Scenes, shopping, and salvation

I woke up early this morning so I caught up on my blogging for the last two days before going online to post my latest updates. I also checked email and the headlines to catch up a little on my lack of internet time this week. I also uploaded a couple of pictures onto the blog and copied all the photos off of our camera so I would have plenty of room for more!

We again ate breakfast in the cafeteria at the hotel before our scheduled departure at 10:00. The plan for the day is to visit an area north of Lisbon called the “mouth of the devil” on the coast and then go shopping at the largest mall in Portugal. The ladies (and Wayne Miraflor, no doubt) are ecstatic. We again took a drive up along the coast only this time we stopped to see the natural crater in the rocky shoreline that formed the “mouth of the devil.” It is a huge hole in the rocks where water rushes in when there are high waves and tides. Today the waters were very calm and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. It was on the cool side but the sun shone warm on us. After taking pictures and viewing the natural beauty of this Atlantic coastline we walked up the hill to a little flea market area where several vendors were selling various goods from Portugal and beyond. Gayla shopped for some gifts and looked at leather purses.

From there we drove 20 to 30 minutes to what was reputed to be the largest mall in Europe when it was built and still is at least the largest in Portugal, Centro Colombo. I would have to say it rivals any I have seen. It was three to four stories high and was sprawled out as well in different directions. It boasts of over 400 stores and 19 anchors. We arranged a meeting place for 3:00 and everyone went their own way. I went with the three missionaries (Sones, Markham, and Wiggins) and we found our way to the food court. I was able to treat them to lunch and the Americans ate food from an Argentine grill, prepared by Brazilians, sitting in the largest mall in Portugal while discussing our experience in English – truly an international experience! When they turned their attention to missionary business I excused myself to go looking around and ran into my wife and the Krantzes. We shopped a little more before our appointed meeting time to head back to the hotel.

We were again able to take a bit of a nap before getting ready for church. We met in the lobby at 6:15 for a planned 6:30 departure for two different services this evening. Gayla and I were assigned to a group with Brother Sones that were going to Cha (sounds like Shah) for service. It is a small rural church about 45 minutes from downtown Lisbon. The Bertrams, the Krantzes, and the O’Keefes also were a part of this group. Brother O’Keefe was scheduled to preach tonight. We got to the church about 15 minutes before time to begin. The pastor of this church is a woman and she was meeting with the ladies when we arrived. There were a few minutes after the closing of the ladies meeting before we got started. The pastor from the church we were in last night also came and brought his family and a young man that would serve as the interpreter tonight.

It was a beautiful, if simple, little church building built right at the side of the road. It would probably hold about 80 people or so and it was filled by the time church started this evening. They had a guitar, keyboard, drums, bongos, and large congas as well. Their singing was beautiful in spirit and it seemed everyone joined in and sang in unison with all of their hearts. After about four worship choruses and the offering, Brother Sones was given the service. He introduced each of the pastors and had us stand. He spoke in Spanish so I’m not sure what all he said about us! The Portuguese are usually able to understand a Spanish person, especially if he talks slower and more clearly. That way Brother Sones was able to communicate without an interpreter.

Loraine Bertram sang a worship chorus in Spanish and English. She has a beautiful voice and sang wonderfully. Brother O’Keefe followed with the message for the evening service. He preached from Hebrews 11:6 a message of faith and salvation. The young man that interpreted is a shy youth just out of high school. His family attends the church we visited Friday evening. He is only 21 and this was his second time to interpret. He has spent some time in Italy and has a good command of English. Though he was quiet and unemotional he was able to communicate the message and there was a wonderful response in faith when the altar call was given. The people are so open and receptive to the Spirit of God and His Word.

The Portuguese people in these churches are very friendly and loving. We greeted those we met from the first service like old friends we had not seen in a long time. Though we are unable to communicate with many of them due to our language barrier there is no barrier in the Spirit and the love of God is felt between us.

We made the trip through the little communities and back down from the hills to the freeway (or should I say toll road) toward Lisbon. We stopped at a little station and dining area beside the road where we had a choice between KFC and Pizza Hut. We chose the pizza combo which included two slices of pizza, a small salad, and a coke for about five euros. It was really quite good. We made it back to the hotel about 11:30 and then had to set our clocks forward an hour. Daylight savings time began tonight in Portugal. This is the second time we have been through the time change this Spring besides the international travel and adjustment of our clocks. It will surely take us awhile to get our biological clocks back on schedule.