Lights in Alicante

We greet you with so much gratitude and joy! It has now been three months since we moved to Alicante to support the church plant here in Spain, and we are so excited to share with you what God has been doing in this short but very full season. Our family is doing well. We feel confidence that we are exactly where God wants us to be! Life and Family in Alicante One of the biggest blessings of this season has been finally having a home here in the city! After a long transition, one month ago we were able to rent a house in Alicante that not only gives space for our family, but also opens the door to host home groups, meetings, and ministry moments. And honestly… it already feels like it is being used for God’s purpose! We are still in the process of turning it into a full home, buying furniture step by step as we are able, but even now, we can already see how God is using it in powerful ways. In just this first month, we hosted a friend from Ukraine who had nowhere to stay while transitioning into a job just one hour away from us. Right now, we are also hosting an American missionary for a short stay. And this week… we are starting our Young Adults group in our home!!! It has been FULL, yes… but so beautiful! We are so grateful that God has given us a place not just to live… but to BLESS others! Even our children are thriving, they finally have space to play, run, grow, play with the neighbor kids, and feel at home in this new country! And truly… the house itself is a testimony. The rent, the location, everything is a miracle. We know without a doubt that God prepared this place for us ahead of time!! Home Groups & Church Life At the end of April, we launched home groups for the very first time in the church! And what a joy it has been!! It was so special to see people gathering in homes, building real fellowship, praying together, and growing in the Word of God in a more intentional way. We are so grateful for our volunteers who stepped up, many for the very first time, and led these groups faithfully. It has been a learning process, but also a very fruitful one. We are discovering what works, what can be improved, and how to continue building healthy discipleship structures. During the summer, most weekly groups (except Young Adults) will pause and shift to monthly meetings because many families and leaders travel to visit relatives. Everything will resume fully in mid-September.

Part of my rol here is to lead Church Groups & the Young Adults in Alicante Church, and we are SO excited for this next season! This Wednesday, we will officially start hosting the Young Adults group in our home!!! Our heart is simple but strong: We are building a community of young adults who grow in Christ, serve faithfully, and live on mission in their everyday lives.

Last month, we hosted a Young Adults beach gathering with around 20 people!! Some came for the very first time! It was a beautiful time of fellowship, food, worship, and the Word of God. And something funny (and amazing) happened... while I was preaching, I had my back to the walking path behind me there where many tourists were passing by. Afterward, some young adults told me: “You didn’t see it, but SO many people stopped and were listening while you were speaking!” We couldn’t help but laugh and thank God!! Because it reminded us that people don’t just come to Alicante to relax… they actually encounter the gospel here! Many of these visitors come from places like Northern Europe and Scandinavia, where faith is often very private or distant. But here, something shifts, they slow down, they listen, and many are open in ways they normally wouldn’t be. This summer, we are planning even more outreach in tourist areas, believing that God is using this city as a divine intersection for nations! We are EXPECTANT for what is coming!!

Missions and Summer Season This summer we will also be hosting multiple mission teams visiting the church to serve alongside us in different outreach initiatives. And honestly, we are so excited for this! We believe in partnership, in unity, and in seeing the global Church come together in mission. At the same time, we continue investing deeply in one-on-one discipleship, young adults, and families within the church. God is building something real here in Alicante!! Last week we had 8 people getting baptized! What a joy in the heavens! Baptism it is so meaningful for the christian life, as it proclaims that we have passed from dead to life to a new life, and that we are followers of Christ! Ukraine Trip and Orphanage Visit In May, I (Alejandro) traveled to Ukraine to renew my visa and visit the orphanage I have been connected with for the last 3.5 years. It was such a meaningful time! Seeing the kids again, spending time with them, and simply being present was a huge blessing. I also had the honor of preaching at Shalom Church in Lviv, a church planted by South Korean missionaries, and to spend time with families and friends, encouraging them in a very difficult season of war. One thing was very clear again: sometimes the most powerful ministry is simply PRESENCE. Not always doing or saying more… but just being there, loving, listening, and standing with people.

Upcoming Visit – Natalia We are also preparing for something very special! From July 1st to July 15th, we will be hosting Natalia here in Spain. Natalia is a young woman from the orphanage who many of you know from the previous update, and she is now 18 years old. These two weeks mean so much to us. Our heart is to give her rest, peace, a happy time, and a safe space away from fear, pressure, and uncertainty in Ukraine, and most importantly, to know she is not alone. She has people (us) who that loves her, stands with her, and believes in her future! We are praying this time, even if short, brings healing, hope, and renewed strength over her life. Thank You! We are truly grateful for your kindness and the generosity. More than anything, we deeply value the opportunity to stay connected with you through these updates, so you can see what God is doing here in Alicante. It is a privilege to have you walking alongside us in this season, even from a distance. God is moving, in our home, in the streets of Alicante, in young people, in families, and across nations, and we are excited to keep sharing these stories with you as the year continues.

Thank you for taking the time to read, pray, and stand with us in this journey. May the Lord continue to bless your church family with wisdom, provision, and everything you need to keep making disciples.

With love and gratitude,

The Venegas family.