Hola Madrid!

A little late, but better than never...

We finally arrived in Madrid yesterday evening after a nearly two day journey! Looking like zombies, we greeted the missionaries who directed us from the airport through the metro. What an experience! It’s a good thing we had a guide, because I could not have directed my way through the metro myself. When we finally got to Puerta del Sol, what would be our home for the next four days, I was in awe. Madrid is beautiful! We enjoyed dinner provided by the missionaries and then promptly went to bed due to extreme exhaustion.

This morning we started our day with tostada and café con leche at a small restaurant across the street from our hostel called Café & Te’. Fact: Café con leche in Spain is a million times better than American coffee. Starbucks will never compare! It was a great way to begin the morning. We then made our way to the Kilometer Zero center overlooking Puerta del Sol to begin our orientation for the day.

During our sessions, we heard from missionaries Scott Smith and Ellen Cannon. Scott informed us that 99.8% of Spain is unsaved. The statistics of high suicide rates, high unemployment among even college graduates, and general disgust with the church across Europe were shocking. I never understood what a desperate mission field Europe was until he shared with us. Ellen Cannon and her family are new missionaries to the community Lavapies, an area of the city that is predominantly Muslim, Asian, and African immigrants. We walked to their mission center where she spoke about her ministry and served us bisop, tea made from a hibiscus plant. It was delicious!



Finally, this evening we joined the Kilometer Zero team for their street evangelism ministry, On The Red Box. After an hour of gathering for prayer, our combined group walked out to the center of Puerta del Sol with a red box, handfuls of tracks, a few gospel books, and open hearts. Five members of our team from the United States shared their testimonies on top of the red box for all of the passersby. As I handed out tracks, I couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated that I could not communicate in Spanish. I attempted to speak with one woman unsuccessfully, but thankfully a member of the Kilometer Zero team came to my rescue. Later, a translator informed me that the woman claimed she believed in God, but she did not need Jesus Christ because she had no sin in her life. Sinless? Not in need of God’s grace? It’s hard for me to imagine, but I am thankful that she got to share a conversation with my teammate.

As I walked closer to the entrance to the metro, I prayed and expressed my frustration to the Lord. I wanted to be able to speak to someone in English, but knew it was not even a fair request because our ministry was in Spain. Just then, I noticed a young woman eying me and the tracks in my hand. I greeted her, and she pointed to the tracks with curiosity, though she would not take one. I asked with hope if she spoke English, and an answer to prayer, she spoke almost better English than I did! She was a student at the University in Madrid and was waiting by the metro to meet friends. I learned more about her, her life, her major in college, and we shared a friendly conversation. She was brilliant and so sweet. When she asked again about my trip to Spain and the flyers in my hand, the Lord gave me the opportunity to share my faith in Jesus Christ with her and His ability alone to fill an empty life and give it purpose. She listened intently and I could tell she really cared about what I had to say. Her friends arrived about ten minutes later and she had to leave, but she accepted a flyer which she was not willing to do previously before we said goodbye.

Though we did not say a prayer together, I honestly believe that a seed was planted. I feel so blessed that the Lord allowed me to meet this awesome young woman and enjoy a conversation with her. I am thankful that she was willing to listen and be open to my story. Most of all, I feel privileged that the Lord answered my prayer and used me when I felt worthless. He is so Good!

To learn more about Kilometer Zero and On the Red Box visit: http://www.ontheredbox.com/english/index.htm

Traveling

I am currently sitting in the Chicago airport, enjoying my last seven hours in the U.S. Our flight leaves at 10 P.M. this evening to take us to Madrid, Spain! It’s hard to believe, but the time is finally here! I am making final phone calls, watching American television shows on my laptop, and drinking my last Starbucks’ Skinny Vanilla Latte. Life as I know it is about to change drastically, well, at least for the next two months, and I’m ready for it!

I have really enjoyed these past few days of orientation in Springfield. It was strange to be in my familiar city, but not my home, Evangel University. I have really grown to love that place! Many of the students had never visited Springfield, so we hit all the major staples. Lamberts for dinner on Tuesday, Andy’s for frozen custard on Wednesday, and a complete tour of the Assemblies of God Headquarters Building. What else could you ask for?

