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November 2008

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SEMINARY
Lay Training Program

The Taller Teológico (Theological W orkshop) is the new lay training program we launched last year. We have 175 people participating in 18 churches in different regions of Spain. Osmundo Ponce, the director of the program, has done an excellent job of connecting with local churches and findig quality supervisors.

This summer I finished the rough draft of my course for the program: Methods and Dynamics of Bible Study . It is being edited and formated at present and will be in use by the new year. Focusing on a participatory format the course gives Bible study leaders 9 different approaches to doing Bible study, and each one includes an application dynamic. The program shows great promise.

European Methodist Council

The European Methodist Council (EMC) is the European counterpart to the World Methodist Coucil. It is a forum for communication and mission partnership of Methodist-related bodies. It is not a strictly United Methodist organization but rather represents the broader Methodist family. For this reason the Spanish Evangelical Church can be a full member. While it is not officially Methodist, it has a Methodist root and is a partner church. Autonomous Methodist churches, such as Portugal, the British & Irish Methodist Church participate with the United Methodist Church.

The Spanish Evangelical Church invited me to be their representative in the meeting in Velletri, Italy in September. Bishops, mission secretaries or other representatives attended from Ireland, England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Macedonia, Hungary, and Russia. As I was representing Spain two people remarked: “Your English is quite good for a Spaniard!” Of course I replied: “My English is quite good for a Texan!”

The actual meetings were held in the lovely Centro Ecumene of the Methodist Church of Italy. However, on Sunday we attended an English-speaking service of the Italian Methodist Church. After an afternoon of tourism we were hosted at a diplomatic reception, which included the Irish ambassador to Italy, a Vatican representative, the Anglican ambassador to the Holy See, and the Methodist ambassador to the Vatican. Yes, we Methodists have an ambassador, the Rev. Dr. Trevor Hoggard.

Chating in St. Peter's Square. The guy with sunglesses is the Portuguese bishop and the woman on the left a German bishop. The lost tourist on the right is me.

The central themes for the meetings were ecumenism and immigration/ migration. Churches all across Europe are being deeply impacted by the massive movement of people from their country of origin. To what extent should we form new language and culture specific congregations for the immigrants, or should we try to integrate the churches? There are no easy solutions; however, each country represented is making a valiant effort to respond in a way that is faithful to the Gospel and the love of Christ.

Ecumenical relations is also a multi-faceted reality. EMC member churches have a strong sense of ecumencial vocation, but the crude reality is that we are tiny minorities in most countries. In several countries there are official State churches, and they tend to set the agenda.

Seminary Video

The Seminary has produced a video that you can watch on our website. Check it out! http://www.centroseut.org/english/video.htm

FAMILY
Suffolk University-Boston

Rock Star!

Chris bought his first electric guitar this summer. Here is is with a classical guitar at the Community Church retreat in October.

He is also attending the American School of Madrid. This is one of the finest college preparatory schools in the world, and Chris is noticing the difference in the level of work and expectations. However, the teachers are so nice and willing to stay after school to help. In instrumental music class he gets to jam and head bang (ask your adolescent what this means)!

Rach Star!

Diane has climbed one monstrous peak, now she is setting her sites on the Mt. Everest of piano conciertos, Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concierto. Her biggest prayer is for larger hands! You might pray for our piano also, since the three of us are now taking piano lessons. In this picture she and Amy McAlister offer music in the Community Church of Madrid.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support that make our ministry possible.

Please visit the Prayer and Photos page of our website!

Your Partners in the Gospel,

GBGM Missionary Codes:

Diane: 10070-Z       Mark: 10069-Z

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June 2008

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SEMINARY
Graduation

Graduation takes on special meaning when you operate a distance learning program. It provides an occasion to be together in community and celebrate. This year we had two persons graduate with degrees (Bachelor and Licenciate), and we gave certificates to persons who had completed the equivalent of one or two years of full-time study. Since they had done this at a distance, it took much longer than one or two years.

