Jesus said: "...there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." Jesus gives three parables in Luke 15 regarding the importance of just one life. As you study the four gospel accounts you see how although Jesus ministered to the multitudes, He always made time for the individual. These kingdom principles best summarize the month of February...
I started meeting once a week with Mike. Mike (48 yr.old Englishman) attends the church on Sunday mornings and comes to the mid-week home fellowship I teach on Thursdays. We are going through the book of Daniel one chapter at a time. We also grab some lunch and pray together. Please pray for him as he openly asks for prayer with his ongoing battle with alcohol.
Just recently I met Nicholas (51 yr.old Spaniard), who I was assigned to give a ride to the Spanish service that takes place on Sunday evenings. He knows a little English and wants to practice it. I speak to him in Spanish and he answers in English, good deal. I am looking forward to getting to know him more.
Then there's Johnny, my new roommate. This first month living with Johnny has been a blast. Almost every night we have a nice dinner together and spend hours talking about many things. 95% of our conversations are in Spanish. I have also been able to answer many questions that Johnny has concerning the Lord. Continue to pray for Johnny's growth as he told me the other day he is actually one year old in the Lord.
While working out at the gym, I met a young Spaniard named Alberto. He knew only a few words in English but was very gracious with my broken Spanish. We have had two conversations so far and he asked me what my "mission" was. I had shared where I work in the community, that I am a Christian, and why I came here to Mallorca. He said he was interested in Christianity because his family was Roman Catholic and he personally wasn't interested. He also has struggles with alcohol and when visiting South America Christians shared with him.
My tutor Toni (48 yr.old Spaniard) just recently started sharing more of her life with me. She said when she was 17 she helped in Catechism class then soon after went to the other extreme of living a wild party life. Now, she is in the middle with many questions. She said she would like to meet outside of class to ask me these questions. However, just today during our lesson she asked me what the differences were between Roman Catholicism and Christianity. She also inquired about other religions. Please pray for the seed of the gospel to grow as I was able to share with her that it wasn't about religion, but about a real love relationship with Jesus Christ.
In closing, the winds of change blow my way again. No longer will I be helping with the youth group on Friday nights. This past month Raf and I started to co-teach a home Bible study with a couple from Uruguay in Palma. They also come to the church Sunday evenings. We are teaching through the book of 1 Samuel. For the time-being Raf translates for me when I teach, but I am getting more practice speaking Spanish in our times of fellowship. Last month I also attended my first board meeting. It was exciting to hear the vision for the church and Bible school. Pray for me as I continued this month working like crazy in regards to learning how to be an "accountant." The Spring semester students also arrived last month. I am teaching Missions again this semester. The students seem genuinely excited to be here and I look forward to what God will do in their lives.
Well, I am signing off for now. Please remember to pray for these lives. Once again, I am continuing to learn what it means to really pastor or shepherd people. One life at a time...
By His Grace,
Eric
