12/15/2009

Ministry changes

I don´t know if it is for how long I have been aside from the bloggy world, or how busy this season of our my family´s life is, but I am having a hard time getting back into blogging full force.

I have things I have done, a birthday, a hair cut ;).

I have things God is doing. Much teaching I would love to write about to keep it record somewhere.

Lots of photos to share.

But still, never seem to get in here for long enough to do it.

But there is something important that I have to share. There is a huge ministry change that is is about to take place. And I must, and want, share it with all of you.

God is redirecting our ministry and is closing doors for us in Spain.

Do you know with your children. Sometimes, they are frustrating, sometimes they don´t listen, sometimes they even make you angry. But you love them the same right? You don´t want to leave them. You want to love them, you want to share with them, you want to spend time with them, you want to teach them. And you want to see them grow. Don´t you?

That is how I feel with the people in Spain. They are hard hearted. They don´t want to listen. They want to do it their way. But I still love them. I still have a burden for them. I want to see them save, and I want to see them grow. They are my people, and I was once just like them. I wanted to spend my life here telling them about Christ, no matter the cost.

Yeah, sure, I would complain some. But who doesn´t do that with the ones they love the most.

But a few months back, not too many, my husband and I were talking about things we could do, new ministries we could start, different approaches we could take. Excited was building up, there was so much to prepare, so much to plan, so much to do.

While he (my husband) was praying one day, he was begging God to show him of the great things He was going to do. Begging Him to show Him what to do next, what to do first, and making sure His plans were our plans. He was fasting and praying. God took him to Jeremiah, to a chapter where God talks about the people. Talking about how people had turn their ears because they didn´t want to hear, they had turn their hearts into diamond. Hard as it could be. God showed my husband we were done with the work He brought us to do in Granada and that He wasn´t going to start a church with us here (not that He wasn´t going to start a church, just that He wasn´t going to do it with us). We were done here.

Now, I would love to say that we didn´t fight, but we did. We didn´t want to leave, but God´s guiadance is so clear. If we were to stay, we were going to do it alone.

So we prayed. About helping other missionaries in Spain. About starting some other place in Spain. But no was the answer.

So we prayed. About another country, about another kind of ministry. But no was the answer.

So finally my husband felt God clearly telling us to go back. Why? I don´t know, but I know He knows why, and that is all I need to know.

So we are taking a step of faith by leaving everything without knowing what is to come. We have sold everything when we came here, thinking our days were going to end here.

Our thoughts are not His thoughts, and our ways are not our ways. But we trust Him, because He is God.

We have peace, and we have joy knowing we are doing His will.

So, my house is almost empty, we have sold everything :) We are selling our car and this friday will be our last day in Granada. Then, we will head up to Madrid to spend Christmas with my family. And the 29th we will take a flight back to Madison, Alabama, to our home church.

I am adding a link to our ministry web page in case you want to read our prayer letter.

So here it is, what it has been going on with us the last couple of months ;).

Pray for us. My husband will be looking for a secular job.

And yes, I am a little sad because I am leaving Spain, but also so excited because I know this is God´s will. I am so glad He loves me.

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

21 comments:

really.truly said...

Pilar! Thank you for sharing this....I had chills reading it. So many changes (and you know you better post your hair cut-ha!)....but seriously, so many exciting changes. I am inspired by your step of faith, your faith is amazing. I'm so excited to see what is in store for you and your family. I know that these are probably sad days as well....leaving what you thought was your forever home. God's plans are so much greater than ours....praying for a safe journey and easy transition for you all!!

Ingi said...

Praying for you guys! Hope the transition goes well!

Tori Leslie said...

Oh Pilar, I'm so sorry to hear that you are leaving Spain. You know how it is when you're a missionary , it feels like we are all on the same team and we mourn when one of our team mates are traded to another team.
I'm praying for you and praying that God will show you a whole new ministry somewhere.
Trust Him and listen to that still small voice, I'm sure He's not finished using y'all yet.

the Gentry family said...

I am so happy to have you closer to us, and also that God has shown you so clearly His will for you all now! Love y'all and praying for you during this time of change!

Unknown said...

I really don´t have many words to say, Pilar. My heart is so heavy, I can´t even begin to explain it.I feel as if I am loosing a friend but that´s not it. Cause I know we always have FB, our blogs and MSN. LOL

I am glad though to read this and how God has been leading you and Bro. Matthew.

