Dear Friends,
The meeting with the Red Cross went well; there were some 75 representatives from different NGOs, Town Halls, Neighbourhood Associations and Churches. The plan for food distribution for the period 2011-2012 was outlined. There will be 4 phases during this year and the next, which will certainly help us to cater for the needs of our soup kitchen. As I mentioned before, we will hope to register families with identified needs to receive food parcels in next year’s food distribution. One statistic was revealed that left the evangelical witness rather exposed. The list of the families presented by the evangelicals included a overlap of 60%. This is a serious fault as the evangelicals are not being thorough in checking that the families registered with them are not asking for food parcel somewhere else. Even at this level of needs, we see the devious nature of some people in trying to get more than their fair share. It calls on us to have discernment and wisdom in how we do identify the families with real needs. Pray for those of us involved in this work and give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to serve.
Church life continues to thrive in the midst of such difficult times. Spain is experiencing one of the highest rates of unemployment in Europe; if I am not mistaken it is way past the 20% mark. Latest statistics revealed that nearly 5,000.000 people are out of a proper job. This is devastating for families all around. In our congregation many have lost their jobs; some gained the right to unemployment benefits through paying their national insurance contributions, but at best these payments can last only 1 year. All these matters affect the economy of these families and ultimately is reflected in the economy of the church. This week, probably Wednesday 13th the church finance committee which I chair will meet to discuss plans we are drafting for reducing our costs. It will probably involve the loss of employment for one of the persons employed by the church. Please, pray for wisdom and discernment as to how to maximize our resources.
As a Church we are also seeking to make a difference here in Valencia, for that is why indeed the Lord brought us and placed us here. We are continually challenged to live as genuine disciples, as Paul says, striving “to abound more and more in love with knowledge and all discernment, so that we might approve what is excellent” (Phil. 1v9-10). I preached last Sunday on this text knowing that this is the right path to reach those near us! Those living next to us, our neighbours in every sense of the word. Whether they are to be found in the same building in which we live, or may they be fellow workers or even in our own homes, where we are the only Christians. The exhortation nevertheless was to love with the intention of laying down our lives for the “other” if necessary. Give thanks to the Lord for his word and for the liberty we had in the Spirit. Perhaps, it will be good if you also join us to pray for a Spanish family going through a very dark situation. This couple came to the church back in 2006 with two small boys. Sadly, he left the church and divorced his wife (and the children) at the beginning of 2009. For the last 2 years, the mother of her ex-husband has been trying to throw them out from the family home, and this week she received an eviction order. On top of that, she has been out of a job for nearly a year and her unemployment benefit has finished. As grim as the situation really is, she was praising the Lord for his care. Pray for this family that some compassion will be extended towards them, even from those who will not hesitate to throw them out into the streets.
The ministry among the young people continues. This month the special event “Chairs and Tables” will take place in the Califato Coffee Shop next 29th April. Pray for good attendance and for the gospel to be presented clearly. Remember Pastor Andrés (junior) as he will lead this meeting. Recently we had a couple of evangelists preaching at this event. It was really encouraging and the seed was sown, we trust, in fertile ground. Pray for fruits.
As you know, we call ourselves the “Evangelical Parish Church Jesus is the Lord” - warmly La Parroquia; somehow sharing just the meaning of that sign is a wonderful opportunity. Recently, reflecting on this declaration, we asked ourselves “is he, Jesus, really the Lord of our Lives? And if so, why does it appear that our “ego”, our own “selves” are the ones sitting as Lord in the throne? Perhaps, the conclusion as that we are competing with Him to sit in the throne. Hence, we need to make real changes and see the fruit of that transformation in the generation we are trying to reach with the gospel. Pray for the young people, specially Andrés Jr. who leads this work.
On 29th April, I will be chairing the annual Editorial Board meeting for “Editorial Peregrino”. We have a heavy load of works to consider. It is the time for making final decisions regarding printing new books and maximizing our resources as an editorial. Pray for travelling mercies (some are coming from the USA), and although I am in Spain, I still have to drive almost 5 hours before I get to Valdepeñas. This city has been blessed by the Lord over the years; the evangelical witness in this town dates back to the beginning of the 1900s. On Saturday 30th the 5th Editorial Peregrino Conference will take place, this year we have invited again pastor Sugel Michelen from the Dominican Republic. Pray for a blessed time. The translation, editing and production of solid Christian literature continues. We hope to see times of blessings in this ministry.
Linked to all this work is our own bookshop. Last March sales were very low, so we continue to strive. At present, we are mostly attending our own people and reducing our activities to ordering items as requested by customers. At least, this permits us to have just enough stock to look like a bookshop and avoid holding unto materials which never sell. Please, continue to pray for this ministry.
The boys keep growing and life for them seems to be a constant going back and forth between studying, doing extra curriculum activities like judo and taekwondo plus music especially for Joel. The next two month are crucial for getting down to the business of approving their school year. Joel is keeping pace but Elis is being challenged. Pray for them, that they will enjoy their studies and prosper in these areas. The young adolescents’ meeting they attend at Church has grown recently. They both form part of a class of nearly 30 young people between the ages of 12 and 15. Pray for a special blessing and maturity in their faith in the Lord. Helen has an option to enter a competition for a permanent post at La Fe New Hospital. These openings can take a long time and involve a lot of bureaucratic steps before even sitting the set of exams that they impose on all candidates. Pray for determination and perseverance. My health is good, and just before this next summer I shall have my round of tests. Praise the Lord.
Thank you for being there.
Eddy
