Pole Vaulting to Portugal

Our Play on Harriet Tubman

2010-04-14T13:04:00.001+01:00

In March the elementary put on a play about the life of Harriet Tubman. The kids worked very hard and did a great job! I enjoyed co-directing the play with Nancy Dubois, the 1st/2nd grade teacher. It was a new experience for me being on that side of the script, and I learned so much and treasure the experience!

Welcoming the parents and high school and introducing the play.

Harriet being taken away to work at another plantation.

Working for her new mistress who expects a lot!

Harriet back with her original master

Mean Mr. Brotus :-)

Rit (Harriet's mom) and Harriet talking

Harriet working hard along with the other field hands

Daddy Ben (Harriet's father) giving her some final words of
wisdom before she tries to escape on the Underground Railroad

The slave catchers!

Mr. Trent, an abolitionist, giving assistance to Harriet
as she makeshere way on the Underground Railroad

Bravo Elementary!!

Flowers were given to the directors. How sweet!

Olympic Spirit

2010-04-11T23:21:00.000+01:00

I have some catching up to do, as my blog has not been updated in a while. So here we go!

Showing our Olympic spirit!

Well, most of us anyway...

A Full Day of Church in Portugal and Canada!

2010-03-28T23:12:00.001+01:00

A few Sundays ago, we attended the ABWE church in the town of Linde Velha about 20 minutes away from where Naomi and I live. Nick Rachevsky, a teacher in the high school, and his wife, Krista invited us to join them for service, where they regularly attend and are actively involved.

Singing at the beginning of Sunday school, accompanied by one of the youth on violin.

One of the future church members :-)

Krista and Noah (mid-blink)

Between Sunday school and the service, there is a coffee/tea and cake fellowship. They also sing Happy Birthday to whomever had a birthday that week. It is to the same tune of the familiar song, but the lyrics are in Portuguese. Naomi and I sang along in English.

A little someone was about to turn the lights off!

Adult Sunday school is held in the sanctuary, so there is a bit of transition between it and the service.

"Another picture? Really? Come on."

One of the families in the church just had a new addition, and her picture was shared during announcements.

The youth assist the worship leader through instrumental and vocal accompaniment.

Grandma's lap makes for a good spot to hold a coloring book!

After attending the Portuguese church, the Rachevskys came back to our house where we had lunch. Then, via Skype, we listened to the service at Naomi's home church in New Brunswick, Canada. It was great to be able to participate in an English speaking service!

Nick, Krista and Noah Rachevsky (and Bear)

I don't think I have attended church in a recliner before. :-)

Noah tried to help us with some pesky flies that were interrupting the service.

Now what chapter did the pastor say before those pesky flies interrupted?

Ah, yes, I found the verse. Thanks, Mom.

We had a great time worshipping together first at the Portuguese church then at the Canadian church. What a blessing technology is, especially on this day!

A Sheepish Walk

2010-02-25T21:00:00.001Z

In showing my new neighbor and colleague, Naomi, around, I thought she might enjoy a nice walk through our village. As we rounded a bend in the road, we came upon a four-footed traffic jam...and were thoroughly amused and entertained by it! Naomi grew up on a dairy farm, her father being a third generation farmer, so the traffic jam observations were very informative thanks to her!

The one goat at the back looks like he is velcroed to the side of the hill!

They made their way down to the pasture.

We had fun! It was especially enlightening to have the 2006 New Brunswick Southern District 4-H Queen along. She could tell me all about the sheep!

By the time we walked back, this herd made time going down and around the hillside to another pasture!

It was funny to also think how Europe's largest mall is about 15 minutes from here! :-)

We'd never seen a rainbow quite like this - seeming to come straight down from the sky and so broad (look at in comparison to the buildings!)

The Not-So-Quiet-nor-Uneventful Day

2010-02-21T03:00:00.000Z

Some work had to be done on part of the gutters that are just above some of our classroom windows. To help secure the scaffolding outside, the workmen had to put a brace in our window. I prayed more than once for the workmen; the scaffolding made me nervous. Thankfully, the workmen didn't seem bothered by being up over 30 feet in the air on a not-that-wide metal plank!

Needless to say, the class was buzzing with excitement and interest of it all and not so much in what was scheduled in my lesson plans. So we made the most of it and chatted a little with the workmen via a couple of the kids translating to/from Portuguese. I asked the boys to ask him if he would mind if we got a picture with him. He didn't mind at all.

It was also Estefania's birthday, and her mom brought yummy cupcakes and juice for us at the end of the day!

Oh what an exciting day!!

Working Late

2010-02-16T21:24:00.001Z

While working late one night I looked out the window and thought I would see if my camera would capture the beauty of the evening. It did ok, but nothing like seeing it person! :-)

Medieval Celebration

2010-02-16T12:14:00.000Z

The fifth and sixth grade finished a history unit on medieval times and invited the elementary to join them in a medieval celebration. Seventeen pint-sized lords, ladies, knights, princesses, jesters along with the king and queen could be seen parading through the halls of GLCA. A grand time was had by all!

The princes, princesses, and knights of the 3rd and 4th region of the kingdom

Our brave men ready to defend our land!

Pretty princesses :-)

The king and queen hosting the feast.

The court jester entertaining the crowd :-)

The kids really enjoyed themselves throughout the whole day. It was fun to watch at recess as knights dualed each other on the playground and the fair ladies daintily held their skirts so as not to get them dirty!

Remember His Promises

2010-02-10T07:04:00.000Z

It started out as a very overcast morning, but the sun was breaking through just a little. This is the view from my classroom window by my desk.

The sun is reflecting off of part of the Tagus River on this particular cloudy morning.

Same view, just a few minutes later!

Then a little bit later in the morning, looking out the other side across the street from the school, we saw this!

Picture perfect :-)

So we thought we would run outside and get a picture. However, by the time we got out there, it had almost disappeared. You can see it, if you look REALLY closely, to the right of the telephone pole.

Looking out the window by my desk again. The sun shining through the clouds and reflecting on one section of the river.

