A New Missionary Trainee's First Newsletter
Monday, January 22, 2007
Dear friends and family:
God bless you all abundantly!
Well, here I am in Spain! This first week has been a huge blessing to me already! Apart from getting over my jet lag (there is a nine hour time difference), it has been exciting to meet new people and see new places!
THE CITY:
Before coming to Spain I had always envisioned it being similar to other European countries I’ve been to, and often the images I had were similar to those of the movie The Bourne Identity. J Upon arriving here, I realize that it is similar to the rest of Europe, except there definitely is a distinct Spanish architecture here. It is beautiful!
The city always seems to be busy, with those infamous compact European cars whizzing by all the time, or with people walking their dogs or shopping late into the night. There aren’t malls or shopping centers like Wal-Mart here. Instead, there are numerous independently owned shops lined up on every block. The prices are much higher here too. I must constantly remind myself that the prices are listed in Euros, and not in American dollars.
By far my favorite thing about living in Spain so far is the siesta. Most people in Spain stay up late into the night, so everybody sleeps in later than I’m used to in the States. Most shops don’t open until about 10:00 AM. Then around 2:30 PM, they close for three hours in order to eat lunch and take a nap! Siesta! Then they open again in the evening until around 10:00 PM. I thought this all would take me a long time to get used to, but I’m adapting to it rather quickly!
THE CHURCH:
The church is right in the downtown area, about nine blocks or so from the apartment where I live. It is a storefront church, but surprisingly is rather large on the inside (large enough to accommodate the 100-150 people who come to service each Sunday),
There are numerous services throughout the week: Sunday morning service, two Bible studies, youth group, and a mid-week prayer meeting. In each service, the messages are basic and touch on the fundamentals of the gospel.
Friday night I was privileged to join and help Lucinda (another missionary trainee), with youth group. Here they consider youth to be anybody thirty years of age or younger. This needs to be divided up into more distinct age groups, but at this point there simply aren’t enough people to do so!
At any rate, the format of youth group here is similar to any youth group you’d find in the States. However, there are far less youth (there were only two last night), and these youth are not grounded in the Word. The biggest struggle with the youth here is getting any commitment out of them. What’s more, there are no Spaniards represented in the youth group, only those who have emigrated from other countries. As Cáceres is a university city full of young adults, this is a huge concern!
Within two days of being here I had the opportunity to join the worship team at the church and play the piano. I had a crash course in Spanish worship songs the night before! It was a lot of fun!
More importantly, I had the opportunity to meet many of the members of the congregation. What amazed me more than anything was the amount of countries represented. There are people from Bolivia, Columbia, Kenya, North Africa, Germany, China, and of course Spain and the United States. All in all there are fourteen nationalities represented! This truly is a cultural crossroads, thus it is highly important to reach this city for Christ!
Here in Spain, when you greet a brother or sister in the Lord, you do so with two kisses, one on each cheek. I think this aspect might take awhile to get used to, but then again it is biblical to greet one another with a holy kiss!
DISCIPLESHIP SCHOOL:
Each week, I join the other trainees meet with Prince for one-on-one teaching and study. Prince has over thirty years of church planting experience, and wisdom that only a life surrendered to Christ can render. These sessions are the highlights of my week!
PRAYER NEEDS:
Pray that God would continue to give me understanding, especially regarding my Spanish!
There are huge needs in all aspects of the church, so pray for wisdom that God places me in the specific place and ministry that He has laid out for me!
Pray for the members of the congregation that Prince has been teaching and preparing for church leadership.
Pray for the youth of Cáceres! That their hearts would be turned towards Him, and that those who know Him already would surrender themselves fully to Him.
Pray for my finances. God has been faithful to provide so far, and I trust He’ll provide what I need to stay here as long as He wants me here, and not a moment sooner. I’m in His hands!
Again, I cannot express to you all fully how much you are a huge blessing and encouragement to me! I know God will bless you for your participation in His work here in Spain! You truly are as much a part of this as I am!
“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and His children shall have a place of refuge” (Psalm 14:26).
**For up to date information, pictures, and ponderings, please check out www.keeshonds.blogspot.com!**
Blessings,
Chris Corson
posted by Prince and Gina Parker @ 9:28 AM,
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New Years Miracle!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Explosion rocks parking lot at Madrid airport
Car bomb follows call to authorities
These are the headlines that CNN sent out internationally. But Gina and I have a wonderful praise report to share that didn't come out in the news!
Two unrelated families from our small congregation were at the airport at that precise time the car bomb went off to pick up relatives from incoming flights. One family was just entering the parking garage after picking up their family and were spared any harm. The bomb went off right before they entered.
The other family was just parking their vehicle in the same garage when the car bomb went off. The car bomb destroyed a line of cars all the way up to the car of the family from our church. That is where the concussion of the explosion faded! Smoke filled their vehicle and the police came in and rushed them out moments before the structure collapsed, but apart from a bit of smoke inhalation, they were totally unharmed.
Psalms 91:1-16 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (2) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (3) Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (5) Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; (6) Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. (7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. (9) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; (10) There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (11) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (13) Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. (14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Jesus is Lord!!!!
H.M.S.,
Your Missionaries in Spain,
Prince & Gina Parker
posted by Prince and Gina Parker @ 3:18 PM,
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