| Dear Pastor and Praying Friends, Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are still awaiting information on our residencies. We were told that we would have an answer by the end of July and we haven’t heard anything. I have called several times and finally resorted to e-mail them. They replied and told me that we should hear something in September. Everything that we have heard leads us to believe that there shouldn't be any problem, but then again, we wonder why it is taking so long. It appears that we have lost the family from Romania. They have been caught up in the love of the world, and will not render themselves unto Christ. This is very disheartening because the Lord would like to do so much through these precious souls but until they surrender unto Him, He cannot do what He would like. Please earnestly ask the Lord to work in their hearts. The Lord has given us numerous opportunities to speak to people about Christ lately. It has mainly been older teenagers and young adults. These young people are so fed up with the religious hypocrisy that they find in the Catholic Church, but sadly enough, they are too skeptical of anything else. Their minds are being pumped full of philosophy and humanism in the public schools and universities. While many claim to believe in God, they deny Him in every aspect of life. Everyone would like for us to believe that they tolerate any religion, but the truth is that they accept any religion that doesn't make a strong stand for Christ and the Bible. While talking with various people about the Lord, we learned that Spaniards aren't accustomed to coming to a stranger’s house, especially for "church". They only invite people to their own homes after knowing someone for a while. Therefore we are faced with a need to rent a building. Unfortunately with exchange rates as they are and increasing costs all around we are not financially able to do so. We need your prayers and help. We have been using our home to have services and were baffled that so many have come but haven't returned. They didn’t appear to have problems with the preaching and even said they enjoyed the services. Now we know that they want to go to church in a place that looks like a church. If we do not offer such a place to them, they simply will not come and stay. We are asking the Lord to intervene in this situation. The Lord has given us another opportunity to serve Him by filling in for Brother Larry Carlisle in Rota while he is back in the states on furlough until December. I covet your prayers as both Brother Witte and I preach in Rota and continue the work here in El Puerto. This works out wonderfully in that it will not interfere with our schedule. As of right now we are working in three cities: Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa Maria, and Rota. Brethren, thank you so much for all your prayers and financial support. There would be no ministry here without you. Please remain faithful and may God richly bless you. |