Belem or Bust

2010-02-07T01:39:00.002Z

On another sight-seeing venture, we went to Belem, but first stopped by the school to see the campus.

Two teachers in the classroom. :-)

One of my favorite places!

Mom had the lemon tea, which is made by placing lemon rind in hot water

On to St. Jeronomo's Cathedral and Monastery

Peering in a leather worker's store front

Mom and Dad in front of some beautiful, quintessential Portuguese tilework

The lemon tree at the corner of my house. Can't wait for fresh squeezed lemonade...in January???

Visiting the Mafra Palace/Convent

2010-02-03T14:42:00.000Z

During Mom and Dad's visit, we enjoyed relaxing at the apartment they were staying but also were able to enjoy some of the beautiful country and culture of Portugal. One trip included a visit to the Mafra National Palace and Convent. It was built in the 1700s by King John V to honor a vow he made to God that if He would give him an heir, he would build a convent. Part of the vast structure served as a convent, although nuns never lived there, only monks. The other part was a palace that the king would live in for about one month out of the year. There are wonderful breezes that come off the ocean in this area, so it provided cool relief for the hottest month of the year.

Missionary and friend, Doug Fry, gave Dad and me a tour of Mafra Palace and Convent. (Mom was not feeling well and couldn't join us.)

One of 29 courtyards

Part of the structure served as a convent, although nuns never lived here, only monks! This is this a penitence room for the monks - including a weight to put around their neck, the whip that usually hangs next to the weight is missing.

One of 13 kitchens in the palace/convent

Infirmary for the monks

It's blurry, but you get the idea.

Looking through a window in one of the halls into the chapel which has 6 pipe organs!!

The large blue and white urns can be seen throughout the palace. They are industrial size potpourri pots that were kept burning when the palace was occupied to cover the other "aromas" (daily bathing had yet to come on to the hygiene scene...so you can imagine).

Would this be referred to as a great-great grandfather clock?

Europe's largest one room library which holds 35,000 volumes

Can you tell what the theme of this room is???

More antler-ware

Across the street from the palace

You can learn more about this amazing palace at http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/cities/mafra.html

Christmas Eve, Day & Night

2010-01-26T16:59:00.000Z

For Christmas Eve, my parents and I were invited to the Voelkers, along with some of the other missionaries. It was such a nice evening spending time with friends and family and enjoying the Christmas season.

The Portuguese traditional Christmas holiday cake - Bolo Rei [King Cake]

Sweet Joyce and me!

Cal led us in singing some Christmas carols.

Doug and Dad read the Christmas story from Luke 2. Dad would read a verse in English, then Doug would read the verse Portuguese. It was a really neat experience. (I think Mom was straining to understand the Portuguese. :-)

Christmas day we joined the Rachevskys, along with some of the other missionaries.

We had such great night of fellowship and a couple of "small world" experiences, too! It turns out that Miriam, who is Canadian, went to the Bible school and seminary started by Dad's college advisor and long time friend, Gerry Benn. Doug, who also happens to be Canadian, went to school with Rick & Mick Vigneulle!

On the way home, there was a four-legged road block we waited for to clear.

Later that night, we attended the Christmas party for the Field Council (all the ABWE missionaries in the greater Lisbon area). Another great time that included a time of games, white elephant gift exchange, singing Christmas carols, fellowshipping, and of course, eating!

A game of Taboo with Christmas themed words.

Singing at the Nursing Home

2010-01-17T20:48:00.001Z

I was excited to be given the opportunity to sing at an evangelical nursing home in the area. This was arranged a few weeks prior to the event, which was thought to be on a Sunday. I was called on the Saturday prior and informed there had been a mix up, and it was in a few hours; would I still be able to make it? That particular Saturday my schedule was flexible enough that I could. So by the time we got there, found parking, made it into what turned out to be a very crowded chapel, and found out the schedule, I was on in about 10 minutes! During that 10 minutes we were repeatedly urged to move closer to the side door entrance which is connected to the main lobby. Later, we found out why. An ambulance was coming to take a resident to the hospital due to having swine flu! Yes, it was over here, too.

We were going to slip in the back since we were running late, but the chapel was packed and overflowing!

What I understood was going to be a small gathering of the residents, turned out to be a Christmas program that the residents and their families had been invited to. So, I started getting a little nervous when I saw the crowd!

I sang "O Holy Night" a capella. The Lord helped me hit the high notes despite my nerves!

ABWE missionary Doug Fry serves on the board for the nursing home and was asked to bring a devotional for the service.

There was a sale table of items that the residents had made.

Portugal is one of the world's largest producers of cork. These bookmarks are made of cork with Scripture verses on them (in Portuguese of course!).

GLCA Elementary Christmas Party - 2009

2010-01-16T16:34:00.001Z

Our elementary of 17 students enjoyed a Christmas party that included watching a movie, playing musical chairs and enjoying a delicious snack time!

A future GLCA student, Noah Rachevsky

Havin' some fun!

My girls

My boys

A Little Christmas Decorating in Miss Peters' Room

2010-01-16T15:24:00.000Z

We did a little Christmas decorating with some window gels, garland and faux snow.

Tammy and Meredith Visit Samora

2010-01-16T14:48:00.000Z

Thanksgiving weekend Tammy McComb and I drove over to Samora (a town about 45 minutes away) and spent the weekend with ABWE missionaries, the Rusts. When Tammy taught at GLCA the last two years, she assisted them with their church plant and also joined them in participating in a community band. This particular weekend, Pastor Cortner was the guest preacher. It was a great culmination to such a wonderful week at the conference/retreat!

I passed the keys to Tammy since she is much more familiar with getting to Samora. However, I forgot to move the seat back for her! Sorry, Tam!

John and Marilyn Rust leading in worship.

I John 1:5-9

Marcio is ready for kids' church to begin!

Pastor Cortner preaching as Miguel translates his message into Portuguese.

Two of the members - Cordeiro and Tose

Kathy Cortner chatting with Miguel's wife, Isabel.

Neide and Marilyn

Marcio was eager to share his kids's church craft with Pastor Cortner.

