Behind the Scenes

Tuesdays are the busiest days for my family. It starts with me (Lauren) leaving the house around 8:45 to walk 10 minutes to the bus stop, then ride for 10 minutes as I head for our women’s Bible study at the Alpedrete church. For our Bible study, we alternate what we do every other week—reading through a chapter of our Bible study book one week, and the next, we spend the time in prayer. Our group numbers about 5-7. These Tuesday morning studies offer a good language learning opportunity for me, and a great time to build relationships with friends from the church.

After Bible study, I walk back to the bus stop to head home. While Emilia is napping, I prepare for Tuesday night English classes, and Sam preps for dinner. Since arriving here in Spain, these English classes have become some of my favorite ministry moments as these classes are held in the city we hope to plant a new church. My first English class is at 6:30. I walk to the bus stop at 5:50 and ride 30 minutes to our target area. A few ladies join me at a little bakery for the first class. We mix English and Spanish conversation for this lesson because they want to help me with my Spanish. These ladies have become some of the sweetest friends. They helped me learn the vocabulary for doctor appointments, helped me translate my birth plan, and encouraged me when I was scared about delivering a baby in a foreign country. Even though our lesson is only scheduled for an hour, we typically stay close to an hour and a half.

For the English class that follows (meeting from 8:00-9:00), I move to a restaurant beside the bakery. Sam and Emilia meet us there. Anthony and Lea Edgmon lead this class of 10-15 people, and we help them. The class is always filled with laughter and learning. After we are finished, we either ride the bus, or the Edgmons drive us home. Now, it is about 9:45, so we eat dinner, and begin bedtime routines.

Each day brings new opportunities to build relationships and find community while we integrate into our new life here in Spain.

In November, 2021 Sam and Lauren Riggs began their missions internship in Madrid, Spain. They work with Anthony and Lea Edgmon in the Alpedrete church. Sam and Lauren are hoping to plant a new church in a nearby city that has no evangelical presence. Pray for them as they complete their 2-year internship, then seek God’s will for what is next in their life.