April 20-29

Last week was very full. On Wednesday we had a good study at the university. One of my students from Hungary came. She told me that she has always wanted to know something about the Bible since when she was growing up she had no Bible. I was able to share the gospel in the study, and I trust that she will return again. On Friday we headed out for Madrid. I preached a missions conference in a church there on Saturday and Sunday. This was a special trip because I took Antonio with us. We had a great time as a family and with our friends there in that church. Back home, Israel preached to our congregation, and the Lord blessed the service. We thank the Lord for the good weekend both in Madrid and here in Petrer as well as for His protection over us as we travelled. On Monday I had a special opportunity in my class to talk about the Lord. I showed sections of a Christian film and we discussed it. On Tuesday I ate with Antonio and his daughter. We had a good time of conversation about spiritual things after lunch. Yesterday in the Bible study we had only two students. Lord willing next week we'll have some of the others back with us.

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La semana pasada estaba bastante llena de actividades. El miércoles tuvimos un buen estudio bíblico en la universidad. Vino por primera vez una de mis alumnas. Es de Hungría y me dijo siempre había sentido curiosidad sobre la Biblia. En el estudio pude dar el evangelio, y confiamos que podrá volver otro día. El viernes después del cole de los niños, salimos de viaje a Madrid. Prediqué en Torrejón para una conferencia de misiones. Fue un viaje muy especial porque vino con nosotros Antonio. Lo pasamos bien como familia y con amigos y hermanos allí. Aquí en Petrer Israel predicó y había un buen culto. El lunes tuve una oportunidad muy especial. Para una clase de la universidad para mayores, mostré porciones de una película cristiana y lo comentamos. Hubo buenos comentarios y bastante interés. El martes pude comer con Antonio y su hija y hablamos sobre las cosas espirituales bastante tiempo. El miércoles tuvimos el estudio en la universidad. Sólo vinieron dos, pero tuvimos un tiempo provechoso. Dios mediante la semana que viene podrán venir algos de los otros.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

April 13-19

We had two local holidays this week, so our activities were a bit altered this week. For that reason we did not have the Bible study at the university. The Lord gave us good Sunday services. We finished our series on the churches of Revelation in the morning. In the evening we got back to our study on Romans.

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Tuvimos dos días festivos estas semana, así que no hemos tenido una semana normal. Por este motivo no tuvimos el estudio en la universidad esta semana. El Señor nos dio buenos cultos el domingo. Por la mañana terminamos los mensajes sobre las siete iglesias de Apocalipsis. Por la tarde volvimos a nuestro estudio sobre la Epístola a los Romanos.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

April 1-12

On April 1, we traveled six hours up the coast to spend Easter in a camp in Girona up in the mountains on the other side of Barcelona. The kids had a great time at camp with the other children, and Maribel and I really enjoyed the time with other believers. I preached a series of messages from Romans 5 about the events behind the gospel: the death and resurrection of Christ. After the camp ended, we spent a few days in Barcelona as a family and then came back home. In our service on Sunday I preached about the imputation of Christ's righteousness compared with the imputation of Adam's transgression. After the service we celebrated the Lord's table. In the evening we finished our study of Christ's temptations.

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El uno de abril viajamos seis horas al campamento en Girona para pasar el fin de semana con los hermanos de varias iglesias en Catalunya. Los niños lo pasaron muy bien con los otros niños y Maribel y yo disfrutamos mucho el tiempo con los otros creyentes. Prediqué una serie de mensajes de Romanos 5 sobre los eventos detrás del evangelio: la muerte y la resurrección de Jesús. Después del campamento, pasamos varios días como una familia en Barcelona antes de regresar a casa. En el culto el domingo prediqué sobre la imputación de la justicia de Cristo comparado con la imputación de la transgresión de Adán. Después del culto celebramos la mesa del Señor. Por la tarde terminamos nuestros estudios sobre las tentaciones de Cristo.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