Tammy the Lovely, Marcio the Ham, Eliel the Proper

The Rusts kindly hosted a delicious lunch for us after the service.

The next few pictures are from another Sunday that I attended this church. I helped Marilyn out with kids' church. Meet Marcio's little brother, Goncalo.

Marcio was interested in the toys...

...Goncalo was interested in the basket!

Cute and precious little guy! I wanted to take him home!

Parents' Night Out!

2010-01-15T21:10:00.000Z

On Wednesday night the week of the conference, Tammy McComb, Miriam Tyers and I hosted evening activities for the kids so that parents could enjoy an evening out with just grown-ups. :-)

Matthew and Rafael hanging out until the movie starts.

Estefania playing peekaboo with Josiah.

Look at those big blue eyes!

Kati amused by Matthew's intrigue with his dinner.

Tammy McComb with Olivia, Josiah and Keegan

Keegan and me

Aunt Miriam, Ellen and Estefania playing a game

Ellen making a card for Mom

Olivia and Kati working on cards, too

The teens were a great help assisting with snack time and the little ones!

Little Noah really got into the movie. He stood like that for about 45 minutes!

Estefania smiling beautifully and Keegan assisting his sister Tori with her smile

Maddie & Me

I think Tammy is tired

When I told the girls I would give manicures to those who wanted them, there was an unexpected, overwhelming chorus of squeals!

They enjoyed all the pink, sparkles and flower stickers!

It was a great night...but we were worn out by the end!

Must Go To Morocco

2009-12-18T13:38:00.026Z

Thank you for your prayers for the trip to Morocco. As you probably read in my last "Portugal Update," due to Portuguese laws, I along with some of my co-workers have to go outside of the European Union every 90 days because of the type of paperwork we have. So, the nearest neighbor outside of the E.U. is Morocco. Since we had a conference in Southern Portugal, getting to Morocco was much easier. We left on a ferry from Tarifa, a port in Southern Spain, to Tangier, Morocco. It was just a quick weekend trip - leaving one day and returning the next - but a memorable one! Here are pictures from the trip: (You would think that we stayed for a week by the number of pictures I took, but actually we were only there for less than 24 hours! The culture was very fascinating!)

Waiting at the port with the Dubois', Nick, Noah and Krista (behind the camera).

While waiting for the ferry, we walked around the little Spanish town of Tarifa.

It was a little windy, so rather than try to fight it, might as well have fun with it!

Getting a taxi in Tangier (not sure why the signs were so bright)

The younger daughter of our host and hostess. She was just a doll!

International version of Dannon bottled water - don't forget - Arabic is read from right to left!

Kati, me, Nina standing on a hilltop with the coast of Morocco below us!

A man stopping Mike (or me?) to ask for money.

Ever have an itch you couldn't quite reach?

I didn't see any film for sale though. :-)

Muslim prayer tower that announces a call to prayer 5 times a day.

Preparing and selling produce

It wasn't until after I took the picture, that I realized the man in the background was trying to tell me he didn't want his picture taken. Oops, sorry sir!

Keeping an eye on the oranges to make sure they don't fall out of the truck

Everything from bottled water to spices...even a kitchen knife set!

Moroccon version of Rack Room shoe store?

Such beautiful colors!

I wonder if there is a Starbucks, too?

While the color contrast caught my eye, the plight of humanity captured my heart.

Headed back to the dock

Special Friday Chapel with Miss McComb

2009-12-18T13:31:00.000Z

Tammy McComb joined us on the Friday before Thanksgiving break. She came to lead the children's program at the conference. Tammy has taught at GLCA for the last two years, so the kids were thrilled to see her again! She led chapel on Friday that was an introduction to the program she would be doing at the conference. It was a VBS curriculum from LifeWay that had an Australian theme.

There were lots of fun songs with motions that the kids really enjoyed!

The train game!

Keegan & Joao waiting for one of the games to start.

The focus verse for the lesson

Miss McComb with some of her former students who are now in the 5th & 6th grade.

Miss McComb and Miss Peters with her kiddos.

Color Me Thankful

2009-12-10T15:40:00.001Z

Friday before Thanksgiving break, we turned our white board into a collective list of things for which we are thankful. We started the list in the morning and added to it throughout the day!

Our Conference and Celebrating American Thanksgiving in Portugal

2009-12-04T12:07:00.291Z

Thank you all for your prayer support for our conference/retreat! We had a wonderful time being refreshed through time in the Word and sessions with guest speaker, Pastor Dave Cortner, from Cherry Hill, New Jersey; through fellowship with our teammates, some of whom we do not get to see very often because the spread out locations of the 8 ABWE churches; and through the beauty of God's creation.

Jenny and Jeff Thomas led in worship throughout the week, and it was such a wonderful blessing!

Pastor Dave sharing with us on prayer. It was such an encouragement!

Tammy leading the kids program of The Boomerang Express

Outback Jack welcoming everyone!

The hotel had a great kids' room that was perfect for their meetings.

It is a beautiful area. I didn't know poinsettia trees existed! Did you?

No bugle playing in the parking lot!

One night as a treat, a few of us went to an Irish restaurant. The side of "Mushy Peas" made me laugh...and gag a little.

The view from our back door. A little construction underway.

But turn to the right and what a sight!

Getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner!

Table decorations, complete with fall napkins and Chinet plates brought from the States. (Thanks Tammy!)

Little Josiah hanging out with "Uncle" Doug (the MKs refer to the other missionaries as "Aunt" and "Uncle")

Three sweet MK girls - Luisa, Nina and Leah

Just as I was taking the picture, Noah did something to his sister, Ellen and friend, Keegan is caught in the middle. Note the slightly mischievous look on Noah's face! Hahaha :-)

Cal, me, and Joyce - sweet friends and respected boss :-)

New friend, Tammy McComb - praying she will raise all the funds she needs to come as a career missionary next year!!

Kathy and Dave Cortner - our special guests! (and John Rust enjoying conversation in the background :-)

And the feasting commenced!

Thank you, Kathy, for bringing these little packets of joy!! (Starbucks on the go)

After the meal, field council director, Brian Dix, led us in a time of sharing and thanksgiving.

