March Update

Jesus' tomb in Jerusalem!

Gone Fishin'

Some of Christ’s disciples were fishermen. Actually Jesus finds them fishing and calls them to follow him. They end up leaving their nets and boats behind, and he tells them that they will continue fishing. But this time they’ll be fishers of men.

Fishing takes a lot of patience. A lot of patience that I really don’t have. One of the pastimes my dad enjoys is fishing. I’ve been with him before, but it doesn’t take long before I’m ready for some action if things are too calm. I don’t want to just sit! I want to see some fish! My poor dad knows I’m not the best fishing companion because of this! Also when it comes to knowing what kind of bait you need and some of the best places to fish, I’m not so great at that either. But with practice and learning my dad does have a knowledge of those things.

As fishers of men, we can run into the very same problems I do with fishing. Impatience. Lack of knowledge of where to go. Lack of knowing how to engaged people into spiritual conversations. Then sometimes we just want to quit because the entire process takes too long, or we feel discouraged when we don’t get immediate results.

I was talking with Pablo and Carmen after Bible study this past Friday, and they asked for prayers. Prayers for wisdom in counseling the people they meet. Pablo said that they prayed for fish, and God sent them many fish who were biting at the bait, desperate for hope. Pablo said many times we pray for fish, but we forget how bad they smell once they’re in the boat!

Our sin and problems pile up and before you know it you are surrounded by the stench of the fish. The stench of sinners. All too quickly I forget that I once smelled quite fishy, but I am now redeemed.

So we are here! Praying for fish and praying that after they are in the boat with their awful smells that the Lord continues to work and open their hearts. Purifying them. Replacing the stench of their sin with the fragrance and beauty of salvation through Christ.

I have one fish I need you praying for. She’s my neighbor. She’s older and always has been single. She insults the USA almost every time I talk to her. She says she’s Catholic but the other day asked me to pray for her, telling me she didn’t care if I prayed to the sun or the moon or whatever else. When I told her I’d pray for her but only to Christ and God, she insisted I “open my mind” to other things. She’s overbearing, but she needs to be loved. Pray that I will do this. I’ve set a goal to at least go visit with her once a week. Pray I will remain faithful and loving of her.

The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship

Recently I have been so blessed to meet a student living here in Spain. She is a believer and has such a passion for the lost around her. One night as I was going to a student Christian gathering with a friend, I prayed that I’d meet someone to build a friendship with. Someone to encourage and someone who could help me meet other people.

That night I met my new friend. We exchanged numbers, and after I got back from vacation we’ve been able to get together each week. She has been such a blessing and a really good friend to give insight to Spaniards here and dynamics on college campuses. She shared some struggles of knowing how to hang out with her Spanish friends while not placing herself in unhealthy situations. The dilemma for believers here is difficult and among campuses there are students who specifically do things to interrupt Christian gatherings at the schools.

My new friend said she had been praying for a year to meet someone who she could practice her English with and a friend who she could encourage and who could encourage her! Pray for this friendship. That more friends will be made. That truth will be shared. That this friend will be encouraged.

It’s difficult for believers here who want to see change. Students want to not only see change but do something about it. I encouraged my friend that major missions movements in the States were all on college campuses. She smiled with hope in her eyes. May the Lord raise up the students here to reach Spain and the world!

Prayer Request
Legs to heal-specifically my hamstring on my left leg– going to the doctor this Wednesday
For more relationships with Latino students
For my friend in another country-she finally has left her home country for awhile

Praises!
Continued therapy for my legs
Continued relationship building
Good vacation time-hoping to post pictures soon as well as a video of me riding a camel!

Abrazos!
Taryn