Here is the latest Update that we have from Tim and Christi along with some pictures. They normally send an update every Sunday and we will make every effort to post those.
March 21, 2010
Hello everyone,
Long after the sun goes down on Wednesday evenings in Alpedrete, a group of ladies joins together at our church for a weekly Bible study. They kiss their small children goodnight and tuck them into bed, leaving them in the capable hands of their daddies. These ladies brave cold weather, tight schedules, headaches, and general tiredness to come together and study God's Word. Often the table is set with a home made coffee cake or some muffins, along with hot tea for everyone.
Kristi participates in these studies, which are centered around the women of the Bible, and how the women of our church can learn from both their mistakes and their successes. Lea Edgmon leads these weekly sessions and always makes sure an application is made for daily life. Last Wednesday, eight ladies gathered around the table to hear about Rhoda's life. As we saw her joy and her dedication to prayer, it was an example to us all. In fact, one lady shared of a time when her newborn baby was in the hospital in critical condition. Throughout the night and even into the wee morning hours, she received text messages from a fellow believer, reminding her of her prayers. She was touched that someone was praying for her and not "fainting" (Luke
18:1).
Many of you have been that "fellow believer" for us over the years. You have prayed at times when you thought of us, even if it was the middle of the night Spain's time. Maybe you've seen our prayer card tacked on the bulletin board at church and you've taken time to call our names out to God. Or you've read our weekly updates and asked God to bless our upcoming activities or praised Him for the news we've shared of God's provision for a need. Don't stop! Don't "faint"! Who knows which moment we might need you the most?
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
March 14, 2010
Hola everyone!
"God's love goes all over the world, all over the world, all over the world..."
These are the words to a song that's been playing in our house all week. It's from a children's CD that has some really cute songs. In this particular one, it talks about children from different countries that God loves. In fact, it even mentions the children in Spain.
It reminds us of the fact that God's love TRULY does go all over the world. Because of your prayers, the children of Alpedrete can also be included in this song. They now have a church to attend and a place to learn about Jesus. Pray for our church as we minister to an average of twenty children each week with our series of “Run the Race” lessons.
“God’s love goes all over the world....to every boy and girl. From the city on the mountain to the village by the sea, God’s love goes all over the world.”
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana Johnson
P.S. Even though we normally send “GOOD NEWS”, we wanted to take a moment to tell you about some really sad news we received this week. One of our fellow missionaries, Brooke Turnbough, received a call Tuesday night/Wednesday morning that her father, Brian Atwood, passed away suddenly. Matthew and Brooke (and their kids) immediately left for the States to be with their family. Please pray for Brooke and her family during this very difficult time.
March 7, 2010
Hola everyone,
We wanted to take time today to remind you to visit the Free Will Baptist International Missions website. There you can....
...Watch a special message from James Forlines about the financial crisis we are facing as a Mission. (http://www.fwbgo.com/about/crisis.html)
...Log in and create your very own "MyIM" page to get news from specific missionaries who are serving around the world. (http://www.fwbgo.com/)
...Get information about the GO10 Walk for the World, which will begin on April 5, 2010. (http://www.go10walk.com/)
...View the latest Impulse video segments on-line. (http://www.fwbgo.com/impulse/)
...Sign up to receive weekly prayer requests about missionaries all over the world. (http://www.fwbgo.com/pray/hotline.html)
...Make an on-line donation to FWBIM that will not only support missionaries, but will also help plant churches, train national pastors, and spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts. (http://www.fwbgo.com/give/)
Grab a cup of coffee and spend some time browsing the website!
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
Febraury 28, 2010
Hola,
Here we are again on Sunday afternoon. It has been a great day, and we are sitting down at the computer to send you a quick update from Spain. What should we say? Hmm...let's see...What can we write today?
Maybe we should talk about...several conversations that God has allowed us to be a part of this week. Whether it was an older lady of our church who just needed someone to listen or a good friend who shared over coffee about changes going on in her family. We also spent time visiting with someone in the hospital and also with a couple who says they aren't very "religious". Help us pray that each of these conversations will plant seeds of hope in the lives of those around us.
