MAD DOGS AND CANARIES

by Chris Mathieson

Summertime is open-air preaching time in many parts of Europe. In Madrid, however, we can certainly assert that old cliché is true: Spain is different!

We stop our regular outreach at the end of June until mid-September. Even in the icy winter months there are enough people who are happy to get outside for a while in the afternoon, but come midsummer the streets are empty.

Madrid lies asleep, save the stirrings of mad dogs and tourists who didn't check the map to see how far it is to the nearest beach (200 miles). Those who can afford it leave the big city. Even the beggars hitch a ride to the coast!

I will also be on the road during August. Usually the destination is some crumbling provincial city whose residents can't afford to get away and where the church needs support from a crazy bunch of adventurous young people. It's Love Europe time again. But this year the destination will be a totally new one. The Spanish contingent of Love Europe will be in Las Palmas, capital of the Canary Islands!

Love Europe always begins with a congress, to motivate and train the young people who come from all over the world, as well as to build them into teams.

Our brief is to train people who will not only preach but also handle every aspect of the open-air evangelism. In other words, we are supposed to turn raw recruits into leaders in four hours. It is quite amazing how many have the motivation to turn dreams into reality. On those outreaches where an experienced OAC evangelist is available, training and support can continue throughout the month.

Last year I felt somewhat frustrated when I realised I had only preached three times during the whole outreach, but when I reflected on how many excellent messages had been preached by trainees, I realised it was worth taking the back seat. It makes me feel old to see how the 'young people' relate to each other, but it helps me to appreciate how each of us have different and changing roles.

Pray for Chris as he preaches, trains and counsels young people this summer, and for his wife Hilde who will be helping with follow-up from an outreach near their own home.