Notícias Henderson (Henderson News) April 2010

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...

Heb 12:1-2, NIV

 We’ve now been in Porto, Portugal for 3-1/2 months! Initially it was cold, windy and rainy, but flowers like wisteria and bird of paradise are blooming now, new leaves are emerging and it’s much drier and warmer. Yes, we’ve had our exciting episodes, for example losing our passports in the street. One was turned in next day by an honest citizen, and the other showed up at the police station two weeks later. We have no idea “onde ficou”where it was) during that time, but consider its return as a direct sign of God’s grace and care for us. Literally and figuratively, Portugal’s cobblestone roads make for a bumpy ride at times.

Portuguese Language Study

Though sometimes we just can’t find the words, we see steady progress. We are usually able to respond to questions with more than hand signals, although not necessarily in good Portuguese. As we begin to understand the language we are also starting to learn more about the culture, for example, how to maintain proper respect towards others. Behind the formality and reserve it’s clear that the Portuguese are a warm and kind people. We have finished our first language textbook, which places us at Level A2 in the European framework. Experts suggest this is roughly equivalent to a “B” on the Canadian Public Service scale but we’re not so sure!

Local Cultural Experience

One weekend in March we visited the Chocolate Festival in the historic walled village of Óbidos. Along with some good language practice, we saw fascinating (and large) chocolate sculptures including one of Guimarães Castle (which we explored in real life at Easter). Guimarães claims to be Portugal’s birthplace; the castle dates from the 10^th century.

Recently there was a festival in our town, originating from the late 1500’s when, by local tradition, prayers to Mary ended the Plague. There was a solemn procession of images of Mary with elaborate flowers, but explanations have been unclear. One person said all she knew was that if someone was sick, you should pray to “Our Lady of Health” and it might help. 84% of Portuguese are Catholic, but only 19% attend church regularly and many don’t know of Mary’s words: “do whatever [Jesus] tells you.”

The secular fun was more prominent: dancing in the streets to live music, food kiosks and vendor’s stands, children on merry-go-rounds (at 11:30PM!), loud fireworks set off at intervals each day, plus three elaborate midnight displays. One was only 100 meters from our front balcony!

Churches 

The people at “A Ponte” (“The Bridge”) love to share the Good News! On Good Friday we went to a high promontory to pray for the city of Porto. Several people have taken patient time to listen while we search for words and to speak slowly to us: last evening we managed an entire dinner’s conversation with new friends using only a few words of English, although they speak it well! We have also been visiting some other churches for more opportunities to hear, sing, and speak Portuguese. Audrey attended a conference, “Women With Purpose” hosted by Aglow! This provided excellent language practice and spiritual encouragement.

Just after midnight on Easter morning we heard fireworks. Our Easter day began with celebrations! Later in the morning we visited a church just outside Porto and joined them for a picnic lunch, in a park adjacent to excavations of pre-Roman ruins, overlooking a valley filled with terraced vineyards. Fireworks throughout the day were celebratory for us, but their real purpose was to let people know where in the village the local priest would shortly be collecting money.

From the front lines

Our friend Dr. Steve Foster is Clinical and General Director of the CEML Hospital in Angola where we have been assigned by MAF. In his latest letter he asks for prayer as the Board of the hospital finalizes the separation of these two roles, an essential move. A Canadian nurse friend writes about the enormous suffering she is seeing: in the maternity area, most of the mothers have already lost at least one child.  Ongoing training and standards are needed.

Amongst other equipment failures, due to lightning strikes the hospital’s satellite Internet connection is down again. Please pray that the required modems can be obtained quickly and that funds will be available. Norm was glad to be able to give some limited remote support from here last month, but this is not possible with no connection and he is longing to be there at the site, to put in place some long-term solutions for this and other technical issues.

Please begin to pray for the processing of our Angolan work visas; after much preparation and translation work, the applications will be submitted shortly. Visas are often problematic: please ask God to give us favor from the relevant officials and to move our applications to the top of the pile!