March 23-31

We had a good group out for the Bible study at the university on the 24th. We started Romans 4, talking about Abraham and the imputation of righteousness. I was also able to meet with Antonio for another Bible study. He has been doing his own personal study and sending them to me by email. In our service on Sunday I preached about the parable of the minas that Christ told in Jericho a week before he was crucified in Jerusalem. It is very similar to the more familiar story about the talents, but the details apply it to the what was about to happen. After the service we had our monthly meal and in the afternoon we had another study in the series about the temptations of Jesus. The following Tuesday I had only one student at the Bible study: my student who has just started coming. It was a good time for me to be able to answer some of his questions. He is starting to truly understand the gospel. I trust that this will lead to real repentance and faith! Please continue to pray for him.

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Tuvimos un buen grupo para el estudio en la universidad el día 24. Empezamos el capítulo 4 de Romanos, hablando de la imputación gratuita de justicia. También me junté con Antonio esta semana para un estudio. Ha estado estudiando por su cuenta también y me va mandando sus estudios por correo electrónico. En el culto el domingo prediqué de la parábola de las minas que enseñó Cristo en Jericó una semana antes de ir a la cruz. Es muy parecida a la parábola de los talentos, pero los detalles lo adapta para el contexto específico: Dios no quiere la indiferencia. Después de nuestra comida mensual, terminamos la serie de estudios sobre las tentaciones de Cristo. El último martes antes de las vacaciones, sólo vino uno al estudio: mi estudiante que empezó a venir este cuatrimestre. Tuve una buena oportunidad para contestar sus preguntas. Noto que está empezando a entender el evangelio. Confío en que el Espíritu Santo seguirá obrando para llevarle al verdadero arrepentimiento y fe. Por favor, seguid orando por él.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

March 16 - 22

This is the last week of my class in the Bible institute. We had the final exam on Wednesday. I had another good Bible study with Antonio this week. We have gone back to finish the study we started months ago on James 1. So we looked this week at not being forgetful hearers of the Word. The Bible study on campus continues to go well. I have a student from a former communist country who has expressed interest in coming to the studies. She told me that she has always wanted to know about the Bible. In the end, she could not come this week because of a conflict, but I trust that she will be able to come soon. On Sunday I preached from the last message to the churches, Laodicea. One of our families could not come in the morning, and in the end they were the only ones who were able to make it in the evening, so we took some time to study through the same passage that we had looked at in the morning. These are the blessings of having a small congregation!

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Esta fue la última semana del instituto bíblico. El miércoles tuvimos el examen final y uno de los estudiantes hizo una exposición de un proyecto que había realizado. Estoy contento con lo que hemos podido hacer en esta asignatura y espero que sea una ayuda a cada uno en su propia vida al leer y estudiar la Palabra. En la universidad esta semana, una de mis alumnas que creció en un país comunista me dijo que tenía mucho interés en aprender algo de la Biblia. Al final no pudo venir al estudio esta semana por un conflicto, pero Dios mediante vendrá pronto. El domingo por la mañana prediqué del último mensaje a las iglesias, el de Laodicea. Una de nuestras familias no pudo venir por la mañana y al final fueron los únicos que vinieron por la tarde, así que aprovechamos el estudio para volver a mirar el mismo pasaje de Laodicea. ¡Es la bendición de tener una congregación pequeña!

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

March 9 - 15

On Tuesday I met with Antonio again for lunch and a Bible study, as we always used to do with Gloria. It continues to be difficult for him, but he has grown spiritually in a miraculous way through this entire situation. He has been writing poetry about his experiences, so I started a blog for him to be able to publish what he writes. One of my students continues to come to the Bible study on campus. He has participated freely and seems very interested. Please pray for this wonderful opportunity to share Christ! On Sunday I preached about the church at Philadelphia. In the evening we were able to have our Bible study at the house of one of our families. We looked at Christ's response to the third temptation.

