May Update

On the doorway in a university classroom: Relgion=Venom
the bottom is a cross with a null sign

At a Real Madrid Game- so amazing!

Brook, Parker, and me- 3 Trailblazers

Three Trailblazers

So I have some exciting news to share with you all! We have a new team member who was a Journeyman in Peru and Haiti. Parker has now been added to our team and will be located in Paris to do research there. In addition to France, he’ll be doing the research trips with Brook and me to Italy and Germany.

Parker was here this last week doing some training with us, and it was cool for our team to share with him what our job looks like. One thing on our trip to Valencia that Brook and I saw as a challenge was us not being able to approach men to do interviews. With Parker with us we are able to get the broader perspective of the people we meet and talk with. We already saw the benefit of having a guy with us when we were doing interviews here in Madrid. He is also excellent as Spanish. Puts me to shame a little bit, but definitely challenges me to work harder at language.

It’s exciting to see these things finally come together and it looks like from here on out my term is going to fly by. The schedule is for us to go to Italy June 26-July 8. We will be researching the immigrant situation in Milan and Rome. Then we are hoping to be in Germany August 8-20 doing the same thing.

I would ask that you fervently be praying for these trips. Pray for me, Brook, and Parker to get along with one another in love and respect. Traveling and being together all the time can be challenging, but I think we’ll make a great team. Also please be praying for my legs. They are improving like always, but I still have my worries or doubts. Pray that the Lord sustains me daily through these trips. That when my legs get tired, they will be rejuvenated. When I rest at night, my legs will feel brand new in the morning. Most importantly that these legs will carry me to the places where I can share Christ’s love.

Pain's Ticket

Pain. It is one of the most frustrating things to face. It is one of those things you wish you could just snap your fingers and get rid of. But it remains at my side. Taunting me most days. Bringing me to tears at other times. Challenging me in my walk. And making me question how seriously I take myself when I say I’ll follow Him no matter what.

I continue to follow Him despite these events that continue to affect me. It has been hard. It hasn’t been without some really big tantrums, but I’m still here, still saying that my God is amazing and that He is faithful and loving.

The other day I was really frustrated that nothing is seemingly helping with this injured hamstring/tendon. It pops during the night and I wake up to sharp pain. It’s just very uncomfortable. I was doing my exercises at therapy and I realized something. Without my pain, I lose access to the girls at my therapy. Without my pain, I no longer need my therapist. And I no longer get to share 3 solid hours of time with her each week.

My pain is my ticket to pray for my friends there, and it is my ticket to talk with them and love them with the love of Christ. If I’m not there, who is intentionally talking with them? If I’m not there who is intentionally praying for them? I say this with a heaviness in my heart, but may my pain remain, so that until I leave in October I can continue to be there. And I can continue to pray for the Truth I know to be revealed to my friends.

You're Not Americans!

Brook and I have our local hangout. We are regulars there and there’s something that feels right when you walk in and can greet everyone in the restaurant like you are old friends. Hey, sometimes we even get a free coffee or Nutella crepe!

This restaurant has an interesting dynamic. There’s a Peruvian, Argentine, Bulgarians, and a Moroccan that work there. As time has gone by we have been able to share bits and pieces of our lives with them, and we have been able to inquire about their lives.

About two weeks ago, Brook and I were there for an evening coffee when the Peruvian man started asking me some questions. Do you go out? You don’t like to party, do you? Do you drink? What do you like to do?

I answered his questions and share with him how partying isn’t what satisfies me or fills me up. That’s why I don’t need those things. Only God fills up our hearts and lives.

He then told me that he and the Moroccan man had been talking about how strange Brook and I are. He said, “You’re not Americans! Americans come here to drink and party. You’re not Americans!”

I laughed because unfortunately this is true, but I found it entertaining that they couldn’t quite figure us out. Praise the Father that they do see a difference in us. I pray that we are acting as salt and light making them thirsty to know our God, the one that intimately loves them.

Let's Talk About Love

So you all have heard about our friend who sometimes stays the night with us. These are amazing times where we continue to share God’s love with her. We continue to show her why we believe what we believe, then let her read it in the Bible.

Well she came over the other night. She stayed in the entrance and we told her to come on in. She then called for us to come to the door. When we got there, to our BIG surprise, there was her boyfriend. The man who is older than her father and who controls her each and every step. Brook and I about fell over, but quickly recovered with our Southern hospitality. We invited him in to sit, asked him if he wanted water.

