September 13, 2005
Dear friends and family,
We knew we weren’t in the United States anymore when. . .
10. we were warned not to let the children outside without shoes and not to drink the water.
9. we were awakened in the morning by the “fish-man” shouting and honking his horn.
8. the fruits and vegetables were measured in kilograms.
7. it took four weeks for our check to clear the bank.
6. the “new” church building was without electricity and water.
5. we had to have the veteran missionary co-sign for us to rent a house.
4. the local stores are all closed at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.
3. our credit cards quit functioning and the 1-800 number wasn’t free.
2. after a month we are still waiting to have a phone line hooked up in our house.
1. “batter” didn’t mean baseball player, but instead it meant toilet (“water”)!
The last two months have been a transitional time for us as we become accustomed to the way of life here in Almeria. We arrived in Spain on July 15th and received our container on August 10th. God has answered many of our prayers already. One of these blessings have been God’s provision of a triplex for us to rent that will meet the needs of our family, including a room for home-schooling and office work. Another is that after 6 weeks of trying to get an appointment with the local police, Bill’s residence status is complete. He will be picking up his id card in the next month. It was also a blessing for us to be able to attend the first baptism service of the church in Roquetas. It was marvelous to witness a baptism in the Mediterranean Sea and to picture in our minds the apostle Paul baptizing in that very same sea. The church building here in Almeria now has electricity and is in the final stages of getting the water turned on. We participate in weekly services at both of these churches. We have presented special music and the girls have begun a new puppet ministry. Bill has also had opportunities to teach and preach at the church in Roquetas, which is the English-speaking African church. Both Bill and Dena have resumed Spanish classes and we have begun our new home-schooling year. We apologize that during this transition time our web-site has not been up to date. We plan to get that taken care of as soon as possible.
Please pray with us regarding the following requests:
Dena and the children’s visas which are still being processed in Chicago. *Our need for a reliable used vehicle for our family. *Our quick assimilation of the Spanish that we are learning. *The continued building of relationships in our neighborhood, and the salvation of those that we are in contact with. We do not know of any other believers who live here in our neighborhood. *The exchange rate of dollars to euros which is a concern to all missionaries in Europe. *Completion of new church building in Almeria and upcoming inauguration service. *Organization and leadership to officially charter the First Baptist Church of Roquetas. *Bill’s Dad, Rev. Mike Rose who again has a football-sized tumor in his stomach and is undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Thank you for letting God use you through your prayers. We ask that you would continue to lift us up. We continue to receive mail through the WBF mission agency post office box in Arlington, but for those who would like it, our local address is:
Striving together,
Bill and Dena Rose with Brianna, Kelsey, Jordan, Joshua, & Josiah
