Dear Praying Friends, Family, and Churches,

W

e have so much to report that we won’t be able mention everything in one letter. Please go to our home page abd read our weekly blog. You can stay informed with much of what is going on in our ministry.

The current “crisis” is the topic of discussion in every corner. I personally know people who have lost everything because of the current crisis. For missionaries on deputation, churches have seemed to slow their support for new missionaries. Veteran missionaries are beginning to feel the crunch as some of their supporting churches are starting to lower their monthly support. However, in every crisis, we can see God’s hand at work. God took the children of Israel through many a “crisis” to teach them certain things, but especially to trust in Him.

One of the advantages of the “Crisis” here in Spain has been that the cost of living is slowly decreasing. In the past 4 or 5 months, the cost of goods and services have started to come down. Apartments, cars, food, etc. are getting a little cheaper. When we first came to Spain, not only were we taken back by the exchange rate, but by the prices of what things costs. Even if the exchange was equal; 1 Euro to 1 Dollar, the prices of items here in Spain were more than what they cost in the States. So a gallon of Milk that cost $3.50 or less in the States, would cost around 4 Euro or more here in Spain. So even with a 1:1 Euro/Dollar, our purchasing power was less. Then when you added an exchanged of $1.60 to 1 Euro, it was at an even greater deficit. Now, the prices have started to subside a little, so with a 1:1 ratio Euro/Dollar, the prices are comparable. Some things are still more expensive here, but now, some things about equal. So our purchasing power is a little less or equal, if we had an equal exchange of 1:1. However, with the exchange, we are still at a great deficit. But we are thankful for the slight decrease in prices of somethings.

Another blessing of the “Crisis” is that people are becoming more tender to the things of God or at least looking for answers. In a society that has “had it all” for some many years, people are beginning to lose their jobs and their sense of security. Over 3 million people are unemployed here in Spain (a country of 41 million) and 1 million of those 3 million lost their jobs in 2008. During this year, in the ministry here, we have seen 5 people come to Christ. 3 of those 5 people have been adults. Another lady wanted to talk more, this past Sunday night after the service, about spiritual things and is very close to trusting in the Lord as her Savior. So even in times of “Crisis” God works and glorifies Himself. We praise the Lord for His goodness.

The second week in April, we had special meetings for “Semana Santa” or “Holy Week.” My father-in-law preached on Saturday night, Jack Loveday preached Sunday morning, and I preached on Sunday night. Then 2 weeks later, we had a mission’s conference. The people were challenged to do more for missions. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Don’t forget to visit our website www.thatallmayknow.net to learn more about what is happening here in Spain.