Worldly Holiness

Adelante–Onward & Upward–Prayer Updates

Just thought I should give some quick updates on our lives and things you have been praying for recently. The word that comes to mind as I describe what is happening is a Spanish word–adelante. The difficult part is effectively translating the word into English, the language of most of my readers. My best efforts are "onward and upward." That may be as close as I can get at a dynamic equivalence translation, which is what most Bible translators try to do when putting the scriptures into the language of indigenous cultures around the globe. A word for word, literal translation, often does not convey the message of the original. So what's up, you ask. What is this "adelante" referring to?

1. First, my proposal was accepted in June at the Covenant mission meeting in Wisconsin. That means that I am approved to go forward with the Mosaics project, but based in Seattle. That is great news! Thanks for praying for this. My role with the project will morph a little bit into facilitating ministry from local churches in the states, to training and supporting people who engage focus people, showing the love of Christ and friendship. I will travel some back to Europe and other parts of the world as well, doing some recruiting and serving as a liaison to our work with focus people with our denomination. I will also build bridges into the focus community locally. If you want a 1-page synopsis of my ministry, email me for a copy @ prayformosaics@yahoo.com.

2. Nicki is headed to North Park in about a month. She is excited and beginning to plan for the next big chapter in her life. Continue to pray for her and this next step. She is asking for a good roommate, for clarity and direction in her life. Pray for God to guide her feet and guard her heart.

3. Kjel was also accepted as a Covenant short-term missionary last month and hopes to be serving with Merge Ministries before the year is out. He now needs to raise his support and begin to make plans for serving with Merge, coordinating and guiding short-term mission trips for groups into Latin America. Get this, he will initially be placed in Monterrey, Mexico where we lived for about 10 years and he has maintained contacts and friends over the years since we have left. He is excited and we join him in that enthusiasm. Who would have guessed 10 years ago that Kjel would be returning to Monterrey as a missionary.

4. Our planned attempt for the summit of Mt. Rainier is still in place. Kjel, Erick and me will be joining a group of 13 climbers August 10th-13th and take the Emmons Glacier route to the summit. That is the plan at least. About 50% of all efforts to summit Rainier fail. My personal rate so far is 30%, with one successful assent in 3 attempts. That was about 25 years ago. We continue to train and are getting psyched. The picture above was one of my recent conditioning climbs up Mt. Si in North Bend. The goal was to carry a 40 lb. pack to the top in under 2 hours. I did it in 1 hour and 50 minutes. I have to keep in shape for this climb so that I can keep up with my boys who have an edge.

5. Carol also is seeking to build her counseling practice and would like to be able to do that full time. Could you pray for a steady flow of clients? She is taking steps to do that, moving adelante, and would love to attend to people's special needs.

So, I invite you to continue to pray for us in all of these things. Your support makes a huge difference and I am deeply grateful for your encouragement and prayer. Please, drop me a note. Tell me what is going on in your life. May your summer be rich in the knowledge of God's abiding faithfulness.

I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:9-11

July 14th, 2008 Posted by andres | Daily Journey, Prayer & Praise | no comments

Distortions–Friday Fotos & Prayer Requests

The Bean in HDR, originally uploaded by papalars.

“If Focus People are to be enabled to see the Christ of the Gospels, they must first see the likeness of Christ in his followers.”

Whether we like it or not, we reflect something to our world, to those we meet and those we seek. In my work with focus people, I am aware that many times I reflect a stereotypical American whom they perceive as hating their religion and people around the world. This is not my idea, but what my culture and passport say to focus people before a conversation even begins. I would maintain that this is a distortion of what I feel in my heart toward them. But how will they know what is in my heart unless I engage them in an honest, open friendship? By the way, this sounds a little bit like Romans 10:14-15. Why don’t you pause and think of this passage as you pray for me, for those I meet and those I seek. Would love it if you did that.

I find a big part of my work is to clear up distortions—in two ways. In the church I speak of focus friends that I know, clearing up stereotypes of the bearded militant who wants to kill Americans. With focus people I am developing friendships that show love, sincerity, a posture of humility, learning and hopefully, the love of Christ extended to them. This is different than what they expect.

