THE BASQUE REGION OF NORTHERN SPAIN
Hi everyone just want to give a brief report about our trip up into Northern Spain, called the Basque region. Sergio and Amalia Canales who are Chilean have been working up there for the past five years, invited us. This was an exploratory trip to see how we may help Sergio in his work in the city of Bilboa. Patricio and Tany Ibarra from Chile and John Finochio from Canada went with me.
The first night we ministered in a local Pentecostal church, teaching and praying for people. A number of the young people were prayed for to receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Some were prophesied over and it seemed to be a real boost to the pastor. John had some pretty amazing words for the pastor and the church.
The next day we traveled a remote part of the countryside where Sergio and his wife had purchased a large old building in order to turn it into a school. It was nothing more than a barn when they started renovating it. We could hardly believe the effort they put into it and how far they had come. There is still much work to be done, including hanging a suspended ceiling throughout the building, and making new doors and windows. These would all need to be custom built on the site. We would love to get a team together to help with this. If you are interested, please let me know.
The next day we traveled around the Basque province, visiting little villages and getting a sense of the conditions here. It is one of the most prosperous parts of Spain, with much industry and beautifully kept towns and cities. I don't know when I have seen a city as nice as Bilboa. My daughter Kate had spent her summer here between schools in YWAM. She told me how beautiful it was, a city facing the sea and surrounded by mountains. It is truly a unique place, with a unique culture as the Basque have their own language and distinct to any other part of Spain.
We visited the city that had been bombed by Franco and then Nazi's during the build up to World War Two.
We are not sure how Word of Grace can contribute to the this Region in the future or how we can come along side Sergio and his team, but we are willing to explore some possibilities.
I am now back in Madrid and leave in the morning to go to Chile. It has been good to be here again, as I learn more each time about how to do missions, to help others build, and to see what wonderful preparations God is doing in the earth to get ready for a massive harvest. Thank you for your part in this by praying for me. Blessings, Penn
- Bilboa and Area