I'm sorry. It has been nigh on impossible to get to a computer in order to check emails and update this blog in the past two weeks. Imagine that - it has already been two weeks since Easter! Now there's the Pentecost Festival happening in London soon (get yourself there if you can! http://www.pentecostfestival.co.uk/ ), we've had the G20 summit, and a new Flu has decided to make an appearance. Wow...
And in those two weeks, I have been here in the Refuge, learning a lot of new things about the children, the people, the language, the culture, the cities and the country. And so so much about our God and His Work, and the work we do for Him. Crikey.
So, I've been busy busy, and I am shattered. I've stepped up my working time, and it's pretty mental. But the work I've been doing has got to be some of the most biblical work there can be. Gardening. Jesus' stories are filled with imagery of gerdening, weeding, getting your hands filthy. And it sure is exhilerating. Although, I'm starting to develop a hatred for the common grass. Its roots don't go so deep, but they go wide. They go wide. They start interlocking with others. And the grass grows tall, so you can't see the ground beneath it.
So, my first job was to clear some weeds from a flower bed next to the campo de voleibol, till the soil a little bit, make it neater. A couple of days hard work, without the tools I would've liked (like, an edger, and some clippers) and it started to look much nicer. The flowers became more prominent as they took on the shape they'd been laid out in. Nicely spaced, clear between them. A nice pathway has appeared where one can walk to admire said flowers. The whole place is looking far more dandy, I must say. The excitment came from planning where to dig, and then subsequently watching the process of clearing and the progress and the form the garden-space took. There's now a lovely plot ready to be planted by the children. Marvellous.
Then, I moved onto the job which has nearly broken my back, given me numerous blisters and a sun-burnt back, as well as that hatred of common grass. Around the new campo de futebol (which, by the way, is STILL not finished, and everyone is getting pretty annoyed at the people who haven't shown up to lay our lovely astroturf) there used to be weeds, grass, and beautiful wild flowers. A wilderness amongst the modern concrete slab. It was a shambles (though, in some parts, pretty beautiful). Excess cement had been dumped over the side. Big stones had been chucked to the side to make way for the pitch. It was a big mess. Rubén told me that it needed to be cleared, since the people who gave us the money are coming in a couple of weeks (maybe next week, now) and so we want to make it look good. So, my job has been to clear the weeds, cement and rocks from all the edges, to till the soil and make it look smooth and orderly. And boy has it been tough. The hardest part was starting, as it looked like an impossible task, and I had little idea as to how to begin! But, I got into it (although, admittedly, had to go back at the end to re-do my beginning - we learn as we go around) and, though the work was slow (at first I kept looking at my clock every five minutes. It was demorilising, until I figured out how far I would get on average at a certain pace) I finally finished. Today. Just under 10 days of work, many swoops of the blade and a whole load of rocks and soil shifted. The best part is the first time in a day your hand plunges down to the sifted soil to pick out a clump of grass or a weed or a root, and toss it nonchalently to the edge. The first breach of dirt, and you know you're working. Beautiful.
Now, there are four beautifully flat and pretty sides to the campo de futebol, plus some sort of a marked path to the entrance, though I think I'll work on that again once the pitch is done - there are still more machines to come, so I don't want them to ruin the path... The grass got me today, as I became frustrated many times, swooping and hacking at the tenacious roots which would grip to anything and everything. They gave me a picture of what grips us in this world. Some things are like the weeds - deeper roots - whilst others like the grass - roots so wide they affect everything around and other things unconnected. Both have in common a resilience to grown in the roughest places, and both need to be completely removed - roots and all - at some time.
Sunday night was another night spent on Rua da Santa Catarina, in the middle of Porto, with Agapé Campus (the student ministry of Agapé Portugal), giving food to the poor, the homeless, the needy. It was fun - I helped pack up the food at the church - and the encounter with these people who are living on so little. The ability to be there for them, help them, perhaps give them a little hope, was the greatest privilege. I want to be there more - not to just be someone who swoops in and 'does his bit', or rather to do my bit, but for my bit to be ongoing, an all-hours, 24/7/365 deal. To be Theirs.
But, I've been sensing a call saying 'Not yet'.
(Sunday was also the day I lost 20€, which when you only have 40€, is a sizeable amount. It was in my back pocket as we travelled to the bus stop, as we sat at the bus stop, as the bus drove past us because it had been waiting to the left and we thought it would pick us up, and as we walked to the next stop. After a considerable time spent dancing, I checked my pocket before the bus arrived, and then everywhere else on my person and in my bag, and could find no money. It had vanished. Not around the bus stop, and I had no time to trace our steps as the bus would arrive soon. It must have fallen out. Stupid.)
Having felt like my learning of the language was not increasing (I tried to read some Bible stories to the children, when halfway through they stopped me and told me they hadn't understood anything I'd said. Rats.), I was quickly encouraged on Sunday night as everyone told me how impressed they were at my ability to speak Portuguese having only been learning for 3 months! I felt better about it, too, as I was able to hold conversations with people, and only pause a few times to think of the words. I'm pretty sure my grammar is horrendous, but I appear to be understandable. Ando a apprendir.
Ephesians has been my quiet time reading through April, and it sure has been super. Why it was ever seperated into chapters I'll never know. The first 3 can easily be 1 chapter, and even then chapters 4-6 simply follow on, unsurprisingly, since it was originally a letter. Inspiring and hope-filled. Indeed, the first half is about this Hope we have in Jesus Christ, and then how that overflows into our lives. We are His body, and should submit to Him because He has submitted to all of us - there's Love. And we must be Spirit-guided, finding out what is Pleasing to God, and living the Life of the Spirit. Doing the work of our God 'enthusiastically', as it says in my version (New Living Translation - also see Romans 12 which talks of not being lazy in working), as if working for God alone, not looking to please other people. And then the armour, in preparation of spiritual attacks. Spiritual realms. Truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, Love and The Word of God. Tasty.
I have also been reading The Cross of Christ by John Stott. A meaty and precise volume of brilliant Theology, which compels me and draws me in, however heavy it may be. I encourage anyone who hasn't yet to get a copy of it and read it.
And now, for me, that's it. Please keep praying - for my calling; for this Refuge, for these children and the people who have given their lives up to look after them; for this city; for this country; for God's Light to come and His Work to be done. It's a holiday now (the same as MayDay, I guess, except in Portugal the holiday is always 1st May, whenever in the week. Luckily, this year, it happens to be Friday), thus all the children have gone off to spend the week with Christian families, whilst Rubén and his family, Joel and Carina, Nelson and Fabio and Mar are all in Barcelona, and I am going to stay with Pedro, aka 'Mr. Agapé (Campus)'.
