January 29, 2010
Dear partners in ministry,
Again, we want to tell you how grateful we are for your prayers and support of the ministry here in Spain. This begins our 12th year in the work here and many things have happened in that time. You have been instrumental in what God has done here in the lives of young people. In early January we had one of our former graduates here for a visit. He is now teaching at an international school in Nairobi, Kenya. I asked him to share in one of our secondary chapels and he did a great job challenging our current students to think of where they are now in life and how God might use them. He has been disturbed by the injustice and inequality very evident in Africa. So, though he went with a plan to make a difference, he is convinced that any real difference that is made must be accompanied by a change of heart. God is the one that changes hearts and we must be dependent upon Him for any real change that we hope to have on the people around us. |
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On a related note, we have been very impacted by the disaster in Haiti and the global response to the need there. I, Paul, lived in Haiti for 4 years as a young boy and have many memories of life and ministry there. So we are not only praying for the people there and the great physical needs, but for the true change that can only be accomplished by God's Spirit ministering to the hearts of Haitians through people who love Him above all. Many might ask, “Where is God in all this?” The only response we have is the one that is obvious: He lives in us. So we have celebrated the response of many who are being God's hands and feet in this situation.
Please continue to pray for our witness in the town of Camarma. Silas is enjoying school and we have developed a good relationship with his teacher, Cecilia. Also we are working to get to know some of the other parents from his class. Please pray for the upcoming student ministry trip to Croatia at the end of March. Please pray for effective and meaningful interaction with our students in this second semester at ECA. Please pray for 2 upcoming EJE (Spanish Youth Ministry) events - one in February and one in April. Please pray for our senior class as they face important decisions this year.
At this point, we are planning a 6-month home ministry assignment for the spring and summer of 2011. Please let us know if you are interested in having us in your home or your church. We will be contacting many of you during the next year as we begin to arrange our schedule for that time. We will probably be based in Florida, close to Paul's parents, and take 2 or 3 extended trips to different parts of the country to reconnect with people and share the vision of what God is doing with young people in Spain.
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We have worked to update our contact list but have found that several addresses are out of date. Please take a moment to update your contact info to help us keep in touch with you better. If you received our last E-mail update, please use your personalized link at the bottom of that E-mail.
Please continue to pray for us and with us for the great needs we are seeing around the world. God is at work, and that work is primarily accomplished through His people. Thank you for being God's hands and feet to us and the youth of Spain.
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In the Journey of Joy
Paul, Ellie, Silas & Timothy Madsen
Serving in Spain
with RCE International
Note:
Please remember that all ministry gifts should be payable to "RCE International" and designated to account #13903. Please use a new commitment card with your first gift. If you would prefer to set up automatic donations (Electronic Funds Transfer), please download the form here.