The Nations And The Heart Of God

Hello All,

I have mentioned before my involvement with the Perspectives course prior to our first trip to Spain, which was almost 1 year ago. I attended the intensive 5 week course at the US Center For World Missions in Pasadena. It was a revolutionary time for me with regard to my missiology and my general outlook on the Bible.

The first day a statement was made that has stuck with me since that time. The teacher, a brother who was a professor at Cal Baptist University, made mention that the Hebrew song book, the worship hymnal, the book of Psalms, was filled with praises unto the Lord, and that over half of those songs included some statement about the nations! I began to think about how many songs we have that reflect that heart today or how many are simply songs of personal reflection and comfort. God's inspired song book is one that is perfectly balanced, half written from the need for a personal touch from the Lord and the other half related to the courting and winning of the nations. One side, related to the first table of the law, the vertical relationship between God and ourselves and the second table of the law, which is our horizontal, human to human relationship.

Take the first two Psalms for instance. Chapter 1 is the Hebrew secret of personal success, to walk in the counsel of God and to meditate, chew on, his Word day and night, a useful way of saying, that the Word would permeate a person's entire being. This is the wise person who will stand no matter the circumstance for he is planted by God's only abundant source of strength.

Then take a look at chapter 2. It is the story of the rebellious heart of the nations, set against the Lord and His annointed, which is the Jewish Messiah, the Savior of the World, Yeshua, Jesus. The Psalmist and King, David writes that this is a futile position. And even so, the Psalm is both a warning of wrath for continuing in such an obstinate way and a cry for reconciliation to a God who simply will not be denied. Verse 12 is beautiful final summation.

• "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." Psalm 2:12

David tells the nations, to make their peace with this sovereign ruler, who will be victorious despite their greatest efforts. David here, acts as a national negotiator, a peace negotiator, a representative who is calling on another party to surrender, lay down arms and fall under the blessed place of peace.

I write this today in hopes that 1) we see the interest that God has in bringing salvation to the nations and 2)that our worship of God would have an eye toward outreach. For myself, this way of thinking really began to revolutionize my walk, and really, the walks of my immediate family.

But it's not just my way of thinking. I am convinced that this is God's way of thinking. His mind and His heart has been centered on revealing Himself to the nations through "Abrahams" like you and I for generations and for what generations are left, He will continue that engagement.

My prayer is that you would continue to be inspired, not by our family's involvement in missions, but by God's involvement and investment into this enterprise.

Let the God of the Earth receive praise and honor from the nations. Let it be so as we participate in that call to Spain.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Caleb News

Hello All,

For those who have been praying for Caleb, praise the Lord, the doctor revealed to us yesterday that he has a healthy heart and will outgrow the present issue. Thankfully, our hearts are glad for our little "Bwudda Bwudda." He continues to be oblivious to the "tiny" scare his doctor put into our lives, but we are grateful to have found out definitively that all things are fine. Thank you for praying.

Now, back to those visas...

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

A Great Weekend

Hello All,

No, the Spanish Consulate did not call and tell us that there had been a huge mistake and that they would now be flying us back to Spain AND buying us our first Cafe Con Leche! Rather, we got no phone call, but had a fantastic weekend with some Spanish flair. We could not go to Spain, so the Lord brought a little Spain to us!

It began Friday night at our Spain Chain gathering. (Big thanks are in order to Matt and Krista Sauls who graciously opened their home to us and then stayed up and talked with us until about 11:30! You guys are really cool!!) The normal activities ensued, but the special part of the night was the inclusion of Cori Roybal and "the primos" Ivan and Eunice. They are planning to go to Spain in 2008 to begin a work in Malaga Spain. Presently, Ivan and Eunice are being trained at the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta and then they will go back to their homeland, accompanied by Paul, Cori and Roybal children. We are so pleased to be in fellowship with such sweet people and it was really a priviledge for our Spain Chain participants to meet and then subsequently lay hands on the Roybal/Primos connection. (By the way, "Primos" means "cousins") I will have further information available when it comes to me. Ivan and Eunice have a website that is being constructed, and when it is finished I will include it in the links.

Then Sunday night came and it was time to meet Chico and Cynthia Pichardo. I had talked with Chico several years ago, when he was in Spain, before we had gone the first time. They have been back for about a year now, but had served there in Tarifa Spain for 4 years. We met them at Victoria Gardens for dinner and put the faces with the names! In an eerie turn of events, they have a son who looks very similar to Caleb, and Benji and Caleb are only 2 days apart! Wild! But beside that, we had a great time sharing and receiving. I was so thankful to be there with them, for in my eyes, they are our predecessors, who have allowed the Lord to begin to open doors of possibility. Who knows what will become of the seeds that they were able to plant. At present, they are home pursuing degrees with an end to returning to Spain and being better able to serve His purposes.

This weekend was a real boost to us. Not that we were lacking in the fire area, but it never hurts to toss a few logs into the fireplace! It was a blessing to join ourselves to these wonderful believers who have the same heart as ourselves. We will be praying for them.

In that same vein, while we are home, I am in the middle of attempting to contact each of the missionaries in Spain. Soon, even perhaps by the end of the week, I will be able to post an all Spain prayer list. We'll see. International communication is still sometimes difficult. But that is where we are heading. For now though, I bless the Lord for providing such a rich weekend of fellowship.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Spain Chain Meeting This Friday

Pictured above: 1st Picture from left to right. C.C. Upland High School Pastor, Eric Flores and Paul & Cori Roybal. 2nd picture is Lela and I with Eunice and Ivan from Espana!

Hello All,

As I said in an earlier post, this Friday is our Spain Chain meeting. If you are on the Spain Chain, you should be receiving an email real soon with directions. If you are interested in attending and are not on the Spain Chain, email us at lelafrank@aol.com or call us at 909-904-5891 and we will "hook you up" with the information you need.

I am particularly excited about this Spain Chain Meeting. We will meet at 7PM and have worship. Then we will give our report and field questions regarding our ministry and what is happening here and in our church in Jerez. Then, and this is where I am really pleased and excited, we will introduce you to some wonderful friends from Calvary Chapel of Upland, who are preparing to go to Spain themselves to begin a work a few hours from Jerez. The Roybal Family, and "The Primos," Ivan and Eunice (pronounced "Ee-vahn and Ay oo knee say") will be joining us to share what is happening in their lives, and share a little about their vision for Spain.

It excites me on another level as well. We have been talking on a local level, namely Jerez De La Frontera. But all along, we have been meeting other people who are just as passionate about the work to be done in Spain. We of course, first came into contact with Carlos Casco, then Steve and Aryn Caliguiri in Alicante, then Robert Shammell in Barbate. We have not personally met Raphael and Loretta Manzanares in Palma De Mallorca, but they have a ministry there as well. There are a few other people who are waiting on the Lord to get to Spain. Ej and Manie Lease, Ken and Rosalyn Steinmueller and Chico and Cynthia Pichardo, to name a few. Add to this list Brian and Andrea Jackson, who just arrived in Spain yesterday, and our friend J.D. Bennett, who is also up in the north.

Then there is the Roybal/Primos connection. Ivan and Eunice are natives of Spain and are being trained here at the Calvary Chapel Bible College for a return to Spain. We had met them the last time we were home, and they are really sweet people with a wonderful heart for the Lord. I look forward to hearing their perspectives on what the Lord is doing in their homeland.

What I am intoning is this: I want our Spain Chain to think nationally, toward a movement of God's Spirit to come over the entire nation of Spain. To this time, we have been keeping you posted on what we are doing, and we will not discontinue that. However, we also want to make you aware of all that the Lord is doing in Spain through these other missionaries as well. It's exciting to think, that in meeting our friends from C.C. Upland, and inviting them to come share, that somehow, we might be able to bless them and their ministry as well and in the process, join in to what the Spirit of God is wanting to do nationally over the nation of Spain.

WHOOO HOOO!! Sorry...just getting ready and excitedly anticipating Friday night.

We really hope you are able to attend if you are in the SoCal area. It should be a fun night.

Blessings to the friends of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

C.C. Guadalupe

Hello All,

We had a tremendous weekend with Calvary Chapel of Guadalupe this past weekend. I think it always helps when you have 75 degree weather and Tri-tip! In fact, after we have finished whatever work God intends us to do in Spain, we have decided, based on the weather and tri-tip ALONE, that we are called up to this area!! Ok, we'll let the Lord guide us...but we are putting in a good word for this area!!

The fun began on Saturday. We got a chance to participate in the church's anniversary festivities, which included the world famous Santa Maria Barbecue and some great church wide games. It was a blast! My Dad and I and the men of C.C. Guadalupe got the chance to participate in a watermelon eating contest, which I lost (the question remains whether my melon slice was actually regulation size...). Not wanting to leave the park a loser, I also got the chance to participate in the annual church tug-o-war, men versus women. The men had lost the previous year's match and it dawned upon me why Ruben invited me for this weekend: They needed the "tug-o-warmeister." They needed the extra "guns" so they invited me to bring "Smith and Wesson" also known as my right and left arms respectively!! Needless to say, we soundly defeated the ladies (...actually it was much closer than that, but it sounds better to say that we soundly defeated them!) thereby ending their win streak and previous dominance over the men. C.C. Guadalupe men: You're Welcome!!

Onto Sunday Morning. My Dad, Lela and myself had the chance to lead worship. Again, much like the C.C. Santa Maria congregation, there was real loving response to the presence of Jesus in the worship time. I love to look out at the faces that are so personally involved with the words of any given song and to see them worship in such a way as to physically attempt to touch the very presence of Christ, was very moving and a real blessing to us. At about the third song, my Dad got a chance to share some things that had been on his heart for the congregation there. His words were a real blessing to the group.

At the end of the worship, I got a chance to share about our most recent trip to Spain. This is actually how we begun to be associated with C.C. Guadalupe. They are a church, looking to get involved with missions where there Spanish speaking would be an asset. Having looked at the abundance of works in Mexico, their heart was to help where there was little going on. This is where we came in. After I shared about Spain and what the Lord is doing, I got up and shared the message that I had been praying would be for this particular congregation. It is called "Dangers Of A Growing Church" and it was based out of Acts, the first 9 chapters. I exhorted the group to be aware of the pitfalls that are so prevalent in every church, even from the beginning of the church. The message was received and I was blessed to have given it.

Thank you for praying for us. Our car made it there and back (thanks in part to the men and women of Plus One Auto Performance in Highland) without incident. And most of all, thanks for praying that the message would be appropriate for this congregation. By all accounts, it was well received.

This next week, two things are coming up that I am excited about. First, on Friday, we are having our Spain Chain informational meeting. I will blog about this on Wednesday, once all the pertinent questions are answered. I am excited about this and hope you will join us if you have the ability. Then on Saturday and Sunday, it is back home at the Packinghouse, where I will be drumming for Pastor Ed's worship team. It will be great to be back with my Church family this next weekend, especially since we have been gone this entire month! It will be a great time in the Lord, I am sure.

Lord willing, we will get a chance to see many of you this week. Until then...

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Prayer Update

Hello All,

We went in to get Caleb his eco-cardiogram today and it went very smoothly. Of course, it helped to have a VCR equipped with an Elmo video, so Caleb was very still and compliant. Thanks for your prayers. We'll get the results on Monday or Tuesday.

Tomorrow morning, our family will be taking a trek into central California to visit with Calvary Chapel Of Guadalupe. It is their 11th Anniversary on Sunday, so it is quite an honor to be part of the celebration, especially tomorrow at Waller Park, where the Tri-tip will be EPIC!! Pray that the Lord would be glorified this weekend and pray that our vehicles (my Dad and Mom are joining us!) will make it there and back without incident. Finally in this regard, pray that my message will be timely and an encouragement to this sweet church and her Pastor, Ruben Cortez.

Of course, as we near the end of August, we are still fervently praying for our visas to arrive. September 5th will be the 6 month mark for Lela and the kids. We are praying that we will hear when the Lord's timing is perfect, and that until then, we would continue to keep our hearts ready for all the Lord intends for us.

One final note and reminder: Next Friday is our Spain Chain meeting. Perhaps you have not heard or perhaps do not have a busy Friday night on the 25th. Please consider joining us as we report to our Spain Chain the happenings within our ministry. For more info, feel free to email and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Sowers and Reapers

Hello All,

After my last post, I began to really think about how God uses each of us to accomplish His will. I began to ponder the statement made by Paul to the Corinthian believers in I Corinthians 3:10. There are people who are called by God to build us up on the foundation of Christ. I have had many such people in my life. As I remarked in my last post, Pastor Marco Alvarez was a major influence in my life, especially early on in our decision to go to Spain. He came into my life and the Lord used him for a season to propel me forward in this life-changing decision. Others have been just as influential, whether it was Darrel Lutrull, Kim Hutchcroft or the various other brothers who helped shape my mindset and helped to direct me as I walked along the path of life. (I would be derelict if I did not mention Jason Dean, Jeff Reynolds, Mike Karnosack, Ty Schenzel, Armando Garcia, Sam Khoury, Greg Opean, Dave Villarete and Jim Scheer in the same way. These were my most influential youth group leaders when I was 13 through 18.)

I comment along this way for two reasons. The first is on the part of the one who sows, the person who is the encourager, the one who is the exhorter. You will never know the impact that you have on another's life. It might be a word, or a sentence that stays with someone forever, that changes their mindset and life. As a sower, don't be discouraged when you don't see immediate results; seeds take time and good care to flower. When you sow into another person's life, you might be altering or unveiling a destiny that has eternal ramifications. It's worth it just for that to continue to faithfully water with patience and love.

