pArTy cUlTuRe...

Me and Juran went to this 3 day techno party... 2 loud soundsystems in the middle of a forest in Sintra...we went with our tent to sell beer, cakes, crepes, pizza and pasta...but not only for that...we went there to serve, to take care and love those who spent 3 days partying...and partied along with them :-)... 
We arrived on friday night and set up our tent and we left on sunday evening...we worked 24 hours a day, taking turns when we needed some sleep...it was kind of hard to sleep with that music banging in our ears, but toward the end we could sleep anyhow, coz we were really tired...

Not only physically, but spiritually as well...we were all the time speaking with people, earring people or taking care of them when they were too burned out...we often took our blankets to cover those who would come to sleep in our mattresses in the middle of the night which was a bit cold and humid...we would make some coffee or tea for those who were in need...and we often offered food to those who didn't have money to pay for it...and many times we offered water (which some were selling)...

In the end, it was like a shelter for those who needed some rest...
we also had nice conversations with some who didnt understand why we were so "kind"... it´s interesting to realise how not used people are to kindness... a lot of those who got to spend most of the time there were always telling good about us to the others... that was nice :-)

Of course we know what was making the difference ...we were there not only to sell some things to cover our work and expenses, but also to serve this community... I enjoyed the experience...apart from the self destruction we could see in some people... I only went 2 times before to this kind of parties, once in India and the other here in Portugal...  because I generally don't like the music or the chemical the substances usually consumed, I would usually fell assleep, dispite the loudness :-) good for me !!!

If I was not there with the tent I guess I would do the same this time... But my spirit was pretty awake, and this time I could only sleep for the first time for a while on saturday night...
It was also nice to have the Borden's coming over on sunday...they live nearby actually, and they were going with some friends towards that direction...it was right on time coz we were running out of water to drink and cook, and we also needed more sugar and salt... God provided all the things... perfect !!!

In that evening we also asked the Borden's to go to their house and rest till next day , and it was sooooo good... it always feels good to go back home :-) ... I was also thinking at the party that most of those people don't really have a home to go back to...

most of them don't really have a family environment at their houses, or they live in mobile housers, or squats (occupied houses) with friends... for most of them, "family" are those they meet from party to party...

How blessed I felt to go back to a family... getting a big hug from mum Lisa when I arrived and seeing the sweetest smile from my little sister Heather...

We just arrived in the end of the game Portugal-Holland... I don't care about soccer anyway, but somehow that felt like family as well...Byron shouting to the TV when Deco got the red card, Lisa going out for the last minutes coz she couldn't handle the pressure :-) ...the boys were out to watch the game with friends...Yah, now Jesse can drive :-)...
But I preferred to enjoy a nice hot shower and then some nice fresh food while the game was finishing :-) ... I don't get excited with much things , so I don't understand how soccer can move people like that... it's a bit funny for me to watch though :-)

mAtIsYaHu iN LiSbOn...

I got offered a ticket for the concert :-) and it was really cool to go ...
I also loved going with Jesse and Trevor, I just love my younger brothers :-)...

Matisyahu is not from Jamaica, he doesn't have dreadlocks in his hair, and he's not a great communicator in public... but people are considering him the new embassador of Reggae music...

He's a jew and has his own style of dancing and presenting himself...
for me, what makes him different are the lyrics and the message in it...he sings to God and about God...
OK, here goes just a bit of Matisyahu hit "King without a crown" ...
"You're all that I have and you're all that I need
Each and every day I pray to get to know you please
I want to be close to you, yes I'm so hungry
You're like water for my soul when it gets thirsty
Without you there's no me
You're the air that I breathe...
I Sing to my G-d all these songs of love and healing
Want Moshiach now so it's time we start revealing
Strip away the layers and reveal your soul
Got to give yourself up and then you become whole
You're a slave to yourself and you don't even know..."

As I was there I wondered how many of those people actually new what he was singing about...
I don't know, but the truth is that he's mobilizing a whole crowd of young people to listen about God... like so many other musicians this days...
The Message of the Gospel is being more accepted from stages then from pulpits...hum...interesting !!!

dIvErSiTy pArTy iN LiSbOn...

what a night!!! a concert with my favorite band in Portugal opening up one of the coolest parties of Lisbon...First because the party has a nice subject and goal, and then because it's for free and everyone is welcome :-), the rich and the poor...
"Terrakota" is the band who delighted all of us with more then a concert, but an amazing 3 hour show and performance...
They also invited 2 Moroccan guys and one angolan to play together with them in few songs that have their own country's influence...they also invited 2 hip hop street dancers and 2 "capoeira" dancers (Brazilian dancers) which gave the show a really nice touch and vibe... the crowd got all excited !!! well, it's kinda impossible to stay still in a Terrakota concert...unless you are really boring !!!
They are just great and really special people ... I love them... I know most of them from hanging out in Lisbon, and they're pretty much good friends of everybody...their music and presence portraits a lot of what this party is all about : UNITY, RESPECTING AND ENJOYING DIVERSITY...it's a 3 day party with music, information and tastes from all sorts of countries which are represented here in Lisbon, like Angola, Cabo Verde, Mozambique, Guine Bissau, S.Tome&Principe, Marroco, India, China, Brazil, etc...
there's a whole programm during the day with theatre, dance and circus performances, and also debates about the laws for immigrant people, ethnic minorities associations, racial discrimination, etc...
Terrakota also spoke on behalf of that, like immigrants' rights, racial and gender discrimination, against the abuse of power, etc...they have a new song that speaks about respecting women which I liked a lot...they also encouraged people to get united and fight for good causes, being more aware and involved in political decision making, like being more active in protests for instance...


