February update.

First off i would like to apologize that it has taken me so long to write this first news letter. Sorry.  It's been an intense first month and a half.

February was a tough month for me.  I thought the adjustment period would have gone a lot smoother seeing that i had finished my last year of Bible college out here, i know the staff, friends with the Pastor and his wife, know the area and many in the community.  There was a lot of Spiritual warfare; i felt as though i lost my joy for ministry and had no desire to teach the Bible anymore.  Praise the Lord i'm at a place in my walk with the Lord that i realize our relationship with the Lord is not about "feelings" and "emotions" but faith in the truth that has been revealed to us.  My Pastor (Rafael) has been such an amazing friend, Pastor, teacher,you name it...it's been his constant phone calls and support letting me know how much i mean to him and how glad he is to have me here that the Lord has used to encourage me to press on. I have an amazing group of brothers and sister out here that i am SO thankful to the Lord for! Leaving my family in California behind was the hardest thing i've ever had to do in my life thus far.  I miss my parents, brother (Erik), sisters (Stacey, Amanda, & Roberta), and my little Nephew and Niece Aiden & Alana so much everyday.  With that said, there is no place i would rather be than in the center of God's will for my life, He's truly is my Everything!

STUDENTS & STAFF:

We at Santa Ponsa Community Church/ Mallorca Bible school have been so blessed with how the Lord has brought such great Unity between Staff members.  Most of us on staff are quite young and inexperienced but are so blessed by the opportunity given to us!  Pastor Raf has been very patient and helpful.  The staff and students have gelled very quickly and great friendships are being built!

PRACTICAL MINISTRY:

The homeless ministry into the main city on the island (Palma) has been an amazing blessing.  Teams go out every Saturday morning  and are able to meet the physical needs with food, juice, and coffee; and then speak to them about the living hope that we have in the Lord Jesus.  

Im going to be meeting up with an elderly man named James again that i used to meet with weekly when i was a student here.  He doesn't know the Lord and his health isn't the best so every opportunity i get i want to cover in prayer.  

TEACHING (CLASS):

My main ministry out here is teaching at the Bible College.  As most of you know i've been blessed with the opportunity to teach through Galatians and Ephesians.  It's been very challenging but the Lord continues to Bless it.  The students in my class have been such an amazing encouragement and blessing to me.  i thank the Lord for them!

WHAT THE LORD HAS BEEN TEACHING ME:

Something i've known for quite some time but seem to have to learn all over again every time i go through a trial or hard time is that as a believer we "walk by faith and not by sight"...or feelings...or emotions.  Life's not always peachy or easy, but it's comforting to know that through times of difficulty the Lord is making us more like Him as He's working on our character.  i once heard it said that "Fruit grows in the valley, not on the mountain tops."  Everyone loves when everything is going right in life and you feel like your on top of the world.  Let's face it, mountain top experiences are fun.  But it's when we are going through great hardships that God in His Amazing Grace refines us and removes impurities.  He purifies our heart and motives.  God is So Good, He is So Faithful!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.  Pray for my class.  It's every Thursday at 12:30 pm Spain time.

2.  My personal time with the Lord.  That my time with Him would take priority over everything else.  That He would be my focus.

3.  My Family back in the states.  I Love and miss them so much.  Please pray that the Lord would meet them in a special way!

Thank you guys for even caring to read this.  i Love you all SO MUCH!

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."  Colossians 3:17