Spaniards have been the victims of a self-serving and greedy religion that offers no hope and no relationship with God for centuries, and they are increasingly distrustful of church. Here is an interesting article by Gallup on church attendance…

The scope of the influence of religion and the church on Spaniards’ lives remains difficult to characterize. While most Spaniards identify themselves as Roman Catholic, only 43% say religion is an important part of their daily lives, and less than a third tell Gallup they have attended a place of worship in the last seven days.

 

Blog post taken from Project Southwest Europe - Scott Newton

For quite some time I have wanted to write on this subject. As today is the culmination of July I thought it would be appropriate to review this amazing month in sports for Spain. As those who know me can testify, I am a huge sports fan. I was born in Spain and I didn't grow up around football (American football as I call it) or baseball, but my passion was soccer (better known in the rest of the world as fútbol). Unless you were in a cave this month I'm sure you realized that the World Cup of soccer was going on in South Africa. You may not have seen a single game but you knew it was taking place. If you've ever had the opportunity to live in another country you would know just how big an event the World Cup is in reality.  I am sure you also heard that Spain won the World Cup for the first time in all of their history. It was amazing to see the millions of people lining the streets to celebrate this historic event. For just an instant the divisions between the different provinces, especially the Basque region and Cataluña, seemed to dissipate as the whole country united under one flag and sang in unison, ♫ - Yo soy Español, Español, Español - ♫ ♫ - I am a Spaniard, a Spaniard, a Spaniard - ♫. 

Add to that the amazing victory once again of Rafael Nadal in Wimbledon, which makes a historic 8 grand slam titles for the 24 year old (to put it into perspective he already has the same amount of grand slam titles as Andre Agassi and he is far from being at the end of his career). We would have to talk about the recent Tour de France victory for Alberto Contador (his third title) and Pau Gasol winning his second championship ring with the L.A. Lakers (of coarse I understand this is a team trophy and he is the only Spaniard on the team, but this man is huge in Spain). Spaniards are seeping with national pride (as you can expect) because they can say that they are on the top of the sports world looking down at the rest of the mere mortals that dare challenge them. I want to mention, however, that although I am thrilled for my countries achievements I realize that none of these accomplishments can fill the void and guilt in their hearts caused by sin. Fame only lasts for a season and eventually all that you are is a side note on some sports history book. Our desire is to make the gospel of hope and peace available to every Spaniard so that they can experience true forgiveness of sins and a sense of purpose and fulfillment that will never go away. As the Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:8 "...bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come." Pray that Spain will go from soaring atop the sports world to understanding and knowing the maker of heaven and earth and living for the one who promises to bless them on this earth and elevate them to the heavenlies to live with Christ for all eternity.

Total population, as of January 1 2009, was 46,661,950

Spain, on January 1 this year, had a total population of 46,661,950 according to a report just published by the INE, the National Statistics Institute. The number, based on those registered at their local town halls, shows a population growth over 2008 of 504,128, and reveals that 12% of the population is foreign. National growth was 0.4% over the year, while the number of foreigners was up 6.3%.

Romanian citizens saw the greatest growth in 2008 with a population of 64,770.

The data also shows that 43.3% of the population is aged between 16 and 44, 41.2% is aged 45 or more, and 49.5% of the population is male.

Biggest population growth was seen in Cataluña, followed by Madrid, Andalucía, and Valencia, with no region of the country seeing a fall in population over the year.

The third campaign video for the European elections shows a selection of European Conservative voters

The new campaign video from the Socialist party has raised some objections in Spain. The video shows a cross section of right-wing voters from several European countries, speaking in their native language but subtitled, in which they give their opinions on several political subjects.

A German skinhead says that homosexuality is an illness, A British woman pictured shopping says she thinks health care should be private, and a priest says that there is only room for one religion in Europe. Another person comments that ‘immigrants steal our jobs’, another that climate change is a big lie, another that she believes in the death penalty, and a businessman says he believes in free sackings.

The video then says that the problem is not what they think, but the fact that they are all going to vote.

The Socialists have been accused of using scare tactics in the video which will be shown in Spain in the free airtime space made available to the parties ahead of the poll on June 7.

Someone sent me this video and it is very eye opening.  Being here in Spain, we can see this happening all around us.

So our purpose is clear. We as Christians must not be silenced. We have the "Truth" in Jesus Christ and we must continue to spread His name. We must not forget to pray for the Muslim nations and for those who are working amongst them trying to teach them of the One True God. We must not forget to pray for Spain and Europe. Everyone is aware of the difficulties missionaries face in Europe. It is difficult, however, not impossible. We serve a great God who can overcome any obstacle. We must be willing to go across the world as well as going across the street to share the wonderful news of Jesus Christ. Will you pray with us? Will you give your money, your time, yourself, to the Lord?

M

any people have asked me how things are going here as far as the financial situation.  We are all familiar with what is going on in the States and we continue to hear how it is a global crisis.  

I have read a few articles about the situation in Europe and everything looks pretty grim.  Here is an excerpt from one article that I recently read,

It seems the European banking system is about to collapse. An article in the Daily Telegraph claims European banks may have to write down $25 trillion in losses. Compare this to the problems in America... Even "Dr. Doom" – NYU economics professor Nouriel Roubini – says the most American banks will have to write off is $1.8 trillion.

In other words, the problems faced by American banks are nothing but a skinned knee compared to what European banks face.

This is because the European banks lost money in two major financial implosions. They made trillions in loans to Eastern Europe and other emerging markets and they also participated in U.S. mortgage lending, possibly even more aggressively than American banks.