And put on our best smiles. He said he didn’t want to stay, and thank you. He also kept saying “felicidades” which means congratulations. We just smiled and finally he left.

Then the entire truth came out within minutes of him leaving. She had lied to him telling him it was Brook’s birthday, and that was why she wanted to come and hang out with us.

We laughed. We were in shock. But she said after he had met us, she was certain he wouldn’t be worried about her. She said that once he saw we were family-like people he wouldn’t be worried about her staying with us sometimes.

We have recently discovered that there are prostitutes in the area, so she explained that after he had seen we are just young girls who aren’t about partying it would be fine.

So after our shock, we were able to chit chat for awhile. And like always, we can’t have her with us without talking to her about God. We read some Bible passages about love. Our friend even took the liberty of reading it aloud to us. As I watched her face, I could see she was really trying to process what the scripture was saying.

This is what we do, and this all we can do. We offer her our home of peace and while she’s here, we fill her up with the word of God. She may be our lying friend, but we strongly believe that with prayer, the Spirit will change her and show her how badly she needs the blood of Christ. Please continue to pray for her and for opportunities to share the Word with her.

PRAYER REQUESTS
For the Trailblazer team– preparation for the trips/ Parker’s getting used to France
My legs-swelling to be minimal/ for my tendon to not be painful
For our friend who sometimes stays the night with us
For my friends who help me at therapy

PRAISES
My parents are visiting now and we’ll do some vacation time in Barcelona!

One of my friends I have mentioned before that left her home country has been connected with a believer in the new country where she lives. She has attended a Bible study in her mother tongue there. Pray for her to know Truth!

Let me know how to pray for you! Thanks for lifting these things up!

Taryn

A Call to Courageous Love

Osama Bin Laden. Dead. Being outside of the U.S. and hearing news like this gives you a different, yet strange perspective. It's hard to explain, but you lack the refuge of the understanding of fellow Americans. It's like you don't belong where you are, but I know I don't belong in the States right now either. In between a little bit. I woke up to the news this morning shocked. I have many mixed thoughts and emotions. But one thought seems to consistently come to the front of my mind. Bin Laden's eternity has been determined and this reality brings tears to my eyes when I think about another lost soul won over by our ultimate enemy, Satan.

Did this man hear about the wonderous love of my Christ? Did anyone tell him that the Creator of the world deeply loves him and desires to know him intimately? Did anyone tell him that he can never earn his salvation, and because of this Jesus died for him? Did anyone ever show him this courageous, unconditional love?

His life seemed fairly defined by hate. Hate against many types of people. Hate against different religions. His hate was what fueled the horrific things he did. But what of love? What of the cleansing power of the love I know? Did he even have the chance to really know what that means?

From facebook statuses, tweets, and the news there are strong reactions all around. Applauding of our government for what happened. Joy at the death of man who has been labeled a monster. And a concern of the eternal significance this has. God has granted this victory over this enemy. Do not be confused by that. The Lord has allowed for the U.S. to be used in this victory, but only God is in control of victory over evil. Let us not give praise first to President Obama or to our military. The praise is His alone. The one true God, not whatever god you want to pray to.

Let us also remember that God does not desire that any perish. And Christ came and died for those that hated him. He showed us what it truly meant to have love for our enemies. God raises up leaders and brings them down, but He desires for man to be reconciled to Himself. His word clearly says that He desires for the wicked to turn back to him! Not to perish separated from him. (Ezekiel 18:23)

In this world Osama is dead. But he is facing an eternity right now. Many of you may say, "He deserves what he gets!" I would agree and say, yes, he deserves hell. But I also deserve hell as do you. Have we forgotten that? Eternal damnation and separation from God is all any of us deserves. Oh but the love that HE has! The love that went beyond ourselves to reach out to us.

We are the carriers of this beautiful message. May we share it boldly because there are more and will be more Osama Bin Laden's in this world. Those who we consider our enemies. Those who carry so much hate. But who knows? What if the redeeming love of Christ had been shared with this man? How then would he have used his power and influence for the Gospel? Hate is an easy reaction to these things and an easy choice. Love, however, demands courage and will cost us everything. The power of this love is worth everything we have.

