Chris & fellow volunteer named Dora, cleaning the shower
Missionaries Chris and Anita Anderson with Greater Europe Mission are reaching out to them. Chris says, "We're working at a place called Mission Urbana in Valencia. It's basically the heart of the city. And, this is a mission to the poor, homeless, widows and immigrants, mainly."
Chris and Anita have been working with Mission Urbana for 18 months. Anita tells us why they decided to join this ministry. "10 evangelical churches are cooperating to send 90 volunteers to send food and clothing. The second thing that drew us there, before every session where we help the people, we have a devotional led by one of the volunteers."
While the physical needs are met by providing breakfast and lunch each day, they also offer youth activities on Monday and a "Group Encounter" Bible study on Wednesday.
The Andersons have needs. Anita says they need funding for Gospel tracts. "We have people coming in from all over Europe -- Eastern Europe, Western Europe and many times we can not speak their language, so therefore with the Gospel tracts and all the different languages, but because we can't speak with some of them, we can give them Gospel tracts so they can take them with them and read the message of God's love."
Because their busting at the seams, Anita says, "The big need is a new building to expand. The other thing is sometimes there are not enough funds for food. In the winter we need funds for blankets, socks and underwear for the people. Those are some of the main needs."
The ministry is quickly becoming a place for recruiting church members. "When they come to know Christ, we plug them in to one of those 10 churches that support Mission Urbana. We want to plug them in to a church so they can be discipled and grow in their faith."
Pray that many people will catch the vision for this ministry and as they help, they'll enable many to hear the Gospel.