New friendships, new blessings - one of the many things for which I am thankful!!

The annual MKs vs. the Dads soccer game

There were two separate games, one with the younger kids and one with the teens. Here, the teens waiting for their turn to take on the dads. Dads, how did you last that long??

Little Noah, who so desperately wants to join in the game, dreams of when he can play with the big boys!

His favorite toy - bola!

Cheryl & Jack Shiflett - Sweet, sweet folks. He serves as the head of the Western Europe division at ABWE headquarters in PA, but it turns out he grew up in Birmingham, AL and is good friends with Frank Barker, pastor emeritus of Briarwood Presbyterian. What a small world!

The skies looked promising for a beautiful sunset, so Tammy and I headed down to the beach.

And boy was it amazing!

Later that night we went to hang out with Chris, Catrina and Little Josiah. We had frozen pizza and I found this soft drink in a grocery store there that carries some British products. I'd never seen Dandelion & Burdock soda before. It was interesting to try but probably won't do it again. It was a cross between creme soda (which I like) and black licorice (which I am not a fan of).

They Skyped with their family and kindly let me use their computer to Skype with my folks who were in Indiana with other extended family. It was neat to be able to do that!

He's a sweet little thing!

The next day I helped Tammy pack up her stuff from the children's program. Do you know how hard it is to deflate a 5 foot kangaroo quickly??? Not easy!

It is team tradition to eat lunch at McDonalds on the last day on the way out of town.

Headed back home after a wonderful and refreshing week...some beautiful clouds on the horizon.

Thank you again for your prayer support for this week! God really blessed, and it was a great time of encouragement for us all!

Visiting the Church at Porto Alto

2009-11-15T17:02:00.000Z

Last weekend was spent over the river about 45 minutes away at the home of John and Marilyn Rust, who have been ABWE missionaries in Portugal for over 20 years. They planted a church a couple years ago in Porto Alto, which was off to a good start, but they encountered set backs when a couple - fellow ABWE missionaries and their longtime friends who were helping them with this church plant - had to return to the States because of health issues. A national couple, who were also helping them with the church plant, relocated due to a job transfer. So needless to say, it has been a difficult journey. When I accompanied them this past Sunday, only one man came, Jose, along with his son. His wife was home with their other son who was ill.

John and Marilyn Rust - They rent the conference room of a local motel, which they have for 2 hours each Sunday morning.

Marcio was intrigued with a project I was helping Marilyn with, so I showed him what I was working on.

He was a little timid initially but began to inch closer to check it out. :-)

John led praise songs including, "Seek Ye First" as Marilyn accompanied on the keyboard.

After praise and worship, I joined Marilyn and went into an adjacent game room where she taught a children's Bible lesson.

Marcio is an active, "all boy" four year old that was elated to get to use scissors for the craft!

He also enjoyed playing teacher by quizzing Marilyn on her colors. He would point to a color and ask her the name. After giving the answer, he would tell her "Muito bem." [Very good.] :-)

Marcio loved being very expressive for the camera!

Pray for the little church in Porto Alto, that Marcio's parents will continue to grow in the Lord, and that Marcio will one day come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Quilted Water

2009-11-15T16:56:00.001Z

Our 17 elementary students were involved in a project called Across the Bible. It is a program that first began in Denmark, and Portugal is one of the countries working in cooperation with it. Teresa Fernandes, a Portuguese Christian contact of one of our missionaries, is involved with the program by traveling around Europe speaking in public schools, as well as, Christian schools, giving a science-related presentation on water, which is then correlated to water in the Bible and the many times it is mentioned. Students are then given the opportunity to create a visual representation of one of the "water stories" from the Bible (ex. Noah and the ark, Baby Moses, Jesus turning water into wine, etc.). These are projects are then put on display at a special expo, where judges award prizes for the best projects. What a creative opportunity to further the spread of God, His Word and His creation! http://acrossthebibleportugal.blogspot.com/

Our students, under the direction of our art teacher, Nancy Dubois, created a quilt to enter in the competition!

Each of the students drew a picture on a piece of cloth which was quilted by one of our other multi-talented missionaries, Marilyn Rust.

Students are pointing to the quilt piece they drew.

A poster displaying entries from previous expos.

Some of the entries from other schools

The winning project!

Each school that participated was listed along with the art teacher in a PowerPoint presentation.

Throughout the presentation, different musical performances were given. This is a Christian Portuguese rapper, who used his talents to communicate that Jesus is the one and only way to heaven.

Each art teacher voted on the projects entered. ABWE missionary, Miriam Tyers, interpreting for our art teacher, Nancy Dubois, as the art teachers had to stand at the front, tell which project they voted for and why. Nothing like being put on the spot! Nancy handled it quite well! :-)

While our project did not win, the kids had a great time working on it. We were all excited to help spread God's truth in our community around us!

Living on the Ark

2009-11-15T16:51:00.001Z

No this is not a reference to precipitation we have received (or will receive as I understand that Lisbon winters consist of rain and damp cold!) nor is this a reference to various and numerous animals that live around my house. This analogy came to me as a result of a recent driving experience I had.

As many of you know, my two biggest challenges (not only, but biggest) since moving here are cooking and driving. You may be saying to yourself, "But, Meredith, those were challenges to you in Birmingham." I know, I know, so imagine throwing in a different country, culture, and language on top of that! To give you a little idea of what the roads are like - here is a description I wrote to a friend recently:

Driving is more difficult here because the roads/parking spaces/parking decks are much narrower than the States and extremely curvy and lots of hills. There is a running joke that there are no straight roads in Portugal. You can't just say "keep going straight," but "just keep going on what's in front of you." The road layout/design is also very confusing. It is not uncommon to get to a place one way but not be able to return the way you came due to the road design. "Hairpin turns" are also quite common. Pedestrians really do have the right of way unless there is a stop light, and they definitely believe that as they step out into the road even though a car may coming. Roundabouts/traffic circles are more common than stoplights, and they can have double-lane entrances to a three lane circle. You have to get in a certain lane depending on the which exit you want to use.

