It Has Been A Good Year!

Dear Friends and Family,
 
            The other day I had an interesting conversation as I was doing some shopping.  The cashier asked how this season is going and that conversation developed and we talked about how this has been a good year.  Ok, now I imagine that you might be thinking “What planet are you living on, haven’t you been following the news and living in reality…?!”  But as we talked, it hit me how this year has made people break out of their comfort zone and out of their “normal”.  We have all had the opportunities to stop and see what really matters.  This cashier said emphatically, “I, for one, will never complain about having to come to work again!”  It is easy to see people who have chosen to argue and fight and attack others instead of recognizing the importance of taking advantage of this moment.  In 2020, plans and traditions haven’t played out like expected, but special moments have risen for those willing to keep moving.  God has taught us to avoid the attitude of just wanting to change the calendar page to 2021 and start over.  Instead, we should relish every day and search for the lessons that he is teaching in each moment, as we would seek for treasure, because His tender lessons have so much more than the treasure this world has to offer. 
 
            In Spain, through this unusual season, we have been able to put together a YouTube channel for the church plant and have many more views than people in the church.  It started, as we were not able to meet together as a group and then continued even through the moments when we were able to meet in person.  We were even able to do a daily study through Proverbs during November which many got excited as they daily read the Bible and looked for practical applications to live out!  The core group in Tafalla is growing and has shared about conversations they have had with family members or friends.  Some of the conversations have been critical labeling us as a cult and yet even those conversations, although negative on the surface, show that people are talking and thinking about spiritual things.  One woman sent me a message saying that she was confused about which church has the truth.  We were able to enter into a conversation about the fact that it is not a church that has the truth but rather the Bible as it teaches about Jesus, who is the Truth.  I explained that in looking for truth, it is important to read the Bible and then also find a place where the people can study the Bible together.  Please pray for the people of Tafalla as they are asking questions and for the small core group of believers to be filled with God’s peace and wisdom to both live out the hope within them and give an answer for it.
 
            We have been unable to have services in the building, as we can’t meet the required distancing and have more than 9 in the building.  In addition, the majority of our group falls within the high-risk category.  To make the issue a bit more interesting, there was a problem with the sewer pipes of the whole building, which has caused some damage to our storefront.  As we speak, the insurance is repairing the damaged area.
Please continue to pray:
 
Ø  For the believers to continue to be encouraged and desiring to live out their faith and share it with those around.  Also, for them to continue to grow in knowledge and wisdom to be able to share a reason for the hope that is in them
 
Ø  For the numerous people who are currently struggling health-wise with Covid and all those family members affected as well.  We know that none of this is a surprise for God and our desire is that He be glorified in a powerful way through it all.
 
Ø  Pray for believers, everywhere, to remember that for Christmas we are celebrating God with us and not traditions.  Covid can change how we do it but Covid can’t change the why!
 
Thank you for your love and prayers for Spain,
Dan and Sharon for the family