Interesting discoveries and *finally* a schedule

This past month as been a very interesting one. After I moved out from my initial host family, I started renting a room in a local flat. I live with a German and an Argentinian, and sometimes I feel like I'm on a reality show (but one of those cool ones without a ton of drama). I teach english in a machine factory 4 days a week and have several other classes spread over the rest of the day. It has been such an answer to prayer to have this steady income, and there's a healthy balance to this work also. Some days are very full, but there are a lot of open blocks in my week. Like I don't feel that I'm too busy.

I've been meeting with an Argentinian believer here in Zarautz. We have a similar vision of doing Church here and we've been praying and sharing our heart with one another. There is a small group of believers here who are looking to do Church the right way. We're praying over this move and talking about our objectives. Some of the things we're really looking for:

1. Be a group that we can invite our secular friends to and not have them weirded out or bored or rejected. In positive words: Love and welcome. It gets way deeper than this, but this point is huge because the Basque culture is just so cold. Many Churches in the area have become "cliques" and aren't ready for the Spirit to create a Basque expression of Church.

2. Be Bible focused. Preach, teach, share, and wrestle with the Word.

3. Mission minded. Our faith ----> streets. Reproduce. Grow.

Please keep the Basque people in prayer. Pray that a core group of believers would see and accept this vision. Pray that the Lord would raise up a Basque believer to help us bridge to this culture.

God moves November (and those other months too)

This is one of my favorite times of the year, when it starts to cool down and the bigger waves start coming in. It's a treat to live in a town like Zarautz. Going through this housing fiasco has shown me that today is a special gift from God. It's not guaranteed that I can stay in Zarautz forever, but I'm here today and I need to be looking for ways to represent him. I'm now renting a room in a flat on the other side of town. It's a calm place. Answer to prayer!!- I got a job offer teaching English at in a company setting. It's in a small town about 20 min from here and it's part time, but it brings my total hours of English teaching to over 15/week. I had to buy a car to get to this remote location and that's been an ordeal. Teaching English has been neat. It's really cool to spend so much time with Basque individuals on such a personal level. We talk about a lot of things, and I use examples and stories from the Bible whenever I can. They know where I'm coming from. I tell them straight out, that I'm here to learn about the Basque people and share the news that their rightful King has come. Nothing sneaky.

Saturdays I work at the surf shop. Good contact point with the culture.

I'm in Basque language class 6 hours a week. It's super fun, but challenging.

Fantastic news! By the grace of God, I and the old host family have been reconciled. The Spirit has moved us to forgive and understand each other a little better. There is peace between us and the future looks so bright. They have been good to me. I give all praise to the Lord for doing something that was far beyond me!


With all of these changes happening, I want to make something very clear. I find it so amazingly easy to think that the next paycheck and lifestyle decision is the biggest thing on the horizon. I do not want to forget why I'm here: there has been a clear calling from the Lord to share the news of His Son among the Basque. I'm not here to make a living or be successful (sure I want those things). I have seen Christian workers distracted and caught up in the world, and they've had good intentions too! Help me, Lord.

Church planting- right now I'm meeting with believers in town and praying over the people. Petitioning the Lord to open up a door for a Basque fellowship. This is what I want to be focused on.

Thank you for your prayers. There have been so many answers in these past few weeks.

God is good.

A midfall's update

Getting connected with the workers in the area has been so encouraging! We just wrapped up the first national conference for Christian Surfers International and it was neat to hit the beach with a crew of 40 Christian witnesses and shred some waves! But more than that it was a blessing to see the scope of God's hand. As I get more involved with that cool ministry I'll keep you informed.

