Evendays

I got a call about a week ago from a retired Spaniard who does most of the preaching for a small assembly here in Lausanne. He had heard of the preaching I’d done for a friend in a church that he’s just started. Wife and I invited the Spaniard and his wife over for a tea.

Years ago there was a huge Spanish immigrant population in Switzerland. They had come here during Franco’s time to do most of the service and construction jobs. Spanish speaking churches grew up in every town. But as families matured and retirement age approached, the parents headed back to Spain while many of the children were lost to the world. Those children who still had faith plugged into local French speaking churches. The Spanish churches shrunk, or died.

Years ago, they were about 60 meeting together. But now this couple meets with about 10 Christians every week, feeding the flock, encouraging members who are often poor or abused (several are illegal immigrants from South America), persevering in faith.

They are not sure what the future will bring. We prayed together. I promised to come and preach for them before the end of the year.