Small Steps. Big Faith.

It was a beautiful sunny day for my drive into Barcelona today for our monthly staff gathering. Today, our time was facilitated by Jessie Starrenburg, a Dutch staff member with Athletes in Action and Marc Fuentes, a Spanish staff member who works with Agape Europe to encourage Agape Staff to work together to reach the big cities for Christ. The Ágape staff in each city represent various ministries and don't usually work together on a daily basis because our audiences / our roles are distinct. However, this independence from one another can create silos, where each ministry works on its own projects, never consulting the other, never truly leveraging the power that comes from working together, synergy. (This can also apply in collaborating-or not-with churches and other ministries.) So, today, we talked about HABITS . After watching this video, webegan to look at 4 habits that we as a city network can develop together: Prayer, Planning, Communication and Celebration. Pl...

Today, as on many days, has been an opportunity put my artistic side to use for God's Kingdom. Let me explain... Over the last 3 years, I have discovered that visual design is something that I really enjoy. Although I never studied it as a career, it is definitely an interest that I have been able to put to use for the Lord through printed pieces, power point presentations and online web pages. Three years ago, we discovered through feedback from our staff that the majority didn't know or understand what LDHR had to offer them. So, based on a suggestion, with help from our IT specialist, Lidia Toledo, I created an internal web page (above) with information and helpful resources that our staff coule access at any time. It has received positive feedback and has served to improve our communication with our staff and to better equip our staff on the field for ministry. Today I put the finishing touches on a draft presentation (left) about this year's Intern Progr...

At the end of next week, our LDHR team will host our latest New Staff Training (NST) weekend. (Click here  to hear a short summary of last year's NST.) This February, we have more new staff than ever before: 7: 3 men and 4 women. This may not sound like a lot, but it's almost double what we had at this time last year. As anyone will tell you, starting off on the right foot in relationships can make all the difference, and it's no different in relationships with one's employees. The purpose of NST is to orient the new staff member, highlighting our mission and our values and showing how those play out in our policies. In addition, this time together is a bonding time for employers and employees. Our LDHR team represents the employer and our heart toward our new staff is to know them more,  value them greatly and to equip them well. So, next Thursday, February 13, I will take the  AVE , or  Alta Velocidad Española, which  translates to "Spanish High...

Now that we have recuperated from all the festivities and banquets during the Christmas holidays, Ruben's sister, Eva, thought it was about time to get together again. She graciously hosted us at her home in the mountains on Sunday afternoon. Eva is a great cook! And tries out new recipes each time we come! As you may know, in Spain, lunch is the big meal of the day, not dinner. Any Sunday lunch with family in Spain is like Thanksgiving in the U.S. in that it is an all-day affair. There's the appetizers and then the first plate and then the second plate and then dessert! And then....the " sobremesa ." Simply put, sobremesa is the time spent at the table talking, after you have finished your meal. It is a great time to tell and re-tell funny stories from past gatherings and also to get caught up on each others' lives: work situation, health updates, school achievements, etc. Aaron always likes getting together with all the family because he enjoys playing ch...

Energy, joy and wise living. These are three words I would use to describe Elena Lobo, Ágape's intern during the 2019-20 school year. Elena is from Seville and I met her for the first time last spring when I interviewed her by skype.  Even at hundreds of miles away, her vibrance and strong commitment to the Lord were evident. After acceptance she came to Barcelona for a couple of days for our Intern Orientation, (above, far left). Since October, Elena has been working with the agape+ (pronounced AH-ga-pay Mas) team in Barcelona where she is getting college credit for her major in Psychology and learning to serve the Lord through social justice projects. Elena is pictured, left, leading a discussion to raise awareness with high school students about social justice. As the coordinator for the Intern Program, I met with Elena this week to hear about her experiences so far and to learn how we can keep improving this special year of learning for other interns who come in the ...

In the last year, Gema Álvarez, our LDHR Director, has also joined Ágape's National Leadership Team (NLT) along with 2 other women and one additional man. The choice to include women on this team brings a new dimension to what was once a male-only group. Gema is gifted in public speaking and inspiring others to consider how God wants to use them in the Great Commission. She also brings an element of wisdom and discernment in addition to years of experience as she leads the staff application process. We are different from one another and I have no doubt that the Lord brought us together on purpose to sharpen one another. God has definitely used Gema to hone my character and to sharpen me into a more effective servant for Him. This week during our LDHR meeting, we discussed important details that should be included in a job description for every National Minstry Director. One important, over-arching theme that Gema and Rex have been pushing for over the last few years is th...

This morning I had breakfast with Athletes in Action staff member, Jessie Starrenburg, pictured here with fellow staff member, Marian Bootello. What a treat it was to get to know her better. Jessie is from Holland but has made her life here as a missionary with Athletes in Action, Agape's sports ministry. She is married to a fellow soccer player, David, who is from Peru. Jessie truly lives as one who has been sent by God to the athletes in Barcelona. In fact, the term " missional " means to strive to be an agent, a representative of the kingdom of God.  In addition to coordinating various evangelistic sporting events throughout the year, she has been playing on a Spanish women's soccer club team for the last 3 seasons. Her objective: to develop sincere friendships and to be a light for Christ on her team. While the atmosphere is mostly superficial, she has had the opportunity to delve into deeper, more significant topics with a couple of the women on her te...