Walk in courageous love,
Taryn

April Update-Four Stories You Can't Miss!

Houses upon Houses

One thing that has been a constant prayer request at my team’s weekly prayer meetings is that homes would open up for Bible studies and house churches to start. It really is best when the people being taught are hosting these studies at their home. Why? you may ask. Well, for several reasons. After we are gone, if they are already having the meetings at their home they are more likely to continue to meet because they won’t be relying on another place to meet. Also if new believers are opening up their homes, their friends will be more than likely to go and hear God’s word in the house of a good friend than in the house of a stranger.

With that said, we have been praying and praying. There was a family that was a prospect, but after many failed attempts at meeting with them, members of my team decided it was best to leave them alone. If and when they were ready to start a church in their home they could. So after months and months of waiting for homes, homes were finally made available.

At Pablo and Carmen’s weekly Bible study at their home, one woman spoke to Carmen. She told Carmen that she had been thinking about having the Bible study at her home every once and awhile. After this two other people insisted that they have the study at their homes as well! The best thing about this is that Pablo and Carmen hadn’t mentioned them opening up their homes, They decided upon this themselves! Praise God for these homes and please pray that through these Latin Americans, they can tell their friends about Christ.

A House of Peace

Our friend came over again last night to spend the night. We talked a lot and laughed about life. And we talked about serious things. We were even able to get out the Bible and share some truth with this friend and explain why we believe what we believe. What a way to spend Easter evening! Sharing truth and love with a friend who needs it so badly!

After some time this friend repeated the same thing that she has said before, “This house is different. something about it is different.” Brook and I knowingly look at each other and told her it’s because we have peace. Her mind settles on this thought and she agrees like she has before, “Yes, you have peace here. It’s different.”

Praise the Father for this opportunity. If you want to hear about the first time she stayed with us you can read my blog “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to” Pray for this friend to know Christ intimately. She says she knows him, but her life does not reflect this reality. May he shake up her world for forever!

Pray for Me!

Recently I had a great talk with one of my friends. We talked about marriage and what the Bible says about it. And we talked about a tough situation that my friend is going through. After giving her some advice on what would be the best way to handle the situation, I decided to tell her that I would be praying about this situation. You just never know how people will take that comment, but she smiled at me. After a few moments she got worked up again about this situation and exclaimed, “Pray for me!” I was a little stunned to hear this from the girl who is uninterested in church or God. I couldn’t believe it!

I replied back that of course I would and said, “You know I always pray for you, right? I pray for you because you’re my friend.” She smiled and told me how sweet I was. I have these small windows of opportunities and have to take them quickly before they are gone. Pray for this friend to experience God and to know him.

I Heard Your Sound

Some of you may remember my friend that is from outside of Spain and is now living in another country. But not living in her home country. She was talking with Brook a few weeks ago via chat. She told Brook that she was having problems with her phone not working and she went to bed frustrated and not knowing what to do. She said she woke up during the night and could hear “our sound” speaking to her about God and about Christ. So she said she raised her hands in the air and asked God to help her. She said the next morning her phone worked and she contributed it to praying. Go figure huh?

Also she recently recruited us and another worker here, Amy, to pray for her friend who was trying to get a visa to join her husband outside of their home country. So we prayed for this and after her friend got the visa she needed, she wrote all over her webpage that it was because of our prayers. She sees power in our prayers! Pray she knows that it’s only through Christ that our prayers our answered!

Prayer Requests

Legs to heal-specifically my hamstring on my left leg– still discussing these things with the Dr.

For more relationships with Latino students

Praises

Continued therapy for my legs

Continued relationship building

In Him,
Taryn

It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To

You know the oldies song, right? Well you may have not recently received an invite to a party I recently had or even knew that it had happened. I didn't want to invite anyone, really. It was better to bask in my misery alone. A pity party. Ever been to one? They are so easy to have because all you need is yourself to have it.

The past week or more my legs have really, really been bothering me again. Sharp pain is consistent and rolls like waves through my legs. It's finally beautiful outside and Spaniards emerged from hibernation to enjoy the outdoor cafes and enjoy time with friends or family. I have had to force myself to stay inside and rest with my legs elevated while watching the day pass by. My legs have just hurt too much, and I don't want to do anything to hurt them worse. As soon as I think I can do more, walk more, try getting into an exercise routine, they flare up. Not that they've ever completely stopped hurting; the pain has just increased recently.