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El martes me reuní con Antonio otra vez para comer y un estudio bíblico, tal como siempre hacíamos con Gloria. Sigue luchando, pero veo un crecimiento espiritual que es milagroso. Ha estado escribiendo poesías, así que empecé un blog para él para poder publicar lo que escribe. En la universidad, uno de mis alumnos sigue viniendo a los estudios. Es una oportunidad buena para compartir el mensaje de la salvación. El domingo prediqué del mensaje a la iglesia de Filadelfia. Y por la tarde fuimos a la casa de una de nuestras familias para el estudio. Miramos la contestación de Cristo a la tercera tentación.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

March 2 - 8

This week I had the special opportunity to teach some Bible classes to a group of students from Canada. Apart from that, it was a normal week. We had our Bible study on campus from the book of Romans on Wednesday. Bible Institute continues to do well. We have just a few more weeks. We are looking specifically at the topic of application, the final step in the hermeneutical process. On Sunday Israel preached in the morning about the message to the church at Sardis. In the evening we continued our Bible study on the temptations of Christ.

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Esta semana, aparte de las actividades normales, tuve la oportunidad especial de enseñar unas clases de Biblia para un grupo de estudiantes de Canadá. El miércoles tuvimos el estudio bíblico normal en la universidad sobre Romanos. El instituto bíblico sigue bien. Sólo nos quedan varias semanas más, así que estamos hablando de la aplicación, el último paso en la hermenéutica. El domingo predicó Israel del mensaje a la iglesia de Sardis. Por la tarde seguimos con nuestro estudio bíblico sobre las tentaciones de Cristo.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

February 22-March 1

Another week has flown by. I met with Antonio on Tuesday for lunch and a Bible study. We began a study about Satan in the Bible. He is more conscious than ever that he is in a war which does not involve flesh and blood. We continue to study Romans in our study on campus. I was hoping that my student who came last week would join us again, but for some reason, he did not make it. I trust that the Lord will give us new opportunities this week. On Thursday I was able to take some time and pass out tracts here in our town. We look to the Lord for fruit in this effort. On Saturday Pedro came by the house again with some questions. We were able to take some time for Bible study. Yesterday the Lord blessed us with a wonderful Lord's day. I preached in the morning about the message to the church in Thyatira. We focused on Christ's desire for a pure church. After the service we had our monthly church meal, and in the afternoon we continued our study on Christ's temptations. We looked at his answer to the second temptation: instead of provoking God, we should seek to submit ourselves to God.

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El martes me junté con Antonio para un tiempo de estudio. Está más consciente que nunca que se encuentra en una lucha espiritual. Así que empezamos a estudiar sobre nuestro enemigo. Sigue firme en la fe; que bendición. El miércoles tuvimos un estudio en el campus. Había esperado ver a mi alumno otra vez, pero no vino. Dios mediante volveremos a verlo esta semana. El jueves aproveché un poco de tiempo para salir por el pueblo para repartir folletos. Deseamos ver fruto de este esfuerzo y que Dios nos abra nuevas puertas de ministerio. El sábado vino Pedro a casa una vez más. Aprovechamos el tiempo para hacer un pequeño estudio bíblico y orar juntos. Ayer Dios nos dio un día precioso en la Palabra y con los hermanos. Por la mañana prediqué del mensaje a la iglesia de Tiatira. Enfocamos en el hecho de que Cristo quiere una iglesia pura. Después del mensaje disfrutamos de nuestra comida fraternal y por la tarde continuamos con un estudio sobre la segunda tentación de Cristo. Vimos su contestación a Satanás: en vez de buscar provocar a Dios a cumplir con nuestra voluntad, debemos someternos a su voluntad.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

February 16-21

I was greatly encouraged by my time with Antonio this week. God is truly doing a work of grace in his heart. These are difficult days for him, but God is upholding him. This week at our Bible study on campus we had a visitor. This is the first visitor we have had this year! He is one of my students who has shown interest in the Bible. We have talked on several occasions, but this week in the study on Romans I was able to share the gospel with him. He is very interested in returning next week! On Saturday I spent several hours with a man from our town who is a believer. We have had sporadic contact over these past few years, but God continues to give me opportunity to encourage him spiritually and help him. Yesterday we had good services with complete attendance. In the morning Israel preached on the message to the church in Pergamos. In the afternoon study we looked at Christ's second temptation.