So with this edition of my prayer requests please focus on praying for a clear understanding on both sides of the conversation that takes up most of my life.

Specifically pray for:

1. My conversation with the Department of World Mission this weekend as I present a modified proposal of my role with the Mosaics project that has me based stateside. I hope to be involved more with mobilizing, training, and developing local church ministries to focus people. I can send you the proposal upon request. Just email me at: prayformosaics@yahoo.com.

2. New focus friends in the Seattle area. Some wonderful doors are opening up into the Focus community at both a lay and leadership level. Pray that distortions be minimized, that the light of Christ be seen, understood and embraced. Pray especially for 3 new contacts that I am developing.

3. Family as we continue to launch our children and careers. Pray for our relationships with each other, for good mental and physical health and for clarity and passion for our future[s].

4. Pray for the development of my “Glocal” strategy. At home that means clear direction in the who, what and where of the Mosaics project. I also want to develop a local team who would join the ministry. The other part is far reaching as I develop our approach to mobilizing, empowering local churches and individuals.

If you look closely at this picture of the Bean in Chicago, you can see me with my tripod, snapping happily away. I love to take pictures of the Bean. The distortions are fascinating. As you look at the photo, why don't you pause to ask yourself, "What do others see when they look at me?"

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
2 Corinthians 2:14

June 20th, 2008 Posted by andres | Daily Journey, Prayer & Praise, Friday Fotos | 2 comments

Friday Fotos–What is Your Vision for the Future?

Old Mansion, originally uploaded by papalars.

Yesterday I was invited to speak about my work with focus people in a Christian High School close to Black Diamond. Close to Auburn as well. The school is out in the woods and the drive took me on fun roads that are a little off the beaten path. Golden opportunity to drag my camera along and enjoy the views. I share with you one of my HDR [High Dynamic Range] photos for this edition of Friday Fotos. HDR is a process of making one dynamic photo and sandwich from 3 photos shot at different f-stops or shutter speed. It affords a greater range of color, sharpness and overall quality. 

This is an old mansion that is also a historical site in the region. The date on the sign says 1894. To realize we lived all last year in Barcelona where human civilization of some kind was in the area before the time of Christ makes me chuckle thinking of how relatively "young" this place is. I guess it goes with the territory in these parts. When Rome was building roads in present day Spain, the state of Washington was inhabited with some Native-American Indian tribes but probably mostly trees. Our broader culture was dreaming about building a mansion somewhere.

Anyway the class I taught today was very engaging. It consisting of 10 and 12th graders and went well. They were eager to learn and hear of what God is doing in the focus world. It continues to strike me how much our youth engage the focus world and are spiritually curious. When I ask in groups of people who has a friend from the focus world, most are under 30. I think they know something that my generation does not. Our future will have more to do with religious and spiritual stuff, discussions between religions, conflicts stirred by warped religious passions and much less about the goals that gave my generation apparent meaning. 

Our future is ultimately NOT about secularism and materialism which the leading thinkers of the 20th suggested. You may remember that Marx and others believed that the more educated and economically productive people became, the less religious they would be. Even though America did not officially subscribe to that doctrine [we believed in God and the other guys were atheists], we are perhaps the country that most embodies the idea–value is measured by material wealth. But David Brooks in the Atlantic Monthly states: "It's now clear that the secularization theory is untrue. The human race does not necessarily get less religious as it grows richer and better educated. We are living through one of the great periods of scientific progress and creation of wealth. At the same time, we are in the midst of a religious boom…secularism is not the future; it is yesterday's incorrect vision of the future." Atlantic Monthly, March 2003. 

This weekend I take another road trip up north, with a full load of speaking engagements on Sunday. First, I get to share in worship [that means preaching], followed by a Q & A for Sunday School. After that is all over, I then take a boat trip with a bunch of men where I give a different talk on marriage, parenting and family. The title of my talk with the guys is "Relational Fidelity: Reaching the Summit, Going the Distance." I took some time in the woods the other day, thinking and praying about what in the world I could share with a bunch of men about relationships. This is a bit of a new challenge for me. I don't feel adequate to the task. I know I could be doing a lot, lot better in this area of my life. Who am I to give a word about this topic? Pray for me this weekend on this topic in two ways. 1. How I actually live the stuff I'm going to talk about in my family. 2. How I speak about it with others in such a way that God is brought into the equation, showing us the way. But for now, enjoy my Friday Foto!