So I was here in Madrid, Spain in my apartment having one big ole pity party. Since I couldn't go outside, I would do what I could for festivities inside. It mostly included alot of crying, questioning of God, and asking God what in the world he was thinking by allowing me to be in this condition to where I can't be out doing his work. Isn't that why I'm here? Isn't that why I bent over backwards coming to Spain as fast as I could? The reality is I could've stayed at home for a very long time recuperating, but instead I talked everyone, including myself, into allowing me to go on to Spain almost a year ago. What was the purpose in getting worse again? Wasn't I improving? It has felt like 100 steps backwards for me.

So I cried and cried and cried. Harder than I had in awhile. Not that crying over the past year and a half has been unfamiliar to me. I cried over my inability to serve. My lack of faith and anger towards God. How I must not be that great of a follower if I couldn't see the purpose in this situation. I cried over my doubts about whether or not the people I've shared with here will accept the truth. And then I cried some more over figuring out what my next step will be when I go home in October. Quite the party, eh? It was an explosion of any and every thought and emotion. These are things I've been thinking on and praying over for a long time and it all erupted at my pity party.

I even questioned God about what was next. I know what he's calling me to in the future. I know it will cost me and the ones I love everything. Why is he asking this of me? What in the heck in I going to do in the meantime until these things can come to pass? It's a reluctant submission on my part instead of a wholehearted desire to follow. I tell you what... it was some kind of party to be at. Where you just dig deeper and deeper into your sorrows, doubts and worries.

The only person I invited for a little while was my mom. Like what she does so many times, she listened to me. Gave me good advice and encouraged me. So many times she has told me she wishes she could take my place and take my pain. I would never allow or want someone to carry this pain. But even after talking with one of the people I love the most in this world, I couldn't snap out of it.

I'm sure many of you can relate. You can relate to feeling overwhelmed by life. You can't hear the voice of God even though you are crying out, and all you desire is just some sort of acknowledgement from him that he's there and listening. You wonder if the fire you've walked through or are walking through is really refining you or if the fire has left you faithless,embittered, or burned away to nothing. My party slowly came to an end of my asking for forgiveness and reluctantly accepting things as they were. I have to rest my body, and there is nothing more I can do about it for now. I have to continue to set strong boundaries for myself to protect my health. Man, I hate boundaries.

Brook came home later on. And then she called Brook. Our friend that I've talked about before. She called asking if she could stay the night with us. Of course she was invited to. She buzzed our door downstairs and we waited and waited until she finally came up. She apologized saying her boyfriend had called. She lied to him saying she was staying with her aunts. He keeps a pretty tight watch on where she is and who she's with. She confirmed this when I asked her why she had to lie. She then explained that he's just worried about her well being. Doesn't want her with dangerous people. Uh huh, sure. Control and possessiveness.

She initially seemed nervous then finally relaxed saying, "I'm free! It's so nice to not be at my house or at work. That's all I ever do! Home, then work. Sometimes I see my aunts." I could see the desperation. We asked her if she wanted some water and brought her some. There were bubbles on the inside of the glass, and she commented that there was bad luck in our apartment. She thought we needed the evil eye to protect us. I told her no and Brook quickly explained that God was our protector. We don't need an evil eye to ward off bad spirits. She quickly agreed, making me think she wanted to appease us.

Throughout the evening we shared truth with her. We talked about relationships and how they are work. We talked about guys and what it means to see or have love with another person on this earth. We talked about true love. The only love that lasts. God's love. The love of Christ is enough to fill us no matter what is going on in our lives. She listened, but I'm not sure how much sunk in. We watched some youtube videos of people falling at weddings and babies doing funny things. The three of us laughed and laughed because it's hard not to laugh at these absurd videos. She then told us she couldn't remember the last time she laughed like that while asking to watch some of the videos over and over again.

