Pray 4 Spain 24/7

You know you are in the USA when....

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:41:00 +0000

You know you are in the USA when.......

you see yard sale signs everywhere.

you see billboards everywhere.

you sing and converse in English.

you have a back yard, side yard and front yard.

huge beautiful church buildings are half empty.

there is little mass transportation service.

you can still buy a dollar meal at McDonalds.

there is carpet on the floor.

you don't have to recycle.

I can hug and kiss my grand kids.

and I have only been home 5 days.

Clay pots

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:48:00 +0000

I inherited several flower pots when I came to Spain. I thought most of them had not survived the cold winter and snow on the patio. I figured I would have to purchase some new plants come spring. Well spring came, and low and behold in one of the big clay pots, tiny green shoots started appearing, soon they became tall, straight green leaves. Daily watering and the warm sunshine caused the most interesting thing to happen... two beautiful orange lilies bloomed! I could not believe it! What I thought was dead and had no life came alive again. It reminded me of the way that God works: someone plants the seeds of hope and salvation, someone else shares a testimony, someone else uses kind words and thoughtfulness, and the seeds of faith grow. At some point, all this care and love causes a flower to bloom and new life to begin. Paul explained it this way to the Corinthians, " I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. " I Corinthians 3: 6-9 I better check out the other pots!

God is still working

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:18:00 +0000

One of the songs that Carol Cymbala has written, "God is Working" has become one of my favorites. I like it because it remains me that God is faithful, and even though we can't see what He is doing, we trust and know He is working. Read the words and be encouraged today.

God is working, He's still working

God is working even now.

Though we often don't know just how,

God is working, He's is still working

God is working even now.

Though you can't see, and you can't quite understand

Remember God is still in control.

He has promised to bring you through somehow,

and He is working even now.

I claim this truth for my family, my friends and my ministry in Spain.

Three giants of the faith- Jose, Junior and Jorge

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:13:00 +0000

Jose, Junior and Jorge from Madrid are young, vibrant Christians who desire to serve and use their musical talents. They accompanied us to Sevilla last weekend to do the music and meet with the teens. Getting to know them during the trip was wonderful. Their enthusiasm was catchy, their 100% commitment to life in Christ and service was a breath of fresh air. Saturday night in the Sevilla parsonage they drilled Mark about theological issues and asked lots of questions. They shared with us a dream they have to open a youth center in Madrid, like a coffee house, to minister to young people who would not come inside a church. They told us God had drawn them to an abandoned building just down the street, where they were one night from 1- 4 am praying and claiming that building for the Lord. They recognize the need to have a place where young people can come, relax and learn about the Lord. What is available now is discotecas and bars where the kids hang out.

We were so honored to spend time with these three giants of the faith. Pray that we have the wisdom and guidance to lead and guide these budding leaders into reaching their peers for Christ.

Getting to know Him!

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:43:00 +0000

Since our Sunday attendance has not been that great in Sevilla, we figured only a handful of people would come out on a Saturday night for the lauching of our discipleship courses. Pastor Joel Castro from our Zaragoza church has written a very comprehensive book on discipleship which Sevilla church had never used. He came with us to present the material.

So much to our surprise the people just kept coming and coming, finally we had 16 people plus the three of us. As the night unfolded we discovered 10 of them had never had any kind of discipleship before. As Mark took that group into the S.S. classroom, I prayed God would work work in each life. After Mark explained the plan of salvation by using the Jesus knocking on the door picture ( I need to get him a new one too, that one he has carried in his wallet for years!!) and Rev. 3:20, he asked them all to put the date on the top of their first lesson in which they received Jesus as their Savior. Two new girls said, "well, that is today" and wrote down the date!! Praise God ! He is working in many lives here. People are hunger for Him. They want to know Him. Discipleship one way we can teach them about Christ.

Snow in Madrid

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:02:00 +0000

I could hardly believe my eyes as I opened the living room blinds that morning, snow coming down in huge white flakes! It was so beautiful. I had not seen snow in many, many years and I was so excited to watch it fall. The clean heavy drops quickly covered the cars, road and everything. It covered all the dirt, grim and blackness that one normally sees outside the window in the city. I quickly pulled on my long johns, boots, and headed outdoors. It was as if the world had completely changed overnight, so white and awesome! The snow continued to fall even heavier as I made my way to the park.

I could not help but think of Christ's love. It falls from the heavens so much like the snow, covering everything and everybody. Changing sin and darkness into pure white cleanliness. Disolving the mud and dirt away. The snow covered everything. In fact there was no place that the snow had forgotten to touch. Just as the snow was available for all to enjoy and experience, Christ's love is available too for all. Many, where I live have not seen it yet, or had a chance to personally experience it. Maybe I just need to help them learn to open their eyes and see it.

