Dave & Lois Belch

Dave and Lois both grew up in Venezuela in missionary families.  They have remained committed to missionary work throughout their marriage.  For more than 30 years they labored for the gospel in Venezuela, most recently as church planters in Guatire, a community just outside of Caracas, the capital city.  God greatly blessed the Guatire church plant—in less than 10 years the church blossomed in size and maturity, with established eldership and lay leadership.  

In their last season at Guatire a number of believers from the church had moved to the Canary Islands in search of employment.  With the Guatire church established and maturing, Dave and Lois began praying about whether God would have them relocate to the island of Tenerife to help establish an evangelical church there.  In December of 2008 their prayers came to fruition and they moved to Santa Ursula, Tenerife to join missionaries Steve and Cheryl Albrecht in a fledgling church plant effort.

Geographically the Canary Islands are a beautiful vacation locale off the northwest coast of Africa.  Spiritually this Spanish territory is dark and worldly, being very much influenced by the culture of continental Europe.  The legacy of Spain’s religious traditions and the idols of materialism have shaped Canarian society.  Government authorities and the Canarian people alike are suspicious of anything associated with evangelical Christianity.

Yet God is at work, drawing both Canarian as well as Venezuelan people to the Santa Ursula church.  The Belches are praying that the Lord will mature this young church and establish it as a strategic base for the spread of the gospel—through the Canary Islands, to mainland Spain, and into Muslim Africa.

The families of Dave and Lois’ oldest three children reside in Eastern Washington.  Caroline, their youngest daughter, is completing high school at a Christian academy in Germany.    

 

Birthdays
Dave – January 17
Lois – August 12
Caroline – April 15, 1993  

E-mail Address
dlbelch@telefonica.net 

Mailing Address
Calle Tajora, 11
Urb. La Quinta Lagos
Fase 3, Portal 1, 0-D
38390 Santa Ursula, Tenerife, Spain 

Telephone Contact
34-922-337880 house 
34-649-050809 cell 

 

 

Tenerife Update 6-3-10

 

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 Teaching time during the youth activity

 

 Manolo runs the barbecue pit for the youth activity

 

 

Youth from Santa Ursula, Santa Cruz and Granadilla

 

 

Tenerife Update 4-12-10

 

Subject: Tenerife/ 05 May 10
Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 13:13:57 +0100

Greetings to you from the Santa Ursula church.....where lots of equipping of the saints has been happening over the last days.  Nathan referred to this in his email last week as we are maximizing the pastoral ministry experience of David Crespo, who is visiting us from the Guatire (Venezuela) church.  David has played a strategic role in the effort of the Venezuela church to participate in the launching of the Santa Ursula church, dating back to 2006.  Since arriving a week ago, David has...
***participated in the family relationships workshop over the weekend
***led a training time with the Sunday School teachers
***encouraged the worship team to focus their music ministry on the glory of God
***led a training time with the small group Bible study leaders
***preached the first message of a series on spiritual disciplines
***met with the Santa Ursula church elders and encouraged us to serve God by serving the people of God
***participated in two small group Bible studies
***encouraged many of the believers to walk in faithfulness before God
 
The family workshop over the weekend focused on the relationship of respect between parents and children.  I led a teaching time on Friday evening on the biblical responsibilities of the parents, and then David about the responsibilities of the children.  On Saturday we (David Crespo, Steve, Nathan, Luis, Lois and I) led eight workshops (4 with the adults and 4 separately with the youth/adolescents) to deal with practical issues like shepherding the heart, communication, discipline and teaching values.  The workshop was well received by the 35+ people in attendance.  Our heart cry to God is that the believers would respond in obedience to God's Word as they see God strengthening each family.

Our focus for this weekend is a retreat for the youth/adolescents, with David Crespo speaking four times on the theme of "making God honoring decisions in the midst of multiple influences".  Pray for David as he shares and for the 15 youth/adolescents to be responsive to God's influence on their lives.  Pray also that the adults accompanying them will be able to have good conversations with the youth.
 
On May 15 the church will be sponsoring a cultural activity in the Santa Ursula plaza that is presented by a church in Santa Cruz.  Through puppets and various booths they present the cultures of various countries of the world and direct the attention of the children toward the God who is sovereign over all cultures.  The activity will end with a music concert in the evening directed toward the youth and adults.  The impetus behind this is a desire to share the gospel message, but in order to obtain the permissions for a public presentation, the activity is led by a private non governmental organization.  We are totally grateful that the Santa Ursula city hall has approved this presentation.  Pray that we will be "salt and light" regarding the truth of the gospel.
 
