La Ruta Roja 2010 was an act of prayerful obedience, prophetic unity and joyful witness to Jesus Christ. Christians from across Tenerife got together, walked down the streets, prayed for their towns, gave out Christian literature and spoke to people about Jesus.

It all started at South Tenerife Christian Fellowship with over 30 people arriving – which was exciting as only 5 had signed up the day before! Very Tenerife!? We walked through Los Cristianos and spoke to passers-by, climbed up The Guaza “Mountain” and turned to pray over Las Americas. Then set off along the coast of South Tenerife praying, singing, chatting and celebrating all that the Lord has done. Eventually we reached Silencio Church, where an amazing table of delicious food was spread before us and bowls of cool water lined up ready for our feet! Bill Jeffrey, the pastor of Silencio Church, had gone into special training so that he could join the walk for the day. Over lunch he was heard to say, “There’s a wonderful feeling of having achieved something important in the Spirit to have walked and prayed all that way. But I’m not sure if I’ll be able to move my legs tomorrow!”

In the evening we gathered with Christian teams from across Tenerife to put on a show in El Medano Plaza – a beautiful town just South of the airport. The testimonies from those who have come to Christ in “The Living Room” were translated and put between music and dance by church groups from Santa Cruz. All around the square were cafes full of people who were listening intently.

Tuesday to Friday the pattern continued with groups gathering in Candelaria, Santa Cruz, Icod de los Vinos and Punte del Hildalgo. The teams included Christians originally from Venezuela, Colombia, Holland, mainland Spain, Tenerife, Chille, Peru, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Nigeria, Switzerland, Italy, Uruguay, Lithuania... and probably more that we didn’t realise! As we walked through the towns we prayed at significant places like the Parliament of the Canaries, the Employment Agency (where we encountered a demonstration about government cuts in jobs), the Tenerife government building, the law courts and the street where they make preparations for the Carnival (a massive annual event which is very colourful but used as an excuse to throw off all restraint). Everywhere we went the team gave people leaflets about Jesus and offered to pray with them. At times the groups were spread out over several hundred metres as people chatted about the Lord. Then, each evening, there was an event in a plaza or town square.

The local Christians groups were very encouraged. Hans and Monica, who lead a housegroup in Punte del Hidalgo, welcomed us on the Friday. They told us that their numbers have grown as a direct result of the prayers and evangelism that happened last year. So they pulled out all the stops this year and Hans walked around with the team introducing us to his friends who run businesses around the little town. Each time he would say whether they had already come to Christ or some of the issues they were facing and the team would pray. We also talked to those wandering around or sitting by the extraordinary seawater pools. After 3 hours of this ministry the youth in the team pleaded to go swimming themselves, but the adults continued chatting to people until the cry went up that lunch was served! As in every place the body of Christ demonstrated an amazing catering gift! This set the team up for further efforts as we walked on to Bajamar where leaders and creative teams from the Santa Cruz churches gathered with us for a final time. It was a lovely evangelistic event using sketchboard, dance and testimony; followed by long conversations about the Lord and invitations to visit the Punte del Hidalgo Christian group.

Each day there were some weary feet, but there was also always a broad smile. What a privilege to be able to share the Gospel in such a lovely place, in such a gentle way, with such a wonderful, diverse and creative group of people!

And Espania won the world cup too!

Here's the Video:

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