Christmas 2008

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 04:47:44 +0000

Words cannot express the joy and happiness we have felt to see our children, grandchildren and family during this holiday season. Our vacation time here in Phoenix has been blessed with times of great fellowship ?and sharing. We thank God for this opportunity. ?Kris managed to get the family to Sears today for a family photo which soon will occupy the living walls of our mission home in Madrid. Meanwhile she has added a few new photos in the photo gallery.

Wishing you and yours a terrific season and blessed New Year.

JF team

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:07:00 +0000

Two adults, two college students and four teenagers recently invaded our home. The five days and nights they were here was fun, exciting and invigorating. I had forgotten how much energy teens have, they never sleep!! Nor need too!

The plan was to show the Jesus Film ( children's version of one hour) as many places as possible around Madrid. Contrary to Latin America, permission is needed in order to show the film in public places. With much prayer and investigation we were able to get ?library, teen activity center and local church without any expense. We had hopes of showing the film to the residents of a nursing home where we have been ministering for over a year. The residents were excited and wanted to see the film, so did the staff. Our contacts there has left a good reputation. We thought it was all set but a few days before the teams' arrival, the director said NO. We were disappointed by not discouraged. We knew that if we prayed He would take care of the situation.?

On Monday we arrived with expectations of a changed mind, but that didn't happen. Instead we spent our time meeting and chatting with the residents. Communication really loosed up when the teens started acting out Christmas songs. The residents would sing, then the teens, back and forth we went and as they say laughing all the way. Hank even gave his cowboy hat to one of the residents who offered to purchase it.

Over 110 people saw the film for which we give thanks. One hundred and ten people now have been exposed to the gospel. We pray this seed will take root and grow in their lives.

Church in the kitchen

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:21:46 +0000

Ofelia is up and down all during the Sunday service trying to attend to the 25 people that are crowded into her two bedroom, one bath apartment. They have come from the nearby apartment building and neighborhood to hear the word of the Lord. Alcides, her husband, has knocked on every door for blocks around befriending and inviting people to the house church. Since moving to northern Madrid three years ago, they have worked hard to win several neighbors to the Lord. Children's clubs and tutoring are some of the activities they offer the Ventilla community. Alcides a retired Cuban teacher has a passion for reaching the lost and is convinced the Lord wants a Church of the Nazarene in Ventilla.

Today is the largest crowd yet, 25 plus two babies and their strollers. Ofelia and two ladies graciously offer their folding chairs and move into the kitchen as a family of three enters through the front door. While the coffee perks she can barely hear the booming voice of her husband passionately praying at the wooden pulpit next to the sofa. There are four brand new people today. It is missions Sunday, Mark will share in a few minutes.

The group has been praying for three years for a location for a church. Here in Spain, with property so expensive, all of our churches are in store fronts. There is a 80 square meter corner store front for rent about three blocks away. Mark and Alcides have been there and looked it over, it would work very well for a church with some remodeling. The rent is $ 500.00 month. A comparable place to purchase would be around $100,000 which is not in the budget. We are praying, the church in Ventilla is praying, would you help us pray for a church so Ofelia could seat in the service and not in her kitchen to worship ?

Seven weeks

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:40:20 +0000

The time has flown by, what between traveling to Barcelona, Zaragoza and Sevilla (in bus) and then by bus to Portugal, we have hardly been in Madrid it seems. In each trip we have enjoyed getting to know our churches and people. District Assembly and Conventions were a blessed time of sharing all that God has done this past year here in Spain. Observing the very capable leadership of Carlos y Noemi Fernandez for 6 weeks has taught us so much about life and ministry here. We are so grateful they have been here to help us get adjusted. They have moved on to take up ministry in Argentina and we are now full time here.

We continue to be amazed at the capable, compassionate young people in our churches, many of whom have expressed a call to service, Praise God! We have four students from Spain studying this year at the Nazarene Bible College in Switzerland. Twenty four students are enrolled in extension classes. Mark is working on setting up a web class for December so all our students can participate in the courses without having to leave their cities to study.
Check out our Photo gallery before you leave, lots of new pictures. Even can see Mark eating roasted pig at the oldest restaurant in the world!!!

September update

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:45:42 +0000

Meeting so many of our fellow believers at family camp was wonderful. During meals, workshops and worship we were able to get acquainted with many people from Spain and other countries. While Mark was busy with interpreting and workshops I was occupied trying to figure out where each one was from and what church they attended. We have such a variety of nations represented in our congregations, it truly is an international church.

We are slowly getting adjusted to life here. Using the metro system, eating Paella ( rice and sea food dish) and tapas, eating dinner at 10 pm and living in a busy commercial area are just a few of the changes we have faced. A large portion of our days are spent in learning about our new responsabilities from Carlos.

To date we have visited three of our churches and plan this week to visit a new mission near Toledo (south of Madrid). We travel to Barcelona this weekend to meet the Jesus Film Team from N. Florida and hold the annual meeting.

District Assembly is October 3-4 here in Madrid.