Or maybe it would be best to tell you about...our regular Saturday English Story Hour yesterday. As usual, we had a good crowd. The children listened to a story about "Arthur" and his dog "Pal". During the craft time, they each made a dog out of construction paper. Over the years, God has brought many people through the doors of our Outreach Center for our English activities. We thank God for opportunities like these.
Possibly you'd like to hear about ...the "special music" during the offering at church today. Alejandro and Ana played the offertory. Alejandro played the recorder and Ana played along with Kristi on the piano. They've spent the last week or so practicing and did a GREAT job. We were very proud parents as we watched our children using their talents for the Lord.
Well, since we couldn't decide what to put in our update, we'll just say, "Have a great week!"
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
February 21, 2010
Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny.
(Tagline from "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe")
Not very far from our home in Alpedrete, there is a place covered in snow, much like the one the four children discover when they open the doors of the wardrobe. The trees are laden with beautiful heavy white snow. It looks like a fairy tale. And that's where we took a group from our church on Saturday. Twenty-eight of us bundled up in warm clothes, hats, and boots, and took off for this winter wonderland (see attached photo). The sixteen children from our group took turns hurdling down the mountain on their sleds. Squeals could be heard as they slid down, but it was nothing but giggles that came from them as they landed at the bottom.
Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny.
The story continues as many from the group improvised a lunch together in the home of one of our church members. Everyone filled the table with foods they'd brought together quickly, and a delicious meal was shared. The fellowship around the table was something that couldn't have been planned or expected. The afternoon ended with the ladies sharing a cup of tea while the men played a game of soccer with the children in the backyard.
Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny.
Tim preached a sermon today about open doors (similar to the one in “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”) that lead to opportunities God has given us to minister to others. The beautiful mountain scene and the day spent together with believers was a perfect example of how God is leading our church on a journey through a wonderful adventure and to our ultimate destiny of reaching those around us for Christ.
We hope your adventures this week will be equally as thrilling!
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
Ferbruary 14, 2010
Happy Valentine’s Day!
We hope that all of you have enjoyed this special day filled with conversation hearts, boxes of chocolates, roses, and time with the people you love. Normally holidays like Valentine’s Day aren’t celebrated nearly as much here as they are in the States. But this year, we actually found a small heart-shaped box of chocolates (European chocolates, of course!). We had a special day with homemade cards and some yummy chocolate chip cookies that the kids made for Tim.
Our worship service was special as well. Several of the newer members in our church took on different ministry roles today. One lady will be heading up different children’s activities each month and is planning a trip next Saturday to the nearby mountains to play in the snow. Another man organized our worship time by choosing the music and Scripture and also teaching us a new song. His wife sang with our praise team today for the first time. These small steps are exciting for us as we watch the church grow.
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
February 7, 2010
Hola everyone!
A little over FOUR YEARS AGO...the Alpedrete Team (made up of the Edgmons and Johnsons) found a small storefront building that met their needs for an Outreach Center and future church. They signed a rent contract, got approval from the town hall, and began renovations on what used to be a children's shoe store in the center of town. With the renovations finished, they hung a sign outside and began to welcome their community in for English activities, craft times, and food demonstrations.
FOUR YEARS AGO...a small church was begun in Alpedrete. The eighteen people who met together for the first worship service were excited about the work God was going to do in and through this new fledgling congregation. It was the first time in the town's 500-year history that evangelical believers had a place to worship together.
FOUR YEARS LATER...this same church has grown into a group of believers who fills the small storefront each Sunday. Families with small children sing praise songs together. People share often about how God is working in their lives. Throughout the week, these same believers meet together for prayer, Bible studies, and Christian fellowship. Almost every week there are seekers in the service who have not yet accepted Christ.
FOUR YEARS...were celebrated today in the Alpedrete Church with a special anniversary service. Praise God with us for His faithfulness!
From the FOUR of us,
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
January 31, 2010
Hola everyone,
According to reports we've heard from the States, in many of the churches you attend the services were cancelled today because of the weather. Icy roads and dangerous conditions prohibited you from worshipping in the place that you normally do. You couldn't sit in your regular pew or sing your favorite hymns. Was it a strange feeling for you?
Millions of believers around the world face a similar situation. But there's one difference for them. They don't attend church because there isn't one, or they might be persecuted for attending.
