Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
We are having a lovely spring time here in our part of the world. Leaves are budding and flowers are blossoming and the temperature is just where I like it—not too cold and not too hot. If you ever want to come for a visit you should think about coming at this time of the year!
The Phillips’ Family
We are doing well as a family. I (Steve) have been struggling with some kind of flu bug or something, but I am now much better. It takes being uncomfortably sick once in a while in order to really appreciate the gift of health.
Naíme and I are enjoying the children more than ever. Because they are so close in age there was a time when parenting seemed more like drudgery than enjoyment. Endless diaper-changing, double strollers that didn’t fit in elevators—and as they say in Spanish “a long etc.” were some of the factors that tempted us to keep our eyes more on the challenges of parenting than on the rewards. Now that they can talk, reason, barter and try to be humorous we find ourselves laughing at least as much as sighing, and thanking God more than complaining.
As most of you know, our children attend the local public school. It is only about a two-minute walk from our house which is quite nice. At our school they have a “split” schedule meaning that the children go to school from 9:00 to 1:00, have a two hour break, and go back at 3:00 and finish and 5:00. Most children just stay at school during the midday break and pay for a school-provided lunch. Living so close to the school makes it very easy to pick our children up and spend those 2 hours at home. This has turned out to be a special time for us as a family. I (Stephen) try to take this time off to be with the children and this is when we have family devotions and do quite a bit of reading.
My wife has been staying busy as always. She is now our Sunday school coordinator at church. Needless to say I make it a top priority in ministry to meet with my Sunday school coordinator now J. It is really great to see how the Lord has prospered her in a ministry that she began more out moral obligation than out of a conviction that she would do a good job, and least of all that she would enjoy it. Apart from coordinating the ministry, she helps teach our adolescents a long with a few other great teachers. We thank the Lord that this ministry is going well.
The Life of the Body
I am thankful to be able to share with you that the church is showing signs of a renewed vitality. We have gone through some painful and discouraging times as a body. But it is becoming evident that the Lord is beginning to turn our lament into encouragement, and we are seeing a renewal of expectation on the part of most folks that God has good things in store for us as a church.
In particular, I have been very encouraged to see a growing number of people seeking to be active in different ministries. I could list many examples of this, but perhaps 2 might suffice. Rubén Isern is a young husband and father who puts in long days in order to support his family. Rubén, in the midst of his busyness, will be helping start a new home fellowship group to encourage other young married couples in our church. It looks like it might be very well attended. Claudia Fernández is a young, single girl from Uruguay. She did a spiritual “rumplestilskin” and came back to the Lord after many years of rebellion. Claudia has been a huge help in our Sunday school ministry and also coordinates a ministry geared toward praying for the persecuted church. These are just two of many examples of people that are joyfully serving the Lord.
Our Second Gospel Concert
On the 31st of March we organized a second Gospel concert here in a public theater. There were probably around 300 people in attendance if not more. We invited a group of singers from a coral in Barcelona to come and sing as well as a young Christian singer and songwriter. I should say that many Spaniards have a special appreciation for black spirituals and are familiar with songs like “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”, “Happy Day”, “Standing in the Need of Prayer”, etc. So when we hold these concerts it is only natural for the singers to introduce the songs by explaining gospel themes. We praise the Lord for the good turn out and the clear way that the singers were able to share the Gospel in between songs.
Once again we want to thank you all for your faithful prayers and support!
Steve Phillips
We are having a lovely spring time here in our part of the world. Leaves are budding and flowers are blossoming and the temperature is just where I like it—not too cold and not too hot. If you ever want to come for a visit you should think about coming at this time of the year!
The Phillips’ Family
We are doing well as a family. I (Steve) have been struggling with some kind of flu bug or something, but I am now much better. It takes being uncomfortably sick once in a while in order to really appreciate the gift of health.
Naíme and I are enjoying the children more than ever. Because they are so close in age there was a time when parenting seemed more like drudgery than enjoyment. Endless diaper-changing, double strollers that didn’t fit in elevators—and as they say in Spanish “a long etc.” were some of the factors that tempted us to keep our eyes more on the challenges of parenting than on the rewards. Now that they can talk, reason, barter and try to be humorous we find ourselves laughing at least as much as sighing, and thanking God more than complaining.
As most of you know, our children attend the local public school. It is only about a two-minute walk from our house which is quite nice. At our school they have a “split” schedule meaning that the children go to school from 9:00 to 1:00, have a two hour break, and go back at 3:00 and finish and 5:00. Most children just stay at school during the midday break and pay for a school-provided lunch. Living so close to the school makes it very easy to pick our children up and spend those 2 hours at home. This has turned out to be a special time for us as a family. I (Stephen) try to take this time off to be with the children and this is when we have family devotions and do quite a bit of reading.
My wife has been staying busy as always. She is now our Sunday school coordinator at church. Needless to say I make it a top priority in ministry to meet with my Sunday school coordinator now J. It is really great to see how the Lord has prospered her in a ministry that she began more out moral obligation than out of a conviction that she would do a good job, and least of all that she would enjoy it. Apart from coordinating the ministry, she helps teach our adolescents a long with a few other great teachers. We thank the Lord that this ministry is going well.
The Life of the Body
I am thankful to be able to share with you that the church is showing signs of a renewed vitality. We have gone through some painful and discouraging times as a body. But it is becoming evident that the Lord is beginning to turn our lament into encouragement, and we are seeing a renewal of expectation on the part of most folks that God has good things in store for us as a church.
In particular, I have been very encouraged to see a growing number of people seeking to be active in different ministries. I could list many examples of this, but perhaps 2 might suffice. Rubén Isern is a young husband and father who puts in long days in order to support his family. Rubén, in the midst of his busyness, will be helping start a new home fellowship group to encourage other young married couples in our church. It looks like it might be very well attended. Claudia Fernández is a young, single girl from Uruguay. She did a spiritual “rumplestilskin” and came back to the Lord after many years of rebellion. Claudia has been a huge help in our Sunday school ministry and also coordinates a ministry geared toward praying for the persecuted church. These are just two of many examples of people that are joyfully serving the Lord.
Our Second Gospel Concert
On the 31st of March we organized a second Gospel concert here in a public theater. There were probably around 300 people in attendance if not more. We invited a group of singers from a coral in Barcelona to come and sing as well as a young Christian singer and songwriter. I should say that many Spaniards have a special appreciation for black spirituals and are familiar with songs like “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”, “Happy Day”, “Standing in the Need of Prayer”, etc. So when we hold these concerts it is only natural for the singers to introduce the songs by explaining gospel themes. We praise the Lord for the good turn out and the clear way that the singers were able to share the Gospel in between songs.
Once again we want to thank you all for your faithful prayers and support!
Steve Phillips
