jon & lorena to spain: January 2012

A few years ago my father-in-law, Kent Albright, came across a short but fascinating book called “My Escape from the Auto de Fe” (Act of Faith). He was researching some of Spain’s evangelical past, when he discovered it. The novel relates the story of a Spanish man being accused of “heresy” and sentenced to death by his Spanish Inquisitors, but somehow he manages to escape. What captivated Kent was the “eloquently contrasted fanaticism of 16th century Catholicism with the providence and biblical Christianity.” In his words, “It was also so historically and geographically accurate that it seemed like something a lot of other people should read, saved or not, Spanish or not.” And so the work began on translating it from English into Spanish.

After some searching, Kent found a Spanish publisher that was interested enough in printing it. Kent, my mother-in-law, and a second Spanish couple worked long hours translating the new copy. Nearing the end of the translating process, a hard-drive failed, and so the work began again almost entirely from scratch. Today the book has been published in Spanish and has sold nearly 1,000 copies. More importantly it has been a platform from which to give the Gospel and live out the Gospel. It is this kind of creative thinking and determination that will enable us to share the cause of Christ in Spain.

I remember Kent giving me a copy of the book back when I was dating Lorena. Of course I felt obligated to read it, since this could very well be my future father-in-law. J However, the intriguing narrative, with its setting in Spain, also riveted me! The novel remains for sale in English, and I encourage you to read this fascinating book and learn more of the Spanish Protestants who were persecuted for the cause of Christ.