In March we will be starting English classes for young people in Colmenar Viejo. Immediately after the classes we will have a short Bible study. We will be distributing a two-sided flyer inviting them to the English classes as well as the Bible study. There are five high-schools in Colmenar with over two thousand students enrolled. We will be hitting every one of them with invitations next week.
I am nervous and excited as I prepare for this. Many thoughts cross my mind. What if nobody shows up? Will the church get discouraged? How will I help them believe that God is still working in Spain? Will I get discouraged? What if several young people do show up and stay for the bible study? Will they think I’m boring and never return? Will they disagree with everything I say? Will I have the answers to their questions? Will they have any questions?
Why am I sharing this with you? So that you can better pray for us. So that you can understand the challenges we face. So that you can rejoice with us in the victories and defeats knowing that God is ultimately in control. You see, I have an impossible dream. In my dream I see young people from Spain loving and serving God. I see pastors, missionaries, Sunday School teachers and music leaders in their teens and twenties. I see young people staying up all night studying the bible and praying for the souls of their fellow Spaniards instead of partying and doing drugs. The only problem with my dream is that it’s impossible.
I can’t offer them entertainment. Hollywood and their friends do a better job. I can’t offer them money. Serving Jesus isn’t going to fill their pockets with cash. I can’t offer them power and prestige. If they follow Christ they will be weirdos and outcasts. All I have to offer them is the gospel, which according to 1 Corinthians 1:18 is foolishness to them. As I said, it’s impossible. Even Jesus said so, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24)
The disciples’ reaction is logical, “When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?” Then came the divine answer, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Please pray for this new project. I’m thankful to be serving in Spain. Very few people believe that the work can be done here. That can only mean one thing: God will get the glory for everything that takes place because only God can accomplish the impossible.
