Newsletter

I am currently shifting all my files onto a different computer so i apologise for the hold up on the newsletter in will be out soon. meanwhile you can keep upto date by staying logged on here.

This morning

we started our brand new alpha course this morning. with 2 non believers on it, we had a great discussion time and i think we are in store for a good course. i love doing alpha its a chance to speak to people before they become all religious.

thanks for all your prayers for my ministry.

Great to hear that the young people in the Uk had a great weekend at the Gathering, that brings back memories of myself and Jeremy kipping on a church a floor in Birmingham.

We had a great sunday yesterday, i preached on making the right choices from Joshua 24 and Naomi spoke in the evening meeting about decerning Gods voice amongst all the other voices we hear today. Gods presence was so strong in the meetings. so we are grateful for all he is doing there.

We are starting an alpha course next week with 2 non christians already signed up for that. please pray they will remain with us and come through to faith.

as a result of the radio show a lady called anne turned up at church a few weeks ago searching for answers, so God is really stirring people at the moment.

please continue to remember Naomi and myself in your Prayers, many thanks

its my birthday today!! 34

wow never thought i´d make it and i have survived living away from the UK for a year now.

hope all my friends and followers are blessed, see you all soon.

Good News

Good News, over the last 3 weeks i have been in consultation with the casa de la cultura about using there building for a joint worship meeting and we have got it, Praise God. churches up and down the coast will be coming for the first joint worship time together.

Luc Favre from thonon Spain will be preaching here next sunday.

oh and its my 34th birthday on thursday and a curry is on the menu.

please pray

a pastor friend of mine from Torremolinos has set up a website asking people to commit to praying for Spain. if you are gaining a heart for Spain like i am will you please have a look. it also gives some useful information about the country too. please have a look and register.

http://www.prayingforspain.com/index.php

another entry in my online diary

Dave Hodgson 18 January at 10:34
we had a great time in church yesterday. I have started a 2 week teaching on the life of Joseph and Naomi did a talk in our evangelistic service on "the day after tomorrow"hope all my partners are well both in Spain and those back in the motherland. i'm currently arranging for a time to come back and remind you all of who i am.see you soon and up the Rams

Dave Hodgson 14 January at 10:40
Hi friends, many years ago the Spanish tourist board had a slogan saying " Spain is different" they dropped it after the term was used against the country too. however there is no getting away from it Christmas in Benalmadena is different to Derby or Coventry.the Spanish have always celebrated the birth of baby Jesus on 6 January otherwise known as Three Kings Day. This is the day that the three kings arrived overnight in Bethlehem and also the most important day for the children as the kings (not Santa Claus) leave presents for the children. The night of 5 January is a time for cavalcades with horses (and occasionally camels) where the three kings throw sweets to the children. In small villages, parents give named presents to the kings which are in turn presented to the children . Families gather together to have a big feast on The Three Kings' eve. For dessert they have the Roscon de Reys, a ring of cake inside which is hidden figures of the three kings or tiny toys. Children put out water and greenery for the camels before they go to bed. They also leave their shoes for the three kings to put a present in. Modern Three Kings Day celebrationThat was before. Nowadays The Three Kings, although still celebrated, has lost much of its significance to Christmas. Children from more traditional Spanish families still receive presents on The Three Kings but these are small gifts. Instead, their major presents are given at Christmas. Spaniards say this is because the children go back to school on 7 January and if they get their presents at Christmas they have a longer time to play with them. Christmas celebration in benalmadenaChristmas is still quieter in the Spanish community than in the British community; the family meal is on Christmas Eve and there is midnight Mass (Misa de Gallo)so yes Spain is different, its a shame that they are loseing some of their traditions to more american ideas. however i benefitted because the three kings parade went past my flat sothere i was collecting the sweets they were throwing.God bless from a wet Spain

Many of you will be aware that on sat 21st november myself and Naomi got married and it was a fantastic day. we do not have the official photos as yet but there are some available on my facebook. if you are not a friend of mine of facebook yet then please search for me and i will add you.

thanks to all of you who sent cards and gifts myself Naomi really appreciate it.

watch this space for news from the mission in Spain, as i continue walking my spanish steps

Remebrance sunday

This last week i heard the sad news that my old friend Kev Painter from Burton on trent had gone home to be with the Lord. i think he was in his forties a great genuine guy with a great heart and love for the Lord and his family. Myself Ron G, Cath (kevs wife) Lizzy Davo and the Late Chris hunt use to sing in a choir together in Derby we had some great times and they will be with me all my life. although i hadn't seen him in a long time, i will miss Kev my thoughts and Prayers are with Cath, Robyn and his family at this time.

We have all been reminded of the sacrifice i service men and women have paid over the last century and on sunday we had a 2 minute silence and i preached about denying ourselves and taking up our cross, many responded. i used some accounts of people like dietrich bonhoeffer who gave there lives for what they believed.

we are still in the early stages of the youth group and have just recieved back from the printers a whole load of leaflets to give out.
I am also pioneering an older peoples group called Golden Hour on november the 18th this is for those of our community of a certain age and maturity. i am to young and wrinke free but i might still get in.
please pray for these ventures.

and on a personal note....... i am soon getting married to my lovely fiance Naomi in castillo de monda. on Nov 21st please pray that it will be a great day,
any cards etc can be sent to

Calle Galicia, s/n Parquemiel 1-C
Arroyo de La Miel
Benalmadena
Malaga
Spain
29631

your ongoing support is vital and much appreciated

love Dave