God Gives The Increase

To the Corinthian church Paul the apostle wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God gave the increase." It is so important that we take to heart these words in our Christian service. How fights, quarrels, and competition would be eliminated if we really took these verses literally. I was struck by this entire chapter when I reflected on the month of November...

Early in the month I had a few teaching opportunities. I was able to teach another Foundations Class for those in the fellowship who were new to the faith or simply just wanted to learn more of what it means to be a Christian. I was given the topic of teaching on why we can trust the Bible to be God's Word. I also taught one class for a course Pastor Raf teaches at the Bible College called "Lessons in Ministry." I titled my message "Keeping it real." I was able to discuss with the students that although ministry is a privilege and joy, it is also a lot of hard work that requires sacrifice. I really challenged the students to "count the cost" as well as check their own motivations to why they serve God and people.

Pastor Raf and Loretta both enjoyed the opportunity to go to the Bible College in Murrieta, CA to teach some classes. While gone, I was able to fill in for Raf and teach on a Sunday morning. I taught on "Waiting on the Lord." I went on to discuss that God wants to build our spiritual muscles by sometimes letting us feel the weight of life. As well as how we grow during the tough times of life and see that our "weight trainer" Jesus Christ knows exactly what we need. How we need to trust Him more than we think we do!

The last week of the month, we had a team from Calvary Chapel Montebello led by Pastor Abel Maldonado come here to Mallorca. We had been planning this short-term mission trip for months. Pastor Abel really wanted to focus on ministering in the city of Palma. The team did a variety of things and made the most of their week here with us. They really sought to reach all ages. They did everthing from dress up like clowns to minster to children at some hospitals, go to the local skateboard park and pass out free shoes and skateboards, to throwing a carnival for the kids. They also did a lot of street witnessing passing out some tracts that one of our team members designed. The Gutierrez brothers also came out for a few days and ministered through music for our English service at the church and our Spanish service in the evening. They did both worship and their own material in both languages. There are so many cool stories to share, but that would take a few more blogs:)

In closing, the trip was a success. Although the harvest of souls that was reaped was "small" in some eyes, it wasn't in God's. Not only did God choose to use Montebello to plow and till soil out here, but they also planted seeds and watered others. Besides all that, if God brought the Gutierrez brothers and team all the way out here for the salvation of just one soul, then Biblically and Spiritually speaking it was a success! God is still working in this field even now. Please pray for the new converts. Praise Jesus Christ that we can have a part in His work. May God continue to give the increase here in Mallorca, Spain...

By His Grace,
Eric

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

Fall Semester 2008

Solomon wrote in his latter years in Ecclesiastes 3:1: "To everything there is a season, a time
for every purpose under heaven." The month of September was definitely the beginning of a familiar season...

The students arrived last month for the Fall semester of Bible College. For a majority of the students, it is their first semester. The students are also very young this semester, with a majority of them being anywhere from eighteen to twenty-one years old. I began remininiscing about my first semester in Bible College, which was eight years ago. It was a very hard and humbling semester, but the Lord won my heart even more. The lessons I learned were priceless. My prayer is that they would seize the moment and enjoy God and all He has for them this semester.

I am teaching Missions again, and Ecclesiastes for the very first time. So far, it has been a privilege to teach these students. Every time I teach Missions, the Lord reignites a fire within me about Missions and specifically Spain. I can definitely relate to Hudson Taylor and his passion for China. He would often say: "If I had 1,000 lives, I'd give them all for China."

As I mentioned last newsletter, Johnny and I went to the prison on September 1st to turn in all the necessary paperwork. They were going to possibly call at the end of September, they didn't. I know right now is a "season" of waiting. Please continue to pray that the Lord would get me in there, to minister that is:)

At the end of last month Mike was admitted to the hospital for some mental issues/problems. I actually received a call from him from the hospital as he was being admitted. Mike has had a series of episodes over the years due to his past addictions. I also believe a definite element of spiritual warfare is involved. Please also pray for him. I have visited him a few times as he seems to being doing better. He was released from the hospital yesterday. I will keep you posted. He has continued to become very dear to my heart. You might remember me mentioning Mike in past newsletters as well as seeing him in some photos.

Mike is one of the people I pick up for Church on Sunday mornings. I am currently going through Romans with him on a weekly basis, and he faithfully attends the Thursday night Home Fellowship I teach at in Palma. All this to say, our relationship has become so close, with the Lord in the center of it. Mike has also grown close to PJ and Nell (hosts of the home Bible study) as well as Rick and Monica (attend the home fellowship). All six of us have also hung out with Mike in social settings. We have done a lot of things together the past year: beach volleyball, going to the movies, eating out, swimming in the Mediterranean, and going to different locations on the island. Mike once told me after one of our Bible studies together; "Eric, I just hope you don't think you are wasting your time with me." Man, what a heart check! I pray the Lord continues to keep my heart like His in ministering to people. No person is ever a waste of time! I know there is a purpose for every "season" under heaven...