Teaching english-paying bills. I've got about 10 hours of private english lessons week by week and it's my only income right now. It's just been a blessing to sit for an hour and half with a Basque student 1 on 1 and get to know one another. The other day we were practicing how to read and pronounce words when I realized that the only material I had with my was my Spanish/English parallel bible. So we read that! I then got to ask critical questions about the text. Sounds pretty sneaky, huh? Not so. I'm speaking with a biology teacher who wants to learn English and she asked me why I came here. I straight up told her that my King is King of the Basque people, but that they're not serving Him. I'm here to help out with that. She chuckled, but she knows exactly where I stand. It's the same for my old boss at the surf shop (I no longer work there). He knows I'm a Christian and thinks I'm kooky. I lug my bible around and he scoffs at me. The other day, I was putting up posters for a Christian surf film, Walking on Water, that we were going to premier for Christian Surfers here in Zarautz. He looked at me and said, "who the heck is organizing this? I don't know anything about this". He considers himself to have a good pulse on the surf culture here. I told him it's something put on by my friends, Christian Surfers. You should have seen his face! He started swearing and asked if just because the group was Christian they could do whatever they wanted. I told him that people will listen to you (and watch your film) if you're like CJ and Damien Hobgood two of the best 33 surfers in the universe (who are Christian and featured in the film). He laughed me out of the store...

Basque classes- I'm enrolled in 6 hours of Euskara (Basque) classes each week. They run for the next 8 months.

The Church- I fellowship with a body of believers from San Sebastian. They are super rad. There aren't a ton of Basque people there, mostly Latinos, but I get fueled there and have frequent talk with the pastor. He knows me, my objectives, my heart, and my struggles.

Networking- I know of 4 or 5 other missionary couples working within 1 hour from where I type this. We speak regularly and I smile as I see where I fit in. God is moving...there are more joining the harvest.

The dirty stuff- The family that I'm currently staying with is spiritually drained. They've been here for 7 years and have shipwrecked their faith with a deadly amount of isolation from other Christians and fellowship. They're tired and I've become a nuisance to them. Without getting into it too much, I was asked to leave the house within the month. This is where it gets interesting. First off, pray for them. I know I came across as a burden, but there is definitely some major spiritual baggage that leads to that feeling (I do believe that I did a fine dandy job of communal living here. thank you Tahoe, Moody, Portland, and Family). If the Lord wants me to continue with the mission here in Zarautz (where I have most of my contacts, language classes, and work), God has to go big. Spain is an expensive place to live. The Basque Country more so. Zarautz is at the top of that pyramid. This is just a test to reassure that this mission is of God and to confirm exactly where He wants me.

Prayer points:

1. Bixente, Izaro, Amaia, Leida, Aritz, Yolanda and other english students. That they may be shown mercy and accept Jesus as the Christ.
2. That I would forgive when I want to get even.
3. May Christian Surfers take off and make a huge impact among the Basque
4. I need a full time job
5. I need housing. I want housing from which I can host people.
6. Praise be to the Lord for the believers that He has brought alongside me.

September- when things go back to normal

Zarautz has 60,000 inhabitants in the summer and supposedly it's going to drop to 20,000 this month as the youth start heading back to school. Classes are starting up, the good waves are coming, and the leaves are be changing color. With all this change happening around me, I notice how I have a chance to construct a lifestyle. Job choice, friends, and how time is spent are just a few of the choices that I have to make. I want to be deliberate in spending time with the Basque and not just get into a routine that gives minimum exposure.

It takes a special determination to get into it. There are great big groups of guys hanging out at the beach, but to go there and start making friends is kinda tough. I've gotta be patient and listen very well. Many times it feels awkward because I don't know how I fit in. A lot of the younger kids know me from the video games and will yell my name on the boardwalk which is cool. I'm just looking how to get regular meetings with the guys and get into the Word. It's super rad to see the same guys as we're paddling out to catch some waves, but I just don't want to settle for this basic social interaction.

In a town so small (and very dense), I bump into the same people frequently. Like the lady who I buy bread from lives on my street. I was chatting on spain's version of Myspace and the kid asked me where I lived. After shouting off my balcony it turns out he's my neighbor across the street. I skate home from work and I see the same people day after day. I have a favorite cashier at the grocery store. I don't ever want my life to become a mindless system, but a careful outpouring of Christ in every interaction.

Making friends, making money.

I could explain the concept of prayer to you pretty well, but I still find myself surprised when God answers. Maybe it's not that he answers, it's the subtle and powerful HOW. It comes like a fresh realization that THAT, what I just saw there, was a direct answer to prayer. Amazing and mysterious. I didn't even ask anyone for it, but my buddy Arritz just offered to talk his boss about getting me hooked up at the surf shop with some work. Next thing I know, I've got 2 weeks of work (or hanging out with my friends selling surfboards). I'm not sure where God is moving me, but I see a clear path into the lives of these workers at the local shop.