I hope you are all reading this well and in health, especially in the current situation. And so you know, I love to hear from you, even if I can't always reply.
Blessings y'all.
Aidan xxx
Friday, 1 May 2009
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Taking back the land
I had dinner with Bill and Tina on Saturday night. Over a juicy medium-rare steak and chips and mushrooms, we talked all about visions, God's movements, my calling and the future in general. It was inspiring, encouraging, exciting and promising.
I can't remember exactly what order things came in, but I'll write down what we chatted about. So, you must remember my calling has always been to Portugal and Poverty. When I was 14, that's all I got. So, I don't know where I'm going, or what I'm exactly doing with whom, nor when. I told Bill and Tina this. I told them about my growing dream of getting a place here to welcome the homeless, lonely, prostitutes and drug addicts into to love them, share the love of Jesus with them, give them a place to rest, to stay, to escape to perhaps. It's a dream, and a hope, and I think it's one of those dreams that are either from God (which I sincerely hope it is) or is pleasing to God, though may not actually be what He wants me to do. This was one reason I was at their house that night, to see what they think. I told them about my night out with Agapé, and about perhaps leading their ministry, incorporated in this dream.
Bill gave me some great encouragement. He admitted he had nothing specific to tell me about my calling - God has not told him anything specific about me, or given Bill or Tina any words to direct me - but he said that it's not a surprise if I'm being called to Porto. He shared a vision he had had when he had first come to Porto, 4 or 5 years ago. He saw Porto, covered by a canopy or umbrella of darkness. It represented Godlessness, he guessed. But he had already met Christans, and as he thought about individual people he had already met, little points of light appeared in the canopy. Then he saw them start to clump together. And he thought about people he didn't know, and other churches, and bigger clumps of light appeared, until he looked and looked and the canopy of darkness had turned completely into a canopy of light. He was already certain this had been from God, when he told it to a pastor of a church here, who looked at him in amazement, and said that on a recent prayer walk a girl in the group on the walk had had exactly the same dream! Confirmation indeed!
So, Bill isn't surprised I'm feeling called to Porto, since he reckons I am adding to the light that is turning the darkness. That's exciting!
Bill was also told, that if you come to Porto, you have to be here for the long run. A pastor or somebody told him that too many missionaries swooped in, set something up, and packed their bags and left in a year, without leaving people properly ready to be in charge. It wasn't good. You've got to be here for the long run. That's always good to know.
We talked about how dark Porto is. The blatant prostitution, the big drug problems, the satanic culture amongst students and others, the fake faÇade put up by so many (but definitely not by all, don't get me wrong).
We're Taking Back the Land.
We're More Than Conquerors.
I told them about my encounter with a randomer at Soul Survivor 2006, when I was doing Slum Survivor. She told me that she'd been in Portugal (my ears pricked up) and that she'd seen slums all over the place! It had been three years since my calling at that point, with very little else, but I took that as nice confirmation! So, I asked Bill and Tina about this - are there slums? They said I should go down to Lisboa and meet Barbara, a friend of theirs, who used to be living amongst the Bairo in Lisboa - the 'slums', you could call them, but apparently they're more like very rough neighbourhoods. I'm planning on going down in a couple of weekends' time.
I've heard that there are some very rough neighbourhoods around. It's difficult to talk about Jesus; I was warned not to go alone, preaching, because you'll just get attacked. More than that. The chap warning me was making gun fingers at me. Certo.
This is a time of searching. A time of hearing. A time of learning. A time of seeing and praying. A time to scout the ground, like Moses and then Joshua did before getting to the promised land.
It's a time of excitement.
For the King and His Kingdom!
Aidan x
Chat with Bill and Tina
I can't remember exactly what order things came in, but I'll write down what we chatted about. So, you must remember my calling has always been to Portugal and Poverty. When I was 14, that's all I got. So, I don't know where I'm going, or what I'm exactly doing with whom, nor when. I told Bill and Tina this. I told them about my growing dream of getting a place here to welcome the homeless, lonely, prostitutes and drug addicts into to love them, share the love of Jesus with them, give them a place to rest, to stay, to escape to perhaps. It's a dream, and a hope, and I think it's one of those dreams that are either from God (which I sincerely hope it is) or is pleasing to God, though may not actually be what He wants me to do. This was one reason I was at their house that night, to see what they think. I told them about my night out with Agapé, and about perhaps leading their ministry, incorporated in this dream.
Bill gave me some great encouragement. He admitted he had nothing specific to tell me about my calling - God has not told him anything specific about me, or given Bill or Tina any words to direct me - but he said that it's not a surprise if I'm being called to Porto. He shared a vision he had had when he had first come to Porto, 4 or 5 years ago. He saw Porto, covered by a canopy or umbrella of darkness. It represented Godlessness, he guessed. But he had already met Christans, and as he thought about individual people he had already met, little points of light appeared in the canopy. Then he saw them start to clump together. And he thought about people he didn't know, and other churches, and bigger clumps of light appeared, until he looked and looked and the canopy of darkness had turned completely into a canopy of light. He was already certain this had been from God, when he told it to a pastor of a church here, who looked at him in amazement, and said that on a recent prayer walk a girl in the group on the walk had had exactly the same dream! Confirmation indeed!
So, Bill isn't surprised I'm feeling called to Porto, since he reckons I am adding to the light that is turning the darkness. That's exciting!
Bill was also told, that if you come to Porto, you have to be here for the long run. A pastor or somebody told him that too many missionaries swooped in, set something up, and packed their bags and left in a year, without leaving people properly ready to be in charge. It wasn't good. You've got to be here for the long run. That's always good to know.
We talked about how dark Porto is. The blatant prostitution, the big drug problems, the satanic culture amongst students and others, the fake faÇade put up by so many (but definitely not by all, don't get me wrong).
We're Taking Back the Land.
We're More Than Conquerors.
I told them about my encounter with a randomer at Soul Survivor 2006, when I was doing Slum Survivor. She told me that she'd been in Portugal (my ears pricked up) and that she'd seen slums all over the place! It had been three years since my calling at that point, with very little else, but I took that as nice confirmation! So, I asked Bill and Tina about this - are there slums? They said I should go down to Lisboa and meet Barbara, a friend of theirs, who used to be living amongst the Bairo in Lisboa - the 'slums', you could call them, but apparently they're more like very rough neighbourhoods. I'm planning on going down in a couple of weekends' time.
