News, Spring 2007

Dear friends,

Wishing you were here? In April Mallorca had it's wettest month for 30 years and we are delighted. Apart, that is, from the fact that Hilde's sister in law and nephew were here for the wettest weekend since records began... (240mm -9 1/2”- fell in the mountains on the Sunday.) Anyway, our water tank is full and we can look forward to showering all summer long. A 3 year drought was effectively washed away in a question of days. How we long for an end to the spiritual drought in the lives of Spaniards.

Through the winter into Spring

Looking back, Hilde did a Catalan course during the between October and February, which has stood her in good stead for activity on the island. Meanwhile, Chris continued with web ministry as well as one or two other opportunities for direct action. He has occasionally joined a brother who does literature distribution in the Plaza España on Wednesday afternoons. In addition to all this, Chris has been overseeing some building work on his parents' house. They were away for 4 months, but have now settled 'definitively' on the island, 6 km from us. The work was rather more onerous than any of us expected, ensuring that a smallish project be brought to completion by the time his parents got back and needed to move in much of the furniture and clober from their old home in Bury St. Edmunds, now sold.

Then at Easter we were in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) for the Easter outreach with the Barretts' church. A combination of the church, a British GLO team, the OAC Spanish team and others worked well, despite the weather being very much against us. Pat Paddock and Chris led open airs for kids in different locations and Pat did an excellent job, managing to withdraw to a bandstand on rainy days. Several children made professions of faith and the church has begun a weekly programme on the same spot to follow up. 20 years ago a programme there led to 2 children coming to the Lord. They are now married and he is to become an elder of the church later in the year. Pray for similar -and greater- results this time around! Full reports are here, on the web, but you will soon need to ask for the key to get at them. Otherwise, we can send you an email copy.

Our local church web project saw the light of day in December and is working well. Once Chris had completed the project we began to consider where we should settle, church-wise. After some dithering and being less than keen to visit more churches, we were thinking of staying put. But the Lord has decided otherwise and we have been visiting a number of churches over the past 2 months. As a result, although still not fully decided, we have at least got to know -and to be known by- several of the churches not only in Palma, but also elsewhere. Currently odds are on us settling at the 'Reformed Baptist' church, a bit of a novelty for us!

25 years in Ministry

It was in early July, 1982, that Chris was first commissioned by the Fellowship of the King to join OAC and begin evangelistic ministry in Spain. Initially the commitment on all sides was for a two year training period. Chris was then fully accepted as an Assistant Evangelist in the Autumn, having done two big campaigns with OM and OAC. In the latter, he preached or translated in 110 Open Airs, a feat -it has to be admitted- never again repeated! However, it hasn't all been downhill since. We have all had a few downhills, but also some great moments over the years, also being able to support some significant initiatives in the development of the Church in Spain and elsewhere.

We hope to be able to celebrate the event on Sunday 8th July in Bristol. There will be a celebratory note in the FOTK service, recalling 25 years not only of our service but also of many others who were subsequently sent overseas to serve the Lord. Afterwards, we will join in a fellowship meal.

If you have had anything to do with us over these years and would like to come either to the service or the meal, don't hesitate to get in touch with us, Anni Davey or the FOTK office as soon as you can. We'd love to see you there!

Do keep in touch, whether you can join us or not!

Much love from us both,

Chris & Hilde