Mixed in with all the fun outings were several meetings and sessions to learn more about Europe and tips for our trip. It was fascinating to gain knowledge about the culture and the people in preparation for our ministry. I know that a few tips can’t possibly prepare me for every situation I will face, but I do feel like the training has been very beneficial. Learning the facts has given me a better perspective and greater desire to see this nation impacted for the Kingdom of God. I look forward to learning more in our orientation time in Madrid.

As I look around the waiting area surrounding our gate, I can sense the anticipation. Though we are tired, there is a general excitement for the fact that tomorrow evening we will be in Madrid. I am amazed at the way each team is unified in goal and purpose. Ruthie, Chelsea, Sarah, and I share the same vision: to spread compassion to the people in Romania that we encounter and to train them how to reach others through Christian teaching. My prayer is that we continue to work together toward that vision in harmony and that we mesh with our missionaries as well. Please keep this in mind as you pray. We meet Rick and Jan on Wednesday. My next update will come to you from outside the United States!

Below is a picture of my team in front of the Romanian Flag at The Assemblies of God World Missions Office. From the Left, Chelsea, Ruthie, and Sarah…

And So It Begins...

Change is inevitable, though I admit; I have never been particularly good at handling significant change in my life. The familiar is comforting, and the unknown usually stresses me out! So, these past few weeks have been a stressful whirlwind with finishing my semester at Evangel, driving home, unpacking, repacking, saying my goodbyes, and beginning my adventure. Now I sit in the lobby at Central Bible College preparing for the start of my in-state orientation tomorrow morning. Time Flies!

I started my journey at 4:30 A.M. preparing for my 6 A.M. flight, pit stop in Atlanta, and eventual arrival in Branson. I'll confess that I was a bit nervous on the way to the airport, but when I reached the desk to check my bags, I was greeted with a pleasant surprise. The employee working behind the counter inquired about my final destination, and when I told him that I was headed to Romania, he told me with a smile that Romania was his native country. He was so kind, and I was reminded once again that God cares about every detail of our lives. It really put me at ease! My flights were smooth and I arrived in Branson right on time, greeted by a familiar face, my wonderful former roommate/ chauffer for the day!

I have now met the 30 other students who will be traveling with me, and have shared some quality time with the girls on my team. Everyone is wonderful and my heart is filled with excitement for what’s in store. As we gathered in prayer tonight, I was reminded that each of us is embarking on our own adventure to which God has called us. It’s a big change, a step of faith, and an act of obedience to reach God’s beloved children in Europe. In his book, Wild Goose Chase, Mark Batterson writes:

Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit—An Geadh-Glas, or ‘The Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger and an air of unpredictability surround Him... A part of us feels like something is spiritually wrong with us when we experience circumstantial uncertainty. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: adventure.

This season of change, this step into the unknown and unfamiliar, this circumstantial uncertainty is my present adventure. I am walking in God’s will, chasing the Wild Goose, so why should I stress or worry? I think it’s about time for me to live out what God has called me to do; no reservations! Romania is on the horizon! And so it begins…

The Adventure

I'm new to this whole blogging experience, but I'm going to give it a try so I can keep all of my wonderful friends and family informed of my adventures in Romania! Here We Go...

For those of you reading who are new to what my adventure includes, let me fill you in! In December, I learned that I had been accepted to be part of a program sponsored by the Assemblies of God Alliance for Higher Education, sending 32 students to 8 different countries across Southern and Eastern Europe. Through the help of generous donors, the Alliance is providing a scholarship to help with the cost of the trip! Total Blessing!

In my group, there are 32 college students from several different Assemblies of God colleges around the nation. We will meet in Springfield, MO for orientation, then travel to Madrid, Spain together for further orientation before we split into our 8 different teams. There are 4 students per team. I have been selected to travel to Bucharest, Romania with 3 other young women, to work with missionaries Rick and Jan Cunningham. I was chosen for this specific location because we will be working in childrens' ministry which is what I am most passionate about. We will be in the country from May 27th to July 20th!

I know that God has called me to this adventure for this specific time in my life! I am so excited to see what He has in store and the ways that He will use me while I'm in the country. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare to take this step of faith!

Love,

Bethany