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As we were preparing to go on a family outing, my husband Tony and son Josh went to buy some bread, but the bread wasn't ready. Tony began to help the baker and talked with him while he waited. As he was preparing to leave, a lady walked in and heard his Spanish, (obviously not a native speaker) and wanted to know how long we had been in the country and where we were from. She then asked Tony if he would be interested in coming and possibly helping at the English school she had started in our town. We waited for several weeks but didn't hear from the her. The baker then told us she had lost our number so we gave it to him and he passed it along to her. Soon after, she called us and we scheduled a time to meet.
 The school was started because the children in Spain are taught English grammar in school, but don't have anyone with whom to practice conversation. She was hoping we could come in every once in a while to help with conversation because she was concerned that her own English was not as good as it used to be. We told her we could not accept her payment of money to us, but rather, in return she could help us with our Spanish conversation practise.
Fast forward a couple of months...I teach a small group of 11-13 year-olds conversation two nights a week and Tony goes once a week to help students. I have been blessed to form a friendship with the lady who runs the school. The students have challenged my teaching methods and it has been necessary for me to stretch and learn new ways of teaching. Our friend has taken time to answer endless questions about Spanish grammar and coach us in our writing and speaking. We also found out that she once taught at the language school we attend.
We needed to make an unexpected move during the term and found that she lives just around the corner from our new home. She has been pouring out her heart and I see how truly broken-hearted she is. On the outside she appears to have so much; she's a wife, mother of three, has a wonderful career as an educator and an attorney; yet, inside she is searching. She told me that she doesn't believe it's an accident that she "ran" into Tony at the bakery that day, that it was God's purpose that we met. She said I am so different than her other friends and wondered if it was the Assemblies of God that has made me different. I replied by saying that God has helped me and that there is a place in everyone's heart that only He can fill. As I shared the truth of the Gospel with her, she was visibly touched and wants to talk more.
But this is only the beginning of the story. I stand in awe of God's timing and His hand orchestrating each moment of our lives. Only He could have delayed Tony at the bakery, only He could have gotten our phone number, only He could have moved us around the corner from her and only He gives strength, grace, and wisdom as we minister. God has put us into this friend's life for such a time as this.
Submitted by Anna Gryskiewicz
AGWM Personnel in Spain
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