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We are very proud of our graduates. All who received recognition are leaders in their local churches, but none makes a living as a pastor. This tells part of the church context in Spain.

Lay Training Institute: Taller Teológico

We are launching a lay training program called Taller Teológico (Theological Workshop). This has been our launch phase this year and we already have 15 groups with 115 people participating. This is spread across 5 denominations. Our vision is to serve the entire Protestant spectrum in Spain, and we are off to a good start.

In September the groups will begin using a module I wrote: Methods and Dynamics of Bible Study . It is designed to train local Bible study group leaders. It includes 9 different approaches to Bible study along with group dynamics.

Seminary Video

The Seminary has produced a video that you can watch on our website. Check it out! http://www.centroseut.org/english/video.htm

FAMILY
College Graduate!

General Family Info
Caroline completed her first year at Suffolk University. She did the first year at the Madrid campus, but in August she travels to Boston. She can't wait to be free of Mom & Dad! Chris and Puss will miss her, for sure.

Chris hopes to attend an international school next year, possibly the American School of Madrid. This will give him better preparation for university. He continues studying the guitar and piano. His big dream is to buy an electric guitar.

Diane and Chris will spend time this summer with Diane's mother in Hamburg, NY. Mark will stay behind in Spain and sweat. Don't feel too sorry for him. He and a colleague, Osmundo, are going to vacation together in August and visit the Expo 2008 in Zaragoza as well as the Basque country up north.

A very important person who did not make it in the graduation photos is Dave Kelley. He was taking the pictures! Dave is “Uncle Fred” to Andy. After graduation Andy, Diane, Mark and Chris went to Santa Monica, California with Dave to have a week together. What a wonderful gift!

hank you to all our supporters and friends who continue to uphold us in prayer. You are the key to effectiveness in our ministry. We love you and pray for you as well.

Please visit the Prayer and Photos page of our website!

Your Partners in the Gospel,

GBGM Missionary Codes:

Diane: 10070-Z       Mark: 10069-Z

February 2008

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SEMINARY
A funny thing happened on the way to the seminary in Moscow . I took the wrong taxi. After waiting 1 ½ hours to go through passport control I was quite anxious to find my driver who would take me into Moscow . As I passed along the line of people holding signs I clearly saw my name, Mark Abbott. The driver didn't speak English—what do you expect in Moscow ?—so I thought everything was fine until…. We had gone about 15 km towards Moscow when the driver's phone rang; he looked back at me, then handed me the phone. The dispatcher informed me that I was not the guy he was supposed to pick up. When I insisted on looking at the sign again, on the first line I saw “Marriot”. Well, the first three letters were the same as mine!

I felt like such a fool. My mind had filled in the rest, for I had clearly “seen” Mark Abbott on that sign! He was able to turn around and get back. He hastily deposited me on the sidewalk, charged me no money (shock!), and then we both raced in to find the right people. Sure enough, my guy was holding a sign “Abbott”; he spoke English and he knew of the seminary. Whew! Oh what a relief it is! [No, he didn't address me: “Good evening, Mr. Bond.”]

Moscow United Methodist Seminary

Russia is the first place I have felt totally disoriented because I can't read the Cyrillic script (if only I had prepared) and don't know a word of Russian. The lady who took me to my room at the seminary knew no English, but she's used to it.

Why was I in Russia ? You may remember that last year I attended a meeting of United Methodist seminary deans in Europe in Reutlingen , Germany . Well, this year the meeting was in Moscow , and they let me come again. My main interest was to attend the first 2 days in which they gave a seminar on e-learning, both the pedagogy involved and the program they are going to use (Blackboard. I have experience with Moodle). This part was excellently led by a Methodist pastor and professor at Wesley College in Bristol , England , Rev. Dr. Angela Shier-Jones.

After this the governing board of the newly created Methodist e-Academy met. The initial purpose of the e-Academy is to deliver online a Methodist studies course for Methodists across Europe . Students will be able to take the courses in English or German, with tutoring in local languages (of which there are many). Bishop Patrick Streiff of Zurich asked me to join in and report back to Bishop Teixeira in Portugal . So I played secretary.

