Here is a brief update on what has been happening.

1. Our most recent Bible study was a blessing. Though we did not have any visitors, it was perhaps our best time yet. Everybody was excited to be there, and we enjoyed sharing blessing and prayer requests. Please pray for our Bible study this week that God would work in the hearts of each person present and that He would be glorified.
2. On Sunday, I taught Sunday school and preached in the morning at the church where we are attending. I taught on the book of Haggai and preached from 1 Corinthians 15:1-It is always a privilege to get to preach God’s word.
3. Last week, we had three different couples over to our home either for a meal or for dessert. All three are the same age as we are, and we are praying that God would continue to provide opportunities for us to share the gospel. We are always glad when we can use our home to have people over.
4. Laura is four months old today. She is such a joy and is growing quickly.

Otherwise we are enjoying getting to do what we are doing here. Some days we wonder if we are making much progress, but then we are reminded that it takes many days of plowing and sowing before we get to harvest time.

4 months old

Friday

1. Desserts and tea after our Bible study.

Saturday

1. Eating lunch with two friends from our sign language class. 

Sunday

1. Eating lunch missionary colleagues and a deaf missionary couple that are working with the deaf on the island of Madeira.

2. Having two of our friends, Pedro and Roberta, over for dinner.

As I thought about this, it made me think of how often we find Jesus eating or preparing food in the gospels.

Jesus ate at a wedding. John 2:1-2 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 

Jesus drank water with the Samaritan woman. John 4:7-9 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?

Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners at Matthew’s house. Matthew 9:10-12 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

Jesus ate with Zacchaeus. Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 

Jesus defended His disciples’ picking grain to eat on the Sabbath.Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 

Jesus ate with Pharisees. Luke 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.

Jesus provided food for thousands of hungry people. John 6:11And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. 

Jesus ate with his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. John 12:1-2 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Jesus shared the passover feast with His disciples and instituted the Lord’s Supper. Mark 14:22-24 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Jesus ate fish and honeycomb after his resurrection. Luke 24:41-42 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

Jesus prepared breakfast for his disciples. John 21:12-13 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

From what we can see in Scripture, it appears that Jesus spent a lot of time eating with people. In many cases, he used the meal as an occasion to proclaim the gospel. Other times, he taught an important truth to His disciples. Regardless, Jesus was not afraid to spend time with all different types of people. He saw that he could teach and touch people not just in a formal setting, but also around a fish cookout, at a dinner party, or drinking water with a woman.

We want to be like Jesus was. We want to have people feel welcome in our home. We want to be welcoming to all different types of people. As God provides the opportunities, we want to speak the good news of Jesus. It will take many meals, cups of coffee, desserts, and cookouts, but it is worth it. So, let’s eat!

Regardless, we were thrilled as there were twenty of us gathered in our home singing, studying the Bible, praying, and sharing a good time of fellowship afterward. Please pray that these encouraging results would continue.

Otherwise we continue to steadily plow along in building relationships, learning Portuguese sign language, and working to get the gospel to people in our community. Some days we feel more productive than others.

Here are a few pictures from this month:

Going for a walk by the river

Happy Laura! Almost three months old.

I hope and pray that this hymn can be my my honest prayer this year.

“Good fences make good neighbors.” This seems to be the theme of the people we encounter every day, including those in our apartment building. I was reminded of this as, once again, we delivered homemade Christmas cookies to each of our neighbors. Last year, we received strange looks and awkward “thank you’s” when we handed them their plates. For some neighbors, this was the only contact we’d had with them since then. It was  discouraging to think of the unsaved condition of the people with whom we share walls. I prayed for them, and asked God to give us opportunities to have relationships with them and tell them about Him.

That same week, I answered a knock at our door. It was our closest neighbor family, with whom we have the best relationship. By this, I mean we know each others’ names, chat when we see each other in the hallway, exchange goodies at holidays, and have been in each other’s homes. The family is not saved and has shown no interest in the gospel.  We long for the day we can sit down and explain the Bible to them. But, for now, it’s an issue of trust. Why should they trust us or trust in our Savior? We reach out to them, working to build that relationship. When I opened the door, they were heading out to visit family for Christmas. “Can you watch our turtle until we get back?” Two minutes later, they were gone, their turtle was in my kitchen, and I had a huge smile on my face. “They trust us to watch their pet! That’s progress!”

During the week of Christmas, we received text messages from Portuguese deaf people, a visit from former classmates, and one of our teachers brought over a gift for Laura. We spent Christmas Eve with people from our Bible study, all of whom were strangers to us last year. These were reminders that God is working, and we are developing relationships. I have the turtle to prove it.

Sarah signing a Christmas song at church

Cookies for our friends and neighbors

A traditional Portuguese Christmas... We spent Christmas eve with some friends. This was the main dish of the evening - a codfish and potato casserole. Of course there was a lot other food as well.

I was out riding my bike recently and saw this.

Dear Friends,

The aroma of cookies, cake, and apple cider filled the air. The women of our Bible study wanted to have an event to invite other ladies of the community, so Sarah hosted a Christmas tea. We were pleased to have twelve women come, four of whom were unchurched. It turned out to be a wonderful afternoon filled with crafts, music, games, and a brief devotional that Sarah gave. Afterward, two of the women asked about coming to our regular Bible study.

Speaking of the Bible study, in November we started having it every other week. Besides the core group, we have had one visitor come…

…Please also pray for more of our contacts to begin coming to the Bible study.

This fall I started playing basketball with a group of guys that are 30-50 years old (even though I am still 29). Meeting men this age is a challenge, so this activity is a perfect way to do just that. People here think that because I am American I should be a good basketball player. I have dispelled that myth.

Since the beginning, we felt that the pace of our sign language classes was extremely slow. We wanted to learn more quickly. Also, as Laura gets older, it will be harder to keep her quiet and still during a three hour class. We needed a plan B. God provided an answer through a deaf lady in our town, who now comes to our home and teaches us several hours each week in addition to our other classes. It is making a big difference. We hope to have a Christmas party with her and several other deaf friends.

Looking back on 2011, there is no doubt that we have been blessed and that God is working in lives here. Onward to 2012!

All set for the Christmas tea

Family Christmas picture

On Saturday, Sarah spent most of the morning preparing the house for the ladies Christmas tea that afternoon. At three o’ clock in the afternoon, twelve women gathered together and had a wonderful time of doing a craft, drinking tea and apple cider, singing Christmas carols, and listening to Sarah share a brief Christmas message/testimony. While she was nervous, she did a very good job. One great blessing was that there were three ladies who came for the first time. As far as we know, they are all unsaved. Pray that these women would continue to come to events that we have.

More later!