Bringing God's grace and healing love
to people with life-disrupting problems

(Easter) News from Greg
7 April 2004

This is my first newsletter since coming to Spain in the early part of November 2003 to join a Christian charity called REMAR who work with the poor and marginalised in 56 countries. I am now living near Madrid, just outside of the town of Alcala de Henares, some 20km from central Madrid itself.

I am based, for the time being, in a small community of mainly Spanish people, but there are also Croats, Bolivians, Mexicans and other nationalities as well. They are a mixture of younger single people and married couples most of whom have young children, so life is not dull. It's regarded as a privelege to be living here by people in REMAR as its also the home of the Diez family (see below).

The Ministry of REMAR

REMAR itself is a non-governmental charity organisation which has grown rapidly in the 20 years or so since it was founded by the current leader, Miguel Diez, obviously inspired by the Lord. They are involved in a very wide range of ministries such as drug rehabiltation, feeding programmes for children and prisoners, residential homes for all age groups, dispensaries, programmes to assist women, young people, the elderly and children.

They support 17 schools in different parts of the world. They have programmes to assist persons affected by Aids and also Leprousy. They are also producing and broadcasting Christian music, radio and television to Madrid and lots of other parts of Spain. They claim to send more containers of aid to countries like Burkina Faso, than any other NGO in the world. I cannot really do justice to the full range of ministries in which they are involved here.

My Current work

I am currently working on a database of chartitable trusts and organisations that could be potential donors to REMAR, making use of my English and improving my IT skills. This is a useful role for REMAR and gives me the opportunity to build relationships and acclimatise to the Spanish and REMAR culture. This may lead to developing a video of the work and presenting it to organisations. I will also shortly start studying Spanish in classes to get a better grasp of the language.

Future Work with REMAR

I have been asked to assist with the making of a TV programme produced in English broadcast once a week primarily to Madrid area. I hope to be able to engage more directly with the Drug rehabilitation work and homeless work, which is my main calling, once my Spanish has improved.

I have also been asked to preach at a Church focusing on ministry to the local Nigerian population on a regular basis, as English is a key language to this group.

I will also be moving shortly to a different house, closer to where I currently work and the language course.

Financial Needs

I am relying on the Lord's provision for my finances, and currently have only a relatively small amount of regular support from my home church. I do need to travel home about every 3 months to visit my parents who are neither in the best of health. My board and lodging are provided here, but I do need to find other daily living expenses. Jon Forth Chris Morton and Tim woodfield have a more detailed knowledge of my financial needs, please speak to any of them for more details.

Any donations may be channelled through either the Fellowship of the King, or via Tim Woodfield.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for:

My house move
My language Development
The development of my work / ministry as I speak better Spanish.
Preaching in the Nigerian Church
Financial Support.
My parents at home.

Contact Details

The best way to contact me is by E-mail, at: gregfwd@hotmail.com.

Tim Woodfield is acting as my UK link.