Travels and Triumphs June 2014

Arriving in New York City after so many years on foreign soil impacted all of us greatly! 

We are truly blessed! 

Please click on the letter to read about our travels and triumphs! 

We are overflowing with blessings.

January Update

2014.  The New Year has started off slow but very restful.  Since Danielle was scheduled to have a minor leg surgery during the holidays, we did not schedule many activities or outings.  The operation was flawless and her recuperation has actually been faster than expected, though still too slow for Danielle!  We are thankful for your prayers for her during that time.   click HERE to print a pdf copy of our January update.

A Big Day, a Big Step

Much work and preparation went into our Friend Day.

We made 7 pies. 

Is this you some days?

God Fights Our Battles

I´ll just say not continuing our ministry and the thought of leaving Spain is never our first choice. This was the first time it seemed like it was getting to where we would be left with no choice and that God was really closing doors here. We just wanted to be willing to do or go wherever the Lord would lead. Involvement with a ministry in Mexico was even suggested to us by Athletes In Action. We are happy to know that for the moment we are not going anywhere nor changing anything, thanks to what the Lord has already been doing.

God is fighting our battles, answering prayers, and showing us He wants us to continue what we´re doing and for that we are relieved and encouraged. Listed are some recent answers to prayer and positive news.

Andrew´s Update.

We are so thankful for the quick response to our prayer request for our dental needs.  We received a lot of advice and financial help - $2500 up to this point.  Along with our dental plan, we have the total costs nearly provided for!

Andrew begins the process of straightening his teeth and trying to save the eye tooth that is embedded in his gum, killing his front two teeth. 

The orthodontist says that everything has a solution, but Andrew´s case is only 3 out of over 8,000 patients that he has seen like this. 

It will be a long road ahead of him, but thankfully he is taking it in stride as he does everything. He is our trooper. 

First Be Strong Event Update

Hello from Gijón, SPAIN, 

We appreciate all your prayers and encouragement as last Sunday evening, September 30^th, we gave the first of six BE STRONG spiritual-related presentations which will be given over the next six months.  We will then repeat them creating a continuous cycle, making adjustments as needed.  I´ll explain the program.

As mentioned in our email last week, we have had about 200 people, mostly college and career age, involved with BE STRONG throughout the past year.  Some came for only a week, some have been with us for more than a year.  The majority came to weight train for tackle football, and English classes.  As we work one on one with these young people, we have been able to discuss the Gospel and numerous Bible issues with many of them.

We prepared this first evangelistic session for them and the theme was:  “Spiritual Life - People don´t need religion, nor psychotherapy.”  As spiritually dead beings, we need to be given life through Christ (Ephesians 2:1-9).  Many were positive and said they would come, so we literally prepared for at least 50 visitors. 

August 2012 Update

August 2012 news from 

THE CONTRERAS FAMILY

BAPTIST CHURCH PLANTING MISSIONARIES IN GIJON, SPAIN

Hello once again from Gijón, Spain.  As missionaries, we enjoy so many undeserved blessings and provisions of all kinds.  “Thy right hand upholdeth me” says Psalm 63:8, and God continuously proves this true through our supporting churches and their pastors.  Among the many pastors God put in our lives is Pastor Dan Holland.  Pastor Holland went home to be with the Lord on August 14^th.  While pastoring Community Baptist Church of Stuart, FL, home church to Danielle´s family and supporting church for over a decade, Bro. Holland was a mentor during very important moments in our lives:  when I asked Danielle to be my wife, when we finished missionary deputation, packed, and left for the field of Spain, and every time we have been back on furlough and returned to Spain.  At the start of this Summer, he encouraged us with this note: 

        “The challenge for you is to "not get weary in well doing for you will reap if you faint not".  You redirected your ministry last year and it is almost like starting over again.  I believe in you and I know God has directed you to move in a new direction and there will be fruit.”