----- Original Message -----

Dear Jack and Sue

 

This feels like "Back to the future" !! It was with great joy that I just explored  the communty-ites in the internet and so many beautiful memories just kept on popping up. Firstly, thanks for your effort of creating these pages that enable people like me "reconnect" with all of you. A few days ago we had the pleasure of meeting up with John Oregan who was travelling through Madrid, place we reside as a family since 1989. John told me about your internet presence and now I finally was able to check it out...GREAT!!

 

Here a little overview of the last 20 years (doesn´t that sound awful):

 

I was in Torremolinos from 1979-82. After that, I joined my parents who at that time had just joined YWAM here in Torrejon de Ardoz (Madrid), and it was there where I finished High School. After my graduation I did a Discipleship Training School with YWAM in England. Upon my return and impacted by a YWAM ministry with children called Kings Kids, I joined founder Dale Kaufman in Hawaii for the first such school at the University of the Nations (Hawaii). After the 1984 olimpic outreach in Los Angeles, I returned to Torrejon and worked as full time staff at the YWAM base there. By that time, my parents were on their way to Sevilla to start the YWAM work there and thats where they lived since then.

 

On my part I spent the next few years being a part of a worship team called EXALTO, and was able to visit many churches in the U.S and Europe throughout the many tours conducted yearly. The main emphasis was worship but also linked with a clear challenge towards short terms mission in YWAM for the young people.

 

During my time with Exalto I met my wife Ally who was also part of the team. Ally is originally from the Channel Islands, Guernsey.

In 1987, we got married and left shortly after for Germany, as we felt we were to reconnect with our local church there (Church which was started in 1965 by my parents and which sent them out as missionares to Spain). During our time in Germany, appart from being involved in various studies, God lead us to start a worship team and also allowed us to record a german worship tape with songs He had given us.

 

In late 1989, we felt it was time to return to Spain, however in a different way. Although living right next to the YWAM base, we felt it was to be a time to work and settle as a couple. I understand Mo´s comment very well when he talks about working a normal job after so many years of intense ministry. Since then I worked for a freight forwarding company at the Madrid Airport and now for the last 9 years for Lufthansa Cargo, also at the Airport (15 min away from our home).

 

So much to the past.

 

God has blessed us with 3 wonderful children, all of them born in Madrid: Jonathan (10), Benjamin (8) and Jessica nearly 3.

 

We are members of a church in Madrid and involved in leading worship there. We are also part of YWAM, as much as we are able with my job. Ally teaches regularly on worship for the many Discipleship Schools, and assists as a secretary for our brother in law Afonso Cherene who is heads up the fast growing Kings Kids ministry in Spain.

 

As part of my job, I train Lufthansa Staff worldwide at the LH-Training center in Seeheim Germany. These courses are 2 weeks long and I have committed myself to 4 such courses per year. It is being a valuable school for me!

 

Well, so much to our lives. To all of you I know a big big hug and drop us a line or else drop by should you ever be in Madrid.

 Thanks again Jack...I see from your pictures you also like flying....

 Lots of love and God bless

  Stephan, Ally with Jonathan, Benjamin and Jessica.