“If it were not for uncertainties, we would have no need to walk by faith.” – Elisabeth Elliott
Hello from Quarantine! Hello from Spain!! Thank you for taking the time to read this update. I hope this is a good lockdown read for you! 🙂 I’m so happy to take you on a short journey on what God has been doing in these past few months in quarantine and beyond!
QUARANTINE! Spain went through a very strict lockdown from March until May. It later loosened up a bit, but in those first months, we were only allowed to go out for grocery shopping, doctor visits, dog walks up to a certain distance, and trips to the pharmacy. Otherwise, it was a mandatory stay-at-home order. I have never worked-out as much as I did during the lockdown, and I have never baked as much as well (the irony!). The Lord was my companion during the whole time as it was just me in my little flat! He kept me safe and provided for all my needs. Many of you were a part of that too! Thank you so much for your support! My wonderful care team, family and friends also sent me care packages! I had tortillas during the quarantine!! I was happy!
In the midst of these stringent regulations to stay indoors, the Lord was definitely working in my heart. The Lord was also at work with our school project. The work of the school did not cease during the quarantine, it felt as if we were busier than before!
“A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
SCHOOL UPDATE! The vision for our Christian school has NOT changed, but the plans on how to start it have. It’s always interesting to be re-directed by the Lord, especially when we have our plans on how and when things should happen! I recently read a quote that sums up what we are experiencing with the school project:
“Pencil in your plans but write your visions in ink.” – Andy Stanley
About a year before moving to Spain, the Lord gave me a very random desire to help in the nursery at church. I was involved in other areas of ministry and was very busy but I just couldn’t shake off that desire to help there. So, I got involved in the nursery and I learned a lot! As many of you know, I was an elementary and high school teacher and never considered working with younger children. However, the last age group I worked with before moving to Spain was with nursery-aged children and I loved it! Why am I sharing all of this??
Our initial plan was to start with preschool and elementary, ages 3-8. The new plan is to start with ages 0-3! The Lord has re-directed us to start a Christian Nursery with the intention of growing with the children; from nursery to preschool, then elementary and finally to secondary.
The Lord is giving us the opportunity to lay a foundation in the lives of children. It is an incredible blessing that we will now start our school by sharing God’s love to these little ones first. We have the chance to take part in their foundational development, both academically and spiritually! What a blessing!! I really look forward to working with parents as well, that as they see us care for their children with a heart full of Christ’s love, that they would want to know more about His love and salvation.
I’m always amazed by the way God works in our lives! He is truly many steps ahead of us! From randomly having this tug in my heart to help with the nursery, to starting the first Christian Nursery in Mallorca! Be encouraged to take steps of faith, even if you don’t understand them at the moment! Trust in Him as you move forward in obedience. God truly sees the bigger picture!!
I’m holding on to Proverbs 16:9 as a reality and as a prayer:
“Lord, we have plans and strategies, but please determine our steps. This is your vision, your plan, your school.”
PRAYER IN QUARANTINE! One day during my quarantine prayer times, the Lord confronted me with the following question:
“Zully, leading the school is different than ‘helping start the school’, are you willing to lead this school?”
[gulp…Lord, can you repeat the question?]
This is the Lord’s commissioning for me, to lead this school with a surrendered heart, trusting in Him as He equips me for this calling. I constantly pray for wisdom to lead the school as the principal, but I have learned that it’s not just about receiving wisdom. King Solomon had all the wisdom in the world but he failed to honor the Lord in other areas. So, my prayer is not just for wisdom, but also for humility and greater dependence on the Lord for this calling.
“You and your team must be important people!”
MIRACLES! We were given an appointment at the Ministry of Education to discuss our re-direction plans. When the local officials at the city council found out that we were given this appointment they said, “You and your team must be important people!” They explained to us that these meetings are not informal and they couldn’t believe we had access to the Director at the Ministry of Education. I was just as surprised as they were! When we arrived at our meeting, the Director came in with the architect hired by the Ministry of Education. The architect was at our full disposal to answer any questions we had! I couldn’t help but think, “Wow Lord, we really must be important people! Of course, we’re your children!” Praise God for the favor and the miracles we have seen in the government officials and their commitment to help us start this vision well!
In our meeting with the Director, we received the suggestion to start a tutoring center as it will enable us to reach more children in our community. We couldn’t believe that she was speaking into what we had already been praying for! We are prayerfully considering a tutoring center as it provides an awesome opportunity to work within the community. This is still in the works but I’m very excited to serve the people around us!! We have many ideas on how to go about it but we are trusting in the Lord as we wait for His guidance and His heart for the tutoring center.
SOCIAL MEDIA! I would like to make mention of the amazing team that I’m a part of! During the lockdown, we met at least once a week via Zoom and for many hours. We worked together on marketing brainstorms, uniform selections, policy writing, and so much more. We were also able to work on all the content and final touches to the website, Facebook Page, and Instagram account.
It’s not official until you’re on social media, right?! Give us a hello if you’re on any of these social media platforms!
Website: www.spccschool.com
Facebook: @spccchristianschool
Instagram: @spcc_christianschool
“I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” – Ruth 2:11-12
My Family! These past few months have been quite difficult being far away. There have been tough times back home that I wished to have been there to comfort and support them in person. I have also missed important birthdays and holidays. As I was praying one day about the realities of being away from my family the Lord lead me to this verse in Ruth: “I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
Talk about finding comfort in God’s Word! He is soooo good!
Reading Aloud to my Niece at Easter! 
Family Zoom Calls!
Thank you for being “quarantined” with me as you have prayed for me, supported me, encouraged me, and checked up on me! The work of the school and the vision the Lord has given me for the gospel in Spain is yours as well! I’m honored to share it with you!!
I am available to answer any questions or if you would like more information on how to get involved in this work in Spain, I would be more than happy to provide that information for you. Thank you and stay safe!!
God bless you,
Zully
Prayer Requests:
- School Project: To remain open to God’s direction, for wisdom to abide by all the regulations, for the children that will form part of our nursery, and for greater dependence on the Lord for my role as the principal.
- Spiritual Life: To stay consistent in my personal time with the Lord and to be open to the direction of the Holy Spirit. That I would be strong under spiritual warfare and to be aware of the different forms that it may come in.
- Finances: For the Lord to continue to provide as He has done so far.
- Family: For continual protection over my family, especially my parents who are at high risk during this pandemic.
