"My Little Jerusalem Shot"

It was a rainy and dreary Sunday morning when Lorena and I pulled into the church parking lot of Crossroads Baptist Church.  We hadn't been there more than five minutes when Bob drove up in his car.  The church was still locked so we carried on a conversation between cars with our windows rolled down.  Bob shared with us how he had come to know Christ and how his life had been completely turned around because of God’s undeserving kindness.

When we finally got inside the church and out of the pouring rain, the atmosphere was noticeably different.  The folks were so kind to us.  They treated us well and asked good questions about Spain and missions in general. God's hand is at work in this small congregation.  The believers there desired to be in fellowship to learn about God.

Later that afternoon I found out why.  In the picture below you will see Pastor Becker and his wife.  He took us up to this little spot that sits looking over the city of Allentown. "There's our one little skyscraper," he said as he pointed between the trees to the city of Allentown.  He called this vista of Allentown his "Little Jerusalem Shot" for here he would at times come just to pray over his city.  The folks in his church are a direct result of the power of prayer and dependence upon God. What an example for me to follow while on deputation.

Prayer Requests:

·          Finalizing our move this week.

·          Scheduling meetings with churches for the next year.

·          Individual supporting partners.

Castilian Spanish

Many have asked me if my Latin American Spanish is any different than the spoken in Spain.  There is a slight variation, though not much of one.  Lorena’s Spanish is known as the Castilian Spanish.  The most noticeable difference between the two is what is called the “theta.”  Most “C’s” before i  and e as well as the letter “Z” are pronounced with a “TH” sound.  Here is an example using the word heart:  Corazón vs. Cora(th)ón.

Linguist debate where this subtle variation came from.  Some have suggested a Spanish King once had a lisp, and his subjects then took on the lisp in deference to him.  This is perhaps more mythical than anything.   Another suggestion by linguist scholars is that it is “related to a local pre-Roman language, or perhaps Basque.” (The History of Spain, p. 11)  In any event, my Spanish is now changing to the Castilian with Lorena’s help.  I have preached and carried on many conversations in Castilian without any significant problems. 

But if we went back a bit further in history, say a few thousand years, we would find a story that actually gives us insight into the origin of languages.  Genesis 11:1-9 explains to us not just the origin of languages but their purpose.  God in His mercy and grace exposes the builder’s sin of pride and fragments their one language into many so as to continue with His ultimate plan to redeem mankind through Jesus Christ.  So if you ever hear someone speaking another language, with or without the “theta,” let it be a reminder of God’s mercy and grace.

Prayer Requests

·          We will be moving to cut expenses as we travel. 

·          Fruit from relationship building with churches and individuals

·          Our sending church, Living Stone Baptist Church, as we grow alongside them.