Drop me a line when you have time. Would love to hear from you. What do you think of the photo? What is your vision for the future? What do focus people have to do with your future?

May 2nd, 2008 Posted by andres | Prayer & Praise, Friday Fotos | no comments

Spring Prayer & Praise–Bound for Barcelona

Aladdin + Barcelona from Top of Tibidabo, originally uploaded by papalars.

Again it has been awhile since I posted something to my blog. What's up with that? It has been even longer since I asked for prayer in this space. I'm long overdue. My upcoming trip to Europe and other parts is prompting me to write–finally.

I appreciate the comments of encouragement and support received on this blog, in personal emails and greetings as I have visited churches the last few months. Let me give some updates on our ministry, answers to prayer and then invite you all to continue to pray for some very important, upcoming events, some planning and strategic decisions.

1. Wahab's visa application to study in England was refused last week but it turns out the option to study the same degree has opened up in Sweden. Way to go Sweden! We have observed that Sweden has been the most generous of late in immigration laws. Pray for Wahab as plans begin to come together for his studies and for God's hand to continue to be upon his life. I will get to see Austin, Wahab's father next week in Barcelona which will be very sweet.

2. Pray for an upcoming trip back to Barcelona and parts beyond. I begin a 3 week trip this Friday that will take me to Europe for our European team staff retreat in France and a visit to a Middle Eastern country for some training and mentoring in our contextual ministry model. I will begin this trip with a few days in Barcelona to reconnect with friends and ministry partners there.

3. Pray for an upcoming, important discussion with the World Mission Committee regarding some strategic moves with the Mosaics Project and my personal role with the ministry. We are re-evaluating some opportunities and want to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Interest and response to our project is growing and we need to be more proactive in mobilizing and training our churches and young people. Stayed tuned and keep praying for God to guide conversations and strategic decisions.

4. Pray for our Euroretreat next week and for my main ministry partner, Ken, as he transitions back to France. In the next month, he will need to find a place to live and begin to re-engage ministry and relationships that he left last summer. Pray also for wisdom in directing our project and connecting the dots of workers to opportunities and developing our team strategies.

5. Lastly, pray for my family this month. We all need to know God's presence and guidance, especially during times of transition, which seems to be a theme in our lives for now. Pray for mental and physical health, for purpose and direction, for fruitfulness in the Kingdom that reflects well upon God. Pray also for joy in the journey.

Thanks for your partnership in the Gospel among focus people. This is their time.

March 4th, 2008 Posted by andres | Prayer & Praise | no comments

An Urgent Prayer Request

Beach Stroll, originally uploaded by papalars.

I was called this morning by Wahab from Pakistan. Remember, he is the son of my friend back in Barcelona. I have asked in a previous post for you to pray for his visa application to study in England. Here is the quick news and follow-up.

The first pass on the application was refused. The British Embassy is suspicious of everything related to Pakistan these days because of recent events as you can probably imagine. So, each visa application is treated with extra scrutiny and this is the case with Wahab's application as well. He is hopeful that the second review will go well and has submitted more important, supporting documents to help his case. He has 28 days from yesterday for a second phase to his application. Please pray that his visa will be granted.

So, please make a concerted effort to pray for Wahab, for his visa application to study accounting in England, and for the entire process to go smoothly and quickly.

Another prayer request. I spoke with Wahab's father, Austin, over Christmas and learned that he had a mild heart attack in early December. He is doing better now but will need an angioplasty procedure to repair a damaged vein in his heart. Wahab was grateful his father was under excellent medical care in Barcelona but also somewhat anxious that he, nor anyone in his family, could be there to be with his father. They have been separated if you recall for over 6 years. So pray for Austin as well, for his health and for the separation from those who love him, his family. Pray for God's abundant comfort, for healing, for good health and for a successful medical procedure. 

