WE'RE BAAACK ! Well, almost back.

But if we're not careful we won't make it back. Here in Portugal, we often find that businesses like restaurants are built right along side the road. But we braved the walk along side the traffic to eat lunch at the Templar Knights restaurant. Picture below.




In this photo you can see just how close the road is to the restaurant. The white line behind Cathy is the edge of the road.


Last Saturday we took a trip downtown to see old Lisbon. We visited the port (even got the military police to let us inside to see the ships). The picture above is one city block square and houses the courts, including Portugal's highest court.


The two towers in the background were built to celebrate the world's fair several years ago. The theme had to do with the ocean so these two buildings were made to look like twin smoke stacks that are typical on ocean liners. A mall was built between them to give the impression of the center of the ship. Even the sidewalks were build to look and feel like the waves. BTW, I don't know how the print for this picture became blue and underlined. Oh, well.


Click on this photo to see the 6 mile long bridge we had to cross to get to church last Sunday.


People here just LOVE eating outside. There is at least one of these cafes every block or so.


Back in the 1800's when the King and Queen set up housekeeping in this area of Portugal, the Queen, who loved water foul, had several mini lakes built on the Castle grounds, and they were filled with birds of all sorts. Trees and plants from all over the world were imported and made into the walking garden you see in the next couple of pictures. Imagine the Queen being carried in her horse driven carriage throughout this garden.


Here's Cathy walking where the Queen once walked. Cathy wouldn't wash her feet for days. LOL


The next eight pictures are of the Castle the King and Queen lived in. There are literally scores of room in the castle. Of course the King and Queen had their servants, both had secretaries, the King had his financial advison, the Queen her nanny, etc. etc. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the inside because the rooms were filled with hundreds of antiques--actual pieces the King and Queen used.


















This is NOT part of the castle. It's a castle wannabe. Some rich guy bought land below the castle grounds and built his own castle/house.

THE END

ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT

You can click (or double click) on any picture to view full frame.

You can see more photos on our personal site. Link found at the top right of this site.



Heading towards home--our Portuguese home, that is. The hills here average 20% inclines while one near the training center is 40%--that's 40 feet in altitude per 100 feet distance.


We attended this church last week. It averages about 100 per Sunday.


Youth meeting for all the Lisbon church young people here at the school.


Power washing the wall. Painting the wall begins Monday.


Bill taught three days this past week for sick teachers.


Lunch room duty while subbing.


Six benches needed fixing. Screws put in; bolts replaced and tightened.


Cathy gets to attend a Beth Moore study with all the missionary ladies.



A view of the city/neighborhood of Ramada from the training center which overlooks Ramada. This photo shows 1/2 of the city of 17,000--with only one fundamental church. Only 1/2 of 1% of Portugal is Christian.

The next four pictures shows the ruins of the Castle of the Moors, who conquored much of Portugal many years ago. The story of how the Portuguese regained the land is too long to tell, but you can go to our personal blog site (click on the link at the top right of this blog site to go there) and you can see many pictures of the still-standing castle that the King and Queen of Portugal lived in a couple centuries ago.

The last two photos show Cathy peering into the opening to a huge water supply (stll there today) located directly below her underground and Cathy "attempting" to pump water to drink. NO, it doesn't work.

HARDLY WORKING OR WORKING HARD

Wow! A week has passed by since our last blog update. Since you got to see some photos of us relaxing as we were taken to vist sights in Lisbon, we thought you might want to see pics of us working and pics of the school and facilities. So here we go.


In addition to cleaning rooms, mopping floors and washing towels each day, Cathy prepares from scratch our meals. Here we are getting ready to eat shrimp scampi (sorry about that) and ocean fish (not sure what kind). In the top left you can see a bowl of her famous salsa. We shared the quart she made with the teachers here at the school.


When ever I need something (like keys to various rooms in the facility; yes, I forget to take them with me), I give Cathy a yell and she comes to the top of the stairwell and drops them to me. The building is three floors high and neither of us wants to make an extra trip if we don't have to.








Electricity is very expensive here so much of the laundry is hung out to dry. The problem is when the wind begins gusting. It's up, up and away. Cathy sometimes feels like she's heading back to the States via wind power. Notice the sheet getting ready to take off. Interesting note: with the low humidity and wind, the clothes dry before the next load is finished washing.



Both guest rooms have been occupied for the past week. (special speaker and singers who have ministered to the churches) Cathy not only changes linens but keeps the floors mopped and bathrooms clean. A new speaker arrived today and will be speaking to the churches on evolution and creation.



Yes, we'all all looking forward to the DAWNing of that Great Day when Christ comes for His own.






Pulling weeds (crabgrass which is the lawn)that have overrun the ice plant is probably a three or four day job (working at it for 2 hours at a time) and transplanting cuttings of ice plant and ivy makes Bill use up more than his share of ibuprofen or tylenol. With 15 shower stalls, cleaning the dirty grout could in itself be a full time job. Now you can see why the Training Center needs volunteers the year round.



This 8 year old fence around the basketball/soccer court was in pretty bad shape with broken support wires and broken turnbuckles. We thank the Lord that Bill got it all repaired without one mishap.

Well, that's enough for now. Next week we'll show you more of Lisbon, the culture, the churches and the missionaries. I think our "helpers" will be taking us to see some more of nearby Portugal later this week. We love you and are SO thankful for your prayers.

OUR FIRST WEEKEND

The Lord's Day was filled with sharing and meeting more of God's children. Most churches in Portugal are small, less than 100 and often less than 50. Several meet in homes because they cannot afford land and buildings. The church we visited this week was able to purchase a small lot and construct a building. Much of the work was done by church members. Sunday School begins at 10:00 and goes to 11:00. Then there is a 30 minute break for tea, coffee and cookies or the like. Fellowship time ! The worship service begins at 11:30 and runs until 1:00 or 1:30. The photos below are self-explanatory with the exception perhaps of the parking. There are no laws requiring parking spaces so people simply park half on the sidewalk and half on the street.



Our "helpers" then took us to McDonalds after church for lunch. Higher prices but everything is pretty much like in the U.S.


Next you will see some photos of the outing our "helpers" took us on Saturday--the ones we explained in our most recent email. First are pictures of the walled city with its own castle. Cathy is hugging the inside wall because it's a looooong way down to the ground. Read the last email for description of the height of the wall.





Notice the steep cliffs right along side flat sandy beaches. Notice the really blue waters also.



This is a fishing town and fish is brought in to dry in a very similar way to that of Jesus' day when Peter, James and John used to fish with their boat and nets. You won't get Bill out on a boat but he at least would pose with one.