Hard times in Portugal

Today while Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, many thousands of Portuguese will take to the streets and protest the economic hard times the country is experiencing. Today is a national strike, which means that most public services are completely shut down.

Living here for more than a year now, it is easy to see the effects of the crisis on the lives of families here. Unemployment is high (over 13%), taxes are up (dramatically), sales tax has been raised yet again (most items are now taxed at 23%), and public services have been slashed. While much of the measures the Portuguese government is taking are long overdue and desperately needed, it still does not make it any easier for people here to survive.

Despite the hardship, people here are mostly resigned to the fact and have taken these measures peacefully unlike Greece. Below is an interesting video that describes what is going on here:

Portugal – Bosnia soccer game

Since my parents and brother are visiting us for a week, we guys decided to go to the Portugal – Bosnia soccer match. This was an important game as it would determine whether or not Portugal would play in the EURO 2012 tournament.

The game turned out to be a spectacular evening for the home team as Portugal romped to a 6-2 win. The crowd was enthused, and we all had a great time.

As you watch a couple of the videos below, you will see the passion people here have for their country and for their team.

Andrew watching the teams warm upRonaldo lining up for a free kick

A good night at Bible study

Since we asked you to pray for our Bible study last night, we want to give you an update about what happened.

As you know from our recent prayer letters, we are now having a bi-weekly Bible study in our home with several families that live here in Montijo. All of these families are saved and have a desire to see a Baptist church planted in our town. With this goal in mind, our plan is to meet in our home for six months, and then, God willing, move forward with beginning weekly meetings that would be the beginning of a church plant.

Last night, we pretty much had the normal group of people that have come in the past. There was one lady in particular that we had invited that we were hoping would show up. Unfortunately, she didn’t. However, we will keep praying and persevering with hopes that she will come next time.

Despite not having any visitors, the Bible study itself went very well. There’s a sweet spirit and everybody seems to genuinely enjoy our time together. Just having people in our home to study the Bible is an amazing blessing and answer to prayer. As I was setting up chairs, I couldn’t help but thank God for where He has brought us so far.

Of the many contacts we have in our town, there are five or six people that we are especially hoping will come to the Bible studies over the next month or so. Join us in praying that God would bring more people.

Teaching a Bible institute class

During the month of October, I had the privilege of teaching a Bible institute class each

The class

Tuesday night. I was assigned to teach on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. At first I was worried about preparing 10 hours of material on this matter, but in the end there was far more than I was able to cover. It was great to interact with the students, most of whom came after a long day of work. There are few things more exciting than getting to teach the Bible to people who are hungry for it.

October Prayer Letter

October Prayer Letter

More pictures of Laura

Sleeping peacefully

Our precious gift

At least two out of three of us are happy to be home!

These Nespresso machines should be mandatory in all maternity wards

Not too happy about looking cute

 

 

 

Laura Grace Booth has arrived!

We praise God that on Thursday night, 11:57, October 20th, 2011, Laura Grace was born. Weighing in at 8lbs. 4oz., she is a beautiful bundle of joy for which we are so grateful. Both mother and daughter are doing pretty well and are looking forward to coming home very soon. Enjoy some pictures:

3 minutes after birth

Here she is!

Mother and daughter

Baby Shower

By: Sarah

So, we’re having a baby. Our American friends and family wanted to be involved in a shower. But with the cost of shipping packages at $50 a box, what was the solution? I braced myself to pay for the necessities and wondered how God would provide. Oh, me of little faith.

God sent us a genius.         

Her name is Valerie. She had this far-fetched idea of me writing out my own “registry” from Portuguese stores. She would create a facebook group, post the registry, set up a U.S. bank account, transfer the money to Portugal, buy and wrap the items, label who they were from, and bring them to the party . . .  plus make the food, decorate, prepare games, and invite guests from Portugal. Did I mention the idea was far-fetched? I wouldn’t do that much work for MYSELF, let alone for someone else. But that’s the kind of friend Valerie is.

So, the first weekend of October, we had the baby shower of all baby showers. Physical and virtual attendees included family and friends from 7 countries and 5 continents. We were flooded with gifts — well beyond just our needs. This baby got spoiled! Thank you, Valerie, for using your abundant talents to bless us. Thank you to everyone who sent money for the baby gifts. Most of all, thank you, God, for reminding me that you are more than able to provide for every need and beyond.

A table full of gifts... So many people were very generous.

Delicious cupcakes with cute chocolate butterflies

Starting year 2 of Portuguese Sign Language

At the beginning of this month, we began our second year of Portuguese Sign Language classes. Our class meets every Saturday from 10-1, and our teacher is a deaf man named Paulo. While we learned a lot in our classes last year, we have a ways to go to be considered anywhere near fluent. Please pray that this class would help us improve, and pray that God would give us the discipline needed to practice, study, and converse outside of class.

Lisbon Deaf Association

Excerpts from our September prayer letter

This past year, we’ve been trying to obtain a Portuguese medical document for Sarah. As with most documents, these are obtained through prayer, patience, and being sent in circles to a dozen different offices. About 3 weeks ago, we went to the medical center (again) to meet with a doctor who could maybe help us. He spent 10 grouchy minutes telling us why he couldn’t help us, and then sent us away without the document (again). But, while we waited for the appointment, one of our deaf friends walked in . . . with another deaf lady named who also lives in our town. We enjoyed chatting with her for several minutes and it was evident that day that God sent us there, not to obtain our document, but to make another contact in town. Amazingly, the week after, as soon as we walked up to the counter at the same clinic, they handed us the document with no problems. After a year of trying, God provided what we needed just before the baby arrives.

While we continue to build relationships with lost people, we are thankful that God has also allowed us to meet brothers and sisters in Christ right here in our own town. This past Friday night in our home, 17 believers joined hands, bowed their heads, and prayed for God´s guidance in beginning a church in Montijo. By the time everybody left the dinner and Bible study, it was after 1:00 in the morning. As Sarah and I put away the leftovers and tidied up a bit, we were deeply grateful for what had happened and hopeful for the future. Since June, we have been meeting each month with this group of believers which now includes us, three families that live here in town, another missionary couple, and a pastor from a church in a city 30 minutes from here. In our previous updates, we asked you to pray that God would help us start a Bible study in our town. God answered that prayer, but in a different way than we first envisioned. There is much potential with this group, but we also need much wisdom for how to proceed from here. The first week of October, I am meeting with some of the men of this group to pray about and discuss the next steps we should take. Please pray that God would show us what to do.

In other news… We will be starting Level 2 of Portuguese Sign Language classes on Oct. 1st. Sarah is now 8 months along in her pregnancy, and we look forward to our daughter being born by the end of October. We continue to strengthen our relationships with people we mentioned in past prayer letters.  All of this is possible in large part because of your prayers and partnership. Thank you!