I will be visiting Austin in March during a trip to Europe. Thanks for joining me in prayer for these very special friends and partners in the Gospel.

January 22nd, 2008 Posted by andres | Prayer & Praise | one comment

Why Pray for Us, our friends, family and ministry?

The Main Gate, originally uploaded by papalars.

Sometimes I wonder about prayer, don't you? Like "why pray when God already knows the need and is more concerned than I am about the need?" Like, "does it make any difference?" And finally…at least for this post [I really have more questions about prayer, but I need to post this so I can, well, prayer!], "why not just work for the solution instead of speak to God about it, thereby delaying movement toward a solution?"

I know I cannot answer all these questions but they do give me pause sometimes. My simple answer for now is, "for some reason, God enjoys our partnership in building his Kingdom and seems to do things and move in new ways when we join him in prayer."  It is one of those amazing mysteries. I have been dipping into Yancey's book on Prayer and found this nugget to help you as you pray through my list below. He makes mention of Frank Laubach, the founder of modern literacy and a missionary. He says this about praying for others beyond your immediate circle of influence [which is what I ask of you each month]:

"According to Laubach, we would accomplish more for the world by praying faithfully than by walking into the White House or Whitehall or the Kremlin with suggestions. Our personal advice would most likely be misguided, but prayer for leaders [or others] summons an invisible spiritual force that can have real effects, not by persuading God to try harder, but by persuading leaders [or those involved in your request] to try harder." [see Yancey's book on prayer, p. 309]. Wow, that gives me some fuel to keep praying. Will you join me?

As you pray please lift up these specific requests:

For our friends back in Barcelona:
• Pray especially for Austin´s son [here are stories about Austin for a refresher, here and here], Wahab who plans to move to London from Pakistan for studies. He has been taking advanced studies in English, has been accepted to a top school in London and is applying for a visa, which are hard to come by these days, on December 12th. Pray that his visa be granted and his transition smooth.

• Pray also for Miguel , who has just become the President of a very important Latino mission agency that trains, prepares and cares for Latino missionaries working in North Africa. He is a dear friend that needs support in this vital, expanding role. We are trusting God to continue collaborating with Miguel and this agency in the future.

• Pray for Nate , our Covenant short-term missionary who is working with the Latino cell group we supported in Barcelona last year with Fabio. Pray also for his bold efforts to reach out to and serve focus friends. He is doing a commendable job and plans to be in Seminary in a year.

For Us:
• For responsiveness as I share/preach in churches. I want to encourage and challenge churches to open up to focus people with the Gospel and not shrink back in fear.

• For my trip to Tucson next week as I visit a ministry that is doing some great stuff to serve and reach the focus immigrant community.

• I’m just finishing up a semester of Arabic at the local community college. Pray for ways to build on this understanding and for an opportunity to insert myself in an informal conversation group with Middle Eastern students at another University in town. Pray for good friendships and witness for Christ.

• Please continue pray for our family, for our children as they our take bigger steps toward careers and college. Pray for good health, direction and God’s hand in all we do.

Once again, thanks for your partnership in the Gospel. We really could NOT do this without you standing with us. Believe me. The challenge sometimes seems daunting but the grace of our Lord and the company and support of others makes it all possible. And for some reason, God influences events and people through your prayers. I think it has something to do with changing us as well, into his generous, over-flowing desire to love and bless others!

By the way, the foto is from the Medina in Fez, Morocco. You don't go through that door without a guide or you get lost. I felt safe in the medina [walled city] when we visited back in May, just always keeping an eye on our guide so I would not get lost. Here are previous stories on my blog about the medina in Fez with accompanying fotos both here and here. Enjoy and leave a comment.

November 30th, 2007 Posted by andres | Prayer & Praise | one comment

October 2007 Prayer & Praise

Originally uploaded by papalars.

October 2007 – Larsen Mosaics Prayer & Praise

Fall is here in Seattle with the leaves turning colors and cooler weather. As I sit to write our prayer requests I’m reminded of where we were just a year ago at this time and the kinds of things we were asking you to pray about. We were adjusting to life in Barcelona and living in warmer weather for certain. God has been so very, very faithful, answering many of our/your prayers, opening up the road ahead each day. I am amazed [shouldn’t be] how he has led, even with the unexpected turns in the road including our move to Seattle from Barcelona. I am also very thankful for your partnership in the Gospel for focus people.

