"He is able .... to keep..."

Friday 4 November 2011

SERGE, EVELIEN AND SINA!




A new co-worker! She is called Sina. She is about 5 months old , and when she is being taken for a walk, nearly everyone wants to speak to her!! An opportunity for Sergio to chat with many different people. In fact, Serge keeps looking for doors opening so that he may be able to share the Good News of the Gospel.

His latest venture is joining a Novel Readers' Club! About 20 people go and they read, then discuss a novel. Serge has given the leader a novel that he himself has written, about a young man searching for his identity, and who is finally converted through reading the Bible. Please pray that the Lord may use this opening.

Serge has paid a return visit to a man who initially was very prejudiced against him. His wife has been confined to bed for many years. The man's attitude has changed and on this occasion Serge was able to pray with them. "This cannot be paid for with anything," they said.

A widow lady, a contact from their times preaching in the park, has given her address in order that she may receive a visit.

Don Dimas, who watched the film on Martin Luther still has issues to work through. Please pray that he may see Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and man.

Soon Serge and the Jehovah Witness will discuss a book that Serge gave him about the false teaching that he hears. May his eyes be opened.

Uzo has put off being baptised because of some personal doubts. He still attends services.

Claudio is still without employment but is attending a course which hopefully may help him in that respect.

There are things to thank the Lord for: Lucia is now a church member, Olga has gone to Poland to finish her studies. She has been recommended a church there and continues to show spiritual growth.

Serge and Evelien testify to the Lord's provision for their needs, both spiritual and material. They continue to ask those who pray that the work in their church in Cuenca, Spain, may be blessed by the Lord, and that "He might add to the church daily such as should be saved".

Monday 31 October 2011

PORTREE



We are just back from a lovely visit to the Island of Skye We joined our friends there in order to do some psalmody work which included:
some tips on the Sol-fa system of reading music,

giving out a new set of 12 tunes for this coming year,

some background on some of the tunes

and, most important of all, some singing in our customary style - unaccompanied, led by a "Precentor".

There was an adult session and a children's session.







As usual our host was Rev. Ritchie Ross who looked after us very well.



"Do remember the tune carries the all-important words
"



Ali is one of the excellent Skye Precentors.




It didn't sound like a psalm but we know all creatures glorify their Creator.




Praise ye the Lord.....
Praise ye him all his angels: praise ye him all ye hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him all ye stars of light.
Praise him ye heaven of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.
Praise the Lord...... beasts and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl
Praise ye the Lord.
from Psalm 148






Tuesday 18 October 2011

NERAC

Jean Calvin visited Nerac in 1534. He met Jaques Lefevre D'etaples who greatly influenced him. Lefevre firmly believed that the only source of authority for the church was the Bible.

We were blessed to be able to worship with the Lord's people in the Nerac French Reformed Church.

Two of the ladies who warmly welcomed us.



A sumptuous meal was enjoyed after the service.




This kind family invited us back with them for the evening. We ended up staying the night in their drive.



















Friday 14 October 2011

BURNING BUSH

We know that some friends have been interested to hear that our congregation in Edinburgh was provided with a building which just suits our needs. The men, especially, have been working very hard - cleaning, painting and generally improving it and now it feels most comfortable.

Walking in to our Prayer meeting a week past Thursday, we couldn't but notice the latest acquisition - a picture of the burning bush, beautifully embroidered on a dark blue background.



The burning bush has been a symbol of the Presbyterian church in countries throughout the world since reformation times. Fire, in God's Word is a symbol of His holiness; that is why Moses was commanded to remove his shoes. But, here, there is something else; just as the bush was not consumed by the fire, God would keep His people in the fire of affliction.
God spoke to Moses from the bush saying that He would deliver them from their suffering in Egypt.

God's Kingdom (His people) will never be destroyed. His Kingdom will last forever. The gates of Hell will not prevail against it. Down through the centuries, many of God's people have been persecuted, even unto death. Today, many suffer for love of Jesus Christ. One day they and their faith will be vindicated.

This is why the burning bush is such a suitable emblem to have: it does not just look back, but it looks forward.


God in the midst of her doth dwell
Nothing shall her remove

The Lord to her an helper will

And that right early, prove.
Psalm 46:5

Read about the burning bush in the second book of the Bible - Exodus chapter 3

Thursday 6 October 2011

BASQUE

Three planks of wood make up this fascinating instrument, played by two people each with 2 wooden "hammers". It is called a Txalaparta. This is in Basque country.



Laundry day



The beautiful coast of North Spain


Looking at the sky sometimes makes me think of the Lord's return

Tuesday 4 October 2011

MORE FROM SERGE AND EVELEIN

Serge and Evelien persevere in their service for the Lord.