Well, a recent driving experience began with finding out that my car's alternator did not need replacing, I just needed to drive longer so that the battery has a chance to recharge. The four minute drive to school and the 6 minute drive to the grocery apparently were not cutting it. So I was going to venture out to an area mall. You may say, "Well that should make you happy - going to a mall!" (Or you may be saying, "What's a missionary doing going to a mall?" haha :-) Anyway, I had a feeling of dread about this trip. I was not looking forward to Lewis & Clarking it.

Well, I set out with the TomTom (GPS), which already had Dolce Vita programmed in it. Following the directions of the TomTom, I drove...and I drove...and I drove over highways and byways through rush hour traffic. Bits and pieces looked familiar along the way, but it was like a connect-the-dots picture, only there were just dots and no lines connecting them. I eventually found Dolce Vita, only to discover that it is a chain. The one I was intending to get to is less than 10 minutes away from my house, while the one the GPS guided me to was about 45 minutes away. When I finally found it and a providentially provided parking spot on the street, it had been so frustrating and stressful that I considered just turning the car around and driving right back home. However, after assessing how much adrenaline was surging through my body at that point, walking around for a bit seemed like a healthier option.

Finding the entrance to the mall, which was a half a block or so from my car, I attempted to appear with a relaxed smile strolling passed the store windows, while my insides were screaming, "I am a severely directionally-challenged American that has no idea where she is! Even if I were able to say "direcções a Loures? [directions to Loures?]," I won't be able to understand what you are saying because I'm not fluent in Portuguese!! So if anything happens to me, I could call someone I know, but I can't tell them where I am because this particular Dolce Vita is a less than well-known mall!"

After walking through a couple stores but realizing I couldn't venture too far because I wouldn't remember the way back to the right door, I made my way back and walked out the door while all the advice of my cop friends, family of cops, and McGruff crime stopper infomercials were running through my head like the headline ticker on a news channel. "Be aware of your surroundings. Don't make eye contact. Have your keys out and ready. Keep your purse close to your side. Keep your head up and walk confidently at a good clip. Listen for footsteps behind you." Well, I made it to the car without rueful event, set the GPS to "Home" and started out. Prayers continued to go up as I just so desperately wanted to get home, be home. I did not get home any quicker, as rush hour traffic was still going strong amidst the multi-lane traffic circles, narrow winding streets and highways, not to mention the sometimes ambiguous or misguided directions of the GPS!

Having a fair amount of time on the road to meditate, the feeling of being very alone was quite prominent as I reflected on my current state and being the only single gal teaching at GLCA. The analogy came to me - I live on the ark! (...they all came two by twos....)

Now, please understand, the other missionary families have been very kind and helpful, reaching out to me, and I am so grateful! But when it comes to the end of the day, I am alone. Oh yes, I know the verses, the hymns, the choruses...all the "Sunday school" answers...but have you ever been through an experience where the Sunday school answers just won't cut it? You need something more? I did, but I wasn't sure what the answer was. So, in an honest talk with the Lord (shouldn't they always be since He knows anyway? :-), I told Him, "Lord, I know all of the verses, etc. that tell me You are sufficient, but it just doesn't feel that way right now. I know no one person - friend, roommate, spouse or otherwise - is the answer (helpful, but not the answer). You are THE answer. My head knows, but my heart doesn't understand. I need You to show me. And He did and is, through lovingkindesses He sends to me that have His fingerprints all over, using the body of Christ to be His hands and feet to show His love. So...do I have all my questions answered? No. Are there still hard days? Of course. Has God or His faithful and loving character changed? No. Am I understanding it more? Yes. God is good, steadfast and present no matter how I feel or what the circumstances seem to dictate.

Oh, and yes, I did finally make it home safely from the driving venture!

Arruda Community Choir

2009-11-14T20:58:00.000Z

A few weeks ago, I began attending rehearsals of the Arruda Community Choir. Gil Thomas, former field council director now serving in the ABWE home office, began this choir as another way to use his passion for music to build relationships with the Portuguese people in Arruda in order to share God's love. It is a [mainly] a capella choir that performs a mix of traditional Portuguese music, along with Italian songs, American pop and others. The interim choir director, Miguel, is a member of the Arruda church along with some of the choir members. The other members are from the surrounding community. If everyone were there at the same rehearsal, there would be about 20 members, but due to busy schedules, etc. the numbers are lower currently. Rehearsals were recently changed to Tuesday evenings in hopes of it being a more convenient evening and boosting attendance.

The choir celebrated their 3rd anniversary, and one of the members made a delicious cake in honor of it!

There is a wide range of ages from Sara, the high schooler holding the cake, to the elderly gentleman behind her who faithfully comes to hold up the tenor section! Carla, in the black jacket, is a talented, blind musician who helped Gil Thomas with some of the musical arrangements the choir performs. Standing next to Sarah is the interim director, Miguel. Next to Miguel is Susan Henderson, the future choir director.

Mike Snavely and The Nature of Creation

2009-11-14T20:31:00.000Z

Mike Snavely and his wife, Carrie, joined us for about a week conducting daily chapels for the elementary and high school students. With the high school he spoke on creation vs. evolution. With the elementary, he focused on the creative and powerful God who carefully designed our world, especially evident in the animal kingdom and insect world. Having grown up as an MK in South Africa and later returning to work for the National Parks Service at Kruger Park in South Africa, he, of course, had wonderful stories to share about the amazing intricacies of different animals and bugs that God designed. (God gave me the grace to get through Wednesday's chapel spent entirely on spiders...complete with PowerPoint presentation of multiple, multiple pictures of various spiders. I appreciate what they do for us, but I would like to appreciate them from a distance.)

Learn more about his ministry at his website: http://www.natureofcreation.org/about_us.htm

Here are some pictures from elementary chapel and the Sunday morning service at the ABWE church in Loures:

He spent a couple days on dinosaurs, which the students LOVED!

Sunday morning, three little girls sang a song. The little guy on the left was celebrating his first birthday and being dedicated.

Baby dedication for Lucas. They had invited extended family to the occasion to celebrate with them as well as to hear about more about God.

