A Week of Livin'

Thursday, October 19th
I got up EARLY this morning to take Lisa to the airport. She is returning to the states for a whirlwind trip to be in a close friends wedding. I am so excited for her to be able to reconnect with some famly and friends and know that it will be a refreshing and encouraging time for her, even with the jetlag! Later tonight I headed downtown for school and then planned to head out to Cascais to spend the evening with Bobb & Bri. We covered so much material in class I think my head hurt so it was nice to just be able to relax with friends instead of heading home with no roomie.

Friday, October 20th
Today was a Learning Center day but no tennis. The day turned out to be beautiful but with all the rain lately there was no way the courts would be dry enough to play. A big disappointment to me but I still was able to enjoy the students and was really looking forward to spending the weekend (actually Friday - Tuesday) at Liz's house and getting to know her family. Her husband, Miguel is a great guy and an excellent cook. I got a Portuguese food lesson that evening as well as some delicious meals throughout my time there. Contrary to what you all are thinking I do participate in other activities besides eating:).

Saturday, October 21st
Since staying with Liz this weekend I hoped a bus from Sintra to Cascais to ride a train with Bobb & Bri to our teams event "picnic in Belem" today. We had planned this as an outreach and in the midst of a week of rain it was seeming like a 'not so good idea' - however when we arrived at Belem the sun was shinning and it looked like the day would be warm and dry. Although we did not see any of our classmates come to the picnic the team had a great time together and of course ate great food. Linda, Bri & I handled most of the food and the EDGE "kids" surprised us and picked up some of Belem's famous pastries. They are FABULOUS and can only be found a shop in Belem, it was a wonderful treat! Our time there wsa great and dry until...just when we were winding down, that's when the rain started. Fortunately, many were getting ready to leave and it was short lived - so all in all a fun and successful day.

Sunday, October 22nd
I attending Church with Liz today and it was lovely. Got to spend sometime with a couple here, Tony & Patty (Patty helps at the Learning Center on Wednesday & Friday's) who are here planting a church in Cascais. They are wonderful people and I have enjoyed the time I have spent with them. They have lovely people at their small house church and are patiently waiting on the Lord to provide a building. Deborah, one of the EDGE "kids" is working with them while she is here through music. Patty plays the piano and sings, Deborah plays the guitar and sing when she can (the songs are in portuguese) for the music for Sunday worship.

Monday, October 23rd
Another Learning Center day, which I LOVE! Spent much of the day grading homework and loving students...they are each a blessing.

Tuesday, October 24th
Today Lisa came back from a trip to the states for a close friends wedding. Liz & Miguel drove me to the airport and then took us both home. They are truly a blessing and with weather and much luggage we were both so grateful!

Wednesday, October 25th
A catchup day spent at home and then tutoring with Eunice in the evening. This was actually our first big excursion on public transportation in a while and thanks to Lisa's navigation skills we successfully arrived at our tutoring session and home safe and sounds.

Thursday, October 26th
Today was an early start as we treked through public transportation to the other side of Lisbon for a team progressive lunch. Kris (a first year GEM career missionary here to support Ron Landers) hosted the lunch portion. She was a great host and we had a time of prayer followed by the wonderful meal she prepared. After consuming more than necessary (it was SO good) we headed to the Lander's for dessert. Linda, a tremendous cook had prepared one of my favorites - apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. So naturally I consumed some of this in my already full tummy - hmmmm, so good.

That evening we headed into Lisbon for our language class. Since it had been cancelled on Tuesday we were placing bets, er I mean discussing whether it would again be cancelled. We arrived a bit early and waited. One of the students we have been getting to know, Jouni showed up and shortly there after a sign was posted indicating that yes, class was in fact again cancelled. I was actually a little disappointed because I had treked back into Lisbon however, we becan chatting with Jouni which led to Terence, Lisa, Jouni and I all enjoying a slice of pizza together. It was neat to see how God removed school for the evening to open up a door to get to know Jouni outside of the classroom.

Friday, October 27th
Today I was at the Learning Center. I spend every Friday helping with a home school co-op in Cascais (outside of Lisbon). Currently I am helping prepare some of the students to do a drama for an upcoming program next month and helping to teach/play tennis with the students. During the inbetween times I help with grading and just building relationships with the students. They are all a delight and vary in ages, from around 10-18. I have met a wonderful South African friend here named Liz, she runs the Learning Center and has been such a source of encouragement to me. I am loving getting to know her and her family as they are a wonderful Christian family, from whom I know I will learn much.

Life in Portugal - Praise & Prayer Request to Share

Well my friends Monday night I found out that we needed a devotional for a prayer time taking place at the Enghedi House (our house) the next morning. It was a bit weird as I was anxious that I had little time to prepare it but excited that I would have the opportunity to open the word of God and share a devotional for the first time since coming to Portugal. We also had company overnight on Monday so finding time to put some thoughts down on paper was scarce. But that is truly the beauty of serving such an awesome God - He will provide help to us when we call on Him!

