February 27, 2006

Dear praying friends and family:

     We have had an eventful start to the New Year.  We have several praises

to report and also some prayer requests.  One praise is that we were able to

purchase a van this month.  It is a 2002 Ford Transit and has about 50,000 miles

on it.  It has 9 seats, so with our family we also have room for two visitors.  We praise God that with money we had saved and some special gifts we were able to pay cash and not have to take out a bank loan.  Those who have read our past letters know that this has been a prayer request for the last six months.  Thank you to those who have prayed for our vehicle and also to those who gave special gifts.  One interesting note is that the manufacture date of the van was during the week of our very first mission conference.  What a comfort it is to see once again that God has been preparing the way for us since the very beginning!  Another praise is that Dena and the children received their residence cards this month.  This initial card is good for one year after which we have to reapply.  We praise God for another step of paperwork completed. 

     We have encountered a few difficulties but God has graciously provided help.  We enjoyed driving our “new” van for about a week before we received a phone call to let us know our insurance was cancelled until we received an international driver’s permit.  To make a long story short no insurance company would cover us while we held only a United States drivers license, but because the McDonalds were in the U.S. we were able to obtain paperwork and apply by mail for international permits.  Fifteen minutes before Mrs. McDonald left for the airport she received our permits to bring back to us.  We praise God for His perfect timing!  Our insurance is now good for six months during which we must obtain Spanish licenses.  The process to receive the Spanish license includes both a written and driving exam and is very difficult, even for a Spaniard.  Praise the Lord, one of our neighbors works in this department and can give us specifics about how to prepare.  This is not a problem unique to us; many of the Africans are having a hard time getting a Spanish driver’s license and attendance at the Roquetas church has been affected.   Please pray with us about this exam.   Another unexpected situation came up this week when Jordan slipped and fell on a stool in the kitchen and needed stitches in his chin.  With five children, this is the first time one has needed stitches!  Since we were unable to drive another of our neighbors graciously drove Bill and Jordan to emergency care to get Jordan stitched up.  In a way it is almost comical that we thought we were coming to Spain to help the Spaniard, but we have been placed in many positions where we have to ask them to help us!  However, we recognize that through these experiences we are building relationships.  We praise God for providing help in our times of need.

     Again we ask for prayer for Bill’s father who has been undergoing radiation treatments for his cancer.  The family is encouraged that the radiation is working, but the treatments are hard on his body.  Our children are praying that “Grandpa” will get well enough to come and visit us here in Spain. 

     We continue to study Spanish and are increasingly able to communicate the things we need for daily life, but when we want to share our hearts and what God has done in our lives we often find our words to be lacking.  Please pray for us that we would understand and remember what we learn and that we would be able to communicate fully.  Bill has had two opportunities to share God’s Word this last week, but we still don’t have the skills to communicate everything we want to say.  We have been so blessed with kind neighbors and our hearts burn with a desire to reach them for Christ.  One last prayer request is for the completion of the building renovation for the church here.  The work is progressing, but everyone is weary and ready to be finished.  At times it is hard for us to balance the work on the building with our Spanish studies.  Please pray with us for the completion of the construction and for us to have wisdom to balance our study time with the work on the building.  Thank you for praying and giving so that we may serve God here in Spain.

Striving together,

Bill and Dena Rose with Brianna, Kelsey, Jordan, Joshua, and Josiah