May 2003

the periodic newsletter for 
Michael & Dawn Marie Helin
 International Media Ministries
Madrid, Spain

Our final trimester of language school begins this morning, 
May 6, at 7:45am.  We are particularly energized because we are drawing close to the finish line our of schooling phase and can see the checkered flag of the "field" before us.  ¡Vamos a España!

I had the extraordinary opportunity to take a brief trip to our "field" of ministry during the trimester break at CINCEL.  I went both to Brussels, Belgium - the previous home of International Media Ministry 


(The European Ministry Center in Belgium that has housed IMM for almost 20 years)

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 and Madrid, Spain - the soon to be future home of IMM.


("Plaza del Sol" in downtown Madrid)


(El parque de Retiro - the "Central Park" of Madrid)

This short visit provided me with the exceptional advantage of seeing, at least in part, what IMM has been for the past 20 years, but also a unique glimpse of what it will be.  I especially felt privileged to meet and "bond" with the IMM team and experience their heart for ministry, see their exceptional skills in action, and begin to dream and share together "OUR" vision of IMM and "OUR" future in Madrid, as the Lord makes clear the steps He has laid out before us.  

We especially need your prayer as we navigate the delicate process of obtaining our VISAs to Spain in a timely manner.

Perhaps you've noticed that this has been our specific prayer request for several months, yet, honestly it remains our most crucial issue.  We have en-
countered some unusual road blocks, but we are seeing victory, even in the last week.  The next 2-3 weeks are crucial!

We do have a more clear time-line in focus.  We expect to return to the USA in July, arrange for shipment, and arrive in Madrid, ready to move in by August 1. 

For all this to happen, we need
1. Potential housing to be secured in Spain.
2. Additional "personal offerings" to help cover the costs of added expenses we've incurred having experienced delays in our VISA process.
3. VISAs to be granted in a streamline fashion over the next few weeks.

Pray also for
The IMM team, as they finish packing ministry and personal items and make the huge shift to Spain.  This, for several, will cost them their "second" language of French along with emotional losses of having been "at home" in Brussels for many years.

To our supporters, we thank you for your faithful giving that is finally seeing us through to our field of call.  Blessings.