After much frustration and feeling pressure as time was running out I just surrendered this to the Lord and asked Him for wisdom and clarity on what to share and how to share it. He truly is the provider! The Lord layed a devotional on my heart and the Holy Spirit seemed to work through me to convey the message. What an encouragement and joy to be used by our loving Father?!

A point of prayer I would like to share with you is for clarity and wisdom. Please be praying this weekend especially that the Lord will give me clarity and wisdom regarding something that I am currently experiencing. Your prayers are especially appreciated this weekend! Thank you much!

Another Week that Came & Went

Well another week has come and gone - and I again have been a bit delinquent in sharing its details with you. Tuesday & Thursdays language made much more sense, Praise God! I now need to find, er, I mean make time to study and memorize verbs and vocabulary.

Wednesday evening we had Deborah & Sarah come over for dinner and spend the night. It was a blast! They are great girls (part of the EDGE program), and we just enjoyed each other while eating good food, playing cards, having great conversations (yeah these ladies can talk theology) and we even slipped in a movie. Really just a night for us to encourage and enjoy one another.

Friday was to be my first official day with the Learning Center (Liz's school). I was to work with some students to begin preparing a drama for an event in November as well has help with the tennis class that afternoon. Thursday evening I received a phone call from Liz that she was cancelling tennis for the next day (meaning we still have not officially started this with the students) as well as to ask if I still wanted to come to introduce some of the kids to the drama.

I was to only have 30 minutes with them to introduce the drama and begin practicing but I decided to go anyway. What a good thing?!?!! Instead of feeling stressed due to time constraints I walked away from the time I was there so blessed. The skit I introduced the kids to was LOVED and they totally got into it. We ran through it a couple of times and then again for Liz. She loved it and laughed so much that she asked us to do it again, this time in front of the rest of the students there on Friday - we had our own little practice audience. The Lord was truly at work using the students I was there to "minister to" to bless and encourage me. Great students, and I am so excited for the next month of Drama and Tennis to begin getting to know them better!

An Afternoon with Eunice

Today was our first session with our tutor/teacher Eunice. I am excited to see what kind of a difference this will make in our study and retention this month. Eunice is excellent and was so helpful today with our pronunciation and explanation of material.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers with regards to the language. I really feel as though I am starting to get some of the sounds and understand what I am learning. This definately reminds me that God is big and prayer is powerful, because I could not do this without you! Much Love!

Fun Filled Night at the Fairbanks

Saturday evening I prepared chicken and rice for a potluck dinner at the Fairbanks. We have enjoyed getting to know Ron & Dalia Fairbanks, another GEM missionary couple here in Lisbon. Ron is Canadian (Yeah Canada - right Carla?!?) and Dalia is Portuguese, they have 4 wonderful children and have been a fabulous help more than once in our short stay thus far.

Once we told Ron and Dalia that we had decided to attend the same church as they, Ron decided to challenge us to get involved on a ministry level. Saturday night was the first meeting of the "Job Sr." or 18+ youth meeting. I am loving this because it means that I am still young and youthful in not only the Filipino culture but also the Portuguese culture - gotta love that! Ron and Dalia asked us to bring a main dish (yes I cooked) and plan some games.

Now keep in mind that to date we have been told over and over again that Portuguese (really any Europeans) do NOT play games. When socializing they simply go out, drink (coffee, etc.) and talk. I know this is foriegn to all of us American's who think that no social event is complete without food, however, please try to follow me here. Since I cooked Lisa planned games and I have never seen a room of so many Portuguese people laughing and enjoying themselves so much!

Carolina (pictured above) was the winner of Lisa's bag game, each participant had to bend over on one leg and pick up the bag in their mouth. Quite humorous as they struggled to balance and some fell over - yes, I did laugh once or twice at others expense (sorry I am human). Other games played were "4 on a couch" as well as "King of the Jungle." I must say I have not laughed this hard in a long time. We had a great time and enjoyed each other's company. The last part of the evening was an opening of ideas on what they would like this ministry to look like as well as what to study.

Lisa and I both feel it would greatly benefit us to be a part of this group - both personally and ministierial. We would really like to serve the Lord and this group as well as learn from the Fairbanks and have a solid church group to introduce to those we meet at the University. Please be praying for this group, our time (priorities), unity/community, and growth together.

Fishing Across the Bridge

After seeing both the Mouros Castle and the Pena Palace we all decided to call it a day. Terence, Bobb & Bri headed for home in Cascais and Lisa and I decided to drive our Slovak friends back home rather than just drop them off at the metro.

