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

Making Disciples

Jesus Said: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." This passage of Scripture found in Matthew 28:18-20 has been commonly called the The Great Commission, and rightly so. These are some of Christ's final words to His disciples before leaving earth and ascending back to heaven. More and more I see the depth and richness of this passage as I am here in Mallorca. In August of last year I came to Spain. In the month of March I saw the miracle of salvation and the beauty of baptism. The month of April for me was a month of truly teaching and making disciples...

Johnny has been on cloud nine since March. He is filled with joy, meaning, and purpose like never before. His co-workers have also noticed the difference and are beginning to ask questions. Johnny is also noticing more and more Spaniards have questions, they are just afraid to voice them. Johnny and I have continued to study the Gospel of John together in Spanish and English. It's so exciting because Johnny is so new to the Bible and has never read it before. In our times together, he has shared so much of his past with me and the reasons why he wanted nothing to do with God. He can't believe he can actually read the Bible for himself. As Johnny is reading John for the very first time, his face lights up! He also shares his initial thoughts about the text. I myself am enjoying very much the Gospel of John. The Word of God never gets old! There is a constant freshness when you read it every time.

Mike and I have also continued to study through the book of Daniel. Mike is 18 months old in the Lord, but he constantly tells me that he is has barely started reading the Bible. He is totally soaking it up and has many questions. I should also mention that both Johnny an Mike have gotten over their timidness in praying publicly. It is such a blessing to hear both of their hearts as they commune with God. More and more in both relationships, I am growing in my understanding for the need of teaching and discipleship.

At the end of the month we took the students to the other side of the island for the semester trip. It was a balance of getting away on your own to be with the Lord, fellowship, and fun in the sun! I was very honored and privileged to be able to pray and talk with students that were very troubled and worried about their future. These conversations made me recall and recount when I graduated from the Bible College in Murrieta six years ago. Looking back, God's promises to me back then have testified to be true today! What an awesome God we serve.

I was also able to teach at the youth group this past month and as usual it was a blast. More and more I am learning to do the accounting on my own. Rick and I are becoming one mind:) As far as my progress in Spanish, I am learning to not look at it as a destination. I simply want to enjoy the journey as with this overall mission to Spain. I know it is going to take time and patience. With the semester ending soon, we have 3 and a half months of summer break. My desire is to devote even more time to language study. I also hope and pray for the salvation of my tutor.

In closing, God has given me more than I could have ever wanted. Too invest in lives makes see and understand more and more the value of one single life. Truly Jesus was right when He said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." I only continue to look forward to meeting more people as time goes on and make disciples...

BY His Grace,
Eric

New Chapter in Mallorca

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!