While Andalucía celebrated 30 years of being an autonomous community yesterday, we had the opportunity to celebrate a very different milestone regarding God's work in the province of Córdoba: 15 years of helping substance abusers and their families climb out of their miry pit. Like our boss and founder of this ministry, Francis Arjona, once said, "This is evangelism through the big door!"
ECMI founded el Centro Buen Samaritano (the Good Samaritan Center) back in 1993 and, since then, has been able to reach hundreds of families with a way out of drugs and a way into a right relationship with Jesus Christ. This ministry has also had a tremendous impact on the neighboring communities, which have grown to better understand and respect the Evangelical church for its work.
It was exciting to be a part of yesterday's 15th anniversary, as we celebrated what God has done and continues to do in and through this very needed and hands-on ministry tool. There were about 130 mouths to feed, which two huge paellas (a typical Spanish rice dish) took care of. People came from all over the province and many were nonbelievers, which made it the perfect opportunity for sharing the Gospel. B.J. and I also helped out by leading a youth seminar on how to resolve conflicts. We had about 20 youth participate, which was a great chance for B.J. to practice his Spanish!
We are privileged to be a very small part of what God is doing here in Spain and are so thankful that God uses mere humans to do great things for his Kingdom, just as he is doing through the Good Samaritan Center. Doesn't it make you want to come over and help us out?!
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