September 4-13

The days seem to be flying by now.  There is still so much to and things we want to do, but I am reasonably sure many will be left undone.  We had planned on going to Paris next week but decided that we did not want to rush seeing Paris, so we will leave it for our next stay.  Instead we will go to Coimbra which is north of Lisbon about 1 hour by train.  We are told it is a beautiful city with ancient Roman ruins.  We are looking forward to it.
Most of our days, of course have been spent in the ministry. It has started to rain in the city but it is still hot.  It can be 80 degrees and raining. It's hard to know how to dress and we carry an umbrella with us now.  We will probably spend more time on buses and metro until we come home.
Last week I was coming home on the metro and a young man and I started a conversation.  His name is Yungba and he is from South Korea.  He is a Protestant Christian and was very interested in our work here.  When I asked if he had heard of Jehovah's Witnesses he did not think so.  Of course, it may be said differently in Korea.  I was able to give him the tract on our wesite and he said he would check it out.  He is only in Lisbon 3 days.  There is a young woman studying and attending our meetings from Iran.  She has been studying cell biology in Norway for 3 years and has recently come to Lisbon...maybe 4 months ago.  She was only going to stay a couple weeks but when she was introduced to the truth she decided to stay longer.  She shared a story about being stopped by the police in Iran because she had some of her hair showing from under her scarf and she had on red sunglasses.  What a crime!  They penalty is a large fine IF you become more modest.  She said there is no respect for woman...in the family or out.  So wonderful to find out Jehovah teaches his people to treat women with respect. We have many interested ones attending the meetings and it is so encouraging to see their progress.

I had another part in the TMS. I think this was my 3rd.  It is encouraging to see how hard the brothers work to handle assignments in the school. The sister Debra who is with me did a really fine job.

We had a congregation picnic on Saturday evening after the ministry.  It was at the top of a hill (yes, another hill) in a park quite a ways from our home.  There were alot of trees for shade so that was a good thing. A congregation picnic here is not like at home. We were to bring our own food to eat.  We asked why  doesn't everyone bring a dish like we do at home?  The answer ...most will come from the ministry and what you get is 10 bags of chips.  That's what comes from having young single people making up the majority of the congregation.  We had a good time until we were in need of a toilet and realized there were none!  We suffered for a time and then said we had to go!
Everyone was about ready to leave by then so made it home with no mishaps.
All in all another beautiful day in Portugal.  :)

August 26- September 3

Just as I said it was a whirlwind 9 days.  We tried to get our visitors to see in 9 days what we have seen in 5 months!  Wasn't possible of course, but we did give it the old college try.  We did morning service the first day.  Colleen went with Claudia on a bible study and Sue and I had the cart by the ships.  It was a terribly hot day and we had no shade so I was ill from too much sun for 2 days.  I was drinking water but it wasn't enough I guess.
We took a ferry acfoss the river and had lunch, but too hot to explore much.
We spent a day in Caicais and they loved it.  They took a paddle boat out in the bay and had alot of fun.  I sat in the shade.  We explored Lisbon and took them to see things we enjoyed.  Another day we visited Sintra a`d saw the palace of Pena again.  After we went to the palace of Monserrate with its beautiful gardens.  The estate is huge and we must have walked 2 hours exploring the gardens.  The palace is still being restored but it was beautiful all the same.
A couple days were so hot we only ventured out in the mornings. We played alot of dice and cards and laughed incessantly!   Drank wine and sangria and laughed incessantly!   It was a fun filled time until this morning when we took them to the airport.
Tomorrow we must hit the road running to start the new service year.  I can't believe we will leave for home in a month.  Part of me is sad and part can hardly wait.  There is so much work to do here and we feel so needed and as if we are deserting the congregation.  I will probably return at some point in the future if I am able.  They are beautiful people and I will miss them all.
All in all another beautiful day in Portugal.