We are doing well as our stateside routines are beginning to pick up speed. I am beginning to get invitations to speak in churches on weekends while also working on other ministry objectives each week [email prayformosaics@yahoo.com for a 1-page list of this year’s objectives]. This includes getting to know other agencies working among focus people in the States and the demographic map, needs and opportunities of several focus communities across the US. I will be traveling to Detroit next week and Tucson in November for this specific purpose.

Last week I started to study Arabic again, taking a class in the local community college. It has been fascinating to meet the other students who also have provided a little window on the immigrant community locally here in Seattle. Many of my fellow students are 2nd generation immigrants and want to learn Arabic in order to communicate with their extended families.

Two weeks ago I re-connected with a student from Oman who recently became a follower of Christ and wants to minister in the Middle East in the future. I met him 1.5 years ago at a local Covenant church when I was preaching before we left for Spain. We met for coffee to share our common vision to love focus people for Christ and to begin to get to know each other. I have much to learn from this young person who has taken incredible risk to become a follower of Christ.

As you pray please lift up these specific requests:

• For responsiveness as I share/preach in churches. I want to encourage and challenge churches to open up to focus people with the Gospel and not shrink back in fear.

• For greater understanding and knowledge of appropriate church models for ministry to focus people in the US and ways to challenge and equip Covenant churches.

• For help in learning Arabic and building friendships with both focus people and focus background people.

• For family needs as we continue to transition back to the States and launch our children into careers and college. Pray for good health, direction and God’s hand in all we do.

• For our friends back in Barcelona as they continue to minister. Pray especially for Miguel, Nate, Fabio, Austin, Oliver and for Austin´s son, Wahab who plans to move to London from Pakistan for studies.

Once again, thanks for your partnership in the Gospel. We really could NOT do this without you standing with us. Believe me. The challenge sometimes seems daunting but the grace of our Lord and the company and support of others makes it all possible.  

October 1st, 2007 Posted by andres | Prayer & Praise | no comments

Trusting in God

Trust, originally uploaded by papalars.

I was just sharing with someone today by email how God has been so amazingly faithful, again, in our transitions. He always has been faithful but sometimes we notice it more when we are about to make a big move. I know folks are praying for us as well.

The Psalmist declares God's faithfulness over and over and over again. That is kind of the habit of those who truly have entrusted their whole lives unto God’s care. Sometimes, however, I think the common run-of-the-mill Christian [like me] wonders if we should do the same, the "thanking God for his faithfulness" thingy. I know I just don’t do it as a regular thing. Perhaps I get tired of the falseness that can sometimes creep in to eager and well meaning God talkers, who praise God for stuff that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with God’s role in our lives. However, the other problem is that I think the case could be made that many times we have taken care of business fairly well on our own strength and therefore have no need to praise God for something.

Saying grace before a meal is a case in point. How many times is this just a perfunctory thing we do because that is what Christians normally do? It has been awhile since I had to really worry about having enough to eat. Actually more honestly, I don't think I have every really had to worry. I don't want to turn this post into an occasion to feel guilty about something that just is not our reality. Maybe the point is that I realize more keenly in our moves and transitions that God is with us. Perhaps that is because these are the times when I acknowledge more acutely that we truly need him. Like we need a place to live within 3 weeks and why should our gracious in-laws always have to bear the brunt of our call to serve the Lord? Not to worry.

We have been able to take care of almost all of our big ticket items on this side of the pond and have a place nearly in the bag for us to move into close to Erick´s high school in Bellevue. Today, the owner of our apartment here in Barcelona showed our place to two interested parties. It is expected that one of those will sign a contract in a week, thereby guaranteeing we won’t have to pay rent for another 2+ months through the termination of our lease in October. We also were able to take care of some furniture today! Wow, these are not small things! God is faithful, so very faithful. This is not to say that the journey is always smooth, but that in one way or another, God reminds us that he is with us, goes before us, prepares things for us to step into and allows us to grow in the process. We need to do our homework, but it is not ALL up to us.

