Our first Sunday in Portugal

Neal preached in two Sunday Services. At 10:00 a.m we returned to Charneca. Young teens who had given their hearts to Jesus in the VBS came back for Sunday morning worship. Tiago, a member of the worship team, gives music lessons to two of these boys so it is encouraging to know that the Christian relationships have already been established. The worship time was energetic and enthusiastic, graced by the young women who danced for the Lord. Neil's sermon topic was on faith-- faith for the day.

Pastora Cida speaking to the team.

We enjoyed a potluck dinner with the church members. The meal was delicious and concluded with a table full of dessert: mango ice cream, jello, flan, chocolate, Neapolitan ice cream dipped up in glasses, brigadeiro, a delicious chocolate pudding cake.

Potluck dinner at the Charneca Church

Sunday afternoon we visited the "can" neighborhood, squatter houses made of scraps of tin. We handed out invitations to a food distribution for the next Sunday night. We were touched to see Cida's relationships with the people. She had established a church in the village and preached there for 3 years before the church moved into a new space about 2 blocks from the village. Cida is a Brazilian Pastora who supports the Free Methodist work in Lisbon.

Sunday night we attended the Santa Marta Church which began at 6:00 p.m. Again the worship was sweet and blessed by the presence of God. What a privilege to join with these Christians who are pioneering the work in this urban area.

Another meal followed the service and it ended with a big birthday cake for Mary who celebrated her ?? birthday in Portugal.




Then we got the call. Steven's bag had arrived. Our 4th trip to the airport did not begin until after the Sunday evening service and dinner, so we arrived a bit late.  The lost luggage section closes at 10:00 p.m., and the agent came out and sternly spoke in her best English, "Sir, you know that you are 1/2 hour late." Steven quietly replied in his best Portuguese, "My Bag has been lost for three days. I am sorry that I am late, but I hope that I can leave with my bag." His winning smile and command of the language won her over. Steven reports that "a soft answer turns away wrath"...especially when a blond- headed guy, with an American passport can speak the language.