If they keep going like this, I believe they will make so much more "noise" in this country...
check them out by clicking in this title...maybe they will play somewhere near you as they are touring all over the world...
they have a dream to go around Africa touring...and they are also willing to play for free for charity projects, like helping the poor and needed...they are not rich themselves, but they have a very rich heart :-)... if you can help them, or know someone who can, just get in touch with them :-) ... invite them if you're into organizing events in behalf of good causes :-) , they would accept it for sure...


Bless them Jesus !!! and thanks for keeping the clouds away yesterday :-) !!!

dOeS tHiS LoOk LikE mOviNg oUt ?!!!

Yah, I am moving... it feels nice to pack all my things and stay with my back pack only...
My room is still a mess, but there's not much things left... I don't have much as well, which is nice :-)... but too many papers I need to look over and throw away...that feels nice as well...
I'm not posting much these days coz I really wanna be packed as soon as possible as I'll be out of my flat in the end of June...
I'll move to the Borden's, my lovely family, and stay there till the 17th when I'll start travelling...
This will be an amazing time, to live with the Borden's again :-), even if it's just for 2 weeks...
Jesse, the oldest son is back from California where he's studying... I missed him so much... They're all amazing !!! I love them !!!

preach it Bono !!!!

here's the video of the speach I mention on a post below about Bono...
worth to listen...

wOrKiNg 4 GoD...or LiViNg 4 GoD ?!!! lets meditate...

I've noticed too many times lately that people refer to my life in Lisbon as "work"...and I just feel I need to write something about it, because I feel there's something with these words I don't identify with... well, people have been asking me things like "- so, how's your work doing in Lisbon? ", or, when I say I'm going to leave Lisbon this summer, people say "- And how was the work, was it good?"... What can I say?...one day someone asked me "- so, do you have more people with you already? ", and I couldn't answer...What is this all about ?!!! what kind of mindset? it sounds so foreign to me...It just doesn't fit...at least in my mind...

some people are coming over to Lisbon and tell me "- Hey, I'd like to see your work !!! "

I seriously don't know what to answer...or what to show... I mean, do they want to meet my friends, the beggars I meet on the streets, the prayers I write on my walls... I don´t know...

Some want to help in my "ministry", and I can only say "- well, I can show you the bars, where young people hang out, maybe there's a nice party or concert coming, etc..."... I really don't know how to deal with this...

For me it is good enough if people come to visit and enjoy the city and pray for what comes in their hearts :-) !!! And I had many guests this year :-)

All this made me think...Am I working for God, or living for God ?!! I'm definitely LIVING... and I don't see my life as work, or a job... is prayer work? is listening work? maybe it is...

How do you see yourself ?! Are you working for God, or living for God ?...

I know I don't have a "job"... And that might be where it gets tricky to explain... I don't have a salary in the end of the month, I just trust God will provide my needs through other people's offerings... and it so happens... in many people's minds they think "she works for God", so that they will not tend to think "she does nothing in life"... Hummmm... I'm also speaking about other christians here , who should see things with other perspectives besides the world's...