Free Will Baptist International Missions works to plant churches and equip believers among some of the most resistant and least-evangelized peoples of the world. Our role is to facilitate a church plant here in Alpedrete,Spain. This town, whose motto is "Heart of Stone", now has a hurch where believers can come together and worship. Thanks for the role you play in making sure there is a place here where many "hardened hearts" can hear the Gospel each week, as well as in many other places around the world.
We'll write again next week with more GOOD NEWS FROM SPAIN!
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
January 24, 2010
Hola everyone!
This week we had the privilege of starting a Bible study with a new believer here in Alpedrete. During this first lesson, there were some questions to learn more about her conversion. As our time together was ending, the conversation went something like this:
Kristi: Elena, I'd like for you to read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 for next week.
Elena: (with a puzzled face) Okay.
Kristi: Do you know how to find that in the Bible?
Elena. No.
Kristi: Well, here at the front of the Bible, there is a list of all the books and the page number where each one begins. See? First Corinthians starts on page 932.
Elena: (with a smile) Oh! Now I see!
Kristi: Do you have a Bible?
Elena: Not really.
Kristi: Our church would like to give you one.
Elena: Thank you!
Elena’s “thank you” isn’t only for us or even the Alpedrete Church who gave her the Bible. It extends much further. It reaches to all of you who have given, prayed, and encouraged over the years. Thank you for giving Elena a chance to have a Bible that will be a “lamp unto her feet” as she begins this new journey in Christ.
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
January 17, 2010
Hello to everyone,
Last night was a beautiful picture of how God is growing a church in Alpedrete. We hosted a ladies' meeting of our sister FWB churches, with 27 ladies (including two little ladies who came with their mommies). Our theme was "Simply His", and we focused on how simple it can be to share our testimonies with others. Ladies from the Alpedrete Church each shared poster-board testimonies of something God has done in their lives. The rest of the ladies in attendance were then invited to do the same and to share them with everyone. It was not only a blessing to see each testimony, but to see how God brought all of it together. From the desserts they brought to serving as hosts at each table, our ladies were a blessing to watch. It may seem like a simple thing, but it's a big step in the growth of a new church!
Speaking of simple steps, we are thrilled about the people God has brought to simply step into our church recently. One unsaved lady has been attending and mentioned today she plans to continue. Another older man who lives in the apartment building above our church has come several times, saying that he's seen something positive in evangelicals. Pray that their attendance will lead them to a relationship with Jesus.
Thanks for not simply hitting the DELETE button, but for taking time to read our weekly updates and pray for the requests we share.
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
January 10, 2010
Hola everyone!
Last week we wrote about Three Kings' Day here in Spain. We received a special gift the day AFTER...when a light dusting of snow covered our town. Check out the attached photos of the kids with the little snowman they built in the yard outside our apartment building.
Our Christmas holidays will officially come to an end tomorrow morning at 9:00 when the kids go back to school. As a final Christmas get-together on Saturday, Tim played basketball with his regular Monday night group of men. Afterwards, everyone (along with their families) met for lunch at a local pizza restaurant. Imagine how big our table was with over 40 people in our
group. Please help us pray that God will use times on the basketball court and over the table eating pizza to share about Him with our unsaved friends here in Alpedrete.
If you haven't had time yet to go to the Free Will Baptist International Missions website to watch the video about the financial crisis, please take a moment now to do it. (http://fwbgo.com/about/crisis.html) Continue to pray with us that God will work a miracle and provide for our needs as a Mission.
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
January 3, 2010
Hola everyone!
Our service yesterday at the Alpedrete Church began with a fellowship breakfast of traditional cake for Three Kings' Day...roscón. Every morsel was eaten and enjoyed by the 54 people who were at church. We had a packed church, with overflow seating along the side wall. We especially enjoyed having some special guests, George and Mary Johnson (Tim’s parents) who are here visiting for a few days. A sweet ending was when the children sang a special song about the Kings' visit to Jesus and the gifts they brought.
Our day continued with a special lunch with a family we've been building a relationship with here in Alpedrete. We invited them over for turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings. Please help us pray that our time together will lead them to a relationship with the Baby King the children sang about at church.
Speaking of kings, we are excited about the festivities that are still to come this week in Spain. Tuesday evening at the Outreach Center, the kids from “Sing Along” will be playing Christmas carols with the hand bells before the Three Kings’ Parade. Then we’ll set out our shoes to see what treats they bring us on the morning of January 6.
We appreciate your prayers as we try to share about the King of Kings with a pueblo that needs Him desperately to reign in their lives.
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
December 27, 2009
Merry Christmas!
We had a wonderful Christmas week here in Spain. On Tuesday, Alejandro and Ana participated in their school's Christmas program held in the local Cultural Center. They both brought home report cards that made us very proud of their efforts so far this year.
On Wednesday, we celebrated with our mission family. It was neat to have 24 of us gathered together for a traditional American meal. Afterwards, some of us went into Madrid for our annual squid sandwich and outdoor Christmas show at a big department store.
The rest of the week we enjoyed being snuggled in at home with our kids. We finished our "Jesse Tree", watched some Christmas videos, opened presents, played Monopoly, made hot chocolate, and just enjoyed being together for a few non-rushed days.
!Feliz Navidad from our family to yours!
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
December 20, 2009
¡Feliz Navidad!
This has been an exciting day here in Spain! We were able to be a part of two very special Christmas programs.
The first one took place in the Alpedrete Church. Over the last few weeks, we watched as believers took on various aspects of the program, from singing to organizing a skit to designing the scenery. It was a thrill to see local workers in the church serving and also inviting friends and family members to our special program. We could barely fit the 69 people who attended today. They all watched as the preschool children played hand bells, the elementary-aged children created a manger scene, a special skit was presented, a message of the GOOD NEWS was preached, and a mixture of other songs was sung.
The second special Christmas program we attended was at the brand new Villalba Church building. Twenty years after purchasing their land, they finally have a place to worship. As many of you will remember, we worked with this church our first five years in Spain. What a thrill to be a part of this very special service, and see both familiar and new faces working together to share God’s love.
Many of you are probably busy with various Christmas parties, programs, and special events. It’s exciting to know that God’s name is being praised all over the world during this time of the year when we all celebrate Jesus’ birth. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
December 14, 2009
¡Hola!
This afternoon we had a special Open House at the Alpedrete Outreach Center to celebrate our four-year anniversary. The tables were filled with lots of American goodies like decorated cookies, cheese ball and crackers, peanut butter balls, snickerdoodles, gingerbread cookies, and much more. But our hearts were filled even more as we watched families come in who have attended many of our activities over the years. One man asked lots of questions about evangelicals and showed interest in the Bible. Another asked Tim about our church and what we believe and that opened the door for a great conversation which we hope will lead to many more. While cups were brimming with hot spiced apple cider, our excitement was also spilling over to see how God is using the Outreach Center to touch lives here in this small pueblo.
In the attached photo, you can see some of the Christmas goodies mentioned above. We are thankful for the 51 people who were able to sample them tonight. We are also thankful for our team members, Anthony and Lea Edgmon, who are standing with us in the photo, and who also stand with us as we work to plant a church in Alpedrete.
As you taste Christmas treats over the coming weeks, we hope that you will be reminded to pray for those who tasted some tonight and who also got a "taste" of the true meaning of Christmas!
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
Hola everyone!
December 7, 2009
Today our church finished its campaign to make boxes for Operation Christmas Child (Here in Spain, it’s called Operación Niño de la Navidad), and it was exciting to see families bringing in their gifts. The boxes this year from Spain will be going to Algeria, where boys and girls will receive our gifts of love and prayers that they will hear and accept the message of the Gospel.
The Christmas holidays will give us many extra opportunities to be with our unsaved friends from here in Alpedrete. Over spiced apple cider at the Outreach Center or churros for breakfast with a family we've befriended, we ask you to pray that God will give us words to say to minister to their needs and share the love of Christ.
We’ll leave you with a photo of Alejandro giving Ana a beso. We send lots of BESOS to you, too!
Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana
Upcoming Events
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May20
Special Song Service by the Rob Mills Family
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Visit the Rob Mills Family website for more information: http://www.robmillsfamily.com/
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May20
Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday, May 20, 2012
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May27
Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday, May 27, 2012
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Jun 3
Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday, Jun 3, 2012
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Jun 9
Game Night
Saturday, Jun 9, 2012
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