When we first got here and were exposed to the Christian community of Lanzarote people literally (not joking) called me "anointed one", "man of God", "servant", "pastor", etc. I was shocked (and if you let me say it very disgusted by that), and requested them to start calling me Nico. (This was shocking to them since most of the pastors here love to receive that kind of treatment.)

Two weeks ago I wanted to support a local church and assisted to an event they were holding. Even thou I WAS NOT the one speaking that night, I was offered water, the first sit on the congregation, a "tour" around the church, I was publically introduced and clapped, and they asked me to give a brief speech. At the end of the event they offered me something to eat and took pictures of me. There were two other people from our church at that event as well. They didn't get what I got. (And no matter how hard I tried to convince them, they wouldn't let me sit with them. After all, I was a pastor, a servant of God...) The "prophet" who spoke that night completely misinterpreted the Bible. I came back home crying in my car...

Pray for the Lanzarote Pastors' Association

Last week I was invited to participate in the newly created Lanzarote Pastors' Association. One of the subjects we spoke on was money. They were emphasizing the need to "honor" the workers. (If I tell you the number of ceros they considered a "worthy offering" you would not believe it.) I told them Jesus never charged a penny for His teaching. There was silence in the meeting for a few seconds...

In spite of what I just described, I didn't come back home crying in my car this time. By God's grace I was able to find their favor and influence in some of their decisions. (I.e. presented them a doctrinal statement to be approved, challenged them to efficiently organize, explained them why not to include Unitarian and Adventist pastors in this association!) The need for a different kind of leadership is huge...

Could you please pray that I would find favor in front of these men? Some of them have really strong personalities, some of them have no training, some really love the Lord, and some are currently my students! I need wisdom and God's guidance to be able to model a different type of leadership.

Pray for my new class on Apologetics

Friday night I will teach a three-hour course on answering hard questions about God. I am using this subject to get both the church leaders and pastors interested in receiving more training. My main goal is to later challenge them to get involved in a four-month course on Biblical Discipleship. Please pray that lots of them would join!

Pray for our ministry trip to Gran Canaria

This coming week we have been invited to speak a youth/college retreat in Gran Canaria. They also want us to address their church, the church leaders, and the women. Nico will be speaking eight times (and hasn't finished preparing so pray for a miracle). Annie will be speaking twice (yes, she is all done, but she also needs your prayers).

Cover of the Discovery Series, the materail we will use in our small groups.

Pray for the small groups in our church

Last week we launched small groups in our church. Most of people here don't regularly read and are very inconsistent with their commitments. Please pray for them!

Modeling Christ leadership is an impossible challenge. Thanks for praying and believing that God is changing us and using us, in spite of the task and in spite of us...

Serving together,

The Tranchinis

"I want to stay with abuelita..." Mica said while she was crying at the airport. Her words reflect what we all feel as a family. We had a very special time with "abuelia", but it was very sad to say good bye.

Thank God she was not in much pain while we were there, so each one of us was able to enjoy her a lot. Mica (and anybody who has listened to my mom) would tell you that she is the best story teller ever. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty; you name it. She is worthy to be filmed! (Which in fact, I did! Yes, selling the rights is very tempting, but I just wanted Mica and Tommy to be able listen to her while there are in Spain.)

The sad note, of course, is that we don't know how much longer she has. We keep praying for her...

My mom with the rest of us.

We'd love to see you this this Sunday

Well, we are in the US now! Just for three or four days. But we would love to see you if you have time. This coming Sunday Memo and Suzy (the couple that will be joining our team next year) will present their vision & ministry for Spain. We have decided to join them and do a small report of our ministry as well.

The meeting will be this Sunday, from 3-5pm at The Cup @ Denton Bible Church 2300 E. University Dr. Denton, TX.

It would be awesome to chat and let you what the Lord is doing there. Could you please let us know if you are coming by responding to this email?

Thanks for your prayers, emails, and support during this hard time.

Much love,

Nico for the family.

My boss in the US has given us permission (actually he encouraged us) to go visit her for two weeks. It has been a tough call. We questioned: Should we go now? But what if she lives longer? Should we wait? But if she passes, then what? We won't get to see her and she will not get to see her grandchildren again. I am sure you understand the strive...

A friend of us has given us some stand-by tickets to fly home. Since he works for American Airlines, that forces us to do: Lanzarote-Madrid-Dallas-Buenos Aires. This obviously has the downside that it will be a super long trip (we live today at 4:00 PM and we get to Argentina Wednesday at 8:15 AM), but is also much cheaper and gives us the possibility to stop in the US on our way back. We will be in Denton for three or four days to do some things that we need to do there.

As you can imagine, we would really appreciate your prayers both for my mom and the trip. (I.e. for the poor passengers that will have to bear with Mica and Tommy. They will have two trips of twelve hours each on their shoulders. Yes, please pray for their parents too.)

Also, if you feel led to send some financial assistance to help us with the cost of the trip, that would also be very appreciated. Denton Bible Church will take the money for the tickets (around $2.500) from our missionary account. So if you decide to give, you will help us balance that account that we normally use for ministry expenses and similar.

If you want to send some money, please write your check to Denton Bible Church and place our name and account number in the memo field: Nico Tranchini / Account # 9741-01. (You don't have to clarify what is the money for. It will go straight to our account.) Then, just send it to this address:

Denton Bible Church

Attn: Missions Office

2300 E University Dr.

Denton, Texas 76209

Once again, we greatly appreciate your partnership with us. We are very loved both by you and God.

Nico for the fam.