This is tournament week, where we get a little look at the video game scene. There are two tournaments planned for this week and I've been cruising around inviting kids from the street. I'm not sure who's going to show up, but I've been praying that the right kids come. Those that have a some inner hurt or are just looking for a friend. Those are the guys I love to spend time with, and I'm praying that God would go big in these lives.

There are tons of Latins at the local church in San Sebastian. I've been spending time with them after church service on Sunday and this past week we planned a couple events. I took a couple Chileans to the beach and we caught a couple waves. It's neat to meet their whole fam and then bump into them as I'm cruising the beach or working. The continual interactions give a great opportunity too build relationships. Later on in the week we had 12 guys play some soccer together. I love that game so much and it was neat sharing the experience with the youth.

Spent some time on the freebord. It's ok, I have a doctor at the local hospital who will take care of anything that happens.

Freebord preview from Jon Wong on Vimeo.

Moving right along

Paperworks- In America we can get anything we want immediately, but things are very different hear. After a week of hustling, the bank account if finally good to go and I'm registered with the state. One big plus though is the socialist health care. There's this nice, big new hospital on the backside of town full of doctors just waiting to set my broken bones....and all for free.

Friends- It's been such a treat getting to know the youth of the church over in Donostia. They're so energetic and welcoming. I'm remembered from 2009, and it's so good to continue where we left off. As we learn about each other and trust one another more, I pray that the Spirit would bring out teaching points so that we can grow in obedience to Him. Also some of surfers here in Zarautz still remember me, so that's rad to have a couple familiar faces in town. These guys are super Basque and it's going to be neat learning their language and culture.

Video games- So, answer to prayer, we've got 2 locations for video game tournaments this month. One here in Zarautz on the 21st in a youth center and the other on the 20th at a bar in the next town over. Alright, praise God! Now the tournaments have to fill up with kids ready for a good time. In a related story, this picture is of Janette with all of our laptops. Rodrigo, who is not pictured, is the son of the owner of the afore mentioned bar. He and his friend Janette love video games and with the release of this latest hot video game (Starcraft) I've been invited over to his place to play a couple times. He thinks I'm a freak when it comes to gaming and skating. He also doesn't know God, and has been asking questions about my faith. I've been able to share the full gospel with him and he's got a lot of respect for Maca (my house sister, who also works at the bar) and I and how we've placed our lives under God. Hurrah, videogames. God reigns there too!


Prayer requests:

1. I need a job
2. That I would continue to meet new Basque people
3. That the Lord would save this nation

You mean I can't do this on my own? whaaaaat?

There are some things that I feel fully capable of doing. Actually there are too many things that I'm sure that I can execute without any help. I've lived in the US pretty much my whole life and I can find anything and go anywhere anytime that I want. I can speak to everyone and feel confident. For example, if I need a job I can go out and fill out some applications to places that I'm familiar with and land a couple interviews. I've come to realize that when neat things happen in the US, I forget that anything special happened, because so much of it was under my "control". Here in the Basque Country it's very different. I am at the mercy of my surroundings. My charisma, power, connections, and social skills are greatly diminished. I doubt my ability to do tasked deemed simple back home. It's in this realization that I find a beautiful test. My need for the Lord's guidance is ever more clear. It is obvious that I'm in over my head, and now I pray more and understand that God has to go big for things to work. It crossed my mind that it'd be neat to always feel this way, I don't know if I'm ready to pray for that yet though!

Today was spent with the youth of one of the local churches. We had a BBQ at this lighthouse that one of the church members runs. Super rad location. It was good to see old friends (from my last trip here in 2009) and talk to them why I'm here now. I'm excited to spend time with these guys and girls and listen to their lives.

Last note: the video game tournaments need locations before planning can continue. I'm looking at finding venues in three or four local towns and setting up a dozen tournaments for the next month. This is a tall order, but my God is good!

Important life choices and their relation to reason

When people hear about moving to Spain they get really excited, hey I do too! It's Europe, there's cool things to see, and they just won the World Cup. Sounds like a blast; and it's bound to be really fun but there's another side to the situation.

