Newsletter March & April 2026
In John 15:4,5, Jesus says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me, and I in you....”
We see that every day as we continue to serve in this ministry of Woods Outreach.
What’s the latest
March brought the end of the Winter Language class session, with our final class being Language Olympics. The comment, of “I am so afraid of competition, but this was so much fun” by one of the newer students, brought us great encouragement, as our desire is always to bring enjoyment to the educational table!
March and April afforded some of our students the opportunity and pleasure of traveling to Spain to put their Spanish into action! We traveled to the southern part of Spain, known for its olive trees and grapevines. We stayed with a couple that run a well established center which brings counsel to those in the surrounding area who are struggling with addictions and mental health issues. Their guest house served as our base as we traveled throughout Andalucia, seeing history, experiencing culture, delighting in Spanish cuisine and connecting with friends and neighbors who shared with us the richness of this country. Time nor pen are suffice to express our experience, but we hope that these words will give you a small glimpse into what were unforgettable days of life in Spain!
In their words...
“I LOVED my time in Spain. I got to appreciate the culture on a whole other level. There is such a difference from hearing and talking about their culture versus experiencing it first-hand. It really helped me to understand the language a LOT more...and it was definitely fulfilling when my Spanish was understood. The culture is a lot different than American culture in that everything is very laid back....It was a big change for me to slow down and enjoy the moments and I'm trying to bring that idea back with me now....I'm sure we would never run out of new things, and hopefully my Spanish would improve every year (if we went back)....”
“... I can say that the Spain trip far exceeded my expectations in so many areas....What made it outstanding was the attention to detail in planning and (the) personal connections to the people and places we visited....Immersing oneself in another culture and language is always a transformative experience....A greater appreciation and empathy for others results from stepping out of one’s own comfort zone and attempting to communicate and adapt to a different language and culture....”
“Participating in Woods Outreach’s inaugural Spain immersion experience provided a meaningful opportunity for me to grow in both language skills and cultural understanding...to build confidence and to improve comprehension in ways that are difficult to replicate in a traditional classroom setting. The experience extended beyond language learning. We engaged in daily life in southern Spain, enjoying traditional foods and adapting to a different rhythm of the day, including merienda and siesta.... I also gained a broader, global perspective on the Spanish language....Most impactful were the personal connections formed along the way. Time spent sharing meals, speaking with local shop owners, and connecting with others in the community created a welcoming environment for learning. These interactions not only strengthened language skills but also helped foster a deeper sense of understanding, breaking down perceptions of “otherness” and emphasizing the common ground shared among people.”
“....Our trip was an opportunity to experience the very best of Spanish culture, architecture, food, hospitality, and friendship. These experiences were spread throughout much of southern Spain, spanning 3 Spanish "states" and 5 major Spanish cities. We were blessed to see, taste, smell, and feel the very heart of the majesty of a country older than the 1st century. My favorite part of this journey,...was visiting Seville..the perfect combination of warm culture and cool breezes, stunning edifices and natural beauty, ancient history and modern marvels. It was such a pleasure to make this journey with students from the class who were such good sports about everything!....”
“I felt like I was a part of something bigger.”
“This is what Jesus did...going to where the people are and meeting their needs.”
“I am open to more trips back to Spain.”
“The Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself” (Oswald Chambers)
Praise for: new and seasoned students during the winter language session *great trip for those that traveled to and throughout Spain *new opportunities over Mother’s Day and spring language session starting up!
Pray for: spring events wisdom in planning events continued unity within the Board and support staff.
Thank you FOR YOUR PRAYERS, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT! - Woods Outreach ministry team
How to contact Woods Outreach:
facebook.com/woodsoutreach www.Woodsoutreach.org info@woodsoutreach.org