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Para Antonio esta semana ha sido muy difícil, pero Dios está haciendo una obra maravillosa en su corazón. Hay momentos difíciles, pero está confiando en el Señor. Tuve un buen tiempo de estudio con él el viernes, por el cual doy gracias a Dios. En nuestro estudio bíblico en el campus esta semana tuvimos un alumno nuevo. Se trata de uno de mis alumnos que ha mostrado interés en la Biblia. Hemos hablado en varias ocasiones, pero así con el estudio de Romanos pude compartir claramente el evangelio. Dios mediante volverá esta semana. El sábado pasé un par de horas con un creyente de nuestra ciudad. En los últimos tres años he tenido contacto esporádico con él, y una vez más Dios lo ha traído a nuestra casa y me ha dado la oportunidad de animarlo y ser una ayuda. Ayer tuvimos buenos cultos con una asistencia completa. Por la mañana predicó Israel del mensaje a la iglesia de Pérgamo y por la tarde estudiamos la segunda tentación de Cristo.

David & Maribel
"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

February 9-15

The Lord is good. Early Thursday morning Gloria went to be with her Lord. She opened her eyes and saw her mother and husband and friends in the hospital room and then closed her eyes again to look on her Savior. On Friday we had the funeral with a huge number of family and friends who loved Gloria and had been moved by her life. Antonio got up to say a few words about his wife, but surprised all of us by preaching the good news of Jesus Christ! The strength of what he said was amazing. We have truly witnessed God's transforming power in lives, not only in Gloria but also in Antonio. Yesterday in for our service, Antonio brought his mother-in-law and Gloria's niece. I preached about the message to the church in Smyrna and was able to share the Good News about how we can avoid the second death. Antonio and his mother-in-law and niece stayed for lunch with us. In the evening we continued our series on the temptations of Christ.

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El Señor es bueno. El jueves por la madrugada Gloria nos dejó para ir con su Señor. Abrió los ojos por última vez en esta tierra y vio a su madre, esposo y amigas, luego los cerró otra vez para contemplar su Salvador. El viernes tuvimos el funeral con un gran número de familiares y amigos. Antonio se levantó para decir algunas palabras sobre su esposa, pero nos sorprendió a todos al anunciar las Buenas Nuevas de Jesucristo. La fuerza de sus palabras no me deja de sorprender. De verdad hemos sido testigos del poder transformador de Dios en una vida, no sólo la de Gloria sino también la de Antonio. Ayer en nuestro culto, Antonio trajo a su suegra y la sobrina de Gloria. Prediqué del mensaje a la iglesia de Esmirna y pude compartir el secreto de poder escapar la segunda muerte. Antonio con su suegra y sobrina se quedaron para comer con nosotros. Por la tarde continuamos nuestra serie sobre las tentaciones de Cristo.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

February 1-8

This has been an emotional week for us. On Wednesday I was supposed to eat with Antonio and Gloria, but it did not work out. The next morning, however, she suffered a hemorrhage in her brain and has been unconscious since. She is hanging in the balance and the doctors are not expecting her to make it more than a few more days. It was a hard Sunday for us to meet together knowing that Gloria is in such a delicate situation. But we needed the time to focus on the Lord, and then take some time to pray as a congregation for Antonio and Gloria.

