Sunday, November 23, 2008

On the Same Team




King David wrote in Psalm 133:1: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethern to dwell together in unity!" How true this verse is even more so in ministry. One of many things I have learned from Pastor Raf is the importance of working together on the mission field. Raf has often said: "we are not in competition with one another, but complement one another." It is no wonder Satan attacks unity among missionaries in the same battle field. I am glad the month of October was filled with unity...

Pastor Raf and I were able to fly to El Rincon De La Victoria (outside of Malaga) for a couple of days to visit Ivan and Eunice. It had been almost one year since I had last seen them. As the church is developing with Ivan and Eunice, other matters of ministry have come to their attention. As a result, they asked Pastor Raf to come over and help with some legal/financial issues in regards to the new church plant. I was also able to catch up with them and see the family of Eunice. It had been almost five years since I had been to the mainland of Spain and seen her family. Raf hit it off real well with the family and Tio Pepe (Eunice's father). While there, Raf and I drove with Ivan and Eunice to the village where Raf's mother was born. While going up and down the streets trying to find the home she grew up in, we ran into old friends who knew her. All in all, Raf and I had a great two days with Ivan and Eunice. It was fruitful, productive, and a great time of reunion for me.

This past month, we also celebrated our one year anniversary at our Thursday night Home Fellowship in Palma. We all couldn't believe how fast time had flown by! I reflected on how prayers have been answered, praise reports have been shared, and on how I have become good friends with the people I teach on a weekly basis. I definitely was challenged by God to count my blessings in regards to this Home Bible Study. A lot of good memories this past year.

Over the past few months, I have also been busy working with Pastor Abel Maldonado and others from CC Montebello to prepare for their arrival to Palma. They will be doing a short-term mission trip here at the end of November. Pastor Raf had delegated to me the responsibility of taking care of the financial and administrative side of things in preparation. I have also had some help from other church members and students. It has been interesting being on this side of the mission trip.

At the end of this month, we took the students to the other side of the island for the Semester Retreat. Justin Clark is one of the students here that is from CC Upland. Justin was saved just one year ago. My family introduced him to me almost a year ago when I was on furlough, then I saw him again this past summer. Long story short, it truly has been a privilege to have him at the school and watch him grow. Justin and I have not only gotten to know each other better over the past couple of months, but we also get together once a week to study the Word and pray. Justin also attends the Thursday night Home Fellowship in Palma. While at the retreat, he felt very strongly that it was time to be baptized. So, Raf and I both shared in the joy of baptizing Justin in the Mediterranean Sea! It was a very special moment in time.

In closing, pray for continued unity among the missionaries of Spain...

By His Great Grace,
Eric