When there is change, there is challenge and moving to Spain introduces a lot of huge obstacles. Currently, the Basque Country's 18-25 yr olds are experiencing something close to 40% unemployment. Which, due to youth living with their parents until marriage, isn't that big of a deal for Basque youth. Still a problem though. So, it's in this arena that I bring my unskilled self and non-native language ability to the workplace. To make the proposed budget work, God has got to provide a job for me in the community. I have no idea what's in store, but He has to show up or this mission is over. I'm looking forward to seeing what He'll do.

If we look at that situation from a logical point of view, it would be unwise to make a move to Spain with such uncertain outcomes. The only way to go about such a task is to take the Bible in hand and find direction. Proverbs 3:5-6 leaps out at me:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path.

I need the Lord to straighten this path out, because it's currently facing off of a cliff. I would like to encourage everyone who has a challenge in their lives to reflect on whether it is being observed with a biblical perspective. We can understand a situation to be hard, but all of our hearts should be trusting the Lord.

You have bills to pay, schools to choose from, relationship issues to deal with, and life decisions to make. Don't rule something out because you have leaned on your own understanding.

Basque in Grace

I’d like to thank each of you for your acts of love for me over the years. To some extent or another you’ve encouraged or influenced me as I’ve grown up and studied in bible school. You’ve kept me going strong through months of international missions and prayed consistently for me through domestic outreach. Thank you so much for the smiling faces, eager questions, and anticipation for where God is moving me next. For the past several years the Lord has been preparing me for the greatest challenge I’ve yet to face. There’s no doubt in my heart that I am led to work among the Basque people of northern Spain. This people group has a rich heritage and a unique language. These 3 million people are also considered a least-reached people group with less than 1% evangelical Christian. My objective and calling is to work among the Basque in hopes of being part of an indigenous church with a missional mindset; or a group of Basque believers who are serious about telling other people about Christ.

So I’m moving to a town in the Basque country to continue this mission. I’ll be taking language courses and looking for some work to earn enough to make a living. By the grace of God, a Chilean missionary family will be hosting me for my first year in-country. You can expect to find me in language classes three times a week, hopefully working a steady job, and in my free time catching some waves or doing some skateboarding. These are all just tools to meet Basque people and get into their lives, ultimately expecting a chance to share the story of Christ. There are already several groups of Christian workers in the area that I will be working alongside in some sort of partnership or another. There’s a body of believers, mostly from Latin and South America, who will be a local asset. All said, I won’t be alone.

After taking a bunch of evangelistically focused classes at Moody, my imagination runs wild with possible outreaches. Really they’re just new ways of doing what Christians have been doing for hundreds of years, but this is the stuff that get’s me excited. I’m also fascinated with Paul’s example of tentmaking, a term coined to signify working a secular job to support a ministry. Combining these concepts brings about such plans as a video game tournament venture, in which local youth compete against one another in the latest games. It builds relationships, earns money, provides evangelistic opportunities, and it’s a super duper fun time. Down the line, when the capital is there, I’d love to see a surf storage facility placed in the beach town. It’s another great way to meet local surfers as they come in to store their gear and get a hot shower.

The details of the future aren’t crystal clear yet. There are plenty of areas to worry over and hardship will inevitably bring discouragement, but I know that with everything that the Lord has given me I’m going to pour it into the Basque people. May the Basque people be immersed in God's grace!

Give them gaming: Tournament Mercenaries

Since 2001, video games and following Jesus have had a wonderfully unique relationship in my life. I loved playing games with my friends and when I noticed that so many of them didn't know the Lord it was evident that something had to be done. My mentor and I started hosting video game tournaments and highlighted the gospel at every event. It was super fun and gamers started thinking about spiritual things.

Jesus Christ is for everyone, but so many youth think that He's lame or not relevant. This box full of video game equipment is dedicated to Basque youth coming to a proper understanding of who Jesus is. It's my hope that these units will host many tournaments in the Basque Country and that many youth have a blast playing with them. It's my true desire that through gaming many of these youth take Jesus as their savior.

I want this to be sustainable and am looking to make it a financially profitable venture. Stay tuned to see how this venture, code named "Tournament Mercenaries" is sharing the gospel among a least-reached people group.