I've heard that there are some very rough neighbourhoods around. It's difficult to talk about Jesus; I was warned not to go alone, preaching, because you'll just get attacked. More than that. The chap warning me was making gun fingers at me. Certo.
This is a time of searching. A time of hearing. A time of learning. A time of seeing and praying. A time to scout the ground, like Moses and then Joshua did before getting to the promised land.
It's a time of excitement.
For the King and His Kingdom!
Aidan x
Chat with Bill and Tina
Bill's vision - dark cloud over Porto, little lights emerging.
Barbara - Lisboa, slums/rough neighbourhoods
Here for the long run
Feliz Pascoa!
So, I have now been back in Portugal for nigh on two weeks. And I haven't blogged once. Apologies.
Naomi has also been over for a splendid 10 days. Excuse me while I gush over her. She is amazingly wonderful and fun, a top girl with a top mind; interesting and beautiful; a lovely voice; a heart full of love for all the children here. And they all love her back. Everyone does. Just to see her would have been enough - we spent 10 days praying and laughing and sharing and discussing and traveling and so much else - but to see her looking after, caring, and loving these children made my love for her grow far beyond before and overflow dramatically. She has such a heart for God, and such a yearning to serve Him and look after those He loves. She really is something else.
We spent the first few days in the orphanage - it was nice and sunny so afternoons were spent under the sun on the grass, reading books, playing guitars and singing, and learning Spanish. She helped Susy and I figure out a few games and activities to keep the children - who are of course all on Easter Holidays (Pascoa) - nicely occupied. However, most of them thought it was far more fun to treat me as if I had an unbreakable neck and was, in fact, a horse. Whoopee.
At the weekend I took Naomi over to Porto to show her the city, the ups and downs, the touristy things and those things breaking God's heart and mine. We went to the Câmara Municipal (parliament building) and photos were taken, before going on to an art exhibition of films, which was very odd but very exciting, and then we walked through some lovely streets to the incredible tea shop (as in, proper tea shop, like Starbucks but for tea from all around the world) where we had Lemon tea from Russia and the richest and most delicious Mango Cake ever... In the evening, a stroll down to Casa Vila de Gaia to find a nice restaurant turned into a hunt for a veggie meal consisting of something other than simply an omelette. It was difficult, but finally we found somewhere doing a splendid vegetable tagliatelle. Taken with some beautiful Old Tawny Port, this was a delightful dinner. Since our food was finished before out Port, we decided to down the remaining half glass we both had. Interesting and enjoyable effects - happiness ensued. The next day, despite the clouds, we decided to venture down to the beach. A good choice. It wasn't too chilly, but perhaps it would have been nice for Mr Sun to appear. Nevertheless, we went undeterred to stand on the striking and dramatic rocks dotted all along the beach upon which the waves were softly splashing, until the much larger crash which encountered upon the very rock Naomi stood on. She got soaked, and it was funny. While I laughed, she changed into her bikini, hoping her clothes would dry. They didn't. But she had to put them back on anyway for the bus ride back to the centre, from where we jumped on a train to Ajuda for to go to church. Lisa and Byron Borden were there, they told me about the church. Unfortunately, we had to dive out before they'd even finished the service in order to get the bus back in time. A fantastic weekend, all in all, if a little tiring :)
The beginning of our weekend, before both our cameras died. Standard. I thought she needed to appear on here - ain't she just gorgeous?!
This past week has ben cloudy and showery. We have had a group from Andalucia who left on Wednesday morning - we went to Régua with them on Monday, which was great fun, travelling on the romantic old train and have lunch in the delightful little town. Naomi and I drove Mar to the aeroporto on Wednesday morning as well - she went to a big Christian conference in Spain where she was working on a stand for Agapé - before driving to Guimaraes. Although, we arrived before the castle and chapel were open, so we sauntered down to the town centre, saw the cute square, went into the big Catholic church and had a reverent prayer time, and then a good discussion about the Catholic Church, some history, tradition and its importance (?) and such things. Having done some more walking the sunshine with hands clasped and arms touching, we walked back up to the chapel first, and then to the castle. Once again I had a real isse with the height and the drop from the upper level, but Naomi had no fear. Watching the love of my life lean over that drop was one of the worst things ever. We had a fun time though, imagining different rooms and their purposes, and meeting a bunch of hyper school kids who thought we where French (even after we told them we were English) - Naomi got that a lot here. We decided then to leave because by now it was nearly 1pm and we were hungry. We didn't know the way home, and had no petrol, so it was very exciting. However, using a very small scale map, we managed to figure out the way, but it took a long time to find a petrol station - at first I was pretty easy going, but I got a little more nervous with each passing kilometre - and it took almost 2 hours to get home! But get home we did.
At the station for the Régua train (left to right: Marcos; Jorge; Deborah; Noemi; Joel)
More station - that's Joel in the middle
The view from the train
On the romantic old train
And now, after a couple more days with a new group from Malaga, a bunch of teenagers who remind me a lot of me and my good friends back home at that age - Naomi has left. And it's heart-wrenching. Though, if there's one thing God has pointed out to me, it is that although I am now alone in that Naomi is not here, I certainly am not lonely. And I am so thankful for that.
And so I'm back.
Dubai was ace. It was so great to be back with my Mum and Dad and little Bro again. I hope you're all having a great albeit odd Easter!
Coldstone Creamery Ice Creams - very tasty and excitingly made.
On our cruise dinner - lovely curries :)
Being back is not as I expected. Perhaps I need to just get back into the swing of things - I keep having days where I understand very little Portuguese of Spanish, and can speak even less, although those days have quickly become separated and infrequent - they were before I left, and now they are returning to that state very quickly. Dinora still doesn't seem to like me, so I must try and work on loving her. The other kids are all over me - so much so that it's so peaceful to get a break from them. And the teenagers and chilled and laid back and friendly as ever.
However, I totally forgot it was Good Friday yesterday. I knew it was Holy Week, but today I was suddenly like, 'hang on, today is Saturday... Holy Saturday...' I've been trying to catch up on the Bible readings as a consequence. No one mentioned it. Apparently they're all doing something tomorrow, all going to church. I've got a morning church service at Riverside, so I am writing this from there, since I am staying the night. Bill and Tina - top.
