Experiencias en España

“Hope is…essential to waiting. Why wait unless there is something worth waiting for? There is logic to the world’s frenetic grasping for everything now - not only does it lack humility, but it has given up on a future that is anything more than an extension of the present. Eternity is a vague unknown; the here and now is what is substantial. The world reasons that since there is no great eternal hope to wait for, why wait for anything else?

Christians are hard hit by this attitude.” (Ben Patterson, Waiting, pp 12-13).

Summer is on its way to Spain. Soon dust from the Sahara will blow across the miles and across the Mediterranean as a reminder of our climate change. Climate control is the exception here, not the rule. Central heat is replaced by space heaters. Air conditioning is, well, not so prevalent. Our apartment is set to rise to temperatures that the Sahara dust only serves to exacerbate. We tell our fellow missionaries that we are from Texas. They tell us in return that we have yet to experience heat. We’ll see…

But changing seasons do not prevent the ever present work of getting the Gospel of Christ to the Muslim and Spanish worlds. ‘B’ from Morocco writes, “My faith in Christ is getting stronger even though there is some pressure that [is] facing me.” ‘I’ from Iraq writes, “Please pray for us so that His peace and love come down on our beloved country.” Pressure… Beloved country… Believers in the Muslim world continue to astound me with a deep abiding faith and hope in Christ; in spite of the odds.

Not only do we continue our work in print, radio, television, and internet, but also on projects within North Africa that not only propagates the Gospel but aids believers in a tangible way.

That same need exists for church leaders as well. One cannot simply be a pastor who receives a salary from the parishioners. At tax time the question is, “How did you earn this money?” Since there is no such trade as pastor, officials could readily assume that they have discovered a drug dealer. After all… how else could he make this money? So we help create jobs.

We are grateful to play a role in the work of the underground church in the 10-40 window. Our task here is to provide administrative talent to undergird the work of Arabic and Spanish ministers so that they do not waste their precious

time over the many administrative tasks that are part and parcel of this mission: properties, facilities, grounds, maintenance, accounting, IT, personnel, hospitality, etc. It is our joy to perform these tasks.

We give thanks for all who make our ministry here possible. Without your prayers and financial support we would not be able to continue our task. The dollar may be falling in comparison to the euro, but God is faithful. He will complete the work that He began.

We receive letters from many parts of the world in response to our radio and television programming, as well as our internet site.

A couple of days ago a letter arrived from Iraq written by a woman. Many gracious statements were made in her letter clearly revealing a grateful heart for our part in her spiritual journey. One line struck me particularly, “Please pray for us so that His peace and love come(s) down on our beloved country.”

Far too often the word “beloved” does not cross my mind when I think of Iraq. But for believers in that country, many of whom are suffering terribly, their love of the Lord brings with it love of a country as well.

The Church is made of people from all tribes, nations, and tongues. I pray that my view of Iraq would change to agree with the brethren who live there.