The missionary team is doing well.  Albrechts are busy with many discipleship opportunities.  The Thirys are pretty well set up in their house, in fact we are going to have an informal church gathering at their house on Sunday evening.  Nathan is preaching on Sunday, so uphold him in prayer.  The Belches say "goodby" to Dave's Mom this coming week.  We do appreciate your prayer on our behalf as we seek to exemplify the gospel through our our lives.

Dave

 

 

 David Crespo teaching on the responsibilities of children

 

 Lois teaching on parents communication with their children

 

 Nathan taking care of the children during the family workshop

 

 

Tenerife Update 4-12-10

 

Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 10:38 PM

Subject: Tenerife 4/19

 
Let us give you a quick report on a few of the prayer items mentioned last week from the missionary team in Santa Úrsula, Tenerife.

First, the newest members on the ground here, Nathan and Julie Thiry asked for wisdom on choosing an apartment. They had the list down to two options until they saw just one more, which fits their needs quite nicely and gives them family space as well as great ministry opportunities. So Lord willing they will move in on Thursday and begin set up.

Second, a youth event was hosted by the Santa Úrsula church in which 40 youth participated from two other churches on the island. It was pleasing to have 6 first timers come at the invitation of our youth. It was a chance for Nathan to get a feel for youth ministry Tenerife style via other leaders who participated.

Last week we shared about a couple renewing their vows. Well we practically repeated the ceremony again with a different couple, Jose Angel and Yrma. They were pleasantly surprised to have their son and family, a sister, niece and children along with a family from the neighborhood participate in the Sunday worship - renewal ceremony and a lunch that followed. All first time visitors who got to hear the Gospel formatted in a variety of ways through song, the couple’s testimony and Dave’s sermon.  Pray for fertile soil.

This weekend the church will be physically present for two days in the plaza of Santa Úrsula as we participate in a book fair. It is the third year now that we have been allowed to be the only stand with Christian literature amidst a secular field. Pray for this opportunity for exposure to the community of who we are as a church and the life changing Word that we have to share. On Saturday we will have a stand at a neighboring town as well.
 

Joy in the journey

Steve and Cheryl Albrecht
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tenerife Update 4-12-10

From: David Belch [mailto:dlbelch@telefonica.net]
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 4:01 PM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Tenerife/ 12 Apr 10

 

Greetings to you from Tenerife.  With great joy we have welcomed Nathan, Julie, Elijah, Levi, and Eliana.  They arrived safely last Thursday, right on time, all luggage in hand, and of course plenty tired from overnight traveling.  They have written an update which I am including below, but first a few quick comments.  Our Caroline returned to Black Forest Academy today and is safely tucked into her dorm.  We are so very grateful to Joe & Suzie and two assistants who faithfully care for Caroline and her 13 dormmates.  My Mom (Carol Belch) arrives in Tenerife tomorrow for a one month visit.  Yeah!

 

The pace of ministry at the church has been actively full.

**Steve & Cheryl are taking a number of people thru the "Victorious Living" course.

**Lois is leading about 15 women through Jerry Bridges book "Pursuit of Holiness".

**Dave is teaching an interpretation/preaching course to 4 men.

**Steve led a very meaningful Passover celebration during Holy Week.

**Dave preached at another church on the island on Sunday in a town where we hope to do one week of impacto outreach during the summer.

 

 

 

 

From: David Belch [mailto:dlbelch@telefonica.net]
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:04 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Tenerife/ 16 Mar 10
 
Greetings to you from Fountain of Peace & Hope Christian Church in Tenerife.
 
During the worship service this past Sunday we received information on the Bible distribution ministry of the "Gideons".  The newly appointed director for Tenerife has a goal of distributing 30,000 New Testaments this year.  I was preaching later in the service on Paul's passion for sharing the gospel (Acts 22-23) and his astuteness in proclamation.  He showed astuteness by appealing with his citizen rights to the Roman commander and by bringing up a theme that "sparked" interest among the Sanhedrin.  In a conversation with the Gideon representative before the service, he made mention of how he uses appropriate astuteness in distributing New Testaments to high school students.  I had him share this during the message, and also gave opportunity for people to share recent moments in which God has allowed them to proclaim the gospel.  I was impressed with two of the testimonies that both involved giving someone a Bible, knowing that the person would not likely read the Bible, and yet acting in obedience to the prompting of the Spirit of God.  Paul demonstrated this kind of passion to proclaim the gospel.  He had just been arrested because of the tumult occasioned by those who did not want to listen to the gospel.  These people had threatened Paul's physical existence.  He could have very naturally been led away by the Roman soldiers without saying anything to the crowd.  But his conviction of his personal salvation experience and of his commission to proclaim the gospel impelled him to want to talk to the crowd.  Hands were raised, but not to indicate acceptance of the gospel but rather rejection.  No problem, Paul shared anyway, knowing they would likely reject the gospel.  Paul was a passionate and faithful witness of Jesus, leaving the results in the providence of God.  This kind of passion is needed among the believers in Tenerife, and I was encouraged to hear how some are passionately and astutely sharing the gospel.
 
The gospel is needed by the people in this community, which awoke on Saturday to news of three deaths.  An older man died of cancer, this being expected.  A 60 year old man died of cancer, not at all expected since he had just been diagnosed and hospitalized a week earlier.  An 18 year old boy died of heart failure during an athletic event.  This last one definitely shocked the community, as he was well known among his peers, which included some of the church youth.  But the death of the 60 year old man impacted a number of us in the church as he was our vehicle mechanic, a good natured man who treated his clients fairly.  We have invited him to church activities, and although not hostile, he repeatedly said he was not interested.  He commented once that he walks by the church location on the way home from work, and I jokingly responded that he was going to share this tidbit when standing before Almighty God.  He laughed it off.  Now the laugh is gone, and the seriousness of gospel proclamation in view of the reality that each of us will confront "after death is the judgement".  Last Tuesday I was in the shop to check on the repair status of the vehicle of someone from the church.  Not seeing the Dad, I asked his son (who is the actual mechanic), and he told me that his Dad had been hospitalized.  God gave me a great opportunity to share the gospel with this son, and then God prompted me to visit the Dad in the hospital, which I was able to do on Thursday.  I left him with two gospel tracts.  Friday night he was gone.  At the funeral wake on Saturday, the son told me, "God wanted my Dad in heaven."  My heart ached, because while I know that God "wants all men to be saved", only those who have "called on the name of the Lord" will be saved.  As of Thursday when I saw Gregorio in the hospital, he had not called on the name of the Lord.  Only God knows if he called out in repentance before leaving this earth.
 
As we are challenged toward boldness in gospel proclamation through the example of the Apostle Paul and through the hopelessness of those who die not knowing Christ, I call on you to pray for the believers in the Santa Ursula church, to be bold, to be passionate, to be astute.  And we ask you to pray also for the visa approval process for Nathan & Julie and their kids.  Nathan is a passionate communicator of the gospel.  We need his influence in the Santa Ursula church.
 
I close with a practical need.  Since changing to the telefonica email server, I have not been able to deliver emails to a number of people.  For some reason that I have not been able to resolve technically, emails are being blocked by comcast, juno, verizon, netzero and a few other servers.  Until this can get resolved, I need a volunteer who is willing to forward our email reports to these people, and also other emails that I need to send to some of these.  If you are willing to provide this secretarial assistance, please let me know.
 
Let's be passionate, bold, and astute in gospel proclamation,
Dave
dlbelch@telefonica.net
David & Lois Belch

 

 

From: David Belch [mailto:dlbelch@telefonica.net]
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 4:56 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Tenerife/ 24 Feb 10

 
Okay, so we were basking in the moderate climate of Tenerife in our last email update.  Well, we bumped into some cold weather and snow a few days later as Lois and I went to Germany to visit Caroline at Black Forest Academy.  Lois does not like coldness at all, but in her words, "She could endure a weeklong encounter with winter."  While we were away, Tenerife got hit with a turbulent storm that soaked the island with rain and covered 12,000 foot tall Mt Teide with snow (see picture below).  Our time with Caroline was truly a blessing, to see how God is at work in her life in this academic environment and using her servant heart to impact other people with encouragement.  We are so very thankful to the Lord for Joe & Susie, Caroline's dormparents, for her teachers and basketball coaches and the leaders of a small group Bible study that she attends on Wednesdays and for the BFA Christian Fellowship that she attends on Sundays.  Our trip to Germany was truly a blessing from the Lord.

We dived into a full ministry schedule at the Santa Ursula church when we returned to Tenerife from Germany on Thursday.  Friday morning we had a two-hour worship team practice, then an afternoon of message preparation, prayer meeting in the evening, and a Bible interpretation/preaching course later in the evening.  On Saturday we both got ready for Sunday School teaching and preaching, then an afternoon youth activity (see picture above), then a late evening discipleship with Napoleon.  Sunday was a full day with worship service in the morning, a church picnic in the afternoon, and David & Jhenny over at our house that evening.  Monday was a day to get ready for small group Bible study (Mon pm) and Lois for ladies Bible study (Wed am).  Tuesday morning I did volunteer work at the old folks home with David (helping the physical therapist and reading Scripture to some of the patients), in the afternoon I helped about 8 young people with school assignments, then we had small group Bible study in the evening.  We just began a 5 lesson study in Malachi and were confronted with the need of constant and ongoing spiritual maintenance that will keep us on the path of sincere and heartfelt worship of God.  Today (Wednesday) Lois had a Bible study with 8 ladies, continuing to be challenged with Elizabeth George's book "Loving God with All Your Mind".

 
In just a couple hours we head to the airport to travel to Madrid, where we will overnight and then travel by car tomorrow to where the TEAM Spain missionaries will gather for an annual conference.  This is an important time of coming together as a team of missionaries, to encourage and be encouraged, to strategize under the direction of the Holy Spirit, to trust God for His work of grace throughout the land of Spain.

 
Steve & Cheryl will also be traveling today from Indiana to Madrid, returning from a much deserved vacation, to arrive at the same TEAM Spain annual conference tomorrow.  God has blessed them with the birth of a new granddaughter, Caroline Jenay.

 
Nathan & Julie had hoped to arrive in Spain in time for the missionary conference.  However, they are still waiting for the visa approvals for Julie and the kids.  Via some investigation in Madrid government offices, they have been assured that the review of these visas is still in process.  Keep praying for this provision and for the Thirys as they prepare to come, Lord willing very soon in March.

 
We remain in constant need of prayer that we might exemplify godly perseverance that motivates believers and unbelievers to pursue God....

Dave

dlbelch@telefonica.net
David & Lois Belch
Calle Tajora, 11
Urb. La Quinta Lagos
Fase 3, Portal 1, 0-D
38390 Santa Ursula, Tenerife, Spain

34-922-337880 house/ fijo
34-649-050809 cell/ movil

 

 

Lois & Caroline at BFA residence in Germany

 

Mt Teide in Tenerife with a new snow pack (view from close to our apartment)

 

Bryan & Eli enjoying pizza at church youth activity

 

 

Tenerife Update 2-10-10

From: David Belch [mailto:dlbelch@telefonica.net]
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 8:20 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Tenerife/ 09 Feb 10

 

While parts of Europe bundle up and the eastern parts of the US dig out from the snowfall, we in Tenerife are dealing with lows of 59F (15C) and highs of 70F (21C).  This is my first apology, that is our temperature comfort.  My second apology relates to inconsistent email updates recently.  During the transition from a comcast server based in the US to a telefonica server based in Spain, I have had some time consuming snags to unravel.  And that I know of, our emails to comcast addresses and to cantv addresses (Venezuela) are not being delivered.  If your address uses either of these servers and you receive this, please let me know.

 

The Albrechts are in the US right now (enjoying the cold weather in Indiana) on a family vacation to accompany their son and daughter in law on the birth of grandchild #3.  They will also be picking up some counseling ministry produced by Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette, IN that will continue to enhance Steve & Cheryl's counseling ministry in Tenerife.  Lois and I will be traveling this weekend to visit Caroline at Black Forest Academy in Germany.  She is especially looking forward to showing off her basketball skills as she plays twice with the BFA varsity girls team.  We will again be gone the last weekend of February to the annual missionary conference for all TEAM missionaries in Spain.  Our absences occasion some shuffles in the church functions, so be in prayer for Luis as he heads up the preaching, for Pedro as he leads a combined small group Bible study, for the worship team, for the Sunday School teachers, and for two ladies who will be leading the women's Bible studies that Lois normally leads on Wednesdays.  In the small group Bible studies, we are completing a study in the book of Nehemiah.  The last chapter highlights some reforms that Nehemiah had to enact after having returned from his trip to Babylon.  I jokingly told the group last night that we did not want to have to come back and have to reenact the "hair pulling" scenario.

 

A number of life impacting events in the lives of the church people have called my attention again to the importance of an ongoing ministry of coming alongside the believers.  Steve & Cheryl are strong in this area, thus I am pleased that they will be strengthening their ability to help people.  Nathan & Julie are awaiting the visa approval for Julie and their 3 children, and will then be "on the next plane".  We need their life and ministry experience to help shore up needs in the lives of the youth and young couples.  To help you stand with us in prayer, here are some examples of the life challenges people are facing in the Santa Ursula church:

**Niuska (mid 40's mom with 3 children ranging 19 to 2) faced thyroid cancer surgery two weeks ago and is back in the hospital today for nuclear cancer treatment to get rid of any remaining traces.

**Twelve heads of household are unemployed and other homes are facing underemployment scenarios.

**Jhenny had a car accident yesterday which, while we are thankful no bodily injury, has left her with some trauma.

**Several families are walking through conflicts with their children, especially related to poor academic performance.

**One family is going through the agony of watchful vigilance over a teenager who has been pulled toward an unwholesome opposite sex relationship.

**A single mom is struggling through the process of separating herself from an unsaved man, knowing this is what God wants but wrestling with the emotional attachment.

Okay, so do we sound like a fairly typical group of believers?  Probably so.  But for any of us who have gone through these kind of circumstances, we know the nature of the spiritual, emotional and physical battle that is waged.  Pray with us that each of these believers will be able to "put on the whole armor of God that they might be able to stand firm in the Lord's mighty power".

 

We are thankful for growth in the worship ministry and in the Sunday School ministry.  Lois and I are still guitarring with the worship team.  God has added Manolo (guitar) and his wife Lila (singing) to the team.  José Ángel does great on the drums, William is improving his leading ability, and the singers are moving forward. We are thankful for the help of Ezekiel, a music leader in another church, who is coming once a week to help us shore up some musical deficits and turn them into strengths.  Thirteeen of us are involved in the Sunday School ministry that includes three classes from ages 4 thru 15.  Because the classes meet during the preaching time, we are using a rotation of teachers so that they can also hear the preaching on a regular basis.  This calls for some challenges in coordinating the schedules and working on continuity with the kids.  So if you are up to it, please pray for the Sunday School teachers.  I will close with a couple pictures to highlight these two ministries.

THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH US BEFORE THE LORD,

Dave

dlbelch@telefonica.net

 

 

 Sunday school teachers participating in a planning meeting

 

 Gabriela (under the SS teachers table)

 

 Ezekiel helping the worship team, with Manolo on the guitar

 

 

 

03 Jan 10

 

 After saying to goodbye to our three older children and our wonderful grandkids, the evening of the 31st stared at us without any prior made plans for welcoming the New Year.  Two couples from the church had just moved into new apartments, so Lois invited them over for a hot meal.  Mixed in with the food and table games, we took time to look at some Bible texts under the theme of "new".  I was intrigued by the variety of references that in combination would indicate God's commitment to that which is new.

 

**The psalmist declares that God has put a new song on his lips.
**The prophet Habbakuk calls on God to work afresh as He has in the past.
**God promises through the prophet Ezekiel to give a new heart with a new spirit to His people.
**The author of Hebrews portrays Christ as the mediator of a new covenant.
**Peter writes under the inspiration of the Spirit that God has caused us to be born anew through the resurrection of Christ.
**Paul records this new birth as a new creation in which all in us has been made new.
**John receives the vision from God of a new heaven and new earth through which God will set up His throne among His people.

 

With the beginning of a new year, it seems very appropriate to celebrate that "God's mercies are new every morning".  The Albrechts and Belches are privileged to be serving our God who has put a new song on the lips of many new creations who are now among the people of God who will enjoy eternity with God in the new heaven/earth.  This will be the fulfillment of God's promise to complete the process of salvation.  What a great Christmas season we have enjoyed as we have celebrated God's fulfillment of His promise to send a Redeemer and as we look forward to the day when the promise of Christ's second coming will be ours to enjoy forever.

 

With this perspective on "all things being made new through and in Christ", we pause to desire a most precious New Year to you.  Thank you for standing with us in prayer throughout 2009.  Thank you to each of you who have given financially during 2009 that the "Word of Christ might grow in the hearts of the believers in the Santa Ursula church".

Given that our children and grandchildren have just been with us, and because some have already requested a picture, I will indulge those who want this with a most recent garden shot.

 

Dave

 

 

From: David Belch [mailto:dlbelch@comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 3:46 PM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Tenerife/ 23 Dec 09

 

Tomorrow evening will be the "night before Christmas", and as the evening comes upon us, the Belch dining room will be filled with 17 people to celebrate with a typical Venezuelan meal.  Why Venezuelan in Tenerife?  Because one of the invited couples has Venezuelan roots, and 11 of the celebrators are Belches who are clammering for the Venezuelan hallacas.  Spare me the indulgence for a moment to express our gratitude to God for allowing all of our kids to be with us for Christmas in Tenerife.  Bradley & Lori arrived first, then Michael & Becky and kids Titus & Abigail, then Caroline, and finally Jordana with James.  God protected them as they flew from Washington state and Caroline from Germany.  We have enjoyed the beauty of Tenerife from sea level (beach trip) to mountain scenes (7000 feet road that skirts around the Teide volcanic peak).  For those who would desire to be away from the winter coldness, share our comfort of dealing with a range of 64-75 degrees F.

 

Christmas provides a great opportunity to share the gospel.  The annual church Christmas meal on Saturday evening packed about 80 people of all ages into the church meeting area.  With festively decorated tables, a buffet style meal to which all contributed, and a short program of music and poems and devotional we were able to celebrate together the fulfillment of God's promises to provide a Redeemer for our sin.  The promise has a future fulfillment for which we all long, and in the meantime Christmas means the ongoing presence of the Lord with us until the promise of the second coming is consumated.  At least 12 of those present on Saturday evening are unbelievers, who were able to hear the message of "glad tidings".  Enjoy a few pictures from the celebration.

 

The Albrechts and the Belches together with the believers in the Santa Ursula church do indeed wish you a Christ honoring Christmas.  We thank you for your prayer support, and ask that you pray for those who have again been impacted with the gospel during this Christmas season.

Dave

 

 

Iztel (center) with unbelieving husband Alfonso (right) singing international Christmas songs

 

 

Aracelis, Julian & Lotta, Candelaria, Jazmin

 

 

Michael joins Manolo and José Angel with some music

 

Dave Belch Update
Subject: Tenerife/ 07 Dec 09


Greetings to you on a Monday evening, that finds us relaxing after a fun filled recreational day with about 60 people from the church.  Today (Monday) is a national holiday in Spain to celebrate Constitution Day (yesterday) packed against another holiday tomorrow to celebrate the "immaculate conception" (Wednesday).  We took advantage of students being out of classes and many adults having the day off to schedule an all church recreational activity at a municipal park.  Several of the ladies planned a fun competition that included all the ages (Saul participated as a 6 year old and Miguel participated as a 70 year old), everyone brought food (an all time favorite activity of the Santa Ursula church), we celebrated the birthday of 14 year old Jose Angel, and had a short devotional from Luke 1 to read the biblical version of the real and only "immaculate conception" recorded in the Bible (the birth of the holy Son of God).  This provided an opportunity to encourage the believers to immitate the confidence in God which Mary demonstrated and to share with 5-6 unsaved friends who came to the picnic the gospel of Jesus, this true gospel which was readily acknowledged by Mary and her cousin Elizabeth.

Worship of God as a lifestyle has been the focus of the preaching over the last four weeks in the Santa Ursula church.  God has used His Word to drive home the importance of worshipping God each day (not just on Sundays) with our mind, our emotions, and our will.  Interestingly enough (what else would you expect from a sovereign God who directs all our activities?) the women have been studying on Wednesdays about "loving God with all our mind" and the men have interacted on Saturdays about "submitting our appetites to God".  Both of these themes fit very well with the worship emphasis.  Pray that this message will sink deep into our hearts and impel us abandon the false worship of idols and embrace the genuine worship of God.
 
Let me divert for a brief moment from Tenerife to Venezuela, from where I returned just over a week ago with that last of our "earthly possessiones which had remained in storage for almost 2 years".  My bookshelves are now full to overflowing, we have enjoyed a few glimpses at the family albums, and Lois´ walls are happily displaying the Christmas season decorations.  While the shipping of this "stuff" was the main reason for the trip, with great joy I was able to share with the believers in the Guatire and Catia la Mar churches.  God allowed me to preach two times in each of these churches and interact with many of the believers.  I was encouraged to observe the ongoing commitment of the 8 elders in Guatire and the 2 elders in CLM to faithfully lead the flock of God.  God also allowed a full schedule of encounters with believers, some of whom are experiencing difficult health issues, others who are struggling with family issues, some whom have wavered in their commitment to follow Christ, but many who are steadfastly pursuing God.  One particular blessing was the join with the church body in sending off Gabriel & Aiskel (I married them during my visit to Venezuela in March 2008) to Argentina where Gabriel is training for fulltime involvement in music ministry.
 
And now back to Tenerife, working arm in arm with Steve & Cheryl in the great task of nurturing believers to grow in their faith in Christ.  Pray as we come together as a body of believers on December 19 to celebrate our Lord's birth.  Pray also for Nathan & Julie Thiry as they wait on the Lord for the granting of their Spanish visas to hopefully be able to come in February 2010.
 
Reojoicing in the worship our Savior, the same Savior whom was acknowledged by Mary.....May He fill your heart with joy during this Christmas season.
Dave & Lois

 

 

The men enjoying a domino game at the church picnic

 

Face painting the kids at the church picnic

 

Birthday celebration for Jose Angel at the picnic

 

 

Tenerife Update

November 9, 2009

 

.....Some parts of the world are already experiencing winter weather.  As you will see from the baptism picture below, we are still enjoying beach going weather, not the Caribbean type of beach weather, which I should be experiencing later this week, but nevertheless shorts and sandles on the beach.  Okay, enough rubbing this in.  Somebody has to suffer.  Indeed it was a joy for the believers in Fountain of Faith & Hope Christian Church to witness the baptism of Jade (who turned 16 on the day of her baptism) and Miguel (a 70-year old believer from Cuba whose daughter and son-in-law are very involved in the church).  As you can probably see from the wave action, it does not take much effort to get the believer immersed.  Given the beach setting, this coming together to confirm God's grace in the lives of these believers also allows for great fellowship among the believers, enjoying our picnic lunch and the opportunity to talk and encourage one another.
 

God has given us a very full week with many opportunities to encourage the believers to grow in their personal walk with the Lord.  Lois and Cheryl had a first meeting with 15 ladies on Wednesday to study the book "Loving God with all your mind" (Elizabeth George).  Steve and I were able to meet with 6 men on Saturday to begin a study in a book by Stephen Arterburn on "controlling our appetites", with another 4 men ready to join the group.  We had 15 youth out for an activity on Saturday evening in which I was able to encourage them to truly "love God with all their heart".  A number of men dusted off their rusty joints on Thursday evening to play a basketball game against some men that we got to know in July during the Push the Rock basketball outreach.  I was supposed to ref, but actually got to play about 20 minutes (absolutely no one should let Lois know this).  Steve & Cheryl were able to meet with Tere on Friday and encourage her as she is experiencing a very difficult family situation.  Lois & I were able to disciple Napoleon & Marilin, who are still facing some obstacles to restoring their relationship as a couple.  Napoleon told me that he decided to let Jesus have the steering wheel control in his life, which was his way of understanding that Jesus wants to and needs to govern his life.
 
As we see God's work of grace continuing to grow His church in Santa Ursula, we are facing the need to look at addtional meeting space.  Consequently, Steve and Luis and I invested some time on Thursday looking at some additonal rental options and also some property purchase options.  Please keep this need in prayer, as no doubt we will be addressing this need regularly in the coming weeks.
 
Thanks for praying for those who have been baptized, and please pray for the Bible studies this week with the women (Wed) and the men (Sat).  And while you are at it, please pray for me as I will be traveling to Venezuela tomorrow.  This is the Caribbean beach reference in the opening sentence of this report.  When we left Venezuela almost two years ago, we also left alot of our "junk".  The original plan to have these items shipped over via a container has not been possible, therefore I am going to sort through the "junk" and decide what should be sent to Tenerife via air freight.  Of course I am also looking forward to the opportunity to encourage the believers in the Guatire and Catia la Mar congregations, where I will be preaching four times.  Yes, pray for Lois as I am gone.
Dave
dlbelch@telefonica.net
David & Lois Belch
Calle Tajora, 11
Urb. La Quinta Lagos
Fase 3, Portal 1, 0-D
38390 Santa Ursula, Tenerife, Spain
 
34-922-337880 house/ fijo
34-649-050809 cell/ movil

 

 

 Miguel celebrating just before his baptism

 

 

 Jade, with her Mom and Grandma, both of whom were baptized in June

 

Napoleon & Marilin, whom we are meeting with for marriage counseling
 

 

Subject: Tenerife Update
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009

Greetings to you from Santa Ursula (Tenerife).  The last two weeks this town of 15,000 has been celebrating its annual religious festival in honor of Saint Ursula.  According to the legend, which was confirmed to me by two ladies during a visit to the old folks home on Monday, and which dates back to the late 1400's when Spain was conquering the Canary Islands, this native canarian lady named Ursula, preferred to jump to her death into a deep gorge to preserve her virginity rather than face the Spaniard soldiers who would assuredly have raped her. This virtuous act has been remembered by the locals by naming the town in her honor.  The two weeks of celebration include folkloric presentations, athletic competition, coreography, bumper cars and other rides, sale of artisan products "made in Canaries", fireworks, etc.  I was amused by the fireworks in that the statue of Saint Ursula and the statue of the virgen Mary were pulled out of their occupancy in the Catholic Church, paraded on a short walk to the town plaza, and perched with front row seats to be able to "enjoy" the fireworks, then paraded back to their parking space in the church.  I was distressed by the ever increasing presence of ungodly characteristics of this supposed religious festival.  During the selection of the child queen for the festivities, the six judges were announced, with five of them being given public credit for their identification with the gay movement.  Lois and I do not participate in these activities, but we did go to the coreography show because one of the young men in the church is in a break dance group.  This group put on a decent presentation, but too many of the other groups featured passions that feed the carnal component of humankind.  I write about this because it highlights the very pagan secular society in which we are located which wages war against the flesh.
 
For this reason we ask for prayer for several church activities that are on the horizon, all of which are geared to nurture the believers toward walking obediently in the midst of a godless society.
**Pray for the women, about 17 of them, who will be at a ladies retreat this weekend, with believers from other churches.
**Pray for the youth, as I take about 8 of them to a youth retreat on Saturday that is organized by a Christian ministry that encourages young people to stand up for the Lord in their academic setting.
**Pray for the church women as Lois and Cheryl will lead a group discipleship during November using Elisabeth George's book "Loving God with all Your Mind".
**Pray for the church men as Steve and I will lead a group discipleship during November using Steve Arterburn's book "Knowing and Controlling your Appetites".
 
On Sunday we were able to accomodate a growing Sunday School ministry in which we expanded from two classes for children to four classes.  This has called for training more teachers, which now totals thirteen of the local believers.  Because the Sunday School classes meet during the preaching time of the worship service, we rotate the teachers each week so that they can all be nurtured by the preaching ministry.  This change also meant some refurbishing of the classroom space in the church meeting area, and reminded us that we will soon be outgrowing this location.  For this reason we call on you to join us in prayer for this need.  What does the Lord have in mind for His church in Santa Ursula?  A larger rental facility?  Purchase space in a building which could be remodeled to accomodate the church needs?  Purchase property in order to build?
 
Baseball (nor softball) is not a major sport for the Canarians.  But because of a good mix of Venezuelan and Cuban men in the church and in our circle of friendships with unbelievers, we decided to try a softball game for the men.  The picture below will reveal that a good group showed up, the oldest being a 70 year old Cuban believer (who hopes to be baptized in a few weeks) and the youngest being a 15 year old young man.  Sloppy and comical would be key words for the "game".  But it was enjoyed to the level that the men have asked for a repeat.  And it afforded the opportunity for Pedro to share his testimony, which was heard by five of the men who are unbelievers.  Enoy the pictures.....and keep praying for God's work of grace in Tenerife.

Dave

 

 

Decorated waffles at the Belch home during a strategy meeting with the youth.

 

Softball game participants.

 

Old Testament survey course on Thursday evenings.