We had a very special Sunday afternoon, because Antonio asked me to hold a special ceremony to renew their wedding vows before God. A year ago he told me that he wanted to do it when she was free of cancer, but the Lord had other plans. So with the room full of family members, I shared the Gospel and then went through the marriage vows with them. It was an emotional ceremony which displayed the deep love that Antonio feels for Gloria. We are all praying for them now, waiting to see what the Lord will do. After the hospital we had our evening study at the home of one of our families. We were thankful for some neighbors who came as well.

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Esta semana ha sido muy emocional para nosotros. El miércoles iba a comer con Antonio y Gloria, pero por una complicación no pude ir. El jueves por la mañana Gloria sufrió una hemorragia del cerebro y entró en un estado crítico. Los doctores han dicho que no puede aguantar mucho en este estado. Nos costó tener nuestro culto el domingo porque todos estábamos pensando en Gloria. Pero después del sermón tuvimos un tiempo precioso de oración juntos.

El domingo por la tarde antes de nuestro estudio bíblico fuimos al hospital para un tiempo muy especial con Antonio y Gloria. Hace un año me comentaron que un día querían tomar sus votos matrimoniales delante de Dios. El sábado Antonio me lo recordó y me pidió que tuviéramos una ceremonia en el hospital el domingo. Así que el domingo en su habitación llena de familiares y amigos, hablé del matrimonio y compartí el evangelio. Luego hicimos los votos matrimoniales. Fue una ceremonia corta, pero muy poderosa. Todos notamos el fuerte amor que existe entre Antonio y Gloria y creo que todos lloramos con ellos. Seguimos orando por la voluntad de Dios y esperando. Después del hospital, tuvimos nuestro estudio sobre las tentaciones de Jesús en casa de una de las familias de la congregación. Damos gracias que pudimos también conocer a algunos de sus vecinos. Deseamos que Dios nos dé otro contacto con ellos con el evangelio.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

January 25-31

On Tuesday I spent some time with Antonio and Gloria once again. It was the first Bible study we have had since Christmas. It was an encouraging time for them. Please pray for them as Gloria continues to fight the cancer. My Bible institute class continues to go well too. This past week we spent some time talking about the broad context of Philippians. Maribel and I had a special weekend together. The families of her students gave her a free night in a hotel to enjoy some time away, and I am thankful that she allowed me to come along! :-) It was a wonderful little get-away for us. Yesterday in the services the Lord blessed out small group. We were missing two families, but we had good services. In the morning I preached from Revelation 1 to begin a series of sermons on the letters to the seven churches of Revelation. And in the afternoon we continued our study on the temptations of Christ.

El martes pasé un poco de tiempo con A&G, el primer estudio bíblico desde las navidades. Fue un tiempo de ánimo para ellos y de gran bendición para mí. Seguid orando por Gloria en su lucha con el cáncer. En las clases del instituto bíblico esta semana ha sido una bendición especial poner la hermenéutica en práctica y establecer un poco del contexto de Filipenses. Maribel y yo tuvimos un fin de semana muy especial. Los padres de sus alumnos le regalaron un vale para un hotel, así que pudimos escapar juntos para un tiempo especial juntos. Ayer el Señor bendijo nuestra pequeña congregación. Nos faltaron dos familias, pero pudimos empezar una nueva serie de sermones sobre las cartas a las siete iglesias de Apocalipsis. Por la tarde estudiamos más sobre la tentación, preparando el camino para que podamos estudiar las tentaciones de Cristo.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

January 19-24

The class on Biblical interpretation in the Bible Institute has been going well. Lord willing next week we will be able to work with some more practical examples which will help nail down the truths we have been studying. On Tuesday I met with Antonio and Gloria at the hospital. She has been in extreme pain with her cancer, but this week she started on pain killers and then a new round of chemotherapy. The blessing has been to see Antonio's strength throughout these hard times. The Lord gave us a good Sunday. In the morning I preached a summary message of our series "Conversations with the Master", and in the evening we began a study on the temptations of Christ.

