Hello Family and friends,
We've been in Portugal 4 days now. Our team of 13 people went for 36 hours with hardly any sleep at all when we first arrived. There was a little bit of sightseeing and also orientation on the first day. Over the weekend we met some of the Portuguese teens, had a BBQ with them. We also went to the local market and handed out tracks that helped people understand how Jesus can fill the void of emptiness that we can sometimes feel. We also spent a lot of time preparing for Sunday morning's service at a church in Lindho Valya (sp?). Our team lead in worship, one member shared his powerful testimony and I preached.
The night before (Saturday night) I had met another pastor during dinner and he invited me to speak at his church as well on Sunday night. So, the whole team went there as well. We were out all Sunday meeting people from both churches. In both churches the people were significantly blessed and touched. I had spoken on the changes that should be happening in our lives to move from just a religion to a relationship with Jesus Christ. For a country that is steeped in the religiousity of Catholicism...they were encouraged and challenged by the message.
By Sunday night we were exhausted to say the least but a few on the team still had to do a little bit of work to prepare for our first program this morning at two different locations.
We have an amazing team that we can all be proud of (13 in total from teenagers to seniors).
This morning one team went to Lindo Valya working alongside an existing church there. They had a good crowd show up (mostly church going teens and they had invited a few non-christian friends--AMEN). The other team went to a previously unreached area, brand new location and we did have 2 kids come who had a great amount of fun making wallets out of duct tape and learning english and playing games and teaching them a Bible verse. They said they are bringing their friends and family members tomorrow. I believe that it will only grow in both locations.
This afternoon we are going to our third location and we don't know what to expect there. Some went shopping just now to pick up some much needed supplies.
The country is beautiful and our accomodations are wonderful with an unbelievable view of the city and ocean below.
Our team are working together in fantastic ways. You're prayers are keeping us strong, safe and unified as we work hard together with joy and love.
Keep on praying for safety of travels, unity on the team and many opportunities to share the love and Truth of Christ in both words and deeds.
God bless you all! We could not be able to do this without you.
Thanks again.
Steve Boctor
Lead Pastor
Huron Park Baptist Church
519-421-4722
www.huronparkchurch.org
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