Today, we had a few more opportunities in Portugal. We visited a Christian nursing home, and we began our visit with a concert. The people seemed to especially enjoy the upbeat bluegrass songs. The guys were also able to share about Jesus and some testimony. After the concert and meeting some of the patients, we got a tour of the facility. It was a wonderful home. We were treated with coffee and cake, and headed onto the next place. We then went to a beach, where we played some music next to the beach. Moonbeam and the missionary shared with people who stopped to listen and invited them to a service on Sunday. A couple and two friends said they were going to come to the church service. While there, a guy who organizes bands for restaurants in another town, Sintra, asked if we would come and play there. He took the missionary's contact information, and we hope he will contact him that we might go there and play and share with people there. You can be praying for that as well.
Well, we learned today that we will not have internet access for the rest of our time in Portugal. So, I will give you the itinerary for the next few days. Tomorrow, we go to a women's prison to play some music and share with the inmates. In the afternoon, we will go back to visit Elena for her birthday. In the evening, we are playing and sharing for a men's ministry meeting that the missionary has each month. On Saturday, we hope we will be able to go and play in Sintra. There is also the possibility that we will meet other IMB missionaries. Saturday evening, we will be playing at a church service. On Sunday, we are playing and sharing at three church services. That night we will be playing for a couple hours at a cafe. Hopefully, we will be able to talk with people in between sharing and after we play.
Monday morning, we head to the Ukraine and Moonbeam heads back to the US. If we have internet access there, we will update as we can.
Thanks so much for your prayers!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Day 2
On our second day, we had a few great opportunities. First, we went with the missionary we are working with along with two other national pastors to a park. The pastors are hoping to start a new church in this particular area of town. While the band played music, the missionary, pastors, and Moonbeam (Paul's fiancee and our friend) talked and shared with those in the park and passersby. They were able to talk with many people about Jesus.
After returning our instruments to the car, we went to two specific neighborhoods in the area. The neighborhoods are more like what we might call ghettos, and have an oppressive atmosphere. We prayer walked through the areas. You can be praying for these two neighborhoods and the pastors who are wanting to begin a church there.
After going to one of the pastor's homes and meeting his family, we went to a quick dinner. Then we went to a prayer meeting at a church. Evangelical churches here are small in comparision to what we have in the US. However, with only 1% of the population of Portugal being Christian, having 50 people meet for a Sunday service is a wonderful thing. So, we went to this prayer meeting....and it was us and a handful of people from this church. We were able to share some music, some testimonies, and pray with fellow believers.
It was a great day, and we were thankful for the opportunities that God provided on this day!
After returning our instruments to the car, we went to two specific neighborhoods in the area. The neighborhoods are more like what we might call ghettos, and have an oppressive atmosphere. We prayer walked through the areas. You can be praying for these two neighborhoods and the pastors who are wanting to begin a church there.
After going to one of the pastor's homes and meeting his family, we went to a quick dinner. Then we went to a prayer meeting at a church. Evangelical churches here are small in comparision to what we have in the US. However, with only 1% of the population of Portugal being Christian, having 50 people meet for a Sunday service is a wonderful thing. So, we went to this prayer meeting....and it was us and a handful of people from this church. We were able to share some music, some testimonies, and pray with fellow believers.
It was a great day, and we were thankful for the opportunities that God provided on this day!
When in Lisbon....
Bom dia!
(That's good day in Portuguese...feeling a theme here?)
We arrived in Portugal safe and sound on Monday, July 18th. Lisbon is five hours ahead of Eastern time and we arrived at 9 a.m. So, we flew all night and felt like we were up at 4 a.m. A tired start to a good day. Thankfully, the Portuguese love espresso and have plenty of places to get it. And, it's only 1 Euro....about $1.50. Have four or five espressoes and the time change doesn't hardly matter at all.
On our first day of mission work, we took a few hours in the early part of the day to see some sights. Portugal doesn't really open for business until after 10 a.m., so we had some time to look around. We went to the Palacio Pena, the westernmost point of continental Europe, and the Mouth of Hell.
The palace was super-cool. It sits on top of a mountain and the walk up was an espresso-killer. Apparently, the royal family used the palace as a reteat. Grandiose is not a strong enough word....
The westernmost part of continental Europe was cool. Why? Well, as a band, we went to the easternmost point of continental North America a few years ago in Newfoundland. So, we've been to both. I like stuff like that.
After the continental point, we went to a hospice and played some bluegrass for some sweet, sweet folks. The residents there suffer from a variety of maladies, but Alzheimer's seemed to be a fairly common one. We were blessed to meet and sing for the hospice workers and residents. A wonderful time of Gospel-sharing and fellowship. We were especially touched by one lady, Elena, who is only 63, but lives in this home. She suffers from deep depression, and said our visit brought some joy to her day. We are going back tomorrow for her birthday.
The "Mouth of Hell" is a grotto that earned its name due to the suicide of a former queen. After her death, others seeking to end their life followed in her footsteps. Now, the area is still hauntingly beautiful and a bit of a tourist trap.
That pretty much sums up the first day....more to come.
(That's good day in Portuguese...feeling a theme here?)
We arrived in Portugal safe and sound on Monday, July 18th. Lisbon is five hours ahead of Eastern time and we arrived at 9 a.m. So, we flew all night and felt like we were up at 4 a.m. A tired start to a good day. Thankfully, the Portuguese love espresso and have plenty of places to get it. And, it's only 1 Euro....about $1.50. Have four or five espressoes and the time change doesn't hardly matter at all.
On our first day of mission work, we took a few hours in the early part of the day to see some sights. Portugal doesn't really open for business until after 10 a.m., so we had some time to look around. We went to the Palacio Pena, the westernmost point of continental Europe, and the Mouth of Hell.
The palace was super-cool. It sits on top of a mountain and the walk up was an espresso-killer. Apparently, the royal family used the palace as a reteat. Grandiose is not a strong enough word....
The westernmost part of continental Europe was cool. Why? Well, as a band, we went to the easternmost point of continental North America a few years ago in Newfoundland. So, we've been to both. I like stuff like that.
After the continental point, we went to a hospice and played some bluegrass for some sweet, sweet folks. The residents there suffer from a variety of maladies, but Alzheimer's seemed to be a fairly common one. We were blessed to meet and sing for the hospice workers and residents. A wonderful time of Gospel-sharing and fellowship. We were especially touched by one lady, Elena, who is only 63, but lives in this home. She suffers from deep depression, and said our visit brought some joy to her day. We are going back tomorrow for her birthday.
The "Mouth of Hell" is a grotto that earned its name due to the suicide of a former queen. After her death, others seeking to end their life followed in her footsteps. Now, the area is still hauntingly beautiful and a bit of a tourist trap.
That pretty much sums up the first day....more to come.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)