Editor’s note: David del Angel of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, spent the past two years as a volunteer missionary in Spain. He was in the experimental first wave of volunteer missionaries from the South America (SAM) and Mexico and Central America (MAC) regions, sent to Spain through Project Caleb. In total, eight missionaries were selected to help advance the church in Western Europe. To learn more about this project and its results, read the article in NCN News.
David del Angel talked with Engage magazine about his experiences in Spain, and what he plans to do now that he has returned home to Mexico, and to his church, the Church of the Nazarene Templo Shalom near Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
Engage: When did you first understand God was calling you to missions?
Del Angel: From the day I accepted Christ, I knew that God was calling me to missions because it was on a mission trip that I accepted Christ as my Savior.
Engage: What was your reaction to that call?
Del Angel: I went to study at the Nazarene seminary. I wanted to find a school of missions outside the Church of the Nazarene, but my pastor told me to wait for an opportunity within the Church of the Nazarene.
Engage: When you heard about Project Caleb, how did you know that was what God wanted you to do?
Del Angel: I was working at a company in the area of computer systems, but doing mission was always my passion. I felt empty when I didn’t get to go on a trip. It was like a fire inside of me that consumed me. I told myself, “No more. I need make a decision.” I could no longer delay the call on my life.
Engage: How did you prepare for this assignment?
Del Angel: It helped me a lot being on nine previous mission trips. I was also involved in the district in various positions, studying at the seminary, training in the region—and my study of computer science and prayer [helped]. I also received training from the region and was involved in church leadership.
Engage: How did you raise the money to go?
Del Angel: The Church of the Nazarene in Mexico and the region paid half the cost of the project; for me this was the key. The other half was financed by the host region. I contributed part of my savings, too.
Engage: What was your job in Spain?
Del Angel: My job was to open new churches in Spain, as well as to encourage the Church in Spain to grow. In a place where I worked called Sabadell, we had a group of 15 people, including Latinos and Spanish. We would meet on Fridays with music and preaching. We met in a room that we rented with our money. In another neighborhood, I developed a few contacts and remain in communication with them, sharing my faith by e-mail.
Engage: Who was your target group?
Del Angel: The people of Spain was the main objective. Some were Latino. The Spaniards had problems with drugs, depression, or just felt empty inside. So with the Word of God, besides trying to help them physically, we encouraged them to take faith in God and be faithful to Him.
Engage: Tell about someone with whom you were able to share Christ?
Del Angel: On one occasion, a friend named Jesus almost died in my arms. He has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) so he hardly moves. On one occasion it gave him the flu, which for him could be fatal. He was choking on phlegm in the throat. While I held him, I urged calm and confidence. I said to God, “Father, he isn't your son. Let live him until he will be yours.” I called an ambulance. It came, but he almost died. He was transferred to the hospital. There in his hospital bed, he accepted Jesus as his Savior. I remember that Jesus’s brother came after I went out and told me: “That’s weird; his face has changed. He looks better.” So I said, “Jesus has taken the most important decision in his life. He has accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.” After two months, Jesus left the hospital and now he is well.
Engage: Did you experience culture shock?
Del Angel: Yes, at the beginning. The people are distrustful of Latinos—it is difficult to make friends with a Spanish person. Sometimes it takes more than eight months. But the important thing to remember is that God is with you, and you have an entire region supporting you in prayer.
Engage: How did you seek God’s encouragement and strength to do what you needed to do?
Del Angel: The Word of God and prayer were key—especially the prayers of the whole MAC Region and elsewhere. Also, talking to pastors—pastors with experience in the multicultural environment with immigrants—helped. Thank God I had support from several pastors with similar churches in the U.S.
Engage: Now that you are home, what are your plans?
Del Angel: I'm spending a month to enjoy my family. In September we will have a missionary tour to publicize the work of Project Caleb. Beginning in October, I will be Work & Witness coordinator for the South-Central Mexico area. I will help in evangelism and discipleship, as well as in finance and some with youth. So I'll go to live in Mexico City.
Engage: Do you hope to serve in something like Project Caleb again?
Del Angel: Yes, I would love to.
Engage: What is the significance Project Caleb for churches in your region?
Del Angel: I think the church in the MAC region has demonstrated that it can send its own missionaries to anywhere in the world; not just sending, but supporting in prayer and giving encouragement to continue the work. I believe that with some effort, we could rent a space, buy musical instruments for worship and open a new church quickly – but only if everyone works together and has the same vision.
Engage: What is your hope for the sending out of missionaries from your country or region in the future?
Del Angel: Now, we, the first group sent, will work so that the second generation can be sent and have more success than we had.
Engage: How has God taught you or changed you through this experience?
Del Angel: I think the work is easier in Latin America; we can do more of what we have been doing. In Europe it's hard to win a new Christian. We must seize this great opportunity we have to win as many people as possible to Christ in Latin America. Now, I not only dream about missions, but I live missions, eat missions, sleep missions—it’s incredible!