Back row: Jörg Barthel , Germany ; Bishop Patrick Streiff, Zurich ; David Field, e-Academy Coordinator, Zurich ; Spanish guy. Front row: Wilfrid Neusner , Austria ; Sergei Nikolaev, Moscow ; Mark Nelson, Estonia ; Mary Ann Moman, Board of Higher Education & Ministry; Jörgen Thaarup , Sweden ; Maxine Beach, Dean at Drew Theological School .

After these two meetings covering 3 ½ days the UMTSE (United Methodist Theological Seminaries of Europe) met. My seminary is not an official UM institution, but the Spanish church is a partner with the UMC and a member of the European and World Methodist Councils. It was stimulating and informative. Each seminary gave their report. Deans attended from Graz , Austria ; Gotheburg , Sweden ; Oslo , Norway ; Reutlingen , Germany ; Tallin , Estonia ; and Moscow , Russia . The deans from Slovakia and Poland could not attend.

One morning Tobias Dietze, the outgoing president of the Moscow seminary took us on a morning tourism excursion. We visited all the sites that someone raised during the Cold War would think of: Red Square , tomb of the unknown soldier, St. Basil's, GUM department store. We also visited the rebuilt Christ's Church that is headquarters for the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. In the little museum they have pictures of it being blown up by the communists and later being reconstructed in the 1990s.

Christ's Church Cathedral

Methodism is alive and well…and struggling. Across Europe Christianity in general is in a slump. However, there are vital groups of believers everywhere. What was so exciting about being at the Moscow seminary is that it is a relatively new creation (12 years old) and represents a fresh start. However, as a student told me, the early enthusiasm for Christianity that followed the collapse of communism now wanes in the onslaught of crass Western-style (mixed with Russian-style) materialism.

I also came away encouraged about SEUT's ministry in Spain . We have more professors than any of the other seminaries. We are striving to be on the cutting edge of online distance learning instruction. We would like to be the Spanish Open University for theology.

Lastly, I want to heartily thank St. Paul 's UMC in State College , PA for funding my trip. I never could have gotten lost in Moscow without them. Spasibo!

Please visit the Prayer and Photos page of our website!

Your Partners in the Gospel,

GBGM Missionary Codes:

Diane: 10070-Z       Mark: 10069-Z

October 2007

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SEMINARY

New Professors

Eddy Delameillieure (pronounced “day la mayor”) is one of two latest additions to our illustrious teaching staff. Contrary to his name, he is a Flemish-speaking Belgian and not a French-speaking one. . He and his wife spent over 10 years in the UK , and he completed his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology in London School of Theology. Eddy is sponsored by OMS International. An amusing anecdote is that the Spanish word for Flemish is flamenco , which of course is the same name for the famous Spanish music. Eddy assures me that he does not dance the flamenco, but I know he will learn!

Osmundo Ponce carries dual citizenship: Guatemalan and Costa Rican. Supported by the Presbyterian Church USA, he, too, is an invaluable addition to SEUT's faculty. His specific responsibility is to coordinate our new lay training program called Taller Teológico (see more below). Osmundo has three licentiate degrees, one masters and is currently working on a Ph.D. He will help us bring the cultural gap between Latin America and Europe .

New Programs

This Fall SEUT is launching a lay training program called Taller Teológico (Theological Workshop). It is designed to be used by small groups in local churches to give them a well-rounded training program in fundamental theoretical areas (Bible, theology) as well as in practical areas (administration, pastoral care, diaconal ministry, etc.). Most local churches in Spain do not have an ordained clergy and the leadership is largely volunteer. We hope to provide a basic level of training to support the local church. We are launching our materials in a pilot project this year. (Visit www.tallerteologico.es .)

Masters in Theology: With a launch date currently at September 2008, our professors are preparing online class materials for a Masters in Theology program. Our target market is Latin America . We believe we can provide an advanced level of theological training online. Personally I am preparing a course on Romans.

