Along came Marlene...

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 4:12:" Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." A word that shows up numerous times in the book of Ecclesiastes is "better." In verses 9-12 of Ecclesiastes chapter 4, Solomon is talking about relationships in general. Verse 9 opens up with "two are better than one." I have truly enjoyed my years as a single Pastor/Missionary. God has been my "Everything." Our contentment and happiness is solely based on our connection to God. Every season/chapter in our life is good with Jesus. However, I have entered a new season in my life. The month of February marked the beginning of my relationship with a beautiful young woman named Marlene Ann Brandon...

Missions also involves a lot of practical things. On February 1st, I had to take my car in for the annual ITV inspection. It failed. After a couple of trips to the mechanic, my car finally passed! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Good for another year!

February 2nd, marked the beginning of classes for the Spring Semester. I will be teaching Missions for the 5th time. I also will be teaching the Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus) for the first time. Teaching the Bible is always a privilege!

On Saturday February 6th, we had our first Men's Breakfast of the year. As always, the food & fellowship was great with the older men of the church and young men of the Bible College. My friend and fellow pastor, Jimmy Schauerte taught the Bible study. He taught on the subject of real men trusting the Lord even when it doesn't make sense. He used a few illustrations from the OT to see the outcome of their lives.

On Sunday February 28th, I taught on a Sunday morning for Pastor Raf. Raf is currently teaching on marriage, in the book of Ephesians. He was going to be in SoCal for a couple of weeks, and asked Jimmy and I to each teach a Sunday for him. I taught on Singleness. Raf announced this the week before. A lot of singles came up to me, sharing how they were really looking forward to this. The title of my message was "Enjoying and Rejoicing in your Singleness." My main text was 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 coupled with Matthew 19:11-12. We see Jesus and Paul commend Singleness. Herein lies the balance of all the Scriptures in the Bible. May we not make the same mistake as the church in Corinth. That is, to elevate Marriage over Singleness or Singleness over Marriage. One is not more spiritual or holier than the other. Everyone has to do what God has called/invited them to. What a timely message this was for Santa Ponsa Community Church. I can tell you story after story, of singles of all ages who came up to me after service truly ministered to. Many were hurting, and some were bitter towards God. They didn't know such Scriptures existed in their Bible. Also, to hear that Marriage is a gift from God, but so is Singleness. Some would be called to it for life, while others just for a season. Raf's wife Loretta interpreted for me at the Spanish evening Service. After the service, the singles were blessed as well.

I met Marlene in September of last year. She was on a partial scholarship to play softball for a university in Oahu, Hawaii. She is originally from Northern California. God tugged on her heart about Bible college, and she came for her 1st semester last fall. God does imports! Over the last few months we have developed a real good friendship. I really sensed God giving me the thumbs up and the green light to take the next step. Proverbs 15:22 says: "Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established." So speaking with my family, close friends, my roommate Jimmy, and Pastor Raf, the thumbs up were given. Green light shone bright! On Valentine's Day February 14th, I took Marlene out. I asked her to enter a Christian Courtship/Dating (whatever you want to call it) relationship with me. What really matters, is the fact that we are now prayerfully, purposely, planning, to one day be married. That's the goal Lord willing. I don't believe in dating for the sake of dating, or in recreational/serial dating. Why leave a long string of broken hearts along the road including your own? Trust in the providence of our gracious loving God! I am so incredibly happy and blessed beyond measure! I now thank God everyday for this wonderful gift! They say everything is more beautiful when you are in love. How true that is!

A week later, Pastor Raf announced this news to the whole congregation. Everyone clapped and cheered! After the service, the support and love was overwhelming. A lot of "Congratulations." Not only was the church encouraging, but also the Bible college students, and fellow co-workers on staff!

In closing, thank you all for your prayers over the years. Continue praying for Marlene and I, as we seek to honor Jesus as a couple!

By His Grace,
Eric

My Thing vs. God's Thing

Someone once said: "If you ever want to make God laugh, then tell Him your plans." Knowing what the Bible teaches concerning the character and nature of God, I know this laughter is not condescending. Rather, the Bible teaches He is good. The Scriptures also show is He is very much interested and involved in giving us good things. So in light of these truths, laughter is only logical. Think about it, here is the God of the universe who not only loves us, but really does have a specific plan for our lives! I pondered all this in the month of January, as 2010 got underway...