In closing, may the Lord continue to bless you with His presence and unconditional love! "If I had 1,000 lives, I'd give them all for Spain.."

By His Great Grace,
Eric

One Year Later

Paul the Apostle wrote to the church in Ephesus: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." It has always fascinated me that God not only wants to save our lives, but also use our lives. How sad it is that many Christians have the free gift of salvation, but are not walking in His plan for their lives. They are not fulfilling the purposes of God, but their own. Not doing those good works He has specifically prepared and planned beforehand for them to walk in. Last month I thought about this verse a lot. August 17th marked one year that I have been here on the mission field of Mallorca, Spain...

At the beginning of August, Pastor Rafael went to Dublin, Ireland to do some ministry and then had some vacation time. I had the privilege of teaching three Sunday mornings at the church to fill in for him. I took the congregation through a series of studies I simply entitled "Why the Bible?" Through the course of three weeks we went through arguments skeptics and critics have concerning the Bible. I sensed that God led me in this direction for a few reasons. One of those reasons was many people over the years left the church because they said that Raf and the church were too much into the "Word of God." That was the reputation given to Raf and the ministry in Santa Ponsa. My heart was that the people would know why they believe what they believe. The church ended up recording all three studies. I was happy to hear that some of them were anxious to mail them back to the United Kingdom for friends and family to hear. Especially those who didn't believe that the Bible was true. Prayerfully more lives will be touched and transformed by His Words.

As I have mentioned in past newsletters, I share the responsibility of being a taxi for Jesus by giving people rides to church and back to their homes every week. Every Sunday night since March/April of this year I have been picking up Nicolas, a 51 yr. old Mallorquin. Every week I get to practice my Spanish with him and he practices his English with me. Over the months we have developed a friendship. As a result he has opened up to me about his life. There were a few instances where he didn't want to come to the Spanish service any longer. Pastor Raf has shared the gospel with him and he has heard many Bible studies over the months. Well, during the last week of August I was really sensing the Lord telling me to pop the question and ask Nicolas if he would like to receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. So, on Sunday night August 31st, after service I shared with Nicolas the gospel in Spanglish and then showed him some evangelistic verses in the Bible in Spanish. I also have the "sinner's prayer" in the back of my Spanish/English Bible, and there in my car Nicolas received Jesus! It was a very special moment for both of us. Since then Nicolas has been trying to read the Bible on his own. The Gospel of Luke is where he has started.

On September 1st, Johnny and I went to the prison in Palma. Raf and I finally had all the papers necessary to mail to the Ministry of Justice in Madrid. While at the prison, a former inmate of 6 years started a conversation with Johnny sharing his hardships in there. Johnny shared with him what I would be doing in the prison and he was very happy about that. He also said many foreigners were in there who didn't know Spanish. They have it the worst, as fellow inmates and guards make fun of them and give them a hard time. As I am waiting to see if I am approved, please pray that I would receive favor from the Spanish government. I really want to get in there.

Looking back at all the photos and newsletters I have posted this past year, God has done in and through my life above and beyond anything I could have ever imagined or even prayed for. I know God doesn't need me here, but I know that He loves me and wants me here. I think of how much I would have missed out on if I didn't leave my home in California and come here to Spain last year. I am sincerely looking forward to the next year here in Mallorca, Spain. All glory to Jesus Christ who uses sinners who are saved by His grace to extend that same grace to others! May I also encourage you to walk into those good works He has for you this coming year!

By His Grace,
Eric

More Responsibility

Jesus said in Matthew 25:21&23: "...Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." I have learned and continue to learn over the years, the wisdom and genius of God in regards to how he prepares a man and woman for ministry. Giving them a little at a time and not asking for success, just faithfulness. This lesson I experienced in the month of July...

The beginning of last month I returned from my furlough in California and hit the ground running. There was a lot of financial and administrative things to attend to. I had mentioned a couple of newsletters ago that Pastor Rafael has wanted to bring more structure to the church and Bible college. Our team has been going through many changes as we have gained some new members as well as lost some. We are also developing an internship program.

More and more I am continuing to do the accounting and bookkeeping on my own. I am also now responsible for everything and anything that falls under finances. This includes all the transactions for the Bible College students, as well as paying rent for some of the apartments. It has been a lot of work, but nonetheless a growing experience. I am also seeing more and more what it takes to run a Bible College.