They all live together across the bridge on the coast. Taking them home allowed me to drive over my favorite bridge here, its called the April 25th bridge. Anyway they were grateful and asked if we wanted to check out a Monastary with a great view and then their coastline. We thought it sounded great and thus they became our tour guides. The view was great as the Monastary is up on a hill and over looks the ocean as well as the city. Then we headed to the beach. After walking the cost we found fisherman in "process". The boat was out to sea and they would be coming in shortly. We decided to stick around and watch the entire event unfold. It was really interesting to watch so many people working so quickly and all together. Dusan told me that he thinks they go out 3 or 4 times a day, probably beginning early in the morning and continuing into the night (9pm).

Once the fish extravaganza was over we started heading toward the car and were going to drop them off at their apartment. They had gotten some free fish on a previous day and so they invited us in for dinner. Now many of you who know me may be wondering what I was going to do. Well I made up my mind that if we went in for dinner (which I wanted to do) I was going to eat whatever they gave me.

So we decided to take them up on their invitation and Peter made us some awesome fish and potatos which I am delighted to report I LOVED!!! We had awesome food, conversation and they even shared some photos of family and places they had been. We had an awesome time and were truly blessed by the invitation as this is completely contrary to Slovak culture.

Thank you so much for your prayers this week! Your prayers have truly begun to open doors for friendships, conversations and helped to make yesterday perfection.

Just another average day in the life of an average American Girl living in a little place called Portugal

Believe it or not the fish was a LOT closer to my mouth when I began posing for this picture. However, it then decided to open its mouth rather wide just as the picture was being taken and thus you have the above photo with the lovely startled face of Heidi - but we'll get back to this pic later.

Clockwise: Me:), View through a window at the Mouros Castle, From L-R: Peter, Lisa, Martin, & Terence, Wall up to and surrounding the Mouros Castle

Today we set out for another day in Sintra. This time to visit two very famous places (Castelo dos Mouros & Palacio Naional da Pena) and accompanied by 3 Slovak friends met through language classes. I had not met them until today but they are great, we had great conversations and much fun!

The Mouros Castle is pretty extensive in its grounds and quite old. It had some incredible views and good spots to take in God's beautiful creation and have some nice chats. I do believe it was a favorite of most in our group, I know it was my favorite for the day.

The Pena Palace is a bit less impressive in person but again had some beautiful views. The grounds here again are very extensive and God blessed us with a wonderful day to take it all in - not too hot, not too cold. Up to this point the day was perfect and it would only get better. You might wonder how, so I guess I will have to show you!

A Prayer Walk through Lisboa

Today we met (Linda, Terence, Olivia (Ron & Linda's daughter), Lisa, Heidi, Bobb & Bri) down at our university to do a prayer walk in the surrounding neighborhood. God blessed us with a beautiful day to enjoy his creation and talk to him. We began by spending sometime in group prayer and then moved into smaller groups as we walked the neighborhood.

I must admit that I was not initially keen on the idea of a prayer walk, however I really felt blessed today. Olivia was in a group with Lisa and I, as we walked and talked with the Lord I was so encouraged to hear the heart of this 14 year old girl. It was such a priviledge see a glimpse of such a tender and sincere heart.

Please remember the students we have met in your prayers. Jouni, Kathi, Peter, Martin and Dusan. We will be taking Peter, Marin and Dusan to Sintra tomorrow - my hope is it will be a great day of fellowship and good conversations!

Teach me, Teach me

Last night Lisa and I met with a woman named Eunice who teaches Portuguese and works with many missionaries. We met to discuss the possibility of hiring her for some tutoring and additional instruction in our Portuguese studies.

We were both very impressed and hope to begin meeting with her once a week this next Monday. Portuguese is a very difficult language to learn and with our early struggles in class we both felt a need to get additional help. Eunice comes very highly recommended and we are just thrilled to work with her.

Please continue to pray for our ability to understand and retain the language, our discipline in personal study time, and willingness to try and use what were are learning.

3 DoWn...22 MorE To gO

Tonight marked the 3rd language class of the semester. I must say I have felt SO incredibly lost in these first couple of classes. So lost in fact that Lisa and I have an appointment to meet with a tutor tomorrow night. I am hoping that both scheduling and pricing will work out for us to work with this tutor. She works with many missionaries and comes highly recommended, I know any time spent with her will be a blessing to both of us.

Tonight started off no different then the last two classes, I was a lost as before. Our teacher, Raquel, must have seen the frustration on my face because she came over and began to help me with the assignment. However this time her help was different. In the past she has just given me the answers, no help in the long run. Tonight she helped me reason through the answers and it actually began to make some sense to me. Thank you LORD!

I know that your prayers in this area have helped my attitude, desire to stick it out (yes I know its only been 3 classes) and tonight my understanding. Please continue to life us all up regarding our studies, your prayers help pave the way and are such an encouragement! Thank you!