Quebec, Canada

Bonjour  from Quebec, Canada.  We have been here visiting family and speaking in their church just outside Quebec City.  It is the first time I have had to be translated.  Not that I am always easily understood in English!  As a young people, we always were the ones doing the translating for pastors or friends that came to visit us in Peru or Spain, but now I needed my brother-in-law, Benoit, to translate into French. 

Being here reminded us of Spain.  In many ways Quebec and Spain resemble each other…cobblestones, quaint shops, and even a castle. But what stood out the most was their spiritual state.  Believers here in Quebec quickly understood when I said the Spanish are like Catholic atheists.  For in Quebec people claim Catholicism but practically God does not exist to them.  Our hearts are knit together understanding the need for the joy of the Gospel in both Quebec and Spain. 

We also wanted to share with you two pieces of good news.  First, our teammates, Scott and Juli, welcomed Dominic Joel into the world last Tuesday morning.  He weighed 6 pounds and measured 19 ½ inches.  The second piece of good news is that our support jumped this week from 11% to 13.5%.  Every time it jumps it puts us closer to Spain and makes us just a bit more excited.  Thank you for partnering in praying with us.

Deputation is a daunting task, but..."to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever an ever. Amen." Eph. 3:20, 21

Faith Baptist Church

During three years of my college experience at Northland International University, I and several other students piled into a car and drove three and half hours to Faith Baptist Church in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.  Every weekend Pastor Steinmetz and his wife poured themselves into us students.  When the time came for me to prepare my first message, it was he that I ran to for help.  We sat in his office for over an hour combing through my sermon outline.  In fact my very first message preached in a church was here at Faith Baptist. 

Fast forward five years. I have come back to Wisconsin Rapids for the purpose of preaching and sharing our vision for ministry in Spain.  Several new faces now sit in the pews.  Pastor Steinmetz still greets everyone as they funnel towards the exit after the service.  No one can escape him as he stands at the door.  Not much has seemed to change except that men and women are growing.  God has used Pastor Steinmetz’s investment in his member’s lives to grow them closer to Himself.

I am typing this out as we drive back to Pennsylvania on our sixteen hour trek back home, and I have plenty of time to reflect on the events of the weekend.  I realize how Faith Baptist and Pastor Steinmetz have continued investing in our lives. I echo Paul’s words with Faith Baptist Church in mind.  “I thank my God in every remembrance of you” (Phil. 1:3). 

Prayer Requests:
      1.  Scheduling church meetings for the next year.
      2.    Continued financial support from churches and individuals.
      3.   Safety as we travel many miles