Through the regular open-air preaching the congregation in Cuenca, Spain, have the opportunity to talk to people in the park. Indeed they have noticed that some people are waiting for the sermon. Amongst these are people from the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Please pray for a girl called Emma and her friends, and that God will work among all people who listen to the preaching of the gospel.

Sergio has got to know a hairdresser from the South of Spain, who has shown a great deal of interest in the Christian faith. Remember her as, when Serge has the opportunity, he can talk with her about Christian matters.

Soon he hopes to watch the film, "Martin Luther" with the priest, Don Dimas.

Thank God that Lucia has been accepted as a member in the church. She has been attending for a year and has shown a firm Christian testimony. Pray for her growth in grace.

Uzo is showing encouraging improvement in his spiritual state and has asked to be baptized. Please pray that the occasion will be a testimony to his family and friends.

Olga and Agustin, for whom the couple have been praying for some time are becoming more and more involved in the church. They have a real desire to know more about the Word of God.

The couple were glad to be able to attend a Christian Camp organized by reformed churches in Spain. They found it to be a time of blessing. They have also been on vacation to Holland, visiting Evelien's family. This has also proved to be a time of refreshing for them, to help them as they continue the work of preaching the gospel.

Evelien would appreciate your prayers as she takes up teaching again. It is not easy and she is concernerned that she will be a good witness and do her job well.

They are grateful to all those who remember the work in Cuenca.

Wednesday 21 September 2011

BITS AND PIECES


Would someone start the music?



Ah! Dance of the storks!


Any room for me?




The circus is coming to town!




Tuesday 20 September 2011

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

We found ourselves on a very beautiful road which wound high into the hills, before descending very steeply to the valley floor.



Although it seemed as if we were "at the back of beyond", at some point we joined a bit that is part of an old pilgrim route called St. James's Way. The Camino de Santiago comprises routes from all over Europe, but in particular France and Spain, which lead to the final destination of Santiago de Campostela in the north-west of Spain. It is in the cathedral there that the tomb of St. James is supposed to be. We passed many walkers and cyclists on this "way". How very sad when the Saviour said, "I am the way". The Christian's pilgrim walk is following our Lord.

Oops! Watch the top of the van here, the street looks a bit narrow! These cylists travel really fast, downhill!


"... for here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come..."
Hebrews 13:14



Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold mewith they powerful hand;
Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till my want is o'er.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside!
Death of death and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side!
Songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee.

Saturday 17 September 2011

PALENCIA

In Palencia, we admired the pedestrianized streets and were able to park on an island on the river! It was Saturday when we arrived. We did not have the name of a church to go to on the Lord's Day, but the Tourist Information Office gave us two addresses which we were able to locate, and we decided on one of them for the next day.


This is the place of worship that we attended; a site which would normally be used as a shop.


This give an idea of the inside space. By the end of the service we were running out of chairs! Bill, when invited, was happy to say a few words from the Bible in Spanish. At the end of the service the children recited the verses of Scripture that they had been memorizing.


Modeste is the Pastor. He is concerned for his flock, as he is not sure how much longer he can do the work.


Modeste and his wife, Luduvina, warmly welcomed us into their home and we enjoyed fellowship with them. They are a very sweet couple. They feel isolated as there are not many like-minded Christian groups near them.

Monday 12 September 2011

TARAZONA


Not far from the village with the caves is Tarazona. We set out to have a look at the old town, built on the hill. We had to walk as the streets are too narrow for a vehicle.


In the middle ages there was a strong Jewish and Muslim presence in the town, and they and the "Christians" existed peaceably together. There are many Moorish influences in the architecture. During the inquisition the Jews were treated much more harshly than the Muslims, and those who survived fled the city at the end of the 15th century. It was interesting for us to see the old Jewish quarter with its "hanging houses"
that clung to the crumbling hillside!





There was a cheerful work force who were employed in the restoration of these fascinating buildings.




They really were doing a magnificent job as you can see.





The newer part of the town near the river.














Tuesday 6 September 2011

INTO SPAIN





It's interesting how the landscape changes as one drives along, not only the contours of the countryside but also the colours.



Looking for a quiet place to stay we turned into a a quiet country road and found ourselves in this peaceful yet interesting village, built against the hillside, and where, not that long ago some of the people lived in caves.




Here you can see how the cave-dwellers would build up the entrance to the caves.












It was quite scary to think that there is a large dam constructed just above the village



We explored some of the beautiful countryside round about





Tuesday 30 August 2011

HOLIDAYS TOWARDS SPAIN

After our interesting stay in Saint-Jean-Du-Gard we headed South, seeing some lovely places on the way




Our route took us through Andorra, on a spectacular road. Sorry to say we do not have many photos. However, some of the new development that is springing up was not, to our mind, pleasing to the eye.








At one Camping-site we met people from the British Cycling Association, who were enjoying France on their bikes! This lady was one of the leaders!