Ministry Partnership

We appreciate so very much those that have been faithful in supporting our ministry with MAF. We remain slightly below our monthly target, in part due to the rise of the Canadian dollar. Although this won’t affect us right now, it could delay our next step to Angola if not corrected over the course of the year. We have also been asked to raise funds to provide a vehicle for the program where we will be working. If you feel God calling you to partner financially with MAF, please contact the MAF Canada or MAF US office, or refer to https://mafc.org/donate.htm. We really value this bond of fellowship and mutual prayer support with so many of you!

 

Thanksgivings

*    daily living needs & much more!
*    friends willing to listen, and speak slowly
*    good progress in our lessons

Prayer Requests

*              that we will learn well and quickly!
*              for people we meet in the neighborhood:
                       that they may find new hope in Christ
*              for CEML’s Board of Directors
*              for Audrey’s father, who is in fragile health
*              for funding needs
*              for timely Angolan work visas



With our love and God’s blessing,
Norm & Audrey

P.S.: We would love to hear from you by Email, letter, or phone. Norm is also on Facebook.

* “Each gift designated toward a MAF board-approved program will be used as designated with the understanding that when any given need has been met, additional designated gifts will be used where most needed.”

IMPORTANT: NEW Email address: norm.audrey (at) gmail.com

Permanent mailing address:

315 Clemow Ave.

Ottawa, ON K1S 2B7

Canada

Until mid-December 2010:

Rua dos Castanheiros, 92, 4D

4470 Maia (Gueifães)

Portugal

Internet phone: +1-613-526-1245

Norm   - cell: +351 (91) 066 05 12

Audrey - cell: +351 (91) 063 72 36

!!!! NEW EMAIL ADDRESS !!!! norm.audrey (at) gmail.com

Skype: norm.audrey

MAF Canada office:

264 Woodlawn Rd. W.,

Guelph, ON

N1H 1B6

Canada

www.mafc.org  1-877-351-9344

It's 1 AM: do you know where your children are?

It's the annual village festival in Gueifães, in honour of Nossa Senhora da Saúde (Our Lady of Health) which is a story in itself. Let's just say that so far, there hasn't been anything remotely godly, or reminiscent of the Blessed Virgin Mary: but it's a great excuse for a street party of thousands, with the distinction of being several hundred years old.

We have more photos of the daytime festivities, but we went for a stroll tonight and here is some of what we saw. OK, actually these photos were taken at "only" 11:30 PM, just before a massive 1/2 hour fireworks demonstration, but I'm sure the kiddies are still out there...

I wouldn't normally be writing a blog post or doing anything else at 1 AM, but our bedroom window is only about 200 m. from the main stage and the music shows no sign of abating yet!

Easter in Portugal 2010

On Easter Sunday, just after midnight , we heard fireworks! Looking out from our apartment you could see fireworks in several different places. A new way to celebrate the joy of Easter! In the morning, we heard loud popping sounds—more fireworks! Brilliant white flashes reminded me of the dazzling white worn by the angels sitting on that empty tomb 2000 years ago. As we were leaving our apartment, there were bits of leaves and flowers strewn on the tiles. Down the street we could hear a bell ringing. The priest was coming. Later on that day we watched another priest and his entourage carrying a large cross go down a street, then enter a house with flower petals scattered by the front gate. We were told that the flowers and greenery were a sign of welcome, and the priest would come in to bless their home.

(One driveway had a very elaborate welcome mat!)

As our church only has evening services, we drove to Penafiel through thick fog for their joyful morning service, and a picnic in a park. I should clarify. Imagine brilliant sunshine after a week of lots of cold rainy weather. Here, the picnic meant a feast with roast lamb. Some of the picnic tables were made of stone, covered with lace tablecloths. The park is actually Monte Mozinho, the archaelogical site of a Roman and pre Roman village. The area is surrounded by terraced grapevines. Our view was a beautiful valley, and throughout the afternoon you could see bright flashes of light, puffs of smoke and then hear the loud bangs as fireworks announced the area that the priest was visiting. We enjoyed getting to know some of the people from A Fonte.

...Our view

Another empty tomb...

All too soon, we had to take our dear Swedish friend, Maria, to the airport. Then in the evening, another celebration with our own friends in A Ponte. We sang, shared food and enjoyed one another’s company. Truly an Easter to remember.