Pastor Betu prays a prayer of dedication over this little one. He is a Portuguese national, who preaches at the Loures church service which is in the morning and the Arruda church service, which is in the evening.

Pastor Betu's wife, Ana, served as translator for Mike during Sunday school and the service.

Reporting Live from Miss Peters Class!

2009-11-12T22:47:00.001Z

After working on a creative writing project involving some of their spelling words, the students shared their stories with the class. They came up with the idea of presenting it like a newscast. They are a creative bunch!

Head news anchor, Noah, reviewing the line up

Our first story being shared by Ellen with Noah holding the "microphone" to make sure she is clearly heard. :-)

Estefania sharing next!

Followed by Raphael

Raphael and Noah switching roles

Next up is Noah with Raphael taking over the technical side

And closing out the broadcast, somewhere behind that sheet of paper...

Oh there's Keegan!

Reading About the Underground Railroad

2009-11-09T21:18:00.001Z

The third grade read a story set during the Underground Railroad. We discussed how it got its name due to it being secretive escape route for slaves that had different stops like a railroad, with those helping the slaves referred to as "conductors." We thought reading a story about the Underground Railroad would be better if read under our desks! :-)

Jesus Said, "I Am...." Art Project

2009-11-09T21:09:00.000Z

Last week we studied what Jesus taught us about Himself through His "I Am...." statements. The students worked very hard creating their booklets that list and illustrate some of the truths.

Keegan working hard

Estefania and Ellen working hard. [Abby was out sick this week :-( ]

The boys love wearing the headset whether or not it is connected to the computer!

Joao working hard

Ellen adding detail to her drawing

Estefania looking at the board to double-check the wording

Great friends showing their finished booklets

The boys exhibiting their finished booklets

Youth Rally with Ken Rudolph and the Andersons

2009-10-22T15:22:00.001+01:00

Ken Rudolph has been serving as a pastor, youth pastor and conference speaker for over thirty years. We had the privilege of having Mr. Rudolph and his lovely wife, Jinner, for a conference with our high school. He spoke at a daily chapel service beginning on Wed., and it culminated with an area wide youth rally Friday night, where the youth from all 8 ABWE churches were invited to come and bring their friends as well. It was followed by church wide service on Saturday, where the 8 churches were invited to come together for a service, which included a time of music worship and a time of prayer for each of the churches' specific needs. Mr. Rudolph was the guest speaker for that, too.

Joining the Rudolphs were Jordan and Jessa Anderson, sharing their musical talents as they led in worship. Jordan is a former student of our administrator, Cal Voelker, when he served at a Christian school in Iowa. The delightful husband and wife team of Jordan and Jessa Anderson are both dedicated singer/songwriters, each having put out their own solo work. Check out their music on iTunes or google them to see if they will be coming to a town near you!

Some of the youth helped lead in worship

Some of the songs were familiar songs but sung in Portuguese!

Sorry, this picture is really dark, but it is Jordan and Jessa sharing in song before Mr. Rudolph spoke.

Ken, Jinner and myself - Mr. Rudolph is a gifted comedic communicator with wonderful anecdotes clearly conveying the truth of the Bible, and yes, he is fully aware that he resembles Mr. Bean.

OK, now for the "serious" picture. :-)
They were a delight to get to know and such an encouragement to talk to!

Learning About God's Grace

2009-10-20T21:17:00.055+01:00

We studied about how God's grace greatly affected the lives of Matthew, tax collector turned apostle; John Newton, a man known for his criminal past and harsh personality until God's grace changed his life, and in recognition of what God had done in him, he penned the most well-known hymn, "Amazing Grace."

God's grace truly is amazing, and He is so good to show it to us everyday in each of our lives!

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

Mrs. Voelker, who can sign in English and in Portuguese, taught us "God is So Good."

We also worked on an art project entitled,

"God's Grace Changes Me"

Noah, Estefania, Ellen and Abby hard at work on their project!

Joao and Keegan also working hard on their project!

Raphael and Ellen meticulously coloring their butterflies!

We discussed how God designed butterfly's with symmetric markings.

Miss Peters and Joao working on cutting out the butterfly.

Putting all the pieces together!

We are so proud of our finished product!

At the top of the paper, each person drew a self-portrait.

Underneath the picture is the following quote:

Just as God changes a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly,

so He is still in the process of changing me!

God's grace is so good, so amazing! Where would I be without it?

Sunday Reflections

2009-10-04T21:35:00.000+01:00

It has been a good week! We are growing together as a class with learning adventures inside the classroom and out! There is the typical reading, writing and 'rithmetic, of course, as well as, the study of Jesus life and work, specifically focusing this week on the call of the disciples, which resulted in a fun edible project and theme related singing. Outside on the playground multiple discoveries of the wonders of nature were made, including ... a snake. I was rather surprised when the kids heard there was a snake, they all went running down to see it...while Miss Peters took great efforts to remain calm and keep them away from the snake. Thankfully, Principal Voelker appeared by divine appointment, and I informed him of the unwanted visitor. Being an Iowa farm boy with 5 brothers, he calmly walked down, picked up a rock to hold its head to the ground while he picked up the tail then used his foot to ground its brains into the concrete. Totally grossed me out, but it was a great visual demonstration of what Jesus will do one day to Satan's head!!

What lessons will this week hold???

Gone Fishin'

2009-10-01T16:25:00.006+01:00

This week we have been studying about Jesus calling His disciples, so today we made fishing poles out of pretzels, sour strawberry straws and gummy worms. We also sang a few rousing rounds "I Will Make You Fisher's of Men" adding speed with each round. A good time was had by all fishermen!

New Arrival

2009-09-30T23:01:00.000+01:00

Two of my students, who are brother and sister, were elated to welcome another sister into their family. Their kindergarten sister could be heard repeatedly proclaiming to all who arrived in the parking lot Tuesday morning, "Today is the day Baby Elisabeth will be born!" With such a small student body, we quickly and easily become a close-knit group and greatly "rejoice with those who rejoice." Our class made cards for Baby Elisabeth, and I also had big brother and big sister write a letter to their newest sib. (Thanks for the letter writing idea, Donna!)

