Happy Holidays!

Hello everyone!

I probably won't get another chance to write you until some time in January as all of the holidays fall on Saturdays (the day of the week I get off occasionally) this year. As a whole, I'm doing well and noticing some positive changes and spiritual growth in me. I know I don't understand everything, but I do know the women really love me here and see Christ in me. (They've told me and asked if I could stay longer.) Yay, for Valencia, right? Also, if you'd like to call me for the Christmas or New Year's holidays, you can on either Saturday or Sunday. We don't have internet at the house or stores I work in, and we'll all be in the house for the holidays, so phoning will be the best way to reach me those days. The number is (0034) 961 480 226. When it's noon in New York, it's 6 pm here. Love you all very, VERY much! Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Happy New Year's to you all!!!

Also, after many unsuccessful attempts over the weekend to purchase my flight from Spain to the UK, I was able to buy my ticket today! WOOT! I still have to buy a bus ticket from London to Birmingham, but if need be, that can be purchased upon arrival. Please, please do continue to be praying for my entry into the UK to be smooth as others coming to serve Betel have had problems or been denied entry upon arrival. I arrive Jan. 19th. Please lift up my transition from Spanish culture to British culture as well as they are very different cultures comparatively. Off to work in a bit. Hugs to you all. More stories of my time here yet to come!

IMPORTANT - Prayer Requests

Dear friends and family,

It’s been nearly two weeks since I’ve been able to use my my computer and the internet for various reasons including a change in the daily routine here and a week of holidays. As such, unfortunately that means that going forward I won’t get to use my computer as much as I was before. Still writing everything that happens down in my journal and am sorry that (for now) I’m not able to share more since my time and computer use are always limited.

Could you all please pray for the following for me? They are very important. Thanks for lifting me up before our Father. Know too that other than a huge lack of communication here, things continue to be more or less wonderful here!

• Arranging travel - I have another day off on Saturday and will be spending the first part of my day searching for (air or train) tickets online for my trip to the UK and if there’s time for my trip back to the US scheduled for mid April. Please pray for the process to go smoothly as I’d prefer this task to not be frustrating or time consuming.

• Upcoming holidays - I hate loud noises and chaos. I get cranky if I eat late. Yet, I’ve been told that those qualities more or less sum up both the Spanish version of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be praying for me to have an abundance of God’s grace, peace, and light during this time as I don’t want to react in my flesh.

• My return to Madrid - I will be back in Madrid from Jan 16-19 for debriefing, sightseeing, and evangelism in The Vertedero (massive garbage dump and drug haven). I’m not sure what day exactly I will be in The Vertedero, but this is probably a time that’s going to break my heart and is a dangerous location for me to venture into. I want this experience, but please pray especially for this venture, specifically for my safety (and that of the others on the team) and for God’s love to be like a fragrant perfume upon us drawing many to His love.

• Becoming fluent in Spanish - More or less, I’m understanding what’s being said to me though it may have to be repeated if spoken quickly. I know I understand more Spanish and can respond more quickly as well now. I’m not fluent though. Pray for my Spanish to continue to improve and for me to become fluent if not now then in the future.

All my love,

Amanda Kay