La clase sobre la interpretación bíblica en el instituto bíblico sigue bien. Dios mediante la semana que viene podremos trabajar con algunos ejemplos prácticos para reafirmar la base teórico que estamos estableciendo. El martes me reuní con A&G en el hospital. Ella ha tenido mucho dolor, pero esta semana le han dado algo para el dolor y el jueves empezó de nuevo la quimioterapia. Ha sido una bendición ver el apoyo y sabiduría espiritual que ha mostrado su marido en medio de estas dificultades. Nos dio el Señor un buen domingo. Por la mañana prediqué un mensaje de resumen sobre las conversaciones del Maestro. Por la tarde tuvimos nuestro estudio en casa de una de la familias y empecé una nueva serie sobre las tentaciones de Cristo.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

January 12-18

This week we began Bible Institute. I am teaching a class on Biblical interpretation to eight students. This weekend we had good services. On Sunday morning I preached from 2 Corinthians 10 about the battle for the mind. On Sunday morning we also began learning a new hymn. It is one of our goals this year to begin to learn new hymns as a congregation. In the evening we had a good group out for our study. We get back to our study in Romans that we were doing before the holidays. We are especially in prayer for Gloria. She has been in a lot of pain over the past few weeks, and yesterday the doctors confirmed that her cancer has come back. She will begin treatment this week.

Esta semana tuvimos el comienzo del nuevo trimestre de instituto bíblico. Este año enseñaré una clase de interpretación bíblica a oche alumnos. Damos gracias a Dios por los buenos cultos este fin de semana. Por la mañana prediqué de 2 Corintios 10 y la batalla por la mente. También aprendimos un himno nuevo como congregación. Es una de nuestras metas este año como congregación, poder aprender himnos nuevos. Por la tarde tuvimos un buen grupo para nuestro estudio sobre Romanos. Ayer recibimos noticias sobre la salud de Gloria. Ha tenido dolores desde hace semanas, pero ayer confirmaron que el cáncer había vuelto. La recordamos en oración y buscamos apoyarla todo lo que podamos. Dios mediante empezará a recibir tratamiento esta semana.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

January 5-11

We had the last of the holidays this week (Kings' day) and now things are back to normal. I had an extra busy weekend. On Friday I travelled up to Madrid and on Saturday I taught an all-day seminar entitled "The Charismatic Movement: In the light of the New Testament". There were almost 60 people in attendance, and the Lord blessed throughout the day. I was starting to come down with a cold, but my voice held out throughout the different lectures. On Sunday, back at home we had good services. In the morning I preached about music in worship, and after the sermon we celebrated the Lord's table. It was a special blessing to hear as Antonio shared with us from God's word what the Lord has been teaching him. In the evening we had Antonio and Michelle Moyano from the church in Cerdanyola (Barcelona) with us. He shared some thoughts about Biblical faith with us.

Esta semana tuvimos los últimos días de vacaciones del cole y ahora todo ha vuelto a la normalidad. Yo tuve un fin de semana bastante completo. El vienes subí a Madrid y el sábado enseñé un curso intensivo en la iglesia de Móstoles: "El movimiento carismático a la luz del Nuevo Testamento". Había casi 60 en asistencia, y el Señor bendijo a lo largo del día. Había buen espíritu en la reunión y buenas preguntas y discusiones. Al principio, parecía que no tenía la voz muy fuerte por un pequeño resfriado que estaba arrastrando, pero gracias a Dios no tuve ningún problema con la voz. El domingo, una vez más en casa, prediqué sobre la importancia de la música en nuestra adoración. Después del sermón celebramos la mesa del Señor. Fue una bendición especial escuchar a Antonio compartir de las Escrituras lo que el Señor le había estado enseñando. Por la tarde tuvimos con nosotros a Antonio Moyano y su esposa Michelle de la iglesia de Cerdanyola. Antonio enseñó sobre el concepto bíblico de la fe.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

