Jeff Adams

Several times recently I have written about those amazing “coincidences” that seem to happen to me with some frequency. Running into people I know in the strangest places, and things like that. I think a better word is “providence.” First, let me bring you up to date.

We made it to Madrid safe and sound early this morning. Tony and I met up in Newark and landed in Madrid a few minutes before 0900. Ricardo, having flown from Mexico City through Atlanta, was waiting for us. One of Tony’s friends met us and took us to the hostal where we are spending the night. It’s called the Hostal de la Hermanas del Amor de Dios” – Hostal the Sisters of God’s Love. This is a Catholic guest house in the heart of Madrid, but it is directly across from the First Baptist Church where Tony attends, and they have a good relationship with the nuns who run the hostal. Normally, it is for Catholics only, but here we are. Cheap, clean and centrally located. What more could we ask for. Not to mention that the ladies who run the place are exceedingly nice, hospitable and a lot of fun.

After dropping off our bags we decided to go down the street to a little bar to get a cup of coffee. Along the way Tony was telling us about a friend his named Miguel, a Mexican who is starting a church here in Madrid. We had only been sitting down short while when the door opened, and guess who walked in? Right! Miguel! He was amazed, and we were amazed. What a small world. Not only that, he had with him a Bolivian pastor that I have run into almost every time I come to Madrid.

Mid afternoon, we met for lunch with two missionaries who are involved in two different types of church plants, but who do a great job of cooperating together. It was great to hear their ideas and dreams.

We rested for just a little while, and then we met another friend of ours, one of the deacons from the church across the street who is a bodyguard for the Korean ambassador. What a great guy! He took us down the block for some delicious Chinese food. Afterward, we took Ricardo on a brief tour of the center of Madrid.

Here’s a great thought that Miguel shared with us. What did Jesus tell his disciples in Matthew 16 that he would do? That’s right. He told that he would build his church. Then, what did Jesus tell his disciples to do in Matthew 28? Right again. He told them to make disciples. So what do we do? We often spend our time building churches and asking God to make disciples. Maybe we have this thing reversed. Do you think? I love to have discussions like this!!!! What a great privilege to be able to met and talk with some of God’s choice servants in so many different places.

I was happy to be able to hook up to the Internet tonight. This may be the last time you hear from me until we come back to Europe from North Affrica. We flly out tomorrow and return on next Wednesday. Pray for us to be a blessing to the 50 or so Latin American workers who have signed up for this mini-retreat. They are among approximately 200 Latin Americans working in this one country alone. You know, the one Bogart made famous in the movies. See you soon!