Three things

Its hard to believe we've been here almost 3 months now....the weather doesn't seem a whole lot better than when we arrived!  We are in Portugal, aren't we?!

 Windy day with snow in the background

Although we have had a preview of summer, albeit briefly, spring definitely remains upon us, all the rain serves to make this a beautifully lush and green nation, really only in two halves: the north with its snow-capped peaks...... 

My 'friends', making our apartment bearable!

View from our little balcony, looking up the road.... plus hail!

The other half is the south - or is that the "west" as Algarve means west! (ongoing Arab/ Moorish influence) We had the absolute joy of spending a few glory-us days there celebrating Jezzie's 50th birthday, thanks be to God and to former house-group leaders from our Leeds days!!

Also celebrating a special Birthday was HRH Queen Elizabeth and whilst on a fact finding trip into Lisbon that day, MV Britannia floated into the harbour...how timely! 

To commemorate the bloodless revolution of 1974, freedom from dictatorship, a bank holiday was instituted, with a bridge renamed after it: April 25th Bridge!!

Back in our apartment we have been brave and moved our bed back into the bedroom, from the front room; we have lived a privileged lifestyle really, in houses rather than high rise flats ... as such sleep has been a rare commodity here, not conducive to language learning.  We're now readjusting our nights to fit in with the nocturnal habits of those Portuguese we live in close quarters with.

Look closely and you may see Jez on the lower balcony, with umbrella

We continue to stretch our brains and our tutor's patience with daily lessons and copious homework, now 'living in the past' having commenced Portuguese preterito perfieto do indicativo .... sometimes worked on at a local (warm) coffee shop or two....notice its name?!

We have also had the joy of visitors having felt a tad lonely... and are very much looking forward to the arrival of Asher, Louise, Lucas and Lily very soon, who are hopefully bringing the sunshine with them!

Finally, a reminder why we are here (away from family and friends and community): to use our waiting time wisely in gaining language skills, to enable us to work in Angola with Mission Aviation Fellowship.  Please pray for our language acquisition.

Unfortunately there seems to be some difficulties with 'the paperwork' due to changes in government procedures in Angola.  Please pray for MAF Canada and Angolan administrators who are trying to get these in order so that we can enter the country.  Third request for prayer is for Angola specifically as the recent falls in the oil price will have serious repercussions on the economy of the country and, as can be imagined, this is felt most in those areas that MAF are working: isolated people physically and spiritually transformed in the name of Jesus Christ.

     

     Sending our love and grateful thanks to God for you

     Jez and Carina xx