December 29-January 4

With the holidays come special activities. On Tuesday we hosted a gathering of some of the "old young people" from Maribel's church in Elche. There were several who no longer go to church, so it was a good opportunity to continue the contact. After the meal I gave a devotional about knowing God. Yesterday in our services we were down in number. Gloria has been fighting some new physical battles so she and her husband were not able to be in the service. I preached about the sufficiency of Scripture and challenged our people with being diligent to spend time in the word daily. We also distributed our first church newsletter with several short articles. This is an opportunity to put our message in print as well as involve the people in yet another way in the ministry. In the evening one of the families hosted the study. We looked at the star of Bethlehem from Matthew 2, since King's day is coming up on Wednesday!

Con los días festivos vienen actividades especiales. El martes tuvimos en casa un pequeño grupo de amigos que iban al grupo de jóvenes con Maribel. Después de la comida tuvimos un tiempo devocional y compartí unos pensamientos sobre conocer a Dios. Ayer tuvimos menos gente en los cultos. Gloria está luchando con una nueva batalla física, así que ella y su marido no estuvieron. Prediqué de la suficiencia de las Escrituras y nuestra necesidad de estar en contacto diaria con ellas. Por la tarde tuvimos el estudio en casa de una de las familias. Miramos Mateo 2 sobre la estrella de Belén, puesto que tenemos el día de reyes el miércoles.

David & Maribel

"servabis pacem pacem quia in te speravimus; sperastis in Domino in saeculis aeternis" Is 26.3-4

December 15-21

I met with Antonio and Gloria this week for the Bible study. It was an especially good study, because the passage we talked about dealt perfectly with a need they were facing. The Lord is so good to use His word like that. On a different note, it has been very cold over the past few days, and this weekend we got a lot of rain. So on Saturday morning when we woke up, we found that all of the mountains around our city were covered with snow. It made for a nice excursion with the kids to go and play in the snow. This weekend we planned a series of special meetings for christmas. On Saturday evening we met with the majority of the believers for a time of fellowship and teaching about the person and work of Jesus. Then we continued on Sunday with an all day activity including lunch. It was a wonderful time of fellowship for our little congregation, and the people responded very well to the preaching.

December 8-14

The day after we got back from the retreat, I had a Bible study at the university. We once again had a good group. I continue to encourage them to invite friends and fellow students, but so far we have not had any new attenders. For the weekend we had a special guest. I invited a Spanish pastor from Guadalajara to be with us on Sunday. He spoke to the students from Bible institute on Saturday evening, and then preached for us on Sunday morning. We enjoyed a good time of fellowship with his family, and the Lord blessed the different activities of the weekend.

December 1-7

This week there were two holidays, one day apart from each other, so we had a little extra time off from school and work. A few weeks ago, a church in Barcelona called me to ask me if I would speak at a special church retreat which would take advantage of those days, so our major activity this week was that retreat. Our family with a couple from our church spent four days with a group of about 50 representing several churches. The Lord gave us a wonderful time of fellowship in the word. I preached six sessions from James chapter one about dealing with difficulties. Back at home, Israel held the service with the remaining believers.

November 24-30

The different activities of this week went well. I had a good study with Antonio and Gloria on Tuesday, and a good group for the university Bible study on Wednesday. For our prayer time this week it was just our family, but we had a good time of study and prayer together. We did not celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday because we were busy with work and school. So instead we planned to celebrate it on Sunday at church. Of course we focused on the spiritual side of the holiday instead of the cultural aspect of the pilgrims and indians (not to mention football). Since we normally have a church meal once a month, we all stayed and had a big Thanksgiving dinner together. It was a wonderful blessing to share that time of special fellowship. But it was extra special because one of the ladies who hosted a student from BJU last year came to the service. She participated in all the activities of the day and was the last one to leave our house. What a blessing to see the Lord work in this way. She is the first person from our town to visit more than one service in the two and a half years we have lived here!