Finding a place to "nest" in Madrid!

Nolen and I love Madrid! The subway, train and bus systems make it great to get around, even though we do not at this point have a car! The historic center of the city is incredibly ornate and beautiful. Our colleagues who also work in Madrid sharing Christ and starting churches are wonderful folks and have hosted us well. Here is the prayer request! We need to find an apartment - as I say, a place for me to make a nest. Even as I write these words, I remember that Jesus said of himself, "the Son of Man has no place to lay his head". Please pray with me that Christ who knows my needs will help me find the right place for me to make a home here in Madrid. May I be satisfied with His providence in this! We have been hunting for several days now for an apartment and the search has been frustrating. Apartments here are very small. You just don't put much "stuff" in them! Please pray with us as I trust the Lord to provide a place for our "nest". And if some of that "stuff" won't fit, well, I truly know that I am promised His strength for whatever is necessary as I follow Him! Hugs and thanks for praying.

Cliftons here/Another new unit coming/Pachalians need visas/ Etc.!

PRAISES AND REQUESTS: The Cliftons have arrived and are getting started well! We've just received news that another couple is to be appointed soon for Amsterdam! These are 2 great praises! Pablo and Carmen Pachalian are in a visa delay and we need them here as soon as possible. Please pray that the Lord will open the door for them to get here SOON!

Clifton's arriving in Madrid!

Tomorrow morning Gary, Julie and Matthew Clifton will arrive in Madrid. That will give us 2 units here out of our initial 8. Please pray for their flight tonight (Sunday night) and for a great beginning in Madrid.

Boarding now for Madrid! Weds 7:30pmEST

Please pray for us as the time is finally here for us to be able to "get to work" following the call God has given us. We thank you all for your prayers. We will be in Madrid EARLY tomorrow morning, Thursday Sept. 17. Finding an apartment to rent is one of the first things on the schedule. We will stay in a furnished apartment until we find our own place. We are not planning to have a car in Madrid, but we will have one while we are hunting an apartment. It is hard to believe we are finally going! Will write more from Spain!

Pablo and Carmen -training finished almost!

Please pray for Pablo and Carmen as they finish several weeks of training in preparation for going to Madrid. Pray that their visa is granted soon so that they can join us in Spain by mid October. Thank the Lord for their enthusiasm and passion for the task God has called them to!

Spikes Visa Update - The Roller Coaster Begins

Jim and Lori Spikes began their visa process in New Orleans. It seemed to be going well, but now that Spanish Consulate has closed and transferred all processes to Houston. New Orleans sent a request to Houston asking that the visa be handled in an expeditious manner.

The best case scenario is that the Houston Consulate likes and respects the personnel of the New Orleans Consulate and will be willing to receive and process this paper work using the criteria of the New Orleans consulate and accepting their validations along with the money order that accompanies it. Hopefully, in this case, the fees are the same and the criteria are similar enough to allow the process to continue. In this case, there will be a need to travel to Houston if and when the visa is approved.

Pray for this and visas of all our team members.

Prayer Request: Visas for Julie and Gary on Sept. 14

Long story! Gary has a visa. Julie and their son Matthew now have visas, but the family must go to Ecuador to pick them up. (They are currently in the US.) So, Gary, Julie and Matthew will go to Ecuador to pick up the visas on September 14. Please pray that they will be able to get their visa at the consulate on that day! Also - please pray that they will then be able to get airline tickets quickly to get to Madrid.

Pray for the Americas Affinity Group Leadership Team in LIMA!!

Please do ask God to lead us in crucial strategy decisions which are being made. May God receive all the glory and honor in the outcome of this meeting. Our meeting continues until September 13. Pray especially for Terry Lassiter, our Affinity Group Leader, for South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Check the column on the right for new info on our colleagues! Again, thanks for praying for visas and travel! Have a great week!!

Pray for Leaders in Lima

Nolen and I are on the way to Lima, Peru, for a meeting of all our Americas cluster leaders. We'll be inspired, informed, warmed by great fellowship, and strengthened by prayer for two weeks. Please pray for safe travel for all and for God to guide us and bless our time together in every way. May great things come from this time together. Thank you for praying.