The picture above shows the hands of one of my Pakistani friends and his baby boy that I took today when I visited them. It was a precious reminder of the trust I feel in the Lord. The story of what God is doing among this group can be found in my May Prayer & Praise list. Click the following link for a brief report: The first Urdu speaking service in Barcelona.

By the way, you can pray this week for some continuing growth in some key relationships with my Arabic teacher and Pakistani network. We will be joining together this Saturday for a special fellowship and meal with another 70 immigrants from all around the world. That will be fun. Today, one of them told me they always feel the peace of God when I am with them. That is of God, let me tell you. It was also an encouragement. Continue to pray for our transition…and include our children in your prayers. Kjel just went to Mexico to serve with work teams with Covenant Merge ministries. Nicki is working in the Midwest and considering plans for the fall. She still has some health challenges. Erick has a friend visiting us from Seattle and will soon pack his bags for our trip home. Thanks for joining us in the journey.

Psalm 36:5
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

July 3rd, 2007 Posted by andres | Daily Journey, Prayer & Praise, Inward-Outward Stuff | 2 comments

June Prayer & Praise

Jesus and Cast of the Passion, originally uploaded by papalars.

Another full month has come and gone for us, with some significant things happening. It was an eventful month with Carol traveling to Chicago for Kjel’s graduation from North Park, my trip to Morocco, Nicki moving to Minneapolis and having a kidney infection….let’s see, oh yes, and Erick just left for Mallorca to spend time with some friends after finishing school. We are very aware of a praying community that supports us and want to continue to thank you for being part of what God supplies for our journey. We feel God’s company in the midst of our lives and are grateful to be part of what he is doing for focus people.

My trip to Morocco went great even though I got sick. More in-depth stories can be found below so check those out if you want more detail. And the pictures are there to give some visual aids. Suffice it to say, Morocco is very enchanting as it is important for what God is doing today with our focus friends, many of whom come from Morocco. Here are some prayer requests as we go forward over the next 30 days. Please join us in praying.

• Nate is our friend and Covenant short-term missionary we left in Fez to study Arabic. He is doing well but asks for prayer for learning the language and also for spiritual support during the next 3 weeks of study.

• Arabic teacher. I have not been able to visit my Arabic teacher for a while but hope to have a coffee with him this next week. Continue to pray for him, that God would give us opportunities to connect at a deep level and share about the things of God with each other through friendship and trust. I don’t want to leave Barcelona without having the chance to establish a deeper bond with him and sharing more deeply the love of Christ.

• House rental. We have a great lead on a house for rent back in Seattle. Please pray that the owner strongly consider us as potential renters. The price is right, the size is good, and the location is perfect for what we need to do this coming year. We have tickets to return on July 20th so we are not really too close to the date to have a place to stay. If this house does not work out, pray that God will provide and show they way.

• Kids. Continue to pray for our children, each of them as they are in major transition this year. Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom in their lives as they make decisions about their futures, careers, friendships and sense of God’s presence in their lives as well.

• Pakistani friends. Praise God for a successful 1st worship service for my Pakistani friends this last month. Pray that God continue to lead and provide for Austin, Oliver and their growing list of friends and contacts that they minister to.

Well, this is probably enough for this month. Do pray also more generally for our transition back to Seattle. Pray for things like all the details, relationships, new opportunities, travel, energy, peace and just overall sense of God in our lives and our faithfulness to follow, whatever that entails! Keep posted on my blog for stories and developments in our ministry and many transitions these next few months. The picture above tells the story of who all this activity is about. Without him, we are pretty boring and insignificant. But since we know him, our lives have Kingdom significance. Just think, we can all be part of his plan for the ages. That is exciting. Nothing beats that for adventure, significance and the stuff of life that keeps us leaning forward into his love and grace. By the way, click the picture for details about where and what. A click takes you to the place on my flickr site with more information.

“People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Luke 13:29 

I want to know as many people from the east and west at that great feast! 

