8 Reasons to Memorize Scripture

I was very encouraged to continue to memorize scripture as I listened to John Piper shares 8 reasons for the importance of memorizing scripture.

Memorizing scripture…

1. 1. Makes meditation possible at times when reading the Bible is not possible and meditation is the pathway to deeper understanding.

2. 2. Strengthens my faith because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God…and that happens when I am hearing the word in my head.

3. 3.Shapes the way I view the world, by conforming my mind to God’s viewpoint on everything.

4. 4.Makes God’s word more readily accessible in overcoming temptation to sin because God’s warnings and promises are the way we conquer the deceitful lies of the Devil.

5. 5.Guards my mind, making it easier for me to detect error and the world is filled with error because the god of this world is a liar

6. 6.Enables me to hit the Devil in the face with a force he cannot resist to protect myself and my family from his assaults (what are you hitting him with? He is millions of times stronger than you and he hates you and your family and your marriage and the church and God. How anybody walks through this devil ruled world without a sword in your hand is beyond logic.)

7. 7.Provides the strongest and sweetest words for ministering to others in need

8. 8. Provides the matrix for fellowship with Jesus because he talks to me through his word and nowhere else (he sweetly, powerfully, authentically, really speaks to me through God’s Word… and then I speak back to him in prayer and if the word is in my mind then we can talk anywhere.)

It is sweet, it is very sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSAVXHE5COg&feature=related

Community Involvement & First Baptism

You hold a plate of freshly baked cookies in your hand, cheerfully making your way down the hall to the apartment where new neighbors have just moved in. They answer the door and politely accept the cookies, thinking, “How quaint, that’s just like what the Americans do in the movies!” They tolerate the intrusion this time, but a second attempt would be regarded as too aggressive.

This was one of the gems that we learned by participating in the volunteer school of the Community of Madrid held April 6-8. We now have a better idea of cultural norms and needs in the community as well as being certified to volunteer in a nonprofit organization.

Sharon has already begun helping a foundation dedicated to provide quality activities and courses for mentally challenged adults and youth. On Thursday afternoons a group of volunteers supervises an outing to a park, museum, gallery, exposition and the like. Sharon was able to present the Gospel already to one of the other volunteers. Peter is taking a web design class at the newly opened cultural center in our neighborhood. Why are we doing this? We learn valuable lessons in the culture and make connections with families.

Our partners, the Muhas, are in the process of forming an association called New Life Unlimited. This will give us legal recognition to be able to offer courses and activities to the public.From March 5-13 five college students from Aletheia Church poured their energy into helping out with English classes taught by other missionaries. They also participated in street evangelism and practiced techniques of sharing the Gospel with props. We also helped with an English camp. Due to health problems, the director and some volunteers had to be absent, so we were available to meet this unexpected need.

Our ID number process has taken longer than normal. Peter was called in for his fingerprints and now has less than a month hopefully until he gets his plastic ID card. Sharon is now waiting to go in for her fingerprint stamps.

While our daughter Heather has been with us we took an orientation trip to Cataluña, one of the provinces that speaks a different language. An old friend of ours from Carúpano, Venezuela, Basilio Crespo, gave us a great tour of Barcelona to get us started. We learned firsthand some of its uniqueness and insistence on being different from Spain.

After 5 years of doctors’ visits, tests, and therapy our daughter Melissa is planning to undergo knee surgery in June as the pain and deterioration has increased. Pray for grace and strength in the meantime and details involving Sharon’s trip over and recuperation.

Recent activities: April 9- a seminary professor instructed our group in the basics of hermeneutics. April 17 was a joyful day for our budding church as we witnessed 3 people get baptized, Daniel, Luz Marina, and Jackie. We used a church in another area that had a baptistery.

First four months - Video Update

Here is a link to a 5 minute video that we made of the first 4 months in Spain:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcf-9H9wAug

Sharon's Visa is Granted

On the 10^th we received word from the Spanish consulate in Washington, DC that Sharon’s visa had been granted and was ready to pick up. We are glad that Sharon was able to travel to Spain originally on a tourist visa. This allowed us to find an apartment, pick out and buy all the furniture, house hold appliances and set up our home while we waited on her visa to be granted. We have also had time to build relations with our church planting team as well as get to know those who are now part of our church plant. Sharon left for the USA on 16^th and returned on the 24^th. She was able to send time with family and meet with the work team that will be arriving on March 5^th. While she was in the states most of the furniture that we had order arrived. The last of it arriving on the 26^th. Sharon now joins Peter in the ordeal of more paper work and waiting to secure our national identity cards.(NIE) We need these cards so the we can: buy a car, get car insurance in our name, have a cell phone in our name, facilitate the banking process, etc. Peter is currently waiting on an appointment to have his finger prints documented. Once that is completed he should have his NIE in 45 days.

On March 5^th a team will arrive from Alethiea Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They will be working with us to help establish ties here in our target area as well as helping with a cultural center in downtown Madrid. Another focus will be college students. We have meet with Susana and Raquel who are the leaders in Madrid for evangelistic outreach to college students. We want to serve them in their ministries on campus. We were encouraged with their focus on working with a local churches.

This past Saturday we had our first couples dinner at a local restaurant in Las Tablas. One of the local restaurants that is closed on the weekends did a super job in hosting the event. Those who came had a great time. It was a small group this time but a positive and encouraging evening for all who attended.

We have checked into a numbers of ways that we can get involved and meet people in our community. The community association has their next meeting on the 10^th of March. There is also a community choir and opportunities to assist the elderly people. It is still pretty cold so there are not many out and about. We have looked at a number of locals that we could rent as a site to teach English and to facilitate church activities. So far we have not found one in our price range. Pray with us that if this is the right time we will find a place at a price we can afford.

We continue to work on our team building activities. We are grateful to our Supervisor Jay Sensenig and his wife Carol for hosting us this past weekend. Karen Ginter with World TEAM, assited us with the Myers Briggs Type Indicator test.