The second reason I comment on this, is for the ones who might be more inclined to isolation. The "It's just me and Jesus" crowd. For sure, our relationships with the Lord are lifelines that can never be underestimated or neglected. However, if you are not letting anyone speak into your life, giving them permission to minister to you, then you are truly missing out on a tremendous avenue which God has intended to bring spiritual vitality through.

The truth is, we cannot be reapers until we have been sowers. We cannot expect a spiritual harvest in our lives until someone has come, in the wisdom of Christ's Spirit, and sown into our lives. I for one, am thankful for having been on both sides, but especially thankful for those who have mentored, discipled and encouraged me along the way. If not for them, it's quite possible that I never would have considered the life I am chasing after right now. Thank you Lord for them.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Calvary Chapel Claremont

Hello All,

Calvary Chapel of Claremont has, through it's pastoral staff and prayer partners, been a tremendous support for our ministry from the very beginning. In fact, when I had barely begun to declare my intentions to consider relocation to Spain, Pastor Ed Rea made sure to encourage me to call Pastor Marco. At the time, Marco was the only person who had an active interest in Spain that he or I knew. So I proceded to call, virtually every Friday for several months. Pastor Marco did not know me from Adam when I first called, but always encouraged and built me up enough to continue to consider relocation to Spain as a possibility, even when there were discouraging factors involved. I credit Pastor Marco with pushing me along on the road toward Spain. He himself has had it in his heart to go to Spain in the past but was unable to because of visa complications. That however, has not stopped him from supporting other who have a heart to go to Spain. In fact, we are just one of 3 Spanish missionaries on Claremont's missions prayer list. Pastor Marco has a definite heart for Spain.

So it was truly our honor to participate in the morning services this morning. We got a chance to sing in Spanish the first service and that reminded us of home and our church group back in Jerez. During the second service, the Lord really touched and stirred hearts to be more active in the global outreach of God to the nations. All in all, it was special to be at Calvary Chapel of Claremont and to minister alongside Pastor Marco again.

Now, we look forward to next week with Calvary Chapel of Guadalupe. Pastor Ruben has invited us to partake of their church's anniversary celebration next Saturday, so we know that that can only mean one thing: SANTA MARIA TRI-TIP!! WHOO HOO!!! Sorry, got a little too excited there... moving on.

Finally, in this post, I wanted to ask for special prayer to made for my son Caleb. He has been diagnosed with a heart murmur and this Friday, we are going to get an eco-cardiogram from Loma Linda University Medical Center. It may be anything from nothing to minor surgery. Lord willing, the tests will not reveal anything major, but we do ask for your prayers with regard to that situation. Caleb is one really special boy, and a Spaniard at heart, so please pray that God would touch him.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Morocco Report

Hello All,

I just got off of the phone with Carlos Casco who has just returned from Morocco. As I have mentioned many times in the past, Carlos goes to Morocco to minister to the Berber tribes. Many times, he spends the days and evenings driving groups up and down the mountains for medical attention. In addition, he shows every person he aids the Jesus Movie. During this last trip, which just ended a few days ago, Carlos reported showing the Jesus Movie over 8 times! It is a wonderful time of ministry in Morocco, and Carlos is seeing much fruit come from these 10 to 12 day ventures. Every time he returns, our entire Church is amazed at what the Lord is doing in Morocco. It really is a blessing to be part of a foreign mission plant, that is already itself, reaching out to another foreign mission!

Additionally, we are calling out for further prayer for Carlos now, as he is about to travel back here to the States, enroute to Bolivia, where he will minister with a church there in a Pastoral training setting. Pray especially for matters pertaining to finances, as Carlos is trusting the Lord to provide fully for this trip.

On a quick "aside," apparently, where Carlos is going, the jungle is quite alive with Anaconda. The Church there is already planning a hunt while Carlos is there! Perhaps prayer for Carlos' safety is also in order! Though I hear Anaconda tastes like chicken...

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Thank You Calvary Laguna!

Hello All,

Just a quick note of thanks to Calvary Laguna's Wednesday Night Crowd. It was a really good night to be there. I was particularly moved early on in the evening with the warmth of the members of the staff and the band, who helped us get our kids to their respective classes. Thank you.

After the message, I must have talked with 6 people who were really stirred by the Lord to think again about where they fit in with regard to the concept of global missions and entering into the heart of God's main agenda on the Earth.

