Why We Work

Extremadura has about a million inhabitants in over 300 towns. There are about 20 (non-Gypsy) Evangelical churches and about the same number (with greater membership) of Gypsy churches. Almost all the pastors of these 40 smallish churches are self-supporting. That is, except where there are missionary pastors, which comprise maybe 15% of the pastors.

We are known in our town as those Canadians who are trying to start a sustainable agricultural project and who talk about Jesus. Sharon and I are also known as English teachers and in some high schools I'm known as the guy who gives talks on sustainability. We don't use herbicide in our olive and fig orchards, for example.

Never have we had as many good friends among the unchurched as we do now. We invite people over and they invite us, and they share their struggles and goals. We accept the fact that their antagonism toward Christianity has built up over the years, (besides all of Spain's history, such as the Inquisition) and it will be a process for them to find their way to God. They need to see us as ordinary folks who deal with some of the same things that they deal with. For instance the drop in the price of figs this year. They also know that we have people in, that need help (See the 12 who have been with us). So that is Why We Work (our very own WWW. Gathering figs this morning, a job that I do mainly on my knees, gives me a chance to sing, along with co-workers Pedro and Leo, and also to review people's prayer needs. Sharon was cutting off suckers in the olive orchard. Join us in prayer that the gospel will spread, and that people's lives will be rescued and not wasted like when the fruit is not harvested.

Parenthesis

Besides the couple who is living with us, there is one other couple who would like to come and be part of the ministry here. They are being discipled by their pastor couple, good friends of ours in Madrid.

I have told these four that we should consider this a parenthetical period until we see whether we have people with a firm commitment and sufficient stability and ability to make the agricultural project work.

We thank God for three people who want to be baptized on Sunday August 28. We are especially praying for  protection for them, as they come from difficult backgrounds. Helping them to reach this place has been largely a responsibility of Sharon, who has made regular visits to the town where they live.