I will endeavour to post more frequently. I had an incredible chat with Bill and Tina over dinner tonight. Watch this space!
Let me know how you are doing. I'd love to hear how you are doing. Oh, and everybody? Happy Easter! Christ HAS Risen! It is GOOD NEWS! Boa Pascoa!
Keep in God's family!
From, His child and friend,
Aidan x
Naomi has also been over for a splendid 10 days. Excuse me while I gush over her. She is amazingly wonderful and fun, a top girl with a top mind; interesting and beautiful; a lovely voice; a heart full of love for all the children here. And they all love her back. Everyone does. Just to see her would have been enough - we spent 10 days praying and laughing and sharing and discussing and traveling and so much else - but to see her looking after, caring, and loving these children made my love for her grow far beyond before and overflow dramatically. She has such a heart for God, and such a yearning to serve Him and look after those He loves. She really is something else.
We spent the first few days in the orphanage - it was nice and sunny so afternoons were spent under the sun on the grass, reading books, playing guitars and singing, and learning Spanish. She helped Susy and I figure out a few games and activities to keep the children - who are of course all on Easter Holidays (Pascoa) - nicely occupied. However, most of them thought it was far more fun to treat me as if I had an unbreakable neck and was, in fact, a horse. Whoopee.
At the weekend I took Naomi over to Porto to show her the city, the ups and downs, the touristy things and those things breaking God's heart and mine. We went to the Câmara Municipal (parliament building) and photos were taken, before going on to an art exhibition of films, which was very odd but very exciting, and then we walked through some lovely streets to the incredible tea shop (as in, proper tea shop, like Starbucks but for tea from all around the world) where we had Lemon tea from Russia and the richest and most delicious Mango Cake ever... In the evening, a stroll down to Casa Vila de Gaia to find a nice restaurant turned into a hunt for a veggie meal consisting of something other than simply an omelette. It was difficult, but finally we found somewhere doing a splendid vegetable tagliatelle. Taken with some beautiful Old Tawny Port, this was a delightful dinner. Since our food was finished before out Port, we decided to down the remaining half glass we both had. Interesting and enjoyable effects - happiness ensued. The next day, despite the clouds, we decided to venture down to the beach. A good choice. It wasn't too chilly, but perhaps it would have been nice for Mr Sun to appear. Nevertheless, we went undeterred to stand on the striking and dramatic rocks dotted all along the beach upon which the waves were softly splashing, until the much larger crash which encountered upon the very rock Naomi stood on. She got soaked, and it was funny. While I laughed, she changed into her bikini, hoping her clothes would dry. They didn't. But she had to put them back on anyway for the bus ride back to the centre, from where we jumped on a train to Ajuda for to go to church. Lisa and Byron Borden were there, they told me about the church. Unfortunately, we had to dive out before they'd even finished the service in order to get the bus back in time. A fantastic weekend, all in all, if a little tiring :)
The beginning of our weekend, before both our cameras died. Standard. I thought she needed to appear on here - ain't she just gorgeous?!This past week has ben cloudy and showery. We have had a group from Andalucia who left on Wednesday morning - we went to Régua with them on Monday, which was great fun, travelling on the romantic old train and have lunch in the delightful little town. Naomi and I drove Mar to the aeroporto on Wednesday morning as well - she went to a big Christian conference in Spain where she was working on a stand for Agapé - before driving to Guimaraes. Although, we arrived before the castle and chapel were open, so we sauntered down to the town centre, saw the cute square, went into the big Catholic church and had a reverent prayer time, and then a good discussion about the Catholic Church, some history, tradition and its importance (?) and such things. Having done some more walking the sunshine with hands clasped and arms touching, we walked back up to the chapel first, and then to the castle. Once again I had a real isse with the height and the drop from the upper level, but Naomi had no fear. Watching the love of my life lean over that drop was one of the worst things ever. We had a fun time though, imagining different rooms and their purposes, and meeting a bunch of hyper school kids who thought we where French (even after we told them we were English) - Naomi got that a lot here. We decided then to leave because by now it was nearly 1pm and we were hungry. We didn't know the way home, and had no petrol, so it was very exciting. However, using a very small scale map, we managed to figure out the way, but it took a long time to find a petrol station - at first I was pretty easy going, but I got a little more nervous with each passing kilometre - and it took almost 2 hours to get home! But get home we did.
At the station for the Régua train (left to right: Marcos; Jorge; Deborah; Noemi; Joel)
More station - that's Joel in the middle
The view from the train
On the romantic old trainAnd now, after a couple more days with a new group from Malaga, a bunch of teenagers who remind me a lot of me and my good friends back home at that age - Naomi has left. And it's heart-wrenching. Though, if there's one thing God has pointed out to me, it is that although I am now alone in that Naomi is not here, I certainly am not lonely. And I am so thankful for that.
And so I'm back.
Dubai was ace. It was so great to be back with my Mum and Dad and little Bro again. I hope you're all having a great albeit odd Easter!
Coldstone Creamery Ice Creams - very tasty and excitingly made.
On our cruise dinner - lovely curries :)However, I totally forgot it was Good Friday yesterday. I knew it was Holy Week, but today I was suddenly like, 'hang on, today is Saturday... Holy Saturday...' I've been trying to catch up on the Bible readings as a consequence. No one mentioned it. Apparently they're all doing something tomorrow, all going to church. I've got a morning church service at Riverside, so I am writing this from there, since I am staying the night. Bill and Tina - top.
I will endeavour to post more frequently. I had an incredible chat with Bill and Tina over dinner tonight. Watch this space!
Let me know how you are doing. I'd love to hear how you are doing. Oh, and everybody? Happy Easter! Christ HAS Risen! It is GOOD NEWS! Boa Pascoa!
Keep in God's family!
From, His child and friend,
Aidan x
Friday, 27 March 2009
It's 39 degrees outside, so I went snowboarding...