According to the Telegraph, "Europeans account for an astonishing 74% of the entire $4.9 trillion portfolio of loans to emerging markets. They are five times more exposed to this latest bust than American or Japanese banks, and they are 50% more leveraged (IMF data)."

The final clincher is, no European "Federal Reserve" bank exists to print trillions of euros and bail everyone out like we have in America. Now, the European banking system is about to fall apart.

If this and other predictions come to fruition, we may see some devastating things happen on this side of the globe.  

However, how does this effect Spain? Even though the countries in Europe are their own separate entities, at least financially, the European countries are somewhat tied together.  In other words, when something happens in Europe, it affects all the countries within.  

So what about Spain?  Basically, here are some hard cold facts and numbers of what is going on.  

• In 2008, the number of people that were loosing their jobs or didn’t have a job rose by more then 25%.
• 3 million people in Spain are unemployed.  1 million of the 3 million people that are unemployed lost their jobs in 2008.  This is huge considering Spain is only a country of 40 million people.
• Construction has been the hardest hit industry by the Crisis.  One third of Spain’s economy is made up of the construction industry.
• Salaries are not rising in Spain.

Things are not looking up and it seems to be getting worse day by day.  There are so many immigrants here and many of them have lost their jobs and are being forced to go home because there is no work.  Spain has even implemented a program called, “La Oportunidad Retorno.”  Basically, the Spanish Government is paying the immigrants to return to their country.  They give them a plane ticket and at least one month’s salary to return home.  

So how does this affect us and our ministry?  While the economic crisis will be at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts and conversation, a solution, an answer, something of comfort, however, will also be the rare jewel that everyone seeks.  When things go wrong, people start asking questions.  As Christians, we have the Answer for them.  The answer is Jesus Christ.  Everything could collapse around us, but if we have a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we can have peace in the midst of the storm.  It is often in the darkest of hours that people search for light, peace, hope and comfort.  So many times in Scripture, we see God take the Nation of Israel through some sort of “Crisis” in order to draw them back to Himself.  May God use the global crisis to bring more people to Himself in Spain and around the world for His honor and glory.  

A parliamentary commission has suggested de-penalizing abortion in Spain.

Left wing parties are supporting a reform which would de-penalize abortion in Spain. A report drawn up by the parliamentary sub commission, a panel of experts called by the Ministry for Equality, on the subject has been supported by the Governing PSOE Socialists, as well as the BNG, ERC, IU and ICV, Galician nationalists, Catalan Republicans, the Left Wing Coalition and the Greens.

The Partido Popular voted against and the PNV Basque nationalists abstained.

The report proposes reforms of the 1985 law which would take abortion out of the Penal Code. Socialist spokesperson Carmen Montón said it would end the current legal doubts and establish the health service as the provider of the right to abort, as well as end current regional inconsistencies in Spain.

It suggests that children aged over 16 would no longer need their parents’ permission to carry out an abortion. The periods for that would be configured to comply clearly with the jurisprudence established in the Constitutional Court.

The current law only allows abortion when there is a danger to the health of the mother, rape or problems with the development of the foetus.

 Please pray for Spain!  

This morning the ETA, Spains own home grown terrorist group out of the Basque Region set off a car bomb in Madrid at the Campo de Las Naciones.  This is only 2 KM from the church that we are currently working in.  The missionaries who we are working with, Jack and Joy Loveday, told us that they felt the vibrations in their home when the bomb exploded.  We praise the Lord that no one was killed.  Below is part of an article written earlier today:

"A car bomb has gone off this morning, at 9am at the Campo del las Naciones in Madrid. The blast, described by witnesses as massive, came an hour and a half after a warning to the Red Cross in the name of Basque Terorrists ETA. The blast was opposite the offices of the Ferrovial company. The bomb was placed in a parked van. It’s practically the same place as an earlier ETA attack on the very same date in February 2005. There are no reports of any injuries.

The attack comes just hours after the Supreme Court in Spain banned two nationalist parties from fielding candidates at the regional poll in the Basque Country set for March 1. Both Askatasuna and 3DM have been banned, although they still have right to appeal to the Constitutional Court."

The police arrested seven people living in the same flat in Barcelona in the street la calle Peu de la Creu, in the old part of the city. Those arrested in Barcelona are all believed to be from North Africa. So far the police have not found any explosives or weapons but are continuing to search the flat in Barcelona.

The operation against Islamic terrorism was ordered by the high court judge Fernando Grande-Marlaskafor. The police hope to make further arrests in the next few hours.

So what does this mean for us?

Spain is the gateway to Europe and the world for the Muslims in North Africa and elsewhere.  The Spanish residence bureaus are full of Arabic’s trying and successfully obtaining work permits for the Country of Spain, many of which move on to other European countries.  This ease of entrance allows those with pure motives, however, also those with evil motives.  So what is the answer?  As missionaries to the country of Spain, should we pray that the government will close the door to North Africa so we won't have the threat of Al Qaeda in our backyard?  Should you as Christians, who are praying for us, pray the same thing?  

The overwhelming answer is, "NO"

If we believe the Word of God then we must certainly believe in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20  where Jesus commands us to go and teach “ALL” nations.  The most quoted verse of all time, John 3:16 tells us that God loved the “World” so much, that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ.  It was because of His love for all people groups, not just Americans or Spaniards, that He gave His Son.  It is this type of love that we need to emulate for the peoples of this world.  So what can we do?  We can do the following:

The only thing that can stop Al Qaeda from being a threat to Spain, the USA, and the world is the power of God working in their hearts and lives!