The next day she commented on how she slept wonderfully that night. She couldn't remember a time sleeping so peacefully. Brook told her it was because our apartment was a place of peace. She agreed with Brook. Brook and I, however, didn't sleep very well that night. I prayed alot and prayed for her to feel peace in our midst. Brook said she woke up everytime she heard our friend move around in her sleep. I think she slept well because while she slumbered, Brook and I kept waking up to wage war. A spiritual battle in prayer over our friend. A war was being fought around her and we knew it, but I'm not sure if she did. She's a prisoner to her life decisions right now. We aren't sure how serious she is about getting out of this way of life, but Brook and I pray for her soul and pray that she sees a way out. The best thing might be for her to return to South America with her family, but we don't know the reality of that. Pray for this friend. Pray that Brook and I can continue to be lights to her in the darkness of this world.

So I started and ended my pity party by myself. And later that night the Lord redeemed me by bringing me and Brook someone we could love on and minister to. I may still have pain and still be facing the difficulties of injuries from an accident that I'm not sure why happened. But despite all of that God is still allowing me to be used. Even when I can't leave my apartment he brings someone to me I can share truth with. Please pray for me to keep my chin up, but most importantly ask the Lord to reveal himself to our friend. That she may know true freedom in the blood of Christ.

Walking with a limp, but still going,
Taryn

Vacation Photos

Coast of Israel and Mediterranean from the plane

Dead Sea!

Floating in the Dead Sea

Camel Riding

Jordan River

Other side of Jordan Riever- Israel

Traditional Baptism site of Christ

Baby Camels on the side of the road

Mt Nebo where Moses looked out on the Promised Land

Streets of Jerusalem Old City

Looking out on Mount of Olives

Dome of the Rock

Wailing/Western Wall- men on the left and women on the right

Looking in at those praying at the wall

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Slab where Christ may have been placed (look at above mosaic)

Outside the church

Spices!

Thought to be Golgotha- place of the skull... you see the skull face in the rocks?

Tomb of Christ! He's not there!

Inside the tomb

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

Tienes Un Novio?

I didn't know that my question of "tienes un novio/ do you have a boyfriend?" would bring to light so much that was right under the surface. I'm the girl that will ask you just about anything until I get the red light from you. If you seem open, I do my best to gage how far you'll let me in. It's really because I care about people, and I want to know about your life. I want to tell people about the hope I have and that they too can have it.

Sometimes I don't realize how a simple question will actually be a gateway to deeper things, but this question was. While lowering her voice, she answered my question with a yes. After this I understood what direction we were going. I knew I didn't like the way he tugged on her hair or touched her right before Christmas. That was the last time we saw her before she left for a few months to go to her home country. I knew that the unrest in my spirit when he was around wasn't made up. Or the way in which she seemed nervous or uncomfortable around him wasn't just in my head.

She has come back to the bondage in which she left for only a few months. She's my age. Beautiful girl who desires good things out of life. But he's holding the keys. He pays for everything for her. Clothes. Car. Big apartment. Gives her work. As she explains who her boyfriend is, I try to not let my jaw drop. Not that I'm all that surprised. Brook and I suspected that this man, who is older than her father and her boss, was taking advantage of her. We just didn't know to what extent.

"Are you happy? Content?" I asked. She responded with an "Yes. I have everything I need." As if that fooled me into thinking that she really was happy. She stopped making eye contact with us and stared at herself in the mirror behind us, fixing her hair. Things very much looked together on the outside. She didn't know that I could see right to her heart. It wasn't so much that she was lying to us as she was trying to convince herself that she really was okay with this kind of life. She listed off those same things over and over again, as though she was convincing herself that it was a good justification for being with this man.

Brook and I both tried to share things with her. Explaining that no man can give her peace, true love, and joy. That these things only come from the Lord. She agreed, but I knew that her agreeing was just to appease us so we wouldn't pry anymore. At one point she even teared up but seemingly found a way to dismiss and hide her tears. What worried us even more was that when we shared some things about relationships with her, she asked if ex-boyfriends had hit us before. Red flag.

Needless to say, we are both concerned. We are both treading very carefully, because we don't want this man to know too much about us. But we do want to pour into our friend. We do want her to see a way out of this relationship that's she's been in for 3 years. She's looking for answers and the only one who can give them to her is Christ. Pray for this friend. Pray that she sees a way out of this relationship and isn't overly concerned with the materialistic side of things. Pray for wisdom for Brook and me. That we speak boldly in love to this girl who is in a situation I can't even imagine being in. This world is certainly in need of a Savior. Good thing he has come. Pray that the world hears and responds.

In Him,
Taryn