All in all, it was a really refreshing night to be a part of, and I hope that I will get a chance to see this group again. For now, it is on to Calvary Chapel of Claremont this weekend. I had a great lunch with Pastor Marco and his right hand man, Dennis today. Pastor Marco, as I have said before, was a major influence and encouragement to me, back when I was just putting thoughts together about Spain. It will be a privilege to serve alongside of him on Sunday.

Along those lines, please be praying for us as we look toward Sunday. We desire to minister and bless the congregation there in Claremont and we ask that you would remember us toward that end. OH, AND DON'T FORGET TO PRAY FOR THOSE VISAS!

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Single-Minded

Hello All,

First things first, there is no update on our visa situation. Please continue to pray that the Lord's will would be done regarding the visas for Lela and the children. We have been keeping ourselves busy, though the middle of the day can sometimes be a little long. That being said, we are doing our best to redeem the time that the Lord has seen fit to give to us.

However, that still does not allow us to re-enter fully into what is our call. We are not presently able to do that which God has called us to do. In the interim, time and distance keep us from our mission. Even so, the goal of reaching the Spanish people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ must remain the priority in our minds.

This post actually came to my mind as a result of a provocative series of events, culminating in a conversation I had with a friend yesterday at the gym. Since I have been home, I have become very cognizant of various movements within Christianity here at home. Some people on this side have been converting Christians to their theological bents. On this side, there is a group emerging that wants to cast off old traditional models of worship. And in between are billions of Christians being tugged at and attracted by both sides, almost competing for souls.

I admit to being stirred in my Spirit, both to righteous (and sometimes "not-so-righteous") indignation and jealousy. Anger at anyone who would attempt to derail someone's faith and jealousy at wanting to be part of the most hip, most cool church of the moment.

I staggered at both of these thoughts until I recalled the words of Jesus to the Apostle Peter in the gospel of John. The time is post resurrection, the location is the sea of Galilee, and the occasion is the restoration of Peter to ministry. It's the famous, "Feed and Tend My Sheep" speech. But then, Jesus goes on to tell Peter that he will die in a way that would bring glory to God. It's at this moment when Peter asks a question, not about himself, but about John, the beloved disciple.

John 21:21 : "Peter, seeing him (John), said to Jesus, 'But Lord, what about this man?'"

I note that he put his eyes upon John, his fellow disciple. Something in us always wants to see if what the other guy is doing is better or greater. Some commentators see this as a desire to work together in friendship. Perhaps. I have always, because of the response of the Lord, believed with the other set of commentators, who see this in the light of a competitive spirit. "Well, what's he going to do for you since I am going to be doing this!" Really there is no way to tell. The important thing is what Jesus says to Peter next.

John 21:22 : "Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? YOU FOLLOW ME.'" (Emphasis mine)

If that church or group of churches will never relent and always attempt to win converts to their cause, what is that to you? You follow me! If that church is attracting a young age group of the disenfranchised and disillusioned, what is that to you? You follow me!

There is so much freedom in this line of thought. I can only be what God has created me to be. I can waste my time wishing I was somebody else, or even wishing that somebody else did not exist, but everytime that I succumb to this, I lose sight of my goal, my call. When my eyes turn to the other disciple, I lose sight of the Lord whom we are both called to follow!

God is calling you to a life of significance. If you have not found your call, pray today, get it soon and follow the Lord in it with all your being! Turn neither to the right or to the left. Be single-minded.

On a final note, please be praying as we head to Calvary Laguna tonight to minister. Pray the Lord's annointing on us as we share the vision that the Lord has given us.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

Another Laguna Update!

Hello All,

Ok, prayer alert BACK ON! I got a call from Pastor Chris yesterday asking me to come and speak next Wednesday August 9th for the Calvary Laguna Wednesday night service. Praise the Lord for another opportunity to share what the Lord is doing in Spain.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

An Update For This Weekend...

Hello All,

For those who receive the Spain Chain or have read it here on the site over the last day or so, you may have noticed that I anticipated speaking at Calvary Laguna this weekend. Just after that was posted, I got a call from Pastor Chris Norman, informing me that he will not be out of town after all. So, I will not be speaking at Calvary Laguna this weekend, so the prayer alert is off for this week! Lord willing, we will be able to hook up with Calvary Laguna sometime in the near future.

And, we continue to wait, pray that our visas will come in. Every phone call gives us a ray of hope, only to be dashed when it's not the consulate! It's really not that traumatic, but we do hope to hear from them sooner than later. A member of our Spain Team (the group of people who were "in" on this from the very beginning) mentioned that the last time we called for a fast that my visa came in. Perhaps we need to do that again soon!

Thanks for praying and waiting with us. It is appreciated.

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez