OCTOBER 2013

Acts 17:16, Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. We here in Zaragoza have a special prayer request. Starting on Wednesday, there will be the annual Fiestas of Pilar. It is the holiday that celebrates what people believe is the day that the Virgin Mary appeared to the apostle James as she descended on a pillar and told him to build a cathedral here to honor her. From Wednesday through Saturday there will be various events culminating in the flower offering in honor of the Pilar Virgin on Saturday. While the religious people participate in different processions, dress up in the traditional clothing, and wait in line for hours to present their flower offerings, the young people in the city have different plans. Every evening you can see thousands of young men and women starting as early as 12-13 years old going to participate in what is called the botelln. Carrying grocery bags with a liter of coca-cola and a liter of vodka or whiskey or rum, they head off to parks, under bridges, and government sponsored concerts. They spend the entire night drinking, many times coming home at 7 or 9 or 11 oclock in the morning, only to go out the next night and do the same thing again. Last year, one drunk teen died as he wandered onto the highway and was hit by a passing truck, another as he fell off a bridge into the river, and several others from alcohol poisoning. They are without Christhaving no hope, and without God in the world. (Ephesians 2:12) Just as we were before we came to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord has stirred up the spirit of many of us in our congregation, to reach out to these young people, and offer them the hope that is in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our plan is to go out each night armed with tracts and the love that God has put in our hearts for these lost souls who are so precious to God that He sent His Son to die for them. Besides the fact that it is sometimes a physically dangerous environment, we are fully aware that we are also entering into the enemys stronghold. We urgently beseech you all to fervently pray for us. For protection, for wisdom, and to be filled with the Spirit of God so that utterance may be given unto me (us), that I (we) may open my (our) mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. (Ephesians 6:19) Please pray for those with whom we speak, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. (2 Thessalonians 3:1) May the Lord bless you and guide you as you continue helping together by prayer for us.

Jim Taglialatela and family Sent by First Bible Baptist Church Rochester New York Pastor George Grace