Can you believe that some people would like to study theology in the English language, but in Spain ? We believe so. We just approved the creation of a Certificate program in theology called Understanding Christianity . It will include 4 areas: Christian Scripture, Christian thinking, Christian life and Christian worship. Add some Spanish flavor to your theological training!

Milestone

SEUT is about to have its first ever Roman Catholic graduate. Cristina Inoges studied theology in Catholic institutions for a time, but eventually they shut the door in her face because she is a woman. That is the actual reason they gave! To make a long story short, she found out about us, signed up, and now she has successfully defended her thesis for a Licentiate degree in Theology. In the picture she is standing with the professors who graded her thesis. She assures us of her intention to enrol in the Masters program when it is available. This news is not about Protestant triumphalism but about living our oneness in Christ and being true to our ecumenical vocation. Congratulations Cristina!

FAMILY
Church Visitation
During July and August we drove 3,400 miles visiting churches, mainly in Pennsylvania . How does one drive so many miles in one State? Mark had to criss-cross the State several times across conference lines. He attended the UMW's School of Christian Mission in Grove City College . Those women are awesome!

Thanks to all of the wonderful people who provided hospitality during our travels. Many of you were renewed friendships, while others were new acquaintances. Your faithful prayers, love and support make our ministry possible and our home visits worthwhile!

While we were visiting the US the seminary completed a promotional 7 min. video. Later this Fall one of our supporting churches will help duplicate and mail it out. Be on the lookout for it! While 7 min. may seem a bit long, it gives a good overview of the people and ministry.

Stony Point
One of the highlights of our 20 year missionary career is getting to know our colleagues in mission, both standard support missionaries, deaconesses and church and community workers. In August we met in a beautiful Presbyterian retreat center in Stony Point , New York ( www.stonypointcenter.org ). The staff is so hospitable, and the food is several cuts above the usual.

We heard stories of the church's growth in Cambodia , of nurses who work with children dying of AIDS in Zimbabwe , of those who work with at risk children in Community Centers in the US . Our son Chris was the only youth present, and he made an insightful comment. H e said that he had felt such a peace with the people at Stony Point . He could tell people were committed to peace and love.

Kids and Family Stuff

Chris and Andy find it "heavy" going!

Two kids coming of age in the same month. This is what happened in July. Andy turned 21, which makes him totally legal in the US . Caroline turned 18, which makes her totally legal in Spain . Does this mean Diane and I are getting old? Of course not. It's a reason to party!

Andy is now in his last year of college, graduating May 3, 2008 from LeTourneau University in Longview , Texas . Caroline begins her freshman year at Suffolk University . While their home campus is in Boston , they have a Madrid campus. She will live at home and attend the Madrid campus her first year. She is in the process for applying for dual citizenship. We've already had some of her new college friends at the house. The fun keeps on coming!

Chris has done something remarkable. Beginning in late May he taught himself the guitar, and has fallen in love with it. In September he begins Spanish classical guitar lessons, in addition to continuing with piano lessons. His dream is to buy an electric guitar. If you see a picture of the parents with frazzled hair and bloodshot eyes, you'll know he succeeded.

Diane has made significant strides in her recovery from leg surgery in March 2006. She has returned to a full work schedule at the seminary, where she is needed more than ever. As you can imagine, new programs increase the administrative load considerably. Visit Diane's page for more information.

Please visit the Prayer and Photos page of our website!

Your Partners in the Gospel,

GBGM Missionary Codes:

Diane: 10070-Z       Mark: 10069-Z

January 2007

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SEMINARY

New Professors

Meet Nathan Moser, our new professor in Old Testament. He was raised in a missionary family in Ecuador, so he is fluent in Spanish. This summer he completes a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His wife Amy is Greek, and they have two children.
He will be able to take a load off the seminary director by teaching Hebrew and writing a new module on the prophets. Nathan is sponsored by the Missionary Church, which is in the Mennonite tradition.

Rainer Sörgel is a German missionary who has pastored a Baptist church in Spain since 1998. Although he had some theological studies in Germany, he began advanced studies with our Seminary. Through this God awakened in him a vocation to teach.
Now Rainer has obtained a Master's degree in theology in Germany (at a distance). He moved to El Escorial last Fall and has begun teaching in the area of church history and systematics. He and his wife Marita have five girls between the ages of 14 and 4!

New Projects
Distance education has moved from a text-based medium to an online medium. Our program for distance learning is traditional, albeit of high quality. We are making preparations to move it to an online medium using special, open source (meaning free!) software. We have already done experiments with it, but the remainder of this academic year we are training the staff so that we can adapt our current courses to the online environment, and our new courses will be prepared from the beginning for this new context.

One of our first opportunities to use it will be in our new Master's in Theology program. Believe it or not, our greatest source of potential students for the Masters is Latin America. We get emails almost weekly asking about this. We hope to have our first Masters students in September 2007. Pray for us!

Special Visitor
Tom Goslin is a very special person to Diane and me. Not only was he the founding pastor of the Community Church of Madrid, but he was a professor of church history in the SEUT. Past October he paid a visit to our new grounds in El Escorial. Thanks for your friendship, Tom!.

FAMILY
Special Christmas!
Our oldest son Andy was able to be with us for Christmas. All of us except for Diane had not seen him since the previous Christmas. We made a special trip to Zaragoza and to Jaca, a medieval town in the Pyrinees after Christmas. You can see more pictures on our web site, but below are our three having fun.

Enjoy this picture of the Pyrinees with Chris and Caroline. Only 25% of the normal amount of snow has fallen this winter.

Summer Church Visitation--Pennsylvania
This summer Mark will be visiting our Covenant Churches in Pennsylvania. We always become energized when we have an opportunity to share with you what God is doing. And we want to emphasize how vital is your financial and prayer support. We truly cherish each and every one of you!

Please visit the Prayer and Photos page of our website!

Your Partners in the Gospel,

GBGM Missionary Codes:

Diane: 10070-Z       Mark: 10069-Z

July 2006

Download Abbott News Brief July 2006

SEMINARY

Graduation

On July 1 the Seminary celebrated a milestone. We graduated 5 students from our on-site program!

For most of the Seminary's history the only program was a residential one. In 1993 the Seminary made a strategic shift to put the main emphasis on distance learning. This resulted in a significant expansion in both the number of students and the denominations represented. We have around 100 students from 20 denominations now.

In 2001 the Seminary moved from its downtown location to its new headquarters in El Escorial. With the move we also re-instituted the residential program. This graduating class is the first one from this new location.

The graduating class consisted of 3 students from the Presbyterian Church of Portugal and a Spanish married couple from an independent church in Madrid. Representatives from both the Madrid church and the Portuguese church were on hand for the festivities. As dean, Mark designed and presided over the ceremony. Diane provided the lovely music.

New Professors
Two new professors have been added to our staff this year. Nathan Moser was raised in a missionary family in Ecuador, so he is fluent in Spanish. This summer he completes a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His wife is Greek and they have two children. He will be able to take a load off the seminary director by teaching Hebrew and writing a new module on the prophets. Nathan is sponsored by the Missionary Church, which is in the Mennonite tradition.

Rainer Sörgel is a German missionary who has pastored a Baptist church in Spain since 1998. Although he had some theological studies in Germany, he began advanced studies with our Seminary. Through this God awakened in him a vocation to teach, so he obtained a Master's degree in theology in Germany (at a distance). He just moved to El Escorial with his family and will begin teaching this Fall in the area of church history and systematics. He and his wife Marita have five girls between the ages of 14 and 4!

Vital Statistics
Everyone knows that Spain is a Roman Catholic country. The newspaper recently published statistics on religious belief and practice in Spain produced by the main sociological study institute and a Roman Catholic foundation. You may find them illuminating.

79% of the population are Roman Catholic, 11% unbelievers (agnostics), 6% atheists and only 2% of other religions. This 2% includes Jews, Muslims, Mormons, Bahais and Protestants. Of the 79% Catholic, 49% never go to Mass, and only 32.6% go to Mass once per month or more.

One thing I can say about these statistics is that evangelism in Spain is not about making Protestants out of Roman Catholics. Almost 20% of the population profess no faith commitment. Our task is is to share the living Christ with people who either do not have a faith or who feel alienated from God, sometimes because of the church. Pray that God's Spirit will blow across Spain anew.

FAMILY
Happy Birthday!
Diane's mother celebrates her 90th birthday in August. We are thankful that the Lord has made it possible for both Diane and her sister (who lives in Portugal) to travel to Hamburg, NY to celebrate along with extended family members. Happy birthday, Kay!

Our Children
Our youngest, Chris, is no longer the smallest. He is taller than his Dad and wears a bigger shoe! He is working on becoming a Spanish Tony Hawk on the skateboard.

Caroline and Chris both had their first year in Spanish public school. Caroline was second in her class, quite an accomplishment in a tough system. To celebrate this great accomplishment she asked for a nose piercing. Now I will try to not stand to the side when she sneezes.

Andy completed his second year in LeTourneau University in Longview. He was selected to be a resident adviser in the dorms next year. Also, during the summer course he qualified for his instrument rating in flying. He flew into Love Field Dallas on instruments. I am not sure I trust a pilot who covers their eyes when they fly.

Diane...the Long Road to Recovery
On March 30 Diane had orthopedic surgery on her right leg. She had knock-knees, and over time her lower right leg was 26 degrees out of alignment. The maximum allowable is 10. This was putting considerable pressure on her knee. She suffered 3-4 months with considerable pain.

The procedure involved cutting the femur just above the knee, aligning the leg, and then fixing the femur in place with a plate and screws. Now she has a straight leg! The best part is that this will give years of life to her knee. God sent us to the best orthopedic surgeon in Spain, Dr. Fernando Noriega.

The recovery has been long, but God has been gracious in many ways. Our church community brought supper for an entire week when she came home from the hospital. At this point Diane has begun to climb a limited number of stairs, using crutches. She was able to play the piano for Seminary graduation. Soon she will be able to leave the crutches aside, hopefully before going to Hamburg in August.

We are so grateful for all of your prayers, and we are particularly thankful for the care package that St Paul's UMC in Abilene, TX sent. The stuffed horny toad now graces Mark's office.

Your Partners in the Gospel,

GBGM Missionary Codes:

Diane: 10070-Z       Mark: 10069-Z

March 2006

Download Abbott News Brief October 2005

PART OF HISTORY

Diane and I are living history. Recently Spain celebrated the 30th anniversary of the beginning of democracy after a long, 40 year dictatorship under Generalissimo Francisco Franco. This brings back memories because we were in Granada as university students when the country held a referendum in which 84% of the people voted in favor of the transition to democracy. My, how things have changed!

Back in our university days most women did not drive cars. It was a very macho world, codified in law. One saw many older women dressed in black. They were known as Civil War widows. On the buses signs reserved seats for "mutilados" or amputees, another vestige of a bloody conflict only one generation removed. Some young people had chaperones on dates. And the police were to be feared. I remember one day seeing policemen with assault rifles circling a plaza.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia

Today the young people have no recollection of these things, of course. They are the subject of curiosity, now portrayed on a hit TV series "Cuéntame Cómo Pasó" or "Tell Me How It Was". Women drive as much as men. The government's cabinet is composed half and half, men and women. The leader of the Communist party was given an honorary doctorate by the Autonomous University. Police are polite and helpful. Because of abundant imports, one can find almost anything in the supermarket. Spain has come a long, long way in 30 years.

But what about the church? One might think that the opening up of the country and the transition to democracy would help the church. I thought this would be the case; however, things haven't turned out quite that way. The churches that existed before the Civil War and struggled through the repressive dictatorship have found it hard going. Why? Perhaps an anecdote will help.

A few years ago I was in a national meeting of pastors of the Spanish Evangelical Church (IEE). In a free discussion at coffee time some young pastors were talking with some of the older generation (from the war years). One put it succinctly.

"You guys learned how to be the church as a resistance movement within society. You kept the faith through it all, but we younger generation have to be the church in freedom. We need you to give us the permission to try and fail to lead the church in freedom."

Living in freedom is not easy when one has come out of a repressive environment.

Today the church faces many challenges. Freedom is accompanied by the apathy of most youth. The church is slow to adopt fresh approaches that invite youthful participation. The generation gap is seen across the church, but is particularly stark among the clergy. There are only about three pastors under the age of 40 in the Spanish Evangelical Church.

One of the bright spots is the large influx of Latin American immigrants. Many of them are Protestant Christians, and they look for a church. This fresh wind is renewing some congregations and challenging others. You must understand that racism rears its ugly head even in the church. Spain was isolated from the world community for so long, that this rush of immigrants is experienced like a waterfall of icy water. Many Spaniards feel bewildered. As recent as 10 years ago the subways were filled mostly with white Spaniards. Today it is like taking a tour of the United Nations.

Slowly, the churches are beginning to recognize this as a gift from God. Three of the IEE pastors today are Latinos, two from Mexico and one from Cuba. We even have a white North American woman serving a congregation in Madrid!

Diane and I feel privileged to have lived some of this history. It gives us a better perspective to understand Spain and hopefully to be more effective witnesses and servants. Please pray for this country and for the Spanish church that fresh winds of God's Spirit will blow.

Your Partners in the Gospel,

GBGM Missionary Codes:

Diane: 10070-Z       Mark: 10069-Z

October 2005

Download Abbott News Brief October 2005

SEMINARY

New Students
The start of a new semester is always an exciting time. For us it is particularly meaningful because it is the moment of "the revelation of the mystery". We never know how many on-site students we will have until they practically show up.

In addition to the six on-site students from last year we have three new students, well maybe four. A couple from the Canary Islands, Frank and Mariate, a young man studying journalism in the university is studying theology part time. We have a student in process for next semester. She is in a Ph.D. program in psychology and wants to study theology at the same time. Some would say she is a glutton for punishment!

We have had a rush of new students signing up in our distance learning program recently. This is a real PTL!

SEUT Online
SEUT is in the development stage of adding online dynamics to our distance study program. This can offer the students support and a degree of interactivity. They can actually get to know one another through the forums for each class. Setting this up requires research and prepartion, which is precisely what is happening now. Pray for this exciting and challenging development.

New Roof
The famous chimney building on our property is one of the oldest structures in town. We want to refurbish it and put our library inside; however, until funds are available to do this we have to preserve the existing structure.

The provincial government has given us 60,000 euros to put on a new roof. The work has already started. You can contribute to the library project through the Advance Special: 14282-T   - Leadership Training Center, Renovation, El Escorial

FAMILY

Church Visitation

This summer we visited 26 Covenant Churches in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona (one church) and Western New York. We put 5,000 miles on two rental cars. We wore one of them out!

The flight from Albuquerque, NM to Lake Havasu City entailed a 4 hour layover in Phoenix. This made it possible to visit my former Mexico colleagues Marianne Hutchinson and Jim & Doris Long.

Thank all of your churches for your splendid hospitality and generosity!

New School
Caroline (11th grade) and Chris (8th grade) entered Spanish public school this year. The 1 1/2 hour commute each way was too much, so now they leave at 7:45 am and return by 3 pm. English class is the easiest for both of them, although Chris thinks the British English a bit odd. English is required in Spanish public schools.

Both are also enrolled in the Texas Tech University distance learning program in English to maintain their US level proficiency.

Heartfelt thanks to all who hosted us this summer! Remember, the one in whom we live, move and have our being is the Supreme Being of Love!

GBGM Missionary Codes:

Diane: 10070-Z       Mark: 10069-Z