I can´t say that I understand. It is beyond my understanding. But that is how God works sometimes.

We have been praying for you all. May God continue to reveal Himself to you in Great ways.

Big hugs From Northern Spain,
Dani Joy

PS. I ditto what Tori said too.

Alicia The Snowflake said...

Oh my friend, I am so sorry to hear this. We know God's ways are not our ways and yet, sometimes, that is difficult to understand. I will definitely be praying for you and your precious family.

BTW, Madison is about 5 hrs from me. Maybe we can meet some time. I would love that!

Take care my sweet friend.
Know that you are loved...not only by me...but also by your ever present Heavenly Father.

Mich said...

prayers and blessings...

Chris said...

Will keep praying for you... we are changing our lives too... hubby is going to full time ministry come January..

DB said...

I pray that your transition will be smooth. Merry CHRISTmas to you and your family.

And please keep your blog going even if you only have a little time to say hi so we'll know you're ok.

Jill said...

It is scary when God leads in a direction that doesn't always seem to make sense. But if you and Matthew know you're in the center of God's will, then it doesn't matter what others think. We'll be praying for you all. I hope you'll keep blogging because I want to keep in touch. God bless you.

Becka said...

I'M with all of them I dont know what to say ??
I am happy that yall are willing to do his will no matter what it is ,
maybe we can meet someday now ?
love you,
I felt in my heart the past few mths that there was someting going on with you,

christy rose said...

Pilar, I am praying for you and your family in this transition time. I truly believe that God is directing you. The voice of a stranger you will not follow.
Christy

Arlene said...

Wow, such big news! Praise the Lord that you and your family are open and willing to do what the Lord is directing you to do... even if there are some struggles and even if there are those who don't understand or agree with what you are doing, but if the Lord has given you His peace and His guidance (and it looks like He has), then you know you are doing the right thing. I'm looking forward to hearing what the Lord will do next with your family and the ministry He has planned for you. *hugs*

Darcie said...

The beautiful thing is that you are taking steps of faith...and that is all that God ask of you. Baby steps and as you are willing to take those steps of faith God slowly unfolds the bigger picture. There is a reason for everything when it is done with God leading hand. I know it must be bittersweet to leave Spain, but it is so sweet that God will go with you on this new journey of the next chapter of your life.

Darcie said...

The beautiful thing is that you are taking steps of faith...and that is all that God ask of you. Baby steps and as you are willing to take those steps of faith God slowly unfolds the bigger picture. There is a reason for everything when it is done with God leading hand. I know it must be bittersweet to leave Spain, but it is so sweet that God will go with you on this new journey of the next chapter of your life.

Stonefox said...

Pilar, I am just now reading this. All I know is that you must follow God's leading...and I believe now is the time America needs strong voices stepping up for Christ. There is so much ruin there, and so many voices are needed who have had an outside perspective. I hope he finds just the right secular job to be "Jeremiah" to our own people. I will be praying for you guys.

More Than Words said...

Wow!!! That is exciting news, Pilar! I know how hard it is to leave a place that you love!! But, by being obedient to what God has in store for you will be so blessed!! No, His ways are definitely our ways, and He knows what is best for us!!

Carolee's Corner Canary Islands said...

Dear Sister,
May the Lord guide and direct your family, I know it is very difficult to do, and many years ago when we were missionaries in Mexico God lead us to return to the states. It wasn't easy to do, but looking back we could see how God used it in our lives. We never quit serving Him, no matter where we lived, and God used each step that we took to build our lives and direct us--and I know he will do the same with you all.
Praise the Lord for a husband who isn't afraid to seek God with his whole heart and perhaps make some decisions that are hard to understand, but better to obey God and do His will than to serve man. May the Lord bless you and we will pray for your transition.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

So have admiration for you and your family, know it is right to listen to God, he knows best. We will be "neighbors" now sorta :)
kim

Shane and Kristy Davis said...

Praying for you... and so happy that you are following His will for your lives.
BTW... love the hair. It looks cute on you:)
May you all have a Merry Christmas!

Mocha Momma said...

Wow! You must be back in Alabama now. I'm sorry I haven't been here to read your blog, but knowing you are in God's hands all the way I know that all will be well.

He will provide and you will hear from Him and it will be what is best for you all.

Happy New Year,
Nannette