Going to Spain!

Alan and I just wanted to write you a quick note for a couple of reasons:
First of all, we are going to Spain, TODAY (12/13/07). We have been praying about the possibility of working there as ambassadors of the Kingdom with the best job description in the world; proclaiming God’s Excellencies to those who are still walking in the dark, without hope. We are hoping that during this trip, we’ll have a clearer vision of both harvest condition and how we, fit in that picture. We are praying that God will confirm to us that Spain is the place where his wants us, both personally and as a couple.



Secondly, we need your prayers.

1. Please pray for a safe trip
2. Pray for an opportunity to encourage the missionaries that we are going to visit who would be our team leaders if the Lord leads us to Spain (Paul and Liz Bowman have been there for over a year now, they’ve seen the Lord Work miracles despite the hardness of the hearts of many Spaniards).
3. Pray that this time will bring us closer to our Lord and to each other as we continue to wait for his reassurance.

Finally, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas. We hope that you will once again be reminded over and over again of the awesomeness of the fact that God took flesh, came into this dark world and gave us unwavering hope through his death and resurrection.

Sincerely,

Alan and Melissa

Laura, Jordan and Noel

Laura, Jordan and Noel
Originally uploaded by aandmharder

Baptism at the pool!

Baptism at the pool!
Originally uploaded by aandmharder

Alan and I, before he left to Colombia

Alan and I, before he left to Colombia
Originally uploaded by aandmharder

Alan is in Colombia!

Alan was invited to co-lead a construction team to Bogotá Colombia of members of Grace Point Church in Naperville and Plainfield. Our church in Colombia, that is, Centro Cristiano Santa Fe de Bogotá has been going through some difficult times. Recently they bought a new building at a new neighborhood to hold the church services, Sembrar program (pastoral training), etc. The building needs a lot of fixing and the hearts of the believers there could use some encouragement. We are so very thankful for every single person that is going (around 5).
I recently received a voicemail from Alan, telling me that they got in all right and that things are going great thought hectic. Please pray with us for a great-blessed time for both the US team and our brothers and sisters in Bogotá. May they sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron and please pray for a safe return home this Sunday.
As far as I am concern, it is a bit hard to be away from Alan and even more, not to be able to go to Colombia when I am definitely overdue for a visit (it's been almost three years). However, we are planning on going there next year for a longer visit, Lord willing. In the meantime, I have been trying to use my time here as good as I can. I stepped out of my comfort zone and drove up 3 1/2 hours Friday night to visit the High School girls that I had been mentoring for a few years. I spent the whole weekend with some of them (the ones that were around and available) and it was great. Last minute, I found out that one of the most recent converts, Jordan, was getting baptized on Sunday afternoon and that many of her unsaved family member were going to attend the baptism. What a joy it is to see God reaching down to families, especially when it is through their teenage kids.

Pictures

Here are some pictures from our Worship time at the Church "La Paz de Cristo" and during a prayer time that we had on a mountain overlooking "Flores Magon", a drug and violence strucked neighborhood where we'll we doing a VBS.

ECA Friends

ECA Friends
Originally uploaded by aandmharder