This Fall I will be teaching Missions again. I will also be teaching the book of Ecclesiastes for the first time and helping to teach some classes for Men's Discipleship.

I have also continued to be a taxi for Jesus giving people rides to church and helping with church cleaning.

At the end of the month, I went with Trevor our Youth Pastor to the other side of the island for a youth retreat. We camped by the beach and had a great weekend together. Some parents came up to us who served at the retreat, and said their kids had a great time and couldn't stop talking about it. This trip definitely brought back fond and funny memories of my time serving the youth of Calvary Chapel Upland.

In closing, the Bible says in Proverbs 20:6: "Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?" May we all desire to be people who are faithful to the Lord in whatever He has placed before us on His perfect path of provision!

By His Grace,
Eric

Taking a Furlough

The military word Furlough is defined in Webster's Dictionary to mean: "a leave of absence from duty granted esp. to a soldier; permission." We see that taking a furlough is not only a good thing to do, but a Biblical thing to do. The apostle Paul himself after his missionary journeys would go back to Antioch to report on what God did in and through his life. Acts 14:27 says: "Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." The beginning of the month was filled with a variety of ministry here on the field and then I went home on furlough for 2 weeks to California...

I finished the book of Daniel with Mike and also studied the book of Philemon with him. Mike is doing real well and is continuing to grow in the grace of God. Please pray that the spiritual seed sown will continue to grow and produce fruit.

Johnny has shared with me some instances of being able to share the Lord with people while on the job. His boss Martin has continued to ask for a Bible in order to start reading it himself. I am so amazed to not only see the power of the Gospel change a life, but to also see that life go on and be used by God.

At the end of May and the beginning of June I also had to take care of some practical things in regards to living in a foreign country. I was able to renew my visa for another year and pay off my car which was a total gift from the Lord. It was such a miracle how God provided this car. The previous owner not only let me make payments without interest, but let me pay in my own timing. I share these things with you to point out God's perfect provision and meeting me in this land every step of the way. As both of these things cost money, I pray I continue to be a good steward of God's resources and your generous gifts to this mission endeavor.

What a reunion it was going home to California! I was very happy to be reunited with my family, friends, and home church. I was not only able to have some fun and relax, but take care of some things in regard to Spain. It was a privilege to "give report" and teach God's Word at several fellowships including my home church Calvary Chapel Upland. I was also able to meet the staff of Go Ministries out of Calvary Chapel Norco, who blesses missionaries by taking care of their taxes and the paperwork that is involved. I was also able to obtain my International Driver's Permit enabling me to drive legally here in Spain.

Thank you all for your open arms, unconditional love, support, encouragement, prayers, and generous gifts. All this motivates me to want to be a "good soldier of Jesus Christ." Although I am glad to be back in Spain, I am looking forward to my next furlough with you all...

By His Grace,
Eric

End of Spring Semester 2008

Solomon wisely wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:8: "The end of a thing is better than its beginning..." We see this principle true not only in ministry, but in our relationship with and to Jesus Christ. May was a month of closure and new beginnings for me personally...

The month of May marked the end of another semester at Bible college for the students as well as a new beginning for those who graduated. I loved teaching Missions again this past semester and watching the Gospel and God's Words work in and through the lives of the students. This semester Pastor Rafael taught a class entitled "Lessons in Ministry." The class was offered to the students but required for the staff. It was great to hear how God has worked in the life of Pastor Rafael and made him the man he is today. I learned many things throughout the class, was reminded of important lessons, and became more thankful to the Lord for putting me here to serve with Pastor Rafael.

This month I also started to take a venture of faith. Most of you know I served at Juvenile Hall for 3 years in California. I loved it and miss it greatly. That being said, I am currently going through the practical steps of getting approval to get access to the prison in Palma. The prison in Palma is not only the prison for Mallorca, but is the only prison for all the Balearic Islands. There is also a lot of other nations represented there. Please pray for favor with the Spanish authorities and diligence on my part to go through all the paperwork. One of the officers told Johnny that this is needed. Roman Catholic priests, Muslims, and teachers of Judaism are already going in.

In an effort to bring more structure to the Church and Bible school, Raf and the Board decided to put certain staff members as overseers of different departments of ministry. I will be overseeing administration and continuing to serve as the accountant. I am really excited about the changes and definitely think the new format will help things run smoothly and more efficiently.

In closing, I have been thinking lately about how it is a privilege to serve the Lord in any capacity. From church cleaning, giving people rides to church, or even being a newscaster in a Easter play:). This semester was a blast and I am looking forward to this summer! God continues to amaze me from month to month. Thank you for your heartfelt prayers and thoughts!

By His Grace,
Eric