And the Camping Continues

Patricia and I with our My Hope Material

So after a week of working at Minha Esperanca (My Hope) and the church library I left town once again for camp! This time it was with the teenage group!

But first let me tell you a little more about the work at Minha Esperanca. The project is launching a country wide outreach by having Christians invite friends into their home and then on a weekend in December invite them again and show a telecast of evangelism and worship. Then spend time talking to those who attended in hope that they make a decision to follow Christ. I arrived at the office and I was greeted by a group of Portuguese workers and a few Americans from the organization. They all seemed very passionate about the project and like great people. So I started working with Patricia on the material. She only speaks a little English and doesn't practice very often because she doesn't think she is very good at it. So she was nervous but excited to use her English with me. As the day went on we got to know each other and we were having fun. The job is very tedious and is exactly the same over and over. Did I mention they need about 5,000 of these envelopes!! So as we were working she kept expressing how thankful she was for my help and she kept thanking God that He sent someone to help her. And here I was thinking I wasn't really even doing anything important. But to her it was a huge blessing because it meant she didn't have to do all 5,000 by herself and it meant she had company. God keeps surprising me in the way he uses me.

Now back to camp! I really enjoyed this week, it was a completely different atmosphere and a lot more laid back. Because the group was older we had a little more freedom and less structure in the activities, so we did more hanging out and talking rather than all the games and things of the younger camp. We still had lessons and worship daily. It was good to practice a little but of my Portuguese again and I learned some new things.

We invented a game. Basically a knock off of Phase 10, but someone stole our Phase 10 cards so we created the deck with regular playing cards and wrote down the phases. We called in Ben 10 Remix. We played it all week! It was very fun, but I always got stuck on phase 4 for like 15 rounds. I wasn't a happy camper. We went to the beach and had a blast. This week it was much warmer and I got in the ice cold water. I did some laps for my exercise, I love swimming for exercise!!

Here are some pictures of the week! Enjoy!! I only have two weeks left here in Portugal. I don't know where the time has gone, but I pray I have been a blessing to those I've encountered. I'm still working this week and next at the My Hope office and the library.. and I will get to do a little touristy stuff as well!!

Hanging out at the beach with Luisaa

Ines, Kaio, and Silvio at the cafe

Gilberta and I

Volleyball at the beach

Ines and I enjoying the beach

Oh the pinata

Even the teenagers and sponsors scramble like kids for candy

Playing Ben 10

Beach!

P.S. I have been gone now for over 4 months. My time in Europe is over halfway finished. Continue with prayers as I transition yet again into another culture in two weeks. And also just for my emotions as I finish out this trip. Pray that I remain strong and not miss my family and friends too much.. And that I remain pliable and open to learning and serving. Thanks guys!! Love you all!!