June 20th, 2007 Posted by andres | Prayer & Praise | no comments

May Prayer & Praise: My Pakistani Friends and Larsen Change of Venue

Pakistani Friends, originally uploaded by papalars.

Dear Praying Friends,

It has been too long since I last wrote with my regular prayer requests. Previously, I had hit a good monthly rhythm until last month, just before the reflection about the Lord “bending but not breaking” us. That post was kind of ironic because since then we have experienced some good bending. Maybe God was preparing us for some challenges. And He remains faithful. In recent days, God has directed me to Psalm 25:1-4. “To Thee O Lord, I lift up my soul, O my God, in Thee I trust. Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none of those who wait for Thee will be ashamed. Make me know Thy ways, O Lord; Teach my Thy paths.”

I have some big news for you and then I will give my prayer list. After much prayer and consideration with our Covenant member care team, including the director of Covenant Missions, Curt Peterson, it has been decided that we will change our venue this coming year for ministry. We will be returning to Seattle for the next school year. Without going into extensive detail, you can know that we have to attend to family needs. No scandal, just needs of a normal family that cannot be addressed adequately in Spain. I will continue to focus on the Mosaics Project, conducting research, networking and engaging in direct ministry with our focus friends. I will also visit churches to share the vision of what God is doing and recruit shamelessly.

At first, this was a significant adjustment in my mind but I see the wisdom in this decision. From this vantage point I also see how God is opening up some doors to expand the reach of the Mosaics project in North America as well as other parts of the world. As I speak with younger people [more and more are younger than me each year…how did that happen?] I am beginning to see that God has placed our focus friends on their heart. The end of this month I will be in Morocco with two of these younger crowd [both in their 20’s]. One will be starting to study Arabic for 6 weeks this summer [Our friend Nate Finch: see his blog here: Nate]. The other is a North Park Seminary student who wants to explore potential ministry in this region. So God is clearly calling and I sense that we are to help mobilize, train and lay the ground work for those coming behind us. I will unpack more of this new direction in forthcoming posts on my blog and further prayer lists. So keep posted.

• As I write this, I am about to leave to go have lunch with Miguel and my Pakistani friends. You have been praying for them the last several months. They continue to have a vision to reach their immigrant community here in the Barcelona. Today, we will be meeting to discuss how we can best support their vision and put feet and hands to some practical ministry initiatives. Pray that we can discern ways to best help. I do praise God for building trust with these guys from Pakistan, and for making connections with Miguel.

• Guess what. God is already moving. We had a wonderful lunch together, the 4 of us in the picture above along with Miguel, my friend from Argentina. These guys have a Pakistani, Urdu speaking pastor friend coming to visit from Rotterdam in two weeks. Did you get all that? They want to have a worship service for their extended network of more than 50 Pakistani families in the region. Miguel is networked with the local churches, having served here for 10 years. He immediately knew of a church that might work, called them, and secured the place. So, pray for the first worship service in Barcelona for the Urdu speaking Pakistani community. Miguel says this would be the first in recent history, maybe ever. This is an immigrant community that are resident aliens, needing support, encouragement and Christian nurture. They also want to reach their co-patriots. In fact today I met several of our focus friends where we ate. The owner is Pakistani, so they feel comfortable eating there. I have an open invitation from the owner to come and chat with his clients whenever I have time.
• So where am I in all this? I was simply the guy who was in the right place at the right time, trusting God to lead and then introducing friends that I had made in the Pakistani community to Miguel, the resource and logistics guy here on the ground. Crazy thing about all this is I will be in Morocco when they have their first worship service. God is amazing.

So pray for us as we trust God for our move back to Seattle this coming school year. Pray that we find housing, that Carol finds appropriate work and that re-adjustments go well for all of us. Pray also for my focus friends here in Barcelona. Pray for the pastor from Rotterdam who is coming to preach and begin to shepherd the Pakistani community here in Barcelona. Pray also for continued development of relationships that I have with other focus friends, that God would build bridges of trust over which an encounter with Christ can be experienced.

Thanks for praying. God is good, sometimes mysterious, but always faithful. It is good to be in his company.

May 15th, 2007 Posted by andres | , Prayer & Praise, Ministry Updates | 8 comments