{"id":239,"date":"2014-08-31T22:43:06","date_gmt":"2014-08-31T22:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livinginsidethetestimony.com\/blog\/?p=239"},"modified":"2014-08-31T22:43:06","modified_gmt":"2014-08-31T22:43:06","slug":"living-inside-the-testimony-in-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.livinginsidethetestimony.com\/blog\/living-inside-the-testimony-in-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"Living Inside the Testimony… in Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever met someone and wondered how in the world did he turn out like this? It can be a really good or a really bad impression. Either way, you probably remember him for the rest of your life.<\/p>\n

When I first met Alex Galloway, Psy.D, he was working with Memphis Healthy Churches and Christ Community Health Services in Memphis, TN. He is a clinical psychologist who I had pictured in my mind as one who could (and should according to the world\u2019s standards) be earning 100\u2019s of thousands of dollars annually based on his education, skills, and abilities. However, he was devoting his time and energy to the under-served and poor of the inner city. He certainly left a lasting impression on me.<\/p>\n

After he announced he was leaving Memphis to join Church Resource Ministries,<\/strong> (CRM) my heart was sad because I had never met anyone quite like him. According to CRM’s website<\/a>, \u201cCRM empowers leaders to go to the unreached and unchurched, bring transformation among the poor, and mobilize the Church for mission…so that disciples are made among the nations.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>The website describes Alex like this: Alex is a clinical psychologist with specialized interest in marriage counseling, trauma recovery, and the holistic care of God’s people. He has worked among the poor for ten years in Memphis and has a passion for the marginalized and victims of injustice. He enjoys encouraging, equipping, and empowering those who minister on the “front lines” with CRM.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I would miss him terribly, but I knew God had a much greater calling on his life. He and his wife, Amy, along with their 3 daughters, would be giving up everything to move overseas to serve in an even greater capacity. Alex wouldn\u2019t be able to do what he does without Amy, whom I may add, has a master\u2019s degree herself. CRM\u2019s website describes her like this: Amy makes a special contribution to the team with her deep love for women in ministry and their families. Her authentic living, transparency about the spiritual journey, and deep passion for Jesus permeate her teaching and ministry. Amy is passionate about prayer and commits herself to praying for CRM and our staff.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

If they knew I was writing this blog about them, they would surely blush. If they knew I still had a hard time calling Dr. Galloway simply \u201cAlex,\u201d they would wonder why. If they knew I was mentioning their degrees and worldly earning potential, they would probably ask that I not write this blog post. However, it\u2019s all part of my story: Living Inside the Testimony\u2026in Spain.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Alex,<\/a>

Alex, Amy, and their three daughters – Karis, Bella, and Lexy<\/p><\/div>\n

Today, Alex, Amy, and their three girls – Karis, Bella, and Lexy – live in M\u00e1laga, Spain, where they are establishing a missionary care and training hub. I subscribe to their newsletter, and the latest one is what gave me the idea for this post. Below is an excerpt from their newsletter.<\/p>\n

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Every wonder WHY we’ve been appointed to this particular era… the era of ice water fund-raising challenges, partisan stand-offs, the redefinition of marriage, and\u00a0the disintegration of trust between the police and the people?\u2028\u2028<\/em><\/p>\n

And what about the turmoil in the Middle East? \u00a0It’s horrifying to know there are videos of beheadings (American or not! \u00a0Children or\u00a0adults!) circulating on the internet fueling the religious and ideological wars among religious groups. \u00a0We see the footage of entire villages being gassed to death and hear of Iraqi\u00a0Christians being crucified because they won’t renounce their faith. \u00a0Then we close our computer, refill our coffee, swallow our helplessness and guilt,\u00a0and go on about the day.\u00a0I mean really, what can WE do about it?\u2028\u2028 <\/em><\/p>\n

Christianity Today recently posted an excellent article titled,\u00a0“Crisis in Iraq: \u00a0Five Things You can Actually\u00a0Do to Help” see the attached link: \u00a0(http:\/\/www.christiantoday.com\/article\/crisis.in.iraq.six.things.you.can.actually.do.to.help\/39094.htm<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n

Two of their recommendations ring especially true for me. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2028\u20281) \u00a0PRAY for people living in these war-torn zones. <\/strong>\u00a0When I am worshipping on a Sunday morning, I often think of people\u00a0sitting in refugee camps, young girls held hostage by religious fanatics,\u00a0or\u00a0Christians sitting in\u00a0jail cells… all of them facing\u00a0daily\u00a0torture, and\u00a0despair. \u00a0I ask God to sing over them, wherever they are, to send angels to minister to them, to reveal Himself to them in the darkness, and to strengthen their spirits. \u00a0And I pray for those receiving the overflow of refugees. \u00a0You think our immigration problem is bad – they estimate more than 30% of Lebanon will be Syrian refugees by the end of the year. \u00a0Yes. \u00a0Thirty\u00a0percent.\u00a0 Now that’s a humanitarian crisis that reshapes a whole nation.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2028\u20282) \u00a0GIVE\u00a0to organizations who are serving on the ground. <\/strong>\u00a0I know it seems “easy” or insignificant to just write a check. \u00a0But my belief is that our checkbooks can help to remind us and\u00a0align us more clearly with\u00a0our priorities and with the\u00a0suffering\u00a0around the world. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0There is a practical (and I believe spiritual)\u00a0release of resources that take place when we invest in the poor, the oppressed and the forgotten.<\/em><\/p>\n

In case you are unconnected to an organization\u00a0working in the Middle East, Alex himself (and several on our team)\u00a0are working directly with the crisis in Syria, Iraq, Israel, and Lebanon. \u00a0 Here’s how we are involved:<\/em><\/p>\n