We praise God for His faithfulness, for His goodness, and for His peace that passeth all understanding.  God has been teaching me very much in these past months.  I have learned that my preconceived notions of how God and missions work have no bearing at all on how God really uses His willing servants to complete His will. 

It was all in God´s timing for Noah to preach for 100 years.  It was all in God´s timing for Jonah to bring his 1 sentence message for the salvation of Ninevah.  Isaiah and Jeremiah preached for years according to God´s plan.  John the Baptist´s ministry lasted 6 months, but yet Jesus said of him, ‘. . . there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist. . .'  I have found that God used different people to do different jobs for different amounts of time.  He was at work and He found people willing to be a part of His work for whatever time necessary.

It is with bittersweet emotions that we send out this letter to inform you all that we will be leaving Spain at the end of December.  I say bittersweet because I don´t want to leave Spain, but yet I know that it is God´s leading for us.  God´s perfect will is what I want more than anything; I am not running from God, I am moving in His direction.

I know that God brought us to Spain.  I quit my job and we sold everything.  We have liquidated 401K and IRA´s and sold items in Spain all so that we could come and stay when the times were hard.  We brought everything with us, because we planned on dying here.  I didn´t want to leave Granada, I didn´t want to leave Spain; but God has made it clear to me that that is the direction that He wants us to take.

I told God when He called us that even if it was to just see 1 person get saved, it would be worth it all for us.  Praise God He used each of you in sending us to Spain, and while we were here we saw Agda, Luz, Carmen, Maria Luisa, Lucio, Maria Elena, Luz, y Jose Antonio get saved.  He allowed us to minister and encourage Jose Manuel and Agustina, as well as other Christians that were discouraged or away from God, who are now faithfully serving God again.  He allowed us to put thousands of gospel tracts and Bible study information into homes in Gijón.  He allowed us to minister to Leo, Lauren, Olga, David and many other students who spent time in Granada while in the university.  He allowed us to knock thousands of doors and to put thousands more gospel tracts and Bible study information into homes in Granada.  He allowed us to do "Pueblo Project" where we went to several towns of under 500 people and left a gospel tract and offer of Bible study at every house. We have been able to witness to many people. We have been able to share the gospel, many hearing for first time, with thousands during the last few years, here in Spain, and also in the States while on deputation. And each of you has had a part in everything God has allowed us to do.  Your prayers and support lifted us up while where in Spain, and we will forever remember your encouraging notes and calls, as well as the special gifts that were sent exactly when we needed them the most.

I do not know what all God has for our future, but I know that right now He is directing us back to Madison, Alabama, where we will be helping however God allows us, in our home church. I will be looking for a secular job and we will continue seeking His way and following the path He sets before us. Of course, we won´t be expecting any support starting in January.  Any support received we would send back, unless specified otherwise.

One day, you will see the fruits of our laboring together here in Spain, and we will all rejoice knowing it was worth it all. We praise God that He allowed us to serve Him in Spain!

Thank you so much for your part in reaching souls for Christ!!

In Christ´s service, Matthew, Pilar, Kayla, Nicole, and Noelia