Serving two weeks in Valencia, Spain, was a life-changing experience. Even though the city is modern and practices religious freedom, I was shocked to learn only 2 percent of the people in Spain have a relationship with the Christ, and there are only few evangelical churches in the area. It is also evident that there’s a lack of workers to serve and share the gospel.
Clarissa SanchezDuring my time in Valencia, the words “dry land” came to mind. I prayed and asked God to reveal what this meant. Then I realized and knew it was the Holy Spirit telling me that this city thirsts for Jesus. Only Christ can quench their thirst. “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants” (Isaiah 44:3, ESV).
I had the opportunity to meet with locals in cafés and pubs to share my faith. I also presented my Christian testimony through English and Spanish conversational classes. Many of the people I talked to were unbelievers, but I am certain the Holy Spirit was touching their hearts. I can still remember the vivid picture of their eyes glowing as they heard Jesus’s miraculous wonders.
I was also able to join my host, Anita, in English and Spanish Bible studies. We gathered with recent born-again Christians who wanted to learn more about the Bible and who wanted to practice their English or Spanish.
Studying Bible stories
Local residents wait for the mission’s food distribution.As we studied the Holy Scriptures, we were given tips on how to evangelize and how to disciple individuals. We studied several Bible stories—Creation, the Samaritan woman and the prodigal son. Although I had already read these stories before, the Lord continued to teach me new things. I rejoiced because the Lord kept speaking to us as we read, and we were excited and thirsty to learn more about him.
When my partner and I were not helping with English-as-a-Second-Language classes, we worked at Mision Evangelica Urbana Valencia. It is a place where homeless and low-income families go to eat a free breakfast, take a shower, get a haircut, and obtain free clothes and groceries. Local bakeries donate bread to the center, individuals donate clothes to give to the poor, and the government provides groceries for food distribution. God has remained faithful and has provided for the needs of the people of this city.
My heart rejoiced as people walked in and sat around the tables, taking a bite of their bread and sipping a cup of coffee. Their eyes widened and smiled as we served them another plate of bread. For a lot of them, the food they had at the center was probably all they would eat that day.
Humbled by being able to serve
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Serving breakfast to local residents.I thanked God and was humbled for being able to serve and make a difference in their lives. The Scripture found in John 6:35 came to mind. “Jesus said to them I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall not thirst” (John 6:35, ESV).
As I served, I tried to find a time to speak to the locals. I wanted them to know we have a spiritual need that only Jesus can satisfy. I pray that God continues to speak to them and that they desire a relationship with Jesus.
Some days, we worked in the center’s warehouse. We sorted and organized groceries and helped distribute the food to hungry people in the city. The day of food distribution was a happy day for many people, because they were able to take free groceries and share it with their loved ones.
Clarissa Sanchez (right) with members of her English Bible study.In Spain, my partner and I were able to build relationships with the locals. To our surprise, several of them were going through tough situations that we had experienced. We were able to share our testimony of how God helped us through our difficult times. From that moment on, we realized God’s divine appointment.
Serving in Spain increased my faith
Serving in Spain increased my faith, and I was able to discover my calling. It was a life-changing, unexplainable experience that I will treasure forever. I know God will continue to work in the lives of the people we encountered. Spiritually speaking, I have faith that Valencia, Spain will encounter Jesus and will be a city with streams of living water.
Clarissa Sanchez, a student at the University of Texas Pan-American, served in Spain with Go Now Missions.
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