Despite many invitations from the others to join them at the table, he wanted to work at his desk, perhaps so he could spread out all his supplies and really concentrate. :-)

Welcome Baby Elisabeth!

A Quiet Sunday

2009-09-27T19:10:00.011+01:00

Well, with original plans of joining the Herelds today to make a second visit to the international church (English speaking), my plans had to be revamped when an encroaching sinus infection finally took over my head, throat and chest last night leaving my entire body in a great deal of pain despite medicinal measures being taken. A good night's sleep helped, but I have needed to "lay low" for the day. Thankfully, my internet is working so I could listen to a sermon by Pastor Harry from my home church. Oh the blessing of podcasts!

Saturday had many blessings, as well (mainly before the sinus infection hit hard). Our fearless leader, Cal, and his wife, Joyce, took us to the historically rich city of Belem. The Portuguese have a great past as navigators and explorers of the world, and Belem has a number of famous sites where monumental history took place. Mosteiro do Jeronimos [Jeronimos Monastery] is the site where Vasco da Gama and his men spent the night in prayer before making their infamous voyage to India in 1492 and also where the navigator has been entombed.

This past week has had its blessings and trials, too. Covering 11 subjects a day is getting a little easier but is still quite the juggling act. Driving here is well, quite tough, but I did make a trip by myself to the Continente (grocery store) to use the ATM. I started to "tempt fate" by also trying to add minutes to my cell phone at the store, but I couldn't remember my nine digit phone number. It was ok though; I still felt great accomplishment! :-)

My students are progressing, and we are bonding as a class. Those that have been classmates before are enjoying renewing their friendships and have also welcomed a girl who is new to GLCA this year. Her parents, younger brother and she have been in Portugal for about 8 months and are getting adjusted. We have been able to swap driving stories and "Have you tried...?" stories.

Over the past couple of weeks the playground ants and Star Wars light sabers have been the fascination. This week at recess the girls have been working on designing and constructing an ant farm. (Miss Reteinour, aren't you so proud??) Although by the conversations from their "planning meetings," it is sounding more like an ant resort! The boys have enjoyed "battling" each other with their toy light sabers. It is funny how at the beginning of the week there were only one or two sabers and by the end of the week a plethora of them had appeared. We just about had entire scenes from the movies being re-enacted!

Heaven's Blueprints

2009-09-23T10:32:00.002+01:00

Quote of the day - [In class, we were talking about how Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven, and one of my third graders, with finger pointed in the air for emphasis, said....] "Jesus is building us houses, not apartments!"

Wealthy Missionary

2009-09-12T20:39:00.002+01:00

Those are two words that you do not find in the same sentence very often – wealthy and missionary! It depends on your definition, however. While most missionaries would never be considered “wealthy” by the measure of the size of their bank account, the number of land deeds in their safety deposit box, cars in their garage or diamonds encircling their wrists and neck, it does not mean they are completely destitute. Is there not more than one way to define wealth? The accounting of material possessions is one means of doing that, and missionaries typically come up fairly short in that perspective. However, what about the accounting of the wealth of friendships and family ties, lives invested in, and the rich experiences that result from having to trust God for the impossible? (which isn’t limited to just missionaries!)

Now, don’t get me wrong. This isn’t to diminish the necessity of material goods. The financial generosity of many makes it possible for people like me to be able to go. Telling the Portuguese electric company “Thanks so much!” and giving them a hug will not pay the electric bill. It takes money…euros in my case…to make that happen! But, this is a beckoning to broaden your definition of wealth.

That wealth can be defined in more than one facet has been made so real to me over these last months in preparing for and working in Portugal. Being deluged with such love and support from family, friends and church overwhelms my heart and mind in a way that reflection upon it results in an awed humility. You have invested in me, and I can therefore invest in others! I pray God will enable me to be high-yielding investment in the lives of the other missionaries, school parents and their children.

This path to Portugal has not been an easy one and has required me to exercise more faith “muscles” than before. It has, however, brought rich reward in seeing God move in mighty ways. One obvious example, as has been mentioned before, is how He brought in all my support in less than three months! Another example was in my flight over. While I knew that I had layovers in Detroit and Frankfurt, I didn’t know what having a “split ticket” involved…now I know. In my case it meant that I would have to collect my luggage from the carousel and re-check it in Detroit. After heaving the suitcases onto a cart (Did I mention I will be in Portugal for 10 months?), I managed to finagle it over to the elevator to go three floors up, only to find out that Lufthansa had recently moved to the other building. The directions to get there were as follows, “See those double doors all the way down there? Go through those, through the hotel, outside and down the sidewalk. There’s a shuttle that will take you to the other building where Lufthansa is now.” Sigh.

One of the hotel employees helped me load my bags onto the shuttle that finally came. He couldn’t guarantee, though, that there would be a cart or anyone to help me transport my bags once I got there. Are you kidding me??? My stewing began…. Then the Lord patiently reminded me, “Meredith, you can sit and stew and be frustrated or you could ask Me for help.” Another sigh. “OK Lord, point taken. I am in a situation to which I don’t have a solution, and I am in need of Your help! There is no way possible for me to get all these bags to that counter by myself!!”

As I was getting off the shuttle scanning the area for any type of wheeled contraption, an airport employee who was also riding asked, “Do you need some help with your bags?” I smiled with great relief, “Yes! Please!!” He pulled two bags, and I grabbed the rest. He led the way (which involved another elevator) to the check-in and to the first counter without a line, which was First/Business class. While the woman behind the counter was not initially going to check me in since I was not first or business class, she glanced around and said she could do it quickly. When she saw that my bags were overweight, she bumped me to business class for the flight from Detroit to Frankfurt so that I wouldn’t have to pay for the overage! Wow! I’ve never flown business class and may never again, so I savored this sublime blessing that was for the longest part of my flight (8 hrs.). As the man who had helped me turned away, I checked to see if he had wings. He was certainly an answer to prayer that was sent straight from God! After all the frustrations experienced that morning in Detroit (and others in the Birmingham airport, too!), it was so sweet of the Lord to arrange this lovingkindness. He certainly didn’t have to!