It might come down to "titles"... if I would say "Im a nun", people would get it, but that often implies being connected with institutional church, and I´m not...
Well, for me, I live to serve God and I live on behalf of others...my time, gifts and talents God has given me, I try the best way to use them on behalf of others... That's what I "do", I guess... I try to love God and to love others with God´s help...
it's even hard for me to know when I need to stop and have time for myself, because I have no schedule, and God is not bossing me around :-)... some days I "work" too much, I even don't eat properly or on time...other days I feel I'm lazy because I'm not DOING anything specifically, or I'm just resting (most of he times is the world's mindset speaking these things)... The discipline of rest is not easy...
Yesterday I was telling a friend I was going to Israel in the summer and she told me " What a good life you have!!! " (with a sound of envy )... And that's true, I really love what I do with my life and what I experience, especially because I love people and I love traveling... many people would love to do a lot of things I do, but they would not be willing to live the way I live as well... like not knowing I will have enough money for the month and need to wait and trust in God with donations ... a lot of people don't like to depend on others as well,and I think that's the main issue for a lot of people... that's the most common thinking nowadays...everyone wants their independence (even christians are seeking these things...security in our terms).... as for me, I've been dependent on God and others all the time...and I ´m not saying it´s easy but I really appreciate it because it's also a way for me to be accountable for what I do with my life and the money that is given to me... I'm not boasting here, but a lot of people don't think about this part of the story... A lot is exhausting as well, not having a regular place to stay, not having familiar people around for a long time is lonely sometimes...And i'm not even mentioning the spiritual part of it, the many struggles, etc...
sometimes I make the mistake of hearing the "world's" voice and what it dictates, and I start to shake and doubt... I start thinking " I really do nothing...what am I doing anyway?!!"... But when I listen to God I hear "You are my child and I'm proud of you...I will provide all your needs" ... That's the Truth I hold on to...And everything I might do will have to come out of that : WHO I AM... and what I feel called to do
I worked as a gardener last year for 6 months ( my only proper "job" in my life I have to confess, and it was only a formation from the employment centre :-)... before I only sold handicrafts on the streets and had a few occasional short season jobs... When I was in Angola and became a follower of Jesus I voluntarily served full time with an NGO and there I learned with my mentors what it was to "live by faith" in this area of finances...it was really scary, but now I get it... I´m not just asking people to support me, I´m giving people the opportunity to participate in the things I do in my life and the people I help without asking money for it ...being a gardener was a great experience, but after I came from my travels last year God told me to live full time in service... and I can see why, because doing a lot of things I do I need to be available all the time... to be with people when they need, to network a lot lately, and that implies traveling, e.mailing, etc...
I also don't agree with the term "working full time for God" (here we go with the "working" word again), because there's no such thing... we are ALL called to LIVE full time for God...even if you have a paid job, you LIVE for God right there... and God uses you right there...
and if you think during the week you are working for your boss and maybe on weekends you are working for God when you volunteer to DO something "in church" (I'm using here people's terms I don't agree with), you better think about it then...Is that true ?!!!
We, westerners, tend to divide everything... God is in one box, work is in another box, family in another, leisure time another,and of course drinking beer cannot be in the same box as God, so we need to make another one for that... isn't that what happens in our western human minds ?!!! I don´t like beer, but we can even see in Jesus life how drinking wine and being with God go well together... eh, eh...

WE SHOULD SEE GOD IN ALL THE SPHERES OF OUR LIFE, BECAUSE OUR LIFE IS A WHOLE, AND GOD IS EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME...

Maybe this mindset is the same that makes us think about " Doing church", or "going to church", instead of "BEING the church"...
In the gospel of John 15:12-17, Jesus say:
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit and —fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."

This is everybody's calling, isn't it ?!!...To Love each other as Jesus Loved us...and for me that is to live on behalf of others...Knowing that God calls us friends and The Spirit of God is the one who shows us how to Love, and makes us able to Love...

So, going back to my question in the beginning (sorry this is getting too long, but I'm meditating myself on this now as well), how can I answer something like "How is your work doing in Lisbon? " , when all I do is about relationships? It's about loving others, despite the way I express that love... it´s inspiring others maybe... sometimes it is serving others, and then it's easier to say something that I did, but most of the time it's not visible...
I'm glad I don't have to present "numbers" and facts like many peoplel "need" for their organizations or supporters, because I wouldn't know what to "report"... I had to do something the other day that was a bit funny if I consider everything I'm writing now... I had to write a plan of my "ministry" for 2007...this is because somehow I was invited to be part of this national christian group of leaders, representing the "Emerging generation and Urban Tribes" (whatever!!!), and we have to present this to another European Organization who are supporting us...but worst than that was that I had to present a budget for it :-) ... I couldn't really... I had to tell them I cannot really separate my life from my "ministry", so I presented my basic needs to live and do some things I do ( I basically present them my estimate phone and internet bill, plus traveling expenses)... how can I know when a phone call is part of my "ministry" or not if my "ministry" is my life ? what about if I take a train to go to the beach?! Maybe if I speak with someone in the train or at the beach is considered "work", if not is just personal leisure...it's even sick to think this way... I hate the way a lot of christians see people as projects or goals of their "minitries"...I could never think about my friends or any other people I meet as part of my "work"...And should I include my food expenses, because unless I'm fasting I do need to eat to keep this body going :-)... I'll have no house next year, so I don't need to pay rent :-), that helps... and thank God I never got sick and need a doctor... only the dentist I had to spend some money... all this to say, my budget is quite low...
I understood their part and their good intention to support my service but it´s like we speak different languages ... I guess I was not of much help to them :-) oh well, sorry guys... maybe this is part of the "emerging mindset" that we all need to get used to... or is it just me :-) ?

cHeCk tHiS oUt...

"He went crazy", that's what many people say... it seams that the "lunatics" are increasing in the world :-)... or maybe the world needs to start admiting that Jesus is really The Truth that sets us all free :-)...
Brian "Head" Welch was the guitar player of a famous band called "Korn" (really good band for those who are into New Metal stuff)... he was into drugs and totally hopeless, his wife left him alone with their daughter...he could only think about suicide... till he had his personal encounter with Jