Enthusiastic Fans

Some of us have been thinking about what we were doing a year ago: working at the church rummage sale! Our thoughts and prayers have been with you, and we pray that the sale was successful because we know that the funds are used to help mission projects around the world.

The favorite past time of many Portuguese citizens is futebol. We were fortunate that the Eusebio Cup was held in the Benfica Stadium while we were here. It was a "friendly" exhibition game to introduce the new Lisbon team and to recognize one of their former star athletes, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira. Benfica payed Real Madrid, winning 5-2. We were part of the over 35,000 fans attending. We didn't have the red team jerseys, so we wore our red VBS panda shirts from last year's Bible School. It was fun to see entire families dressed in red, waving or wearing the team banners /scarves. Their enthusiasm for the sport and pride for their team was evident.

We went directly from the game to the second night of the prophetic conference where families from the three Lisbon area Free Methodist churches  gathered -- about 50 people. Wouldn't it be great if the Lord would send revival so that the religious conferences had to be held at the futebol stadium.

Just like the futebol game, the families arrive together, but they are ready to worship, learn, and fellowship. It is remarkable to see little children walk the aisles, snuggle in their parents' laps, or lovingly smile at us from the arms of a spiritual "aunt or uncle." We have difficulty sorting out the real parents of the children because they enjoy the laps of many of the teens and adults during the three-hour services.

Steven with ministerial candidates Moises and Jacione and their daughter Filipa.

All participants wave their hands in praise, high and lifted up. We commented afterward that the passion and fervor of the worship service seemed to be greater than the enthusiasm of the sports fans. Praise the Lord.

Pastora Cida Matos

Joyful worship