Sylvia Santoro: LVE IN CONCERT

Margaret and I shared a big comfy chair in the back of the concert as Sylvia mellowed out the crowd with tunes of faith, love, and doubt. Later she spiced things up a bit with a Latin beat that had the 60+ crowd up on its feet and dancing. Many people came from all over town to hear the band and to watch the artist paint simultaneously as together they set quite the inquisitive mood. There is an group of college students here from all over the world doing a mission trip this week and they helped invite people to this free concert at the campus house. It was a lot of fun but as soon as I told Bird that it was 10:30 she said, "I've gotta get out of here and get to bed." Momma is muy tired!

Today was a great day. We had Spanish class in the morning and met the two girls who came to the Bible study for coffee on our break. Then after class at 1:30 we simply took our siesta. We both slept and then woke up just in time for the great concert.

Please pray that through the concert and through the Christian artwork that questions will be asked from the Spaniards in regards to God/Christ/Purpose/or anything else spiritual.

We love you all and pray God's blessing on you as you pray and seek God on behalf of us. Peace.

The Coffee was gross but God provided 10.

This is the picture we posted all over Salamanca to invite students to our Bible study that we held tonight. I was extremely nervous because we posted the flyer at our school and then in two hours someone had taken it down. However, with God in all his providence brought two girls who happend to see the flyer within that time frame and they came (cold turkey) to the group. In total we had 10 people...5 Americans, 1 Brazilian, 1 Dutch girl, and 3 Spaniards. God is amazing, Pablo one of the guys we have been praying for was one of the Spaniards, the other two have become believers through the ministry here on campus.

We went through Ecclesiastes 1 and 2 and it was good. I went way too long (to no suprise of many of you) but they students were very polite and many stayed after to chat and talk more. Many of them said that they would return next Wednesday. The only problem...aside from me going a little long with the game...was that I burned the coffee...it was absolutley gross. Our Dutch girl, Christa, took one sip, got out of her chair and sat it back on the bar.

It seems that Solomon's thought in Ecclesiastes is just the wisdom that many Spaniards need to hear. He is saying that although, wisdom, pleasure, and toil are good for life, they must not be the only desire in life. The students understood clearly that they have a much deeper need in their lives that travel, sex, parties and other stuff will not fill. We were so pleased with what God allowed us to be a part of tonight.

For next week I need to work on my ice-breakers, I've been working with students so long I feel a little out of touch with people my own age. But tonight was a good for me to learn from and next week I think things will go off a little smoother.

Please pray for Pablo and Christa---they are the two who have never made a decision for Christ. What I saw in both of them tonight was a deep understanding that there is more in life that they don't have. Pray for their salvation, pray that God would reveal himself to them in a powerful way.

Please also pray for Margaret and the Baby. She is doing wonderfully and looking beautiful but we certainly would love your prayers.

The Running of the Bulls!

When most of you read this it will be early Monday morning and the 3rd day of the "Running of the Bulls" in Pamplona, Spain will be over. We have decided that those who participate in this wild tradition fall under one of three categories: 1. Drunk 2. Drunk 3. Fearless and a little tipsy. However, here in Salamanca we have our own Bull to Fight and that is the Spanish language itself. We will be in class 4 hours a day for the next two weeks learning as much Spanish as possible. We are thankful to God for the opportunity to Study Spanish in Spain. We are using the course as an opportunity to invite our classmates to a Bible study on Ecclesiastes each Wednesday in July. Margaret asked me why I chose Eccleseastes and not anything else. It is my belief that a such a secular society like Spain (or America for that matter) could use a good reminder that at the end of the Day all but fearing God and keeping his commands is meaningless. And I like how Solomon couches his thoughts throughout the entire book. Pleasure, toil, wisdom, all the things that we chase after are not going to give us ultimate joy only in fearing the Lord and following his Son can give us final fulfillment. Please pray for us as we begin our Bible Study this week and as we begin our course. Thanks for your prayers and encouragment...we really do need it and appreciate it. Peace. Gregg