These are exciting, challenging days for us. We are so aware of our greatest need- your prayers.
Prayers for cultural understanding, language improvement, and clear testimonies. We have met new friends who are not believers yet, pray for their conversion.

The Adventure Begins

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:13:07 +0000

Thursday night late, Mark checked his e-mail to find three messages that somebody wants to buy our car. He finalized the deal while in the security line checking in at the airport. We praise God for this last minute answer to prayer. Jon delivered the car on Saturday and had the check in hand before we even touched down in Madrid. Praise God!!

The clanging garbage truck at 3 am, the laughing children at 11:45 pm, complete silence on the streets at 9 am all remind us we are here in Madrid. Arriving with all luggage intact (minus two beach towels that weighed to much) and on time, we were to excited to sleep much on the 19 hour trip so while our eyes were heavy our minds were keen to learn all we could from Jose and Miriam who picked us up from the airport. They like most of the church people we have met already were warm and friendly, making us feel right at home.

Four teens were at the church by invitation of a wise missionary lady to haul up our heavy bags to the fourth floor guest apt which will be our home for 7 weeks until the Fernandez's return to Argentina in October. The apartment is very cozy and even has a crock pot!! We are enjoying the morning and evening walks around our neighbor which is very commercial and all at least four story apt building sharing a common wall. We found the bank and grocery store today. Still on my list is plastic hangers ( I brought too many clothes) and a laundry basket. Most of the women purchase meat and vegetables daily, pulling around woven cloth baskets on wheels. You can even lock them up at the grocery store!

Mark remembered all his Spanish words yesterday as he preached from Galatians 1 at the Pelicano church ( right below us) We met people from Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and even a 2nd time visitor from Cali, Colombia!

We leave on Thursday for Family Camp. The camp is full to capacity and we will be staying away from the rest as there are so many people wanting to come. We are anxious and excited to met our fellow Nazarenes from 8 different churches. Mark is polishing up the details on our four sessions on marriage that we will be presenting.?

More later...

TEN DAY COUNTDOWN

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:38:17 +0000

Two suitcases are already packed with pictures, clothes, spices, shoes, scented candles, cookie sheets and my crock pot. Trying to determine what we might need, knowing that we have a "furnished " apartment is a difficult job having never been to Spain. The travel books show us a beautiful, wonderous historical country with all kinds of modern transportation. Of course we will do some sightseeing but our main interest is in the numbers Mark talks about. The .4% ( yes, point four percent) of the population who claim to have a personal relationship with the Savior. Only 4 in 1000 persons professes a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Comparing that figure to 260 per 1000 persons in Guatemala, we are facing some major cultural and social differences. We have been praying for the Lord to prepare our hearts, minds, emotions for all the changes coming up. We believe He will help us, guide us and direct us. We certainly would covet your prayers for the next few weeks. We have prayer cards and magnets that we can mail to you if you want a visual reminder to pray.

So as you start your day on Friday, August 15th, pray a prayer for traveling mercies for us as we head to Spain to began our missionary adventure. Pray for our kids- Jodi & Nick, Matt and Jon. Pray for Jake and Katie, our precious grandbabies.

Update on the family

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 04:14:30 +0000

Yesterday we took Jake ( 2 years) and Katie ( 4 months) swimming in the backyard pool. These special moments with our grandbabies are treasured times. For Jake's second birthday we had a big family party at our house. Every available moment we are with our family. Grilling out is the lastest way we spent our time together. We are all learning how to use the computer camera so we can "see" each other when we leave. Matt returned to CA where he has a summer job as a videographer for a yachting camp in Newport Beach. All was going well until a kid threw sand into the lense of his camera!! Jon is now looking for a new job and using his time to complete all the application paperwork for the police department. Jodi and Nick are enjoying watching the kids learn and grow. We thank God for each of our children and grandchildren.

Mark performed the wedding for our nephew Darrin and his new bride Jessica in early June in Eureka, IL. It was a special time for the Ryan family as we were all together for the first time in 8 years.

Kris's family is celebrating her parents 65th wedding anniversary with a pool party in July. The family keeps growing, last count 52 people in the Harp family with three more babies due before the end of the year. The party is also a farewell for us. How we have enjoyed being close to our family these four years in Arizona.

See current pictures of the family in the photo section.

Getting Acquainted

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:44:57 +0000

As we walked off the plane in Sacramento, we were met by Gary and Lavonne Moore, our FSC. Although he lives and pastors the Church of the Nazarene in Yuba City, CA, he also is our director for the Western Mediterranean Field ( Spain, Portugal, Italy and France). Missionaries and district leaders from these countries were meeting for the annual planning session of which we were invited to attemd. Hours were spent in planning, prayer and discussion. Hearing the reports and stories was a awesome experience for us as we began to sense and feel the vast needs in these areas. Fellowship time was especially rich as we got to know these young leaders watching soccer games, shopping, eating pizza and beating the Americans in water sports!

See picture of the group in our pictures.