Atalaia, Lisbon, & Sad Goodbyes...

After the Olympics our team headed to Portugal for the last few  weeks of outreach.  We found ourselves with a new landscape, culture, and language, but the purpose of our ministry didn't change one bit.  Over and over throughout this school, our team has been reminded of the importance and significance of relationship.  God has continually reminded our team that He is all about relationships.  The number one relationship we pray for the DTS students to grow in is their relationships with God.  Many people believe in God, but do not  know they can have a personal relationship with Him.  That personal relationship is exactly what our ministry is all about.  

A common question Noah and I are asked after being in a new country is "What did you enjoy the most about ______?"  This time the question is directed at Portugal.  I overhear Noah answering with "the people".   It's true.  When I think about the different places Noah and I have had the opportunity to go to, we find it's the people that make the place.

They are the purpose of us even being there.  To be in relationship with them, to share about the relationship God is desiring to have with them, to encourage them in their relationship with God.  We had some great experiences in Portugal, and in each activity, we found God reminding us again and again what we were here for...relationship.

We spent the first week of Portugal at a youth camp called Atalaia in Fundao, a small village in the central part of Portugal. We had a great time connecting with the staff and campers. 

After our week at the camp, we headed to Lisbon where we worked alongside the camp directors in some street ministry.  We performed songs and dramas in the streets, which gathered crowds.  Then we shared testimonies which opened doors to great conversations many different people.

Performing a Drama in Lisbon

Christin talking with some girls after sharing her testimony

Team Photo with Some Portuguese Friends

Susan sharing about trusting in God

Prayer Time

Noah and John leading worship during our last night of ministry in Lisbon

Baby Girl Continues to Grow!  (She's about 33.5 weeks in this picture)

At the end of the outreach we spent a few days debriefing the team.  We look back over everything that has taken place during the outreach- good and bad, seeing how God moved and how He has grown us.  We enjoyed  spending some time with our team before all the good byes happened.  Tomorrow Noah and I head back to Belize.  We've had a few days to rest, which were GREATLY appreciated!  There is a new school already going at the base, but for this school our roles look a little different.  I'll only have a few responsibilities as I'll be spending the next few weeks trying to rest and prepare for Baby Girl's arrival! :)                                                           For this fall, Noah is taking on the role of Ministry Coordinator.  He'll be trying to find and create ministry opportunities for the students to be able to participate in on a weekly basis.  Most of his time will be spent in town building relationships with people.  He will also be leading worship a few times a week here on base.   It looks a bit different than last school, and certainly much different than last fall, but we are very excited for the changes that are happening and obviously for our little girl.