I have a video that Kyle and I recorded if you’d prefer to hear about our trip that way.
For those of you who would like to read about it, let’s get started. Our time in Spain was very special. Looking back I see how it’s propelled us forward on the path that God has us. It’s almost as if we were turning a bend and the turn slowed us down, then we hit a fast stream that is propelling us forward.
The Conference
Kyle attended the conference while I stayed home with the kids. It started late Friday night, all day Saturday and the morning to lunch on Sunday. On Saturday, the boys and I joined him during a break to see him and meet some of the people. It was quite exciting to find out there’s another couple and their children that live only a few hours from us here in the States that is going through the same process and moving to Spain for missions. They will be in the South though. In addition, the leaders have been helpful with us navigating us through this process. I’ve been encouraged that as God said, God has brought people around us helping every step of the way. A gentle reminder that we are never alone.
The conference itself was encouraging. Kyle learned a lot about what ways are helpful for reaching people in Spain from people who have been working there as missionaries for a few years now.
One word in particular struck him during the teaching portions. When Joseph was responding to Pharaoh’s request for him to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, he said I cannot but God can. We are simply partners with God. We cannot do any of this, but He can so we move forward trusting Him.
On Sunday, the boys and I joined for the church service and I was encouraged hearing the testimonies from people. They spoke of how they have been praying for Spain for years, revival and more missionaries to come because there are so few there. It encouraged them to have our family there as well as the other family. It seems we are at a tipping point – a Kairos moment. God has already had a heart for Spain but could this be the Jonah moment where from Big to little people turn and are saved? I pray God moves in mighty ways.
The in between and Betel
After the completion of the conference, we headed to Valencia. We had some time before Isabelle and Eli returned to the country, so we were able to explore Spain while we waited and practice our spanish.
When we finally arrived in La Granja, we were ready to see what God had up his sleeve. Isabelle messaged us the day we arrived and we found out that they returned early so we got to see them the very next day. We went to Betel from 1pm to 10pm at night, joining them for lunch for all the days and dinner half the nights. We got to know them and the ministry. On Friday, we had coffee with them and the Pastor and his wife for a few hours. They are very loving and offered us some advice on the transition.
On Saturday, we had a lunch grill out where Isabelle invited key partners of Betel there and we were introduced and allowed time to mingle while Eli watched the kids. This was a telling time for us. We practiced even more Spanish here, and were able to get a glimpse into what people our age are up to and how they are involved. Church life and lifestyle info came up here and it was both encouraging at points and discouraging.
On Sunday, we joined them at their church. The service was lovely. This was one of the most eye opening moments of the need of the people of Spain for me. The church consisted of 20-30 adults, and only 3 children. I was blown away. I had expected it and yet seeing it just hammered the realization in. We had learned that though this is a Catholic country, it is the older generation that is Catholic and most others are atheists with only 2% evangelical Christians walking their faith our daily. A stark contrast from our house church where we have 10-15 adults and 18ish children.
We stayed for their pot luck lunch where we were able to make connections. I made a connection with the children and they asked to go bowling with us the following day. On Monday, before bowling, I joined the women’s Bible Study that was all in Spanish. It was a powerful time where we discussed Jude, with a focus on Jude 4, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Then they took it back to Exodus talking about different people having faith or not having faith and being led astray. It was a wonderful study and I was very encouraged because one thing she repeated was, “Are you going to believe God or are you going to believe him?” He said to go into the Promise land, and only Caleb and Joshua believed that God would and could do it. Is God’s arm too short? or are the giants too big? That was my take away. Is God calling Kyle and I to Spain? Am I going to believe it and walk in that truth? Is his arm too short or can He not do what seems to be so impossible to me to raise the money, get us through the visa process, and then the transition? It all seems like so much to me, and yet God.. He is the God of miracles and He has gotten us through the last several months of this journey. Not only that, He has brought us through so much these last fourteen years together and then my life before Kyle. This is the God I serve and I either believe Him or I don’t.
We ended that day with bowling with the children from church. It was a God wink to have a connection with people in this short trip. Reminding me that when we move, how much more will He bring the community and persons of peace (people he is working in and preparing for us to share the gospel with) around us as we continue to walk in obedience.
We returned home after an adventure finding our Airbnb the final night in Madrid. God was faithful through the whole trip and already He has done so much in us and through us. We want to invite you to pray about how God is leading you to join us. Is God prompting you to give? Is God asking you to join our prayvine or monthly newsletter? However God is leading you, we hope you will be obedient like we have and see what God does with your obedience. If it is anything like He has done in our lives, I know you will never be the same and neither will the people around you.
Love,
Kyle and Blessing
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