year after graduating themselves from the Bible College.
My role is still being defined yet there have been some responsibilities assigned to me. I have been helping out with many of the practical aspects of the ministry such as: cleaning, getting flats ready, moving bunk beds, etc. I will also be teaching the missions class here at the Bible college for the fall semester. I will also be helping with the youth group which meets on Friday night. Pastor Rafael wants to also accommodate my desire to learn Spanish. I am currently registering for free Spanish courses. If this doesn't work out, I will taking private lessons from a Spanish lady recommended to me at the Town Hall.
Well, I will be updating this blog once a month to keep you all well informed. There has been other cool things that have happened so far, yet I want to keep these blogs not only informative, but concise. In the future updates I will try to provide some photos as well. If you want to take a look, go to google images and type in Santa Ponsa (city) OR Calvia (municipality) I live in. Thank all of you for the prayers and support! I love and miss you all!
By His Grace,
Eric
Well, I arrived safely here in Mallorca, Spain. The church family here is really friendly and welcoming. Talk about all nations! Where I am at here on the island, there are many English, Scottish, Irish, and Germans. This island is the tourist destination for most of Europe.
It has been 3 weeks tomorrow since I landed and already it has been busy. A lot of practical things I have had to accomplish so far such as: moving around 3 times, grocery shopping, paying rent, going to the town hall to register as a resident which is called "Empadronamiento." I also went to Palma (capital) to obtain my N.I.E. number.
I am also establishing new relationships with the staff, students, and congregation. I share a flat with 2 roommates. Trevor Woolf (21) from CA and Paul drain (27) of Scotland. God takes cares of us in even the smallest things of life. Paul happens to be a chef, talk about hooking it up with dinner! They are both really neat brothers and we get along really well. The staff is really young and started all at the same time last year after graduating themselves from the Bible College.
My role is still being defined yet there have been some responsibilities assigned to me. I have been helping out with many of the practical aspects of the ministry such as: cleaning, getting flats ready, moving bunk beds, etc. I will also be teaching the missions class here at the Bible college for the fall semester. I will also be helping with the youth group which meets on Friday night. Pastor Rafael wants to also accommodate my desire to learn Spanish. I am currently registering for free Spanish courses. If this doesn't work out, I will taking private lessons from a Spanish lady recommended to me at the Town Hall.
Well, I will be updating this blog once a month to keep you all well informed. There has been other cool things that have happened so far, yet I want to keep these blogs not only informative, but concise. In the future updates I will try to provide some photos as well. If you want to take a look, go to google images and type in Santa Ponsa (city) OR Calvia (municipality) I live in. Thank all of you for the prayers and support! I love and miss you all!
By His Grace,
Eric
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