Is there anything more?

To go to the ends of the Earth...this was the call we answered 15 years ago when we went to Spain in February of 2000, . We knew that Spain would be our home for the rest of our lives. After all, it has been called the "the graveyard for missionaries". The adventure and the fields white for the harvest were before us! We were finally fulfilling the great commission. There wasn't anything more on the list.

We still have a great burden for Spain, but this past year God closed the door for us to return to our home of 14 years. It has become clear through many different circumstances and time, that there is definitely something more ahead for us. We thought that we would settle in, get jobs and serve in our local church, but that isn't the only something "more" God had in store.

God has continued to show us glimpses of that "more" for our lives. Gradually, through the healing of reverse culture shock and all the transition, we have become more burdened for our home country! We have seen how secularism and materialism is just as prevalent here in our so called Christian nation as it was in Spain. Oh how it saddened us to find areas in our home states without gospel preaching churches!

It is our desire to continue planting churches and working with the Spanish speaking communities. Using our vision of Be Strong Evangelism Ministries, we will continue to help reach people for Christ through teaching English, sports, music and Bible studies.

As we begin the application process with Baptist Church Planters mission board, whose main goal is planting churches across America, we continue to serve in our home church, Starkey Road Baptist Church playing music, teaching, and preaching wherever needed in the Spanish ministry as well as in the youth group and young adults group. There is more ministry ahead!

There is "more" for you as well! Maybe God is calling you to pack up your house and move to the ends of the Earth, or  maybe, you too can help start and grow churches across America. Maybe He is calling you to stay and give your "more" to help those who are in need.

We need your "MORE". We still have all of our things in storage, as well as other ministry expenses there in Spain. Our needs keep growing here in the USA, with our boy's braces, schooling and everyday living.  We are finding it impossible to send funds over to Spain.  In order for us to move on, we must ship all of our belongings home and close all of our accounts. We pray to use a door to door shipping company.

Would you pray about giving toward bringing our family's belongings home?

This is a link to give online HERE (tax deductable through our clearinghouse)

or by Paypal (directly)

Remember, whether to the ends of the Earth, or here at home, there is always "MORE" to missions!

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.

Furlough, Ordination, and Travel Needs

                                                                          

“For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord” (1 Thess. 1:8).  

This is certainly true in regards to your missions giving for our work in Gijón, Spain.  Thank you for faithfully praying for us and giving so that the Gospel could sound out to many people who need the Lord in this city.  The 26^th of this month we will arrive in the States to begin giving a personal report of the work, raising lacking support, and recruiting more missionaries.  We will be on the East coast this year and be out West after the New Year.

Preparations for furlough are going well.  Our plane tickets were purchased a couple of months ago, housing for our arrival in NY city is settled, and our need for a van has been supplied.  Our video is finished (after 4 tries), but we still need to print prayer cards / brochures, and prepare a simple display.  If you would like to give a special gift for this material, and also for initial furlough travel (in the month of June alone we will be in upstate NY, MN, and FL), please send it to CMC designated “Contreras furlough”.

Last month, we sent a special request for help to get caught up with Andrew´s orthodontist bill.  A number of you responded and the Lord provided through you $620 which we were able to pay this week.  Thank you so much!  If you would like to continue giving toward this need (he has one more year which will continue in the USA) please do so sending a designated gift to CMC.

We are finishing packing, putting things in storage, we finished our last English classes, and the Gijón Mariners Jr tackle football team, for whom Joseph was the strength coach, finished their season.  When we first moved to Asturias, we were told that Asturianos are friends for life.  We are motivated to come back after furlough to our friends, these young people and their families, to continue sounding out the Word of the Lord to them.  The believers who remain with us in Iglesia Bautista Libertad (Liberty Baptist Church) are older, grounded believers from Christian homes, and will be strong as they meet in homes for Bible study and prayer.  Please keep them in your prayers.

On the 18^th of May Joseph celebrates 15 years since being ordained to the ministry by Sun Valley Baptist Church of El Paso, TX.  The charge preached by Pastor Carl Chitwood of Westside Baptist Temple of El Paso, TX is as clear to Joseph now as it was when it was first preached:  to always keep the family above the ministry.  This is always a guide as we make decisions for our lives and ministry and God is good and blesses.  As a married couple we continue deeply in love with each other as we serve the Lord together, and we are so thankful for our three boys who are the greatest fruit of our ministry, who love the Lord and have a heart for what God has called us to do here as a family.

Pray for travel safety.  Thank you for having a burden for souls in Gijón, Spain.  Keep sounding out the Word to them and pray more churches will have a burden to see this city be reached with the Gospel.

In Christ,

The Contreras family

– Joseph, Danielle, Isaiah, Andrew, and Michael

Please note our temporary USA address: 

5362 SE Celestial Circle

Stuart, FL 34997

Special Finacial Needs

We have received so many encouraging notes in response to our last April 2014 update. With this upcoming furlough, we are excited to see how God will work and provide both for our family and for the work in Gijón, Spain.

There is a need that we need to mention. In March of 2013, we wrote in our prayer letter that our second son, Andrew, needed to begin urgent orthodontal work to not lose his two front teeth.

Valor!

Chocolate Valor! (with a Spanish accent)

One of the many products known to Spain, is it´s chocolate. Maybe you only know of Belgium chocolate, but I tell you that Valor chocolate is just as good, if not better. 

I will miss it! 

Especially the Cacao Puro and the sugar free line. It is cheaper than any of the sugar free chocolates in the States and much more available. 

Many of you may not know yet, but we are taking an extended leave from Gijón, Spain. We missionaries call it a furlough. We are already starting the packing process. Sigh.... 

14 Years!

Waves from a strong rain storm are pummelling Gijón´s San Lorenzo beach for the second time in a month as I write this letter. 

This past rainy February marked 14 years we have been in full-time church planting missionary work in Northern Spain. 

January 2014

14 years ago when we first arrived in Mataró, Barcelona.

 We are thankful that through Iglesia Bautista Libertad (Liberty Baptist Church) of Gijón, the seed of God´s Word has been planted in the hearts of many people in this city.

For this reason our upcoming furlough is of utmost importance.  It is our hearts´ burden to urge the continued prayer and support for souls in the city of Gijón. 

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.