December 2004 Update

Hi from Madrid!


I hope December is going well, no one is freezing too much, and everyone is
enjoying all the festivities leading up to Christmas. The center of Madrid
is beautiful right now--nativity scenes and decorations in windows, lights
along the streets, and tons of people everywhere you look! All we're
missing is the snow! Here is a quick look at how things are going as the
year winds down:

School:
With my first big test coming up in History, I'm starting to remember that
being a student can be hard sometimes! On the bright side, worrying about
the test together has sparked conversation with several more students, and
I'm hoping we can study together and work on friendships through that. A
couple of the girls and I live near each other and are getting to know each
other on our bus ride home--thank God for public transportation! Please
continue praying that God will use these relationships to draw people to
HIM. The classes are definitely improving my Spanish, also. When I get
home from school after speaking and thinking in Spanish all morning, my
English grammar is pretty horrible. Hopefully this is just a phase in
language learning and I haven't permanently damaged my mother tongue!

Community Group:
I love my community group! We are usually between 7 and 10 people, from 5
different countries. It's a really diverse group, but it has been great to
watch them come together to be the church. For the past 3 weeks we have
been celebrating advent and discussing related topics--so far, hope, peace,
and joy. During the discussions, people have been really open about what
these things mean to them, how God is teaching them, etc.--and they are
making it a point to encourage each other. One of the girls has been
regularly leading worship for the group, and another led the discussion last
week and did a great job. This is something only God could do, not me, and
I'm so thankful for it! Thank God for working in these people's lives, and
for using them to work in mine as well!

Other Fun Stuff that I can't think of a Title for:
Mountainview International Church is hosting a Christmas brunch this Sunday
(Dec. 12), and we're expecting 150-200 people! A fun, kid-friendly program
is planned, and I think it will be lots of fun! Please pray that God will
use this event to HIS glory.

On Friday afternoons, I have started something in my apartment called
"Studio Time." Basically, I turn my flat into an art studio, and anyone who
wants to come paint, draw, sculpt, write, or just hang out can come over.
So far it has been a good outlet for me and a great way to get to spend time
talking with one of the students that is part of my community group (not to
mention last week it was a good place to paint the sets for the Christmas
drama!). i'm planning to continue studio time next semester, and a couple
other people have expressed interest in participating. I'm excited that God
is allowing me to use something I love so much for ministry!

God has really answered prayers concerning my apartment. When I moved in
here, I asked God to use my home as a place where people felt free to come
hang out, talk, study, etc. I thank God that this is happening now. I keep
telling myself "I think I live alone, but there's no proof of that!" To be
able to keep doing this, I will be needing to find a bigger apartment
(hopefully with a roommate) soon, so you can be praying that God will
provide a place where people can continue to feel at home that's a little
less cramped for space.

I will be traveling home next week, and I'll be in the states from Dec.
16th-Jan. 11. I'm really excited to come home and see my family and
friends! Please pray for safe travel and a good time of rest at home.

Thanks so much for your encouragement, prayers, and support. God is using
you, and I thank Him for you.

Oh yeah, and Merry Christmas (just a bit early)!

Praising HIM,
Kelly