As mentioned last newsletter, my winter furlough went into the beginning of January. On Sunday January 3rd, I was able to visit CC Norco. Pastor Louie Monteith oversees Go! Ministries, and was a part of my ordination last June. It truly has been a pleasure building a friendship with Louie. Later that day, my family and I went to spend the afternoon with the Franco's (Brandon's Family). I was finally going to meet Brandon's older brother Frankie. Like last time, I personally had a blast! Not only great food, but honestly great fellowship. We even had some fun and played a little catchphrase. God is so good. I truly look forward to the wedding day of my sister Amanda and Brandon. The future truly is bright!

On Monday January 5th, I went out to the the annual Missions Conference in Murrieta. Pastor Raf had the privilege of doing a main session, teaching and encouraging missionaries from all over the world. Some friends, three of my sisters, and Brandon accompanied me. He did a great job and everyone was truly ministered to. It also felt great to represent Spain.:)

The next evening, I was given the opportunity to teach at CC Upland. My message was entitled "Take a chance." The Scriptures were Ecclesiastes 11:1-4 and Acts 16:6-10. The gist of my message, was that God will ask us to take ventures in faith or risks in our lives. Missions definitely is "risk-taking." I also shared how God guided the apostle Paul through closed doors. Paul was denied twice to go to certain locations on his Missionary journeys. We can conclude that God guides us just as much by hindrance. Timing is everything.

The next night on January 7th, I was honored to guest speak at CC Moreno Valley. My friend Raymond and I were able to join Pastor Sammy Martinez for dinner beforehand. Sammy now served the college/career group. He had asked me to come and share with them. I taught on fruitfulness, unity, carnality, and putting men on pedestals. The title was "Plow, Plant, Water, Reap." My main text was out of 1 Corinthians 3:1-9. What a word from God for us Pastors and Missionaries! The mission field of Spain truly is God's! After the Bible Study, many people came up for prayer. I really enjoy those times in ministry, just to be able to talk to Jesus with my brothers in Christ. I was also able to reunite with Pastor Mark Avila, who I affectionately call my "Father in the Faith." I hadn't seen him for almost 3 years. He truly made an impact on me when I served as a youth pastor at CC Upland.

On Saturday January 9th, I went to CC Montebello for a wedding. The youth pastor Joseph Totsis was marrying Amy Sandoval. I met Joseph years ago and always appreciated hanging out with him. The last time I saw him, was at my going away party before I left for Spain. Joseph and Amy will be serving together as missionaries to Japan! The ceremony was awesome and as usual Pastor Pancho Juarez was hilarious:) I pray God's best for their future together! At the reception, I also ran into an old friend. What a small world! One of my sisters also spotted Pastor Victor and his wife Sonia Mayoral of La Posada. They serve as missionaries in Mexico. I have tons of great memories with them, considering I used to take the youth group down there annually. I have tons of funny stories from those years.:) Right now, for those who know what I am talking about: "Gloria a Dios."

I arrived back in Mallorca on Friday January 15th. I literally hit the ground running with only 2 weeks until the Spring Semester began for Mallorca Bible School. I had a lot of Accounting/bookkeeping to do for the close of the year. We had a board meeting coming up, as well as the AGM Meeting for the church. I also went back to the prison. It was great to reunite with the guys. For the last two weeks in January instead of a Bible study, Raf and I broke off from each other just to do one on one visits. This was also good to practice my Spanish.:)

On Sunday January 31st, we had Orientation for the students in between services. It was a crazy day to say the least, but a blessed one. This would mark the beginning of my 6th semester here at MBS, and the close of my 3rd school year. Every semester seems to go by faster and faster. I have truly learned, and continue to learn to live in the moment. Looking around the sanctuary, I could tell it would be a good semester.

In closing, may we learn to laugh at ourselves. You have to admit looking back on our lives, God's plan really has been better than our own. As this new year approaches, thank Him for answered prayer according to His will...

By His Grace,
Eric