More and More Being Called

By Jill in Spain -

This year's National Staff Conference for Agape Spain, Llamados (Called) 2013, 
was held April 19-21 in Platja d'Aro, Spain. 


An American couple living in Argentina, Tim and Annette Gulick, designed the talks and the small group activities which made up the bulk of the conference content. They challenged us to reflect on the reality of the world we live in, the gifts and talents that each one of us possesses and the material resources that we've been given to help those in need. 





The Gulicks, along with National Director Edi Souto, reminded us that we live in a broken world in which we have experienced 4 aspects of broken relationship: with God, with others, with ourselves, and with the environment. The message of hope highlighted God's plan....a path to reconciliation and healing of these broken relationships.





The gathering was also a great opportunity to see many of the new staff 
that have joined Agape since January: 

Mía Gutierrez (pictured below right) is one of our newest staff members with GAiN (Global Aid Network) in the Barcelona area.



Dan Fernández (left) is new staff with Athletes in Action, heading to Málaga next month.

Jessie Starrenburg (left), an Athletes in Action intern from Holland, and David Reina (center), new staff member with Athletes in Action, both working in the Barcelona area, greet us at the door.


This weekend was also a great chance for Ruben and Aaron and me to spend time together as a family.  



On Saturday night all three of us had the privilege of dining with Benji and Lidia Galvez, (pictured below). We found common ground on several fronts as Ruben and Benji share the same degree in electronics; Lidia and I have known each other for several years as her parents are long-time staff members; and even Aaron enjoyed a special connection with Lidia as she admired his coloring skills during our conversation. 

Benji and Lidia are a young Spanish couple who will be joining our staff in June. They will be interning in Minneapolis, MN next year with Here´s Life Inner City, the compassionate urban ministry of Cru. It was a chance to get to know each other better and to answer questions and calm nerves about their visa interview at the American Embassy in May.



Once again, thank you for your prayers and support in helping us take the gospel to people all across Spain. Please pray that God would continue to build new relationships, especially for these new staff and open doors for His gospel wherever they go to bring many more into His kingdom.




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