Our lives are full of blessings around us. Some we can see if we will stop to take the time to observe them. Others come only through taking a God-guided leap of faith.

Just a few more days!

2009-09-03T22:25:00.002+01:00

Monday, the 24th, at 11:20am I will be flying out of Birmingham headed to Lisbon! With layovers in Detroit and Frankfurt, Germany along with time changes, I will arrive in Lisbon at 11:25am...Tuesday! It is hard for me to believe that my departure is just a matter of a few days away. August 24th seemed forever away for so long, but it now has seemed to arrive in the blink of an eye!

Packing proceedings are coming along. The boxes that line my walls could probably be rearranged to create a small fort with a moat around it made of Wal-Mart bags of classroom supplies. One room could be mistaken for a retail clothier as garments are sorted, folded and neatly stacked as if on a display shelf. Now, to get 10 months of clothes and needed school supplies into 3 suitcases.... Well, if the Lord can bring in all of my partnership within 3 months, I'm sure He can help me get all of this into 3 suitcases!

Thank you for all of the words of encouragement and expressions of kindness you have so generously poured out, especially in these last couple of weeks. While it makes the "until next times" that much more difficult, it also bolsters my heart knowing I have such a caring support system.

OVERWHELMED!!!

2009-09-03T22:24:00.003+01:00

This update comes to you to let you know that I am completely OVERWHELMED...by God's gracious goodness!! All partnership funds have been raised! If that isn't God, I don't know what is! Last fall, I prayed that God would be glorified through this entire process, including the partnership development. I asked that He would bring in the necessary funds in a way that was very obviously His doing. That our sovereign God used you to bring in over $20,000 in less than 3 months (in today's economy!) is an answer to prayer that has His fingerprints all over it!

I'm rejoicing in His goodness that I also saw during my training in Harrisburg. Thank you for your prayer support during that time. It was an enriching experience both in information, as well as, in the people that I met. We received information and instruction on a variety of topics including team building, financial preparation, spiritual preparation and even how to handle transition stress (formerly known as culture shock :-)

Almost 30 short term missionaries made up our training class; they are headed all over - South Africa, Turkey, Liberia, the Czech Republic, Chile, Togo, Bangladesh, India and more! Although strangers to each other on Monday morning, we developed a sweet bond by the end of training on Wednesday, one that comes through the commonality of Christ. Micah and Lindsay, one of the young couples attending, were headed out to their mission field of Chile that Friday. Upon returning to our motel Tuesday night, one of the others brainstormed that we have a time of prayer for them. Those of us who were still awake at the late hour piled into Micah and Lindsay's motel room. The time began with an impromptu foot washing for the couple and was followed with Scripture passages being shared as words of encouragement and blessing over them. We then laid hands on them and prayed for them and their ministry. When the prayers concluded though the hour was late, no one was quite ready to leave so one of the girls broke into a praise chorus, and we joined in with her. In reflecting on that precious time, the words of another praise chorus I learned as a child came to mind:

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
I can feel the mighty power of His grace
I can hear the brush of angels wings
I see glory on each face
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place

God's goodness was also shown in my time in Harrisburg with three of the teachers from Greater Lisbon Christian Academy. They had been short-term the last couple of years but decided to go career and were in town for candidate training, which was finishing as training for the short-termers was beginning. It was a blessing to have dinner with them and hear more about the school, the kids and missionaries there. My excitement and anticipation continues to grow as the time of departure nears!

Prayer Requests:

finishing all the sorting and packing! (the monotonous necessity does not appeal to the sanguine side of me! :-)
finalizing all the last details of moving...getting all of the last ducks in a row

Thank you again for your continued love and support!

Pole Vaulting to Portugal

2009-09-03T22:20:00.002+01:00

Listening to the radio the other day, I heard Dr. Tony Evans use an illustration about high jumpers and pole vaulters (pictures attached). Olympic high jumpers set records clearing 9 feet, while Olympic pole vaulters set records of over 19 feet. Why the drastic difference? The high jumper is doing the best he can with what he has in his own strength; the pole vaulter is also doing the best he can but is leaning on something else to accomplish the otherwise impossible feat! Dr. Evans drew a parallel to the Christian walk. What could we accomplish if we would fully lean on the Lord rather than our own strength? It made me think, too, how often do I get in my own way? What amazing adventures and blessings does the Lord have in store that are only possible through leaning on His power?

The image of the pole vaulter impacted me especially as I prepare for Portugal. My prayer is that the Lord would help me (despite my sometimes cautious, overly analytical tendencies!) to lean on Him in order to accomplish great things for Him. I want to look back at my life's journey and see an incredible path of miracles that were obviously and only accomplished through the power of God for the glory of God!

One of these, I have observed over the last weeks is in partnership development. The Lord has used you to bring in 90% of the needed funds in less than 3 months! (For those recently inquiring, the response card has been attached in addition to the pictures.) Just as important is your continued prayer support. THANK YOU so much for partnering with me through your prayers and finances!

Prayer request update:

Found renters for my condo!!!
Fly out Saturday morning (11th) for training at ABWE headquarters in Harrisburg, PA
Meet with three of last year’s teachers on Sunday; praying for a profitable time of finding out even more about the school, students, schedules, etc.
Travel and transition to Portugal - my leave date has been bumped to the last week of August; classes begin on Sept. 7th
That I will "pole vault" through my journey in Portugal! :-)

Portugal Preparation Praises!

2009-09-03T22:19:00.002+01:00

God continues to bless as I make preparations for leaving for Portugal. As of today, I am a little over 50% of the financial partnership needed by August. The majority of this has come within the last 5 weeks! Thank you Lord, and thanks to each of you who have partnered with me in this kingdom investment! It has been such a blessing and privilege to be a part of this faith journey and to witness God's grace and power working in unexpected ways! Oh how I so often try to put God in a box...and He patiently shows me He is much bigger than any of my boxes!

May your day be rich with blessings and void of God boxes! :-)