As well as having a 4x4 drive in the desert to have breakfast, going to the 3rd Al Habtoor Challenge Cup Polo Match between Team Rashid and Team Mohammed, a trip onto the famous 'Palm Jumeirah' (this is now, due to some fantastic project management, sinking. Who ever thought that giant pumps in the sea to move around water that wasn't being refreshed, because man made something unnatural, would also suck out the sand that was the island?! I mean, I certainly wouldn't have thought that would happen...) and various trips around shopping malls and even a trip to Al Satwa - finally some real Dubaian culture! Al Satwa is the least developed part of Dubai, where they haven't (yet?) torn everything down to build ridiculously tall, shiny and ugly buildings. It is grimy. It is poor. It is loud. It is hot. It is real. I can imagine that was what Dubai developed to be in the 60s. Very cool. Dom (who arrived on Monday - good to have my sis here) and I found a textiles shop (there are tonnes here) and she bought some stuff to make some funky clothes, we wandered around a little more looking for some interesting shops, but they were all furniture or textiles or electronics, which we didn't want. So we headed back, popped into a little restaurant (3 sq metres in total?) for some fruit juices (options ranged from the 'Burj Al Arab' to the 'Shakisha', to the 'Bin Laden' - most included mango or coconut) and to watch a guy smashing open a coconut. Failed to get to the beach. Also went to Mercato Mall to check it out - based soley on Venice on all four sides, this is a sight to behold! Wandered around the bridges, alleys and balconeys. Very refreshing.
So, yes, I've been snowboarding. I have had three lessons and am 'boarderline level 1' which means I can almost confidently make complete turns (not linked turns, though I can almost confidently do those, too). Had a 'Snow Camp' with a bloke called Liam from Essex. Good lad. Great snowboarder. Really nice, encouraging. Snowboarding is top quality fun, though hurts the bum when you crash and burn. Though not literally, because it's quite cold, so burning might not occur. Crash and freeze? Next stop the Alps! (Or Bulgaria - Liam said there's good snow there, and a hotel for 100 euros for 2 weeks? Top!) Such great fun, up on the ski lift, board hanging down, looking dead cool. Till you get to the top, launch yourself down the slope, and forget how to turn, and end up on your face. Stylish.
Other highlights have included the beach and kite surfing. I didn't do it, but I did swim in the sea while watching a whole ton of kite surfers flying through the air as the powerful wind picked them up and smashed them into the neutral-temperatured salt water. Riveting.
The Polo was great fun, although we were the only ones all dressed up (chinos, brown shoes, smart shirt, jumped tied around the chest? Nicely done, sir). Very hot. Beautiful horses. Felt very posh.
Probably the best thing, though, has been the desert drive and breakfast. We got up early, and met four other cars at a petrol station at 8am. Then, we drove down a couple of windy roads, before making a sharp right turn and heading off road. We quickly pulled over, and let the tyres down to give ourselves more traction. Then off we set - this was the first time we'd done anything like this, but the others had all already done it. 5 families, bombing through the desert, over very uneven territory, seemingly in any direction. Such fun. Stuff thrown all over the place in the back, we didn't care. We followed the car in front, that's all we had to do. Suddenly, we saw the back of said car disappear down a 45 degree slope.
'Sorry, I'm supposed to follow you? No, no I'm not doing that.' Came Dad's response to the sight. And it was all of ours. It wasn't until all four cars had gone down and some come back up again to do it a second time, that Julian ran back up and drove it down for us. What a rush! We carried on, back on horisontal (for the majority) ground. When suddenly, the car we were following sped up, bombing up the side of a massive dune about 50 or 60ft in height. The next thing we knew, it was coming back towards us, down the 60 degree gradient. Err...sure. We knew what we had to do - try to get up, but weren't going nearly fast enough, and got semi-stuck. Julian came to push the front while Dad reversed, and then tried again, first gear, foot to the floor. We made it up, just, slipping and sliding all over. Mum and Felix didn't want to do it, so they got out and watched as Dad and I steeled ourselves and went for it. Never brake, keep the front wheels straight, and drive slowly down. Awesome. Two or three times we did it. What a feeling.
After finding a couple of gerbils under the car, awwing over them, we carried on for 5 minutes until we found a nice, camel-surrounded flat area to eat lunch. Perfect. French Cricket ensued. Eggs and bacon were eaten. When it got too hot (35ish degrees) we decided to head back. this time, Dad gave me the wheel! And my word, it was good. No steep drops, but still. List of cars:
1) VW Lupo
2) Ford Fiesta
3) Mistubishi Pajero through the desert.
Can't complain.
Great great morning, and then we went swimming! Get in!
The biggest news, however, is tha Felix has broken his wrist. Both bones are broken, one had slid over the other. Having spent a night and a full day in hospital, his arm has now been reset and put in plaster. We were planning on going on a desert safari and dinner last night. Maybe another time.
And I leave on Monday morning, 2am. Rubbish.
Blessings
Aidan
So, yes, I've been snowboarding. I have had three lessons and am 'boarderline level 1' which means I can almost confidently make complete turns (not linked turns, though I can almost confidently do those, too). Had a 'Snow Camp' with a bloke called Liam from Essex. Good lad. Great snowboarder. Really nice, encouraging. Snowboarding is top quality fun, though hurts the bum when you crash and burn. Though not literally, because it's quite cold, so burning might not occur. Crash and freeze? Next stop the Alps! (Or Bulgaria - Liam said there's good snow there, and a hotel for 100 euros for 2 weeks? Top!) Such great fun, up on the ski lift, board hanging down, looking dead cool. Till you get to the top, launch yourself down the slope, and forget how to turn, and end up on your face. Stylish.
Other highlights have included the beach and kite surfing. I didn't do it, but I did swim in the sea while watching a whole ton of kite surfers flying through the air as the powerful wind picked them up and smashed them into the neutral-temperatured salt water. Riveting.
The Polo was great fun, although we were the only ones all dressed up (chinos, brown shoes, smart shirt, jumped tied around the chest? Nicely done, sir). Very hot. Beautiful horses. Felt very posh.
Probably the best thing, though, has been the desert drive and breakfast. We got up early, and met four other cars at a petrol station at 8am. Then, we drove down a couple of windy roads, before making a sharp right turn and heading off road. We quickly pulled over, and let the tyres down to give ourselves more traction. Then off we set - this was the first time we'd done anything like this, but the others had all already done it. 5 families, bombing through the desert, over very uneven territory, seemingly in any direction. Such fun. Stuff thrown all over the place in the back, we didn't care. We followed the car in front, that's all we had to do. Suddenly, we saw the back of said car disappear down a 45 degree slope.
'Sorry, I'm supposed to follow you? No, no I'm not doing that.' Came Dad's response to the sight. And it was all of ours. It wasn't until all four cars had gone down and some come back up again to do it a second time, that Julian ran back up and drove it down for us. What a rush! We carried on, back on horisontal (for the majority) ground. When suddenly, the car we were following sped up, bombing up the side of a massive dune about 50 or 60ft in height. The next thing we knew, it was coming back towards us, down the 60 degree gradient. Err...sure. We knew what we had to do - try to get up, but weren't going nearly fast enough, and got semi-stuck. Julian came to push the front while Dad reversed, and then tried again, first gear, foot to the floor. We made it up, just, slipping and sliding all over. Mum and Felix didn't want to do it, so they got out and watched as Dad and I steeled ourselves and went for it. Never brake, keep the front wheels straight, and drive slowly down. Awesome. Two or three times we did it. What a feeling.
After finding a couple of gerbils under the car, awwing over them, we carried on for 5 minutes until we found a nice, camel-surrounded flat area to eat lunch. Perfect. French Cricket ensued. Eggs and bacon were eaten. When it got too hot (35ish degrees) we decided to head back. this time, Dad gave me the wheel! And my word, it was good. No steep drops, but still. List of cars:
1) VW Lupo
2) Ford Fiesta
3) Mistubishi Pajero through the desert.
Can't complain.
Great great morning, and then we went swimming! Get in!
The biggest news, however, is tha Felix has broken his wrist. Both bones are broken, one had slid over the other. Having spent a night and a full day in hospital, his arm has now been reset and put in plaster. We were planning on going on a desert safari and dinner last night. Maybe another time.
And I leave on Monday morning, 2am. Rubbish.
Blessings
Aidan
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Apologies...
Big News! You can ALL now comment on my blog! How exciting and self-centred of me to declare such a thing... I have to apologise - I hadn't realised that previously the blog had been set so that only 'Registered Users' could comment. I have now changed this so that anyone can comment, and you can even remain anonymous! Furthermore, I have added such delights as the English language - no more do you have to struggle and strive to understand the beautiful Portuguese Language, but you can instead just click on links which are in your own mother tongue. Explore away!
***
In other news, I am having a rather warm time in Dubai. Such activities as Wild Wadi (including a slide hailed as the 'tallest and fastest water slide outside of North America, reaching 80kph and experiencing temporary weightlessness') and the Madinat Souk; a trip on an 'Abra' (traditional little ferry boat. Very authentic); trips around huge shopping Malls; lots of swimming and tennis of course, and to the beach have all been undertaken so far. This place is amazing - the pinnacle of innovation, with some of the most beautiful (and the most ugly), and the tallest buildings in the world. (Well, the Burj Dubai was the tallest (although it hasn't been completed yet) but there is now a building being nuilt which will be taller, in China. Not to be outdone, another building is being planned for construction here, which will be over a kilometre in height (the Burj Dubai is just under). The credit crunch, however, has brought this to a halt.) At the same time, it is very hypocritical. With big signs all over proclaiming how the developments are reducing carbon footprint and so on, the very design of the place means that to get anywhere you MUST go by car. And these aren't short journeys, either, and petrol is cheap (£10 to fill up a 4x4 petrol tank?!). And you MUST have a 4x4, because everyone does have one - anything smaller will be crushed in an accident. This might not be a problem if everyone drove well, but the fact is that nobody is good at driving, so to be safe you must have '2 tonnes of metal around you', as dad puts it. The city seems very sporadic - they have not built steadily outwards at all. Instead, there is the centre on the water front, with the Burj Al Arab (which, in my opinion, is a stunning sight) and all the shopping malls, then there are clumps of developments spread out in the desert, only connected by long highways. It seems like the planners had a pin and blindly stuck it in a map to decide where they'd build - there seems to be no order! It's very odd...
So, that's all from me for now. I hope you enjoy commenting...
Blessings!
Aidan x
***
In other news, I am having a rather warm time in Dubai. Such activities as Wild Wadi (including a slide hailed as the 'tallest and fastest water slide outside of North America, reaching 80kph and experiencing temporary weightlessness') and the Madinat Souk; a trip on an 'Abra' (traditional little ferry boat. Very authentic); trips around huge shopping Malls; lots of swimming and tennis of course, and to the beach have all been undertaken so far. This place is amazing - the pinnacle of innovation, with some of the most beautiful (and the most ugly), and the tallest buildings in the world. (Well, the Burj Dubai was the tallest (although it hasn't been completed yet) but there is now a building being nuilt which will be taller, in China. Not to be outdone, another building is being planned for construction here, which will be over a kilometre in height (the Burj Dubai is just under). The credit crunch, however, has brought this to a halt.) At the same time, it is very hypocritical. With big signs all over proclaiming how the developments are reducing carbon footprint and so on, the very design of the place means that to get anywhere you MUST go by car. And these aren't short journeys, either, and petrol is cheap (£10 to fill up a 4x4 petrol tank?!). And you MUST have a 4x4, because everyone does have one - anything smaller will be crushed in an accident. This might not be a problem if everyone drove well, but the fact is that nobody is good at driving, so to be safe you must have '2 tonnes of metal around you', as dad puts it. The city seems very sporadic - they have not built steadily outwards at all. Instead, there is the centre on the water front, with the Burj Al Arab (which, in my opinion, is a stunning sight) and all the shopping malls, then there are clumps of developments spread out in the desert, only connected by long highways. It seems like the planners had a pin and blindly stuck it in a map to decide where they'd build - there seems to be no order! It's very odd...
So, that's all from me for now. I hope you enjoy commenting...
Blessings!
Aidan x
Friday, 13 March 2009
English lessons, Brothels, the lonely and the homeless.
Ever stepped into a brothel? I have.
***
So, what's been going on? More work Monday and Tuesday - de-grassing the ramp to the volleyball court on Monday, and some scraping away of little bobbly bits protruding from the top of the campo do futbol, so that it was flat. Both slow, tedious works in the sun, but not too bad. Wednesday through Friday we had rainy showers, which prevented work again. Bums. But it gave me a chance to keep reading The Word, and Floyd's book, and listen to music, get some praying down, and learn the guitar! I've now finished 1 Peter, and have moved onto Ephesians, which is very very exciting! Thinking about hope, blessings, and spiritual wisdom through the 'immense greatness' of the 'mighty power which raised Christ from the Dead and seated him in the place of great honour at the right hand of the Father.' Awesome.
Started English lessons with the Teenagers this week. Joao a terco (Tuesday), Fabio e Nelson a Quarta (Wednesday), e Goto a Sexta (Friday). We've been doing 'Reported Speech' this week, which they all seem to struggle with. I can see why - what comes so naturally to us to speak is so difficult to understand when written down in terminology!
Wednesday was also Mar's Birthday! Such a special time, pity about the rain. She got some amazing presents - we gave her some canvases, oils and guaches to encourage her passion for art, she was given a TV and DVD player, and she got another amazing pressie. We had TWO charrasquieras (barbies) that day, fighting off the rain and being cool. Mar, eres tan especial, y Dios continúe bendiciendo a usted como te das vuelta su corazón hacia Él más y más, y aprender a no preocuparse por lo que el mañana traerá pero sólo confiar en Él enteramente a proporcionar para todas sus necesidades. Beijo!
Then, this weekend has actually been incredible. So, you know how I've been asking, then moaning, then pleading with God to reveal His plan for me in Portugal for the last 6 weeks? The orphanage work is amazing but doesn't feel like an end place, you know... Well, now God has started yelling His Plan to me and I could barely cope with it all at first! Here's what happened...*Cue harp music...*
Once apon a time not too long ago, Susy and I went to Porto (Saturday afternoon) and did some touristy stuff. Strolled around Praca Batalha, took some photos, rode the old tram (twice!), and went down to the rio and the Ponte Luis D. I, going through Ribiera (one of Porto's oldest and poorest areas, and I've since heard its pretty dangerous at night. A tag on a wall saying 'Vive a droga' gave me a fair bit of information on that). By seven in the evening, we were walking to Rut's house. As we walked down Rua Cila de Vila, passing the 'bars', we decided to step into one. Three calenders on the wall containing pictures of naked ladies gave us an indication of the type of bar we'd just entered. Talking to Rut later, she confirmed these bars are mostly brothels, which gave me a whole new broken heart for this place, and opened my eyes to what a prime place her house is in. Met a bunch of Agape guys, mostly students, for a big reunion meal. Rice and delicious sea food (including oysters mm mm mmm). We stayed over night. We went to the Baptist church in the morning, and then tried to go to the beach to meet a bunch of people for lunch. Muchos traficos prevented us, so we had lunch at the Uni instead. I then thought we were heading back to Rut's, before I found myself in the Agape headquarters of (northern) Portugal, singing worship and praying, and realising this is a preparation. I knew I was to go out on the streets that night to give food to the poor and hang out with them, but I thought it was to be Susy, Rut, Israel and myself. Now I realised we were all going out, 15 of us, as a group. Then, trying to figure out what is being said by Pedro 'Mr Agape' as he talks, I realised THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME AGAPE HAD DONE IT! I was right in the forefront of a new thing (for them anyway - other groups eg Sally Army and Samaritans go out on other nights) and it was so exciting. And then, get this, I was chatting to 'Mr Agape' in his car on the way there and he told me that they wanted to start a ministry doing this stuff, but noone was willing or able to lead it - they were looking for someone they could use and who could encourage the students especially to get involved with this stuff. And it took a lot to restrainn mself from jumping all aroung the backseat shouting 'I'M HERE USE ME!' I've been seeing these homeless guys each weekend, and the prostitutes, the lonely, and the drug addicts, I am dreaming of living among them 24/7, being a light, hopefully with a team, and so perhaps even now God is saying one day I'll lead Agape's ministry here! SO FLIPPING MENTAL!
But I still want and need prayer for it, so that God confirms whether or not it's for sure. You know, I can sometimes let my dreams cloud my following of God's plans. Then again, as my Dad said to me last night, dreams aren't irrelevant, as God gives us passions. So...
I amuse myself with the thought of God getting so annoyed at my persistent begging Him to tell me what He wants me to do that He finally snapped and gave my impatient character a little bite, an appetiser, to shut me up for a while until I'm totally prepared. Because I can't do that yet - I can barely speak the language! Let alone have the maturity or backing for such an adventure...
And now I'm sitting in my parents' house, halfway across the world, in 2o-something degrees in an environment I've never been in. Dubai. The western city of the Middle East, I like to call it. This place is unbelievable. I'm here for three weeks, on holiday, which Joel and Ruben keep saying is good for me to have at this time, but I think it's far too long to be away, especially since I've only been at O Refugio for 6 weeks. It's confusing. 30-odd degrees in the day, fancy-pants California-esque bungalow and streets where we live, massive cars, huge shopping malls, beaches, cool but not freezing seas, calls to prayer, Moslems, Indians, South Africans, Americans, Englishmen, hotels, hotels, hotels, hotels, and even an outdoor snowboarding competition. Yep, you heard me right. RedBull Outback Ride or something. Snow dumped down a flight of steps opposite the beach, a DJ on the back of a monster truck blaring out some heavy tracks, and the dudes on their boards. A-flipping-mazing.
I'll keep updating while I'm here, to let you know about Dubai and all its incredible goings on.
Blessings and peace. God with you.
Aidan x
***
So, what's been going on? More work Monday and Tuesday - de-grassing the ramp to the volleyball court on Monday, and some scraping away of little bobbly bits protruding from the top of the campo do futbol, so that it was flat. Both slow, tedious works in the sun, but not too bad. Wednesday through Friday we had rainy showers, which prevented work again. Bums. But it gave me a chance to keep reading The Word, and Floyd's book, and listen to music, get some praying down, and learn the guitar! I've now finished 1 Peter, and have moved onto Ephesians, which is very very exciting! Thinking about hope, blessings, and spiritual wisdom through the 'immense greatness' of the 'mighty power which raised Christ from the Dead and seated him in the place of great honour at the right hand of the Father.' Awesome.
Started English lessons with the Teenagers this week. Joao a terco (Tuesday), Fabio e Nelson a Quarta (Wednesday), e Goto a Sexta (Friday). We've been doing 'Reported Speech' this week, which they all seem to struggle with. I can see why - what comes so naturally to us to speak is so difficult to understand when written down in terminology!
Wednesday was also Mar's Birthday! Such a special time, pity about the rain. She got some amazing presents - we gave her some canvases, oils and guaches to encourage her passion for art, she was given a TV and DVD player, and she got another amazing pressie. We had TWO charrasquieras (barbies) that day, fighting off the rain and being cool. Mar, eres tan especial, y Dios continúe bendiciendo a usted como te das vuelta su corazón hacia Él más y más, y aprender a no preocuparse por lo que el mañana traerá pero sólo confiar en Él enteramente a proporcionar para todas sus necesidades. Beijo!
Then, this weekend has actually been incredible. So, you know how I've been asking, then moaning, then pleading with God to reveal His plan for me in Portugal for the last 6 weeks? The orphanage work is amazing but doesn't feel like an end place, you know... Well, now God has started yelling His Plan to me and I could barely cope with it all at first! Here's what happened...*Cue harp music...*
Once apon a time not too long ago, Susy and I went to Porto (Saturday afternoon) and did some touristy stuff. Strolled around Praca Batalha, took some photos, rode the old tram (twice!), and went down to the rio and the Ponte Luis D. I, going through Ribiera (one of Porto's oldest and poorest areas, and I've since heard its pretty dangerous at night. A tag on a wall saying 'Vive a droga' gave me a fair bit of information on that). By seven in the evening, we were walking to Rut's house. As we walked down Rua Cila de Vila, passing the 'bars', we decided to step into one. Three calenders on the wall containing pictures of naked ladies gave us an indication of the type of bar we'd just entered. Talking to Rut later, she confirmed these bars are mostly brothels, which gave me a whole new broken heart for this place, and opened my eyes to what a prime place her house is in. Met a bunch of Agape guys, mostly students, for a big reunion meal. Rice and delicious sea food (including oysters mm mm mmm). We stayed over night. We went to the Baptist church in the morning, and then tried to go to the beach to meet a bunch of people for lunch. Muchos traficos prevented us, so we had lunch at the Uni instead. I then thought we were heading back to Rut's, before I found myself in the Agape headquarters of (northern) Portugal, singing worship and praying, and realising this is a preparation. I knew I was to go out on the streets that night to give food to the poor and hang out with them, but I thought it was to be Susy, Rut, Israel and myself. Now I realised we were all going out, 15 of us, as a group. Then, trying to figure out what is being said by Pedro 'Mr Agape' as he talks, I realised THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME AGAPE HAD DONE IT! I was right in the forefront of a new thing (for them anyway - other groups eg Sally Army and Samaritans go out on other nights) and it was so exciting. And then, get this, I was chatting to 'Mr Agape' in his car on the way there and he told me that they wanted to start a ministry doing this stuff, but noone was willing or able to lead it - they were looking for someone they could use and who could encourage the students especially to get involved with this stuff. And it took a lot to restrainn mself from jumping all aroung the backseat shouting 'I'M HERE USE ME!' I've been seeing these homeless guys each weekend, and the prostitutes, the lonely, and the drug addicts, I am dreaming of living among them 24/7, being a light, hopefully with a team, and so perhaps even now God is saying one day I'll lead Agape's ministry here! SO FLIPPING MENTAL!
But I still want and need prayer for it, so that God confirms whether or not it's for sure. You know, I can sometimes let my dreams cloud my following of God's plans. Then again, as my Dad said to me last night, dreams aren't irrelevant, as God gives us passions. So...
I amuse myself with the thought of God getting so annoyed at my persistent begging Him to tell me what He wants me to do that He finally snapped and gave my impatient character a little bite, an appetiser, to shut me up for a while until I'm totally prepared. Because I can't do that yet - I can barely speak the language! Let alone have the maturity or backing for such an adventure...
And now I'm sitting in my parents' house, halfway across the world, in 2o-something degrees in an environment I've never been in. Dubai. The western city of the Middle East, I like to call it. This place is unbelievable. I'm here for three weeks, on holiday, which Joel and Ruben keep saying is good for me to have at this time, but I think it's far too long to be away, especially since I've only been at O Refugio for 6 weeks. It's confusing. 30-odd degrees in the day, fancy-pants California-esque bungalow and streets where we live, massive cars, huge shopping malls, beaches, cool but not freezing seas, calls to prayer, Moslems, Indians, South Africans, Americans, Englishmen, hotels, hotels, hotels, hotels, and even an outdoor snowboarding competition. Yep, you heard me right. RedBull Outback Ride or something. Snow dumped down a flight of steps opposite the beach, a DJ on the back of a monster truck blaring out some heavy tracks, and the dudes on their boards. A-flipping-mazing.
I'll keep updating while I'm here, to let you know about Dubai and all its incredible goings on.
Blessings and peace. God with you.
Aidan x
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Some sad news
(Diary entry...)
13.33 I've just come back from a 'formaçao' with Rúben, Loida, Carina and all the children. Vitor, one of my favourite guys here, is leaving tomorrow. I actually already knew this, since Mar told me the other day, but now all the kids have been told as well. Really sad. Top bloke, but a little rebellious and the Refúgio and the court both think it's best for him to move in with his grandparents. It'll make life easier here, and he won't be disrupting the other kids here from growing in God.
It's really sad, although I'm not sure why really. It's as if this place is a haven, this is the only place you can know God, and he is being let go into the big bad world where sin is and all evil things and so he is going to a whole different world. But that's not the case at all. Obviously, God's everywhere. But his faith isn't the strongest, we all know that, so I think that's why it's so hard for me. I really want to see him walking tall and confidently with the Father, but now I think that's going to be an unlikely occurrance without some serious prayer for the brother. He's going to be in Penafiel, which is top because it means we can meet up for coffee and chats, and he is always welcome back here...
On a lighter note, just had a fantastic lunch of salad (which is always delicious here!), bread (standard), and this great rice dish. Yellow rice with chicken legs/wings and different fish bits. Love it!
Please pray for Vitor, and that we can continue to encourage him to stick with God.
xx
13.33 I've just come back from a 'formaçao' with Rúben, Loida, Carina and all the children. Vitor, one of my favourite guys here, is leaving tomorrow. I actually already knew this, since Mar told me the other day, but now all the kids have been told as well. Really sad. Top bloke, but a little rebellious and the Refúgio and the court both think it's best for him to move in with his grandparents. It'll make life easier here, and he won't be disrupting the other kids here from growing in God.
It's really sad, although I'm not sure why really. It's as if this place is a haven, this is the only place you can know God, and he is being let go into the big bad world where sin is and all evil things and so he is going to a whole different world. But that's not the case at all. Obviously, God's everywhere. But his faith isn't the strongest, we all know that, so I think that's why it's so hard for me. I really want to see him walking tall and confidently with the Father, but now I think that's going to be an unlikely occurrance without some serious prayer for the brother. He's going to be in Penafiel, which is top because it means we can meet up for coffee and chats, and he is always welcome back here...
On a lighter note, just had a fantastic lunch of salad (which is always delicious here!), bread (standard), and this great rice dish. Yellow rice with chicken legs/wings and different fish bits. Love it!
Please pray for Vitor, and that we can continue to encourage him to stick with God.
xx
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