What I've Learned about Missions in Spain:

You, in your experience may have had this figured out long before we did. But we are both a little hard headed at times and it often need to learn things for ourselves. All of my missions experience has been in 3rd world countries. Between Bird and I we have been to Mexico 4 times, Haiti, 5 times, and Jamaica once. It's not that we were ignorant before coming to Spain but I would say that we were not prepared for the differences in missiological strategies. In Haiti, I've heard my brother-in-law, who lives there, say, "You simply cannot tell a Haitian how wonderful Jesus is when they haven't had anything to eat in 2 days." I think he is right.

But the Spaniards don't need food in their bellies and Western Europeans in general are in such a different situation from the Haitians or Mexicans what is there to do? What we were not prepared for in Spain was the overall since that we were not needed. This is the trick I believe that 3rd world missions plays on us. We can get so wrapped up into feeding and building that we never take the time to get to know the people behind the hunger.

For a short term trip to work in Haiti and I know from experience, you feel a great since of accomplishment if you've done XY or Z to help relieve the suffering of the people. I've learned the suffering of the people of Spain is not as obvious a bloated stomach and a leaky roof. These are all needs that the body of Christ need to do their best to meet but they are no the needs of the average Spaniard.

There is nothing in my bank account or in my house in Boston that would provide these people with what they need. At the end of the day missions in Spain about relationships. In Haiti, I could go down the street and invite people to a feeding program and we would be able to be the hands and feet of Christ. In Spain if I go down the street and presume to offer them something they would reject me as an arrogant American Bush-Lover.

So what is the strategy? I have concluded that before we find the strategy we need to really understand the problem: I see the problems as follows:

1. Leadership Development in the Church

2. A viable alternative to Materialism and Secularism

3. An oppressive past not only from the Roman Church but from the Government

With problems like these where do we start? What is the game plan? What can we do?

1. Recognize that Spain needs and is still dependent, right now, on foreign missions.

2. Build long term relationships with churches around the world who speak Spanish and who can provide short term training seminars for churches and young Christians.

3. Live a life that proves dependence upon Christ not Materialism.

4. Live a life crucified to Christ not dabbling back and forth with Secular mindsets and hypocrisy.

5. Recognize that no matter how hard a Spaniard may come off as not needing you....you do have something they need...The Gospel. Rejection is a given in Spain. So we need to be confident in the LORD.

6. Church Planting: Most of the churches that we have visited are strong in some ways and weak in others. Spain needs an explosion of relevant church plants that understand the situation Spain is in and that understands Biblical Ecclesiology (Study of the Church and how it should function).

7. Authentic friendships: Where people in Haiti could be described as hungry, the people in Spain could be described as lonely and hurting. Particularly in the University town of Salamanca.

8. Christian Missionaries who are not arrogant, presuming they have the answer to all the Spaniards problems.

9. Strong Christian Families: The average birth rate in Spain just now is dismal. The government is paying couples to have 2 and 3 kids. Kids born in loving Christian homes will grow to be worshipers of God and will grow to be the leaders of tomorrow.

10. Autonomy from other forms of Christianity. The goal of Spanish Evangelicalism is to be just that...Spanish. Right now the Churches in Spain look very American or very British. The goal must be for Spaniards to take over the leadership of the churches and para-church organizations so they will be reaching their own people.

I hope I haven't board you to death. For us the question is where do we fit in? Over the last 6 weeks we have done our best to present Christ as the JOY of life. We have done our best to build friendships and love people where they are. As far as our long term thoughts about living in Spain...we haven't figured that one out yet.

Love to you all.