Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
So Great A Salvation
Someone once said: "Salvation is so simple we can overlook it, so profound we can never comprehend it." We also learn from Scripture that God uses many in the work of salvation. There are those who plow, while others plant, still others water. Then there are those who have the privilege of reaping the harvest. Such was my experience in the month of March....
It turns out that my new roommate Johnny had never fully given his heart and life over to Jesus Christ.It all started with Johnny having a wonderful Easter Sunday. He participated in the play as one of the disciples, and was overwhelmed by the love he received from the Body of Christ at the church. Later that night I was able to share the gospel with him in English and broken Spanish:) I took him to the Bible showing him many verses explaining what it meant to be saved. The conversation went for two and a half hours. Johnny had shared with me that he wanted to be a part of "us." He had felt like an outsider looking in.
Friday of that same week, Raf came out to our house and shared more with Johnny. Then Johnny prayed with Raf and I that night on March 28th to receive the Lord Jesus Christ! Then on Sunday March 30th Raf and I baptized Johnny in the Mediterranean Sea after church! I already see major changes in his life just by the things he says as well as his actions. He is also reading his Bible and praying alot. His co-workers are also seeing the changes, asking questions, and wanting to know the Bible.
Johnny now attends the home Bible study I teach in English Thursday nights. However, in his hunger for the Word of God he wants to be taught the Bible more. We are currently going through the Gospel of John (John for Johnny) one chapter at a time. We read the chapter in Spanish and English, then I teach in Spanglish. We then pray and enjoy a dinner together. I have also introduced him to some Spanish worship music I have, he really likes it. I have also had many trips to the hospital this past month with Johnny as his health is not the best. He now says: "that's secondary." He also says: "I see people in a whole new way." He desires that the rest of his family and friends would come to experience the same joy that he has now.
I also made a few hospital visits this past month in regards to Mike. Due to his battle with alcohol, his health was in serious jeopardy. I had the privilege of picking him up at the end of two weeks. He has now for the rest of the month been sober! His boss is also giving him his old job back. Continue to pray for Mike. He so loves the Body of Christ praying for him.
I also had the privilege of having a few teaching opportunities. I was able to fill in for Trevor and teach the youth group twice. I still love to be with the youth, it made me think of the youth back at CCU. Raf also asked me to share at the Sunrise service Easter morning.
We also read in 1 Corinthians 3 that it is God who gives the increase to that seed of salvation that is planted in the heart by faith. Raf said Johnny's conversion was one of the most powerful he had ever witnessed. Johnny went on to tell us the many different people from different countries over the years who shared the gospel with him. Raf is included in that number as he shared with Johnny three years ago. I was the last one to share with him. Raf and I simply had the privilege of reaping the harvest! May God get all the glory for the beautiful story He writes!
In closing, a German named Sasha gave his life to the Lord also last month. Many have taken Sasha and have began to disciple him. Raf and I also had the privilege of baptizing him right before Johnny. I am so blown away by God. Who would have ever thought that I would be baptizing a Peruvian and German in Spain! Truly, it is about reaching all nations no matter where you are at in this world!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
One life at a time
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
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
Monday, February 11, 2008
Learning New Things
Someone once said: "Unless we accept lifelong learning as a habit, we're shortening our lives." How true that is especially for the Christian. I am reminded of what Moses prayed to the Lord in Psalm 90:12: "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." As January marks the start of the new year of 2008, it marks yet another chapter in this God story. This month coming back after my two week visit to California, I continued in the things the Lord has set before me as well as learn some new things along the way...
I had the privilege of teaching God's Word many times this month. As Trevor (youth leader) was in California himself for the holidays, I was able to teach one Sunday morning as well as two Friday nights. It was such a privilege to answer their questions and just hang with them. This opportunity reminded me of how it used to be to teach youth, and how I really do miss this age group! I also taught four times for Pastor Rafael while he was in California and Germany. I taught on two Sunday mornings as well as evenings for the Spanish service. I hadn't taught the body here since last October and I was reminded of how gracious they are! It was also great to fellowship with people afterward and to just listen to how the Word of the Lord connected with their hearts as truth was spoken into their lives.
I also helped with many practical things this month to prepare for the spring semester students. Everything from church cleaning to running errands, putting up shelves to cleaning flats. With this came learning new things. I had to really learn to drive manual transmission in order to use the church cars for ministry purposes this month. Brenda (woman in charge of the flats)who gave me a refresher course, has survived to see another day! It was fun. I also met with Rick this month to continue learning the accounting tasks and bookeeping that will soon be handed over fully to me in regards to the church and school. So far, it is going well and we accomplished a lot for our first meeting. Steve Flores you are amazing and thank you for the lessons I learned from you in this field!
I also moved this month to the capital city of Palma. There are about 1 million people on this island and half of them live in the city. The city reminds me a lot of mainland Spain. I moved in with a 76 year old Peruvian man named Johnny. Johnny is 6 months old in the Lord and hungry for the Word of God. I met him at the church as he has been going there for three years. Although he speaks English, he told me this:"you give me the Bible, and I will give you Spanish." The Lord totally provided this place to live through many circumstances. I also see this as a ministry opportunity as well as another avenue to practice speaking Spanish.
In closing, the Lord also provided a car for me to commute in as well as to serve the body. It is a purple 95 Volkswagon Golf, which has become to be known as "the purple people eater." That is a crazy story as well! I continue to be amazed everyday as God continues to meet my needs every step of the way. How I enjoy being a missionary to this country of Spain! I love you all!
By His Grace,
Eric
I had the privilege of teaching God's Word many times this month. As Trevor (youth leader) was in California himself for the holidays, I was able to teach one Sunday morning as well as two Friday nights. It was such a privilege to answer their questions and just hang with them. This opportunity reminded me of how it used to be to teach youth, and how I really do miss this age group! I also taught four times for Pastor Rafael while he was in California and Germany. I taught on two Sunday mornings as well as evenings for the Spanish service. I hadn't taught the body here since last October and I was reminded of how gracious they are! It was also great to fellowship with people afterward and to just listen to how the Word of the Lord connected with their hearts as truth was spoken into their lives.
I also helped with many practical things this month to prepare for the spring semester students. Everything from church cleaning to running errands, putting up shelves to cleaning flats. With this came learning new things. I had to really learn to drive manual transmission in order to use the church cars for ministry purposes this month. Brenda (woman in charge of the flats)who gave me a refresher course, has survived to see another day! It was fun. I also met with Rick this month to continue learning the accounting tasks and bookeeping that will soon be handed over fully to me in regards to the church and school. So far, it is going well and we accomplished a lot for our first meeting. Steve Flores you are amazing and thank you for the lessons I learned from you in this field!
I also moved this month to the capital city of Palma. There are about 1 million people on this island and half of them live in the city. The city reminds me a lot of mainland Spain. I moved in with a 76 year old Peruvian man named Johnny. Johnny is 6 months old in the Lord and hungry for the Word of God. I met him at the church as he has been going there for three years. Although he speaks English, he told me this:"you give me the Bible, and I will give you Spanish." The Lord totally provided this place to live through many circumstances. I also see this as a ministry opportunity as well as another avenue to practice speaking Spanish.
In closing, the Lord also provided a car for me to commute in as well as to serve the body. It is a purple 95 Volkswagon Golf, which has become to be known as "the purple people eater." That is a crazy story as well! I continue to be amazed everyday as God continues to meet my needs every step of the way. How I enjoy being a missionary to this country of Spain! I love you all!
By His Grace,
Eric
Monday, January 21, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Close of a chapter
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 6:8a: "The end of a thing is better than its beginning..." How true this verse is in our lives walking with Jesus and serving in ministry. Well, it was a close of another year and my first semester serving here at Mallorca Bible School. December was a month of mixed emotions...
The first two weeks of December were the last two weeks of the Fall Semester here at the Bible College. Not only did we have to wrap up finals and classes, but also make sure the apartments were clean for the next semester. The staff and any remaining students also did one big church cleaning before the semester break. We also had a staff lunch and spent the day together.
It was hard to say goodbye to all the students, but it was comforting to know a good portion of them would be coming back in the spring. What a privilege and honor it was to be a small part of their lives with Jesus.
My Spanish lessons with my tutor Toni are going very well. I am learning so much from her and truly enjoy the journey of learning this new language. The ultimate goal of course is to share the gospel message with the people in their own tongue. It has been said before that "one's first language, is the language of their heart." I plan on continuing with my tutor and prayerfully I will be fluent in the language within the year.
My last two weeks of December as all of you know, was spent coming back to California. I was so happy to see my family and church family. My time in California was very refreshing. It was great to see all that God was doing on that side of the world as well. I was also happy to see the youth group doing well. Seeing their faces reminded me how privileged I was to be entrusted with overseeing them and teaching them God's written Words. I will always have a heart for those youth and will continue to pray for them.
In closing, I am looking forward to 2008 and what God will do in and through my life. I am reminded of what Joey Buran always says: "the best is yet to come!" I love you all and once again thank you for being there for me in your prayers and friendships!
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