October 9, 2006

Dear Faithful Friends and Supporters,

        It is our privilege to share with you who faithfully pray and support us

that God has done some wonderful things here in Spain in the month of September! 

        In the Spanish church. . .Since the inauguration in June, there have been three of the visitors who still attend services.  Bro McDonald was able to lead one of these ladies to the Lord just before he left for furlough in early September.  We praise the Lord for “Maruja’s” salvation and thank all of you who had been praying with us for her salvation.  We ask that you would continue to pray for her elderly husband (Manolo) to be saved.  Also in the Spanish church, there was a teenager baptized in September.  On Saturday evenings there has been prayer meeting to pray for the services and also for the needs of the people.  In the last month there have been 9 different nationalities represented in the church.  Jonathan, a Columbian who is preaching on Sundays has been amazed to see so many nations represented right here in Almería.  Because of this, we have asked everyone to bring a traditional food for our potluck this month.  It was an encouragement to see 49 present this last Sunday.

        At the African church, on September 3 after I taught Sunday School and Bro McDonald preached, I dealt with a man about his salvation.  We were preparing for baptism when I asked “Kenneth” if he needed to be baptized.  At the time he said no, but when I continued on and asked him about his salvation I found out why!  He had never been saved!  Praise the Lord, when I shared more scripture verses of salvation with him he wanted to pray right then to receive Christ.  The exciting part was after he prayed, he desired to be baptized.  When I said, “Today?” he said, “yes.”  On that day, he then followed the Lord in baptism with six others.  He has been coming faithfully to church since then.  On September 10, the organizational meeting of the First Baptist Church of Roquetas was held.  Special guests, the Rev and Mrs. Donald Gregory, and Bro Dave Conn from Faith Baptist Church in Dearborn, Michigan were present with us.  On that day, the charter membership book was signed, and the church voted in three deacons, a treasurer, and a secretary.  Please pray with us as we continue the men’s meetings and church services that every decision will be led by God’s Spirit and that the church would continue to grow and move forward.  This past Sunday, we were encouraged to see 47 in the services and one followed the Lord in baptism.  It was Bill’s first opportunity to baptize in the Mediterranean Sea.

        On the home front. . .our children have started school this year in Spanish public schools.  The first week was incredibly difficult, but it has gotten better and it seems that they are adjusting to the differences.   With the children in three different schools, mornings are interesting as we try to get everyone to their place on time!  The two little boys are going to a new school just being built here in our neighborhood.  Each day we are meeting new people and building stronger relationships with our neighbors.  While commenting on differences between American and Spanish lifestyles recently, Dena was surprised when the neighbor responded that you have to enjoy life, because then you die and it’s all over.   It was so sad to realize that this lady did not even believe in the promise of heaven.  Although the children are taught religion in the schools, and the gospel is in the materials, it is “hidden to them that are lost” and they are uncertain of their eternity.  It is these events that remind us of why we are here, and that there are so many who are living their lives enveloped in Spiritual darkness. 

Please pray with us for our children, for us to be able to finish our driving test, for Pastor Mike Rose who has to continue radiation treatments once again, wisdom for time management and balance, and for the churches to continue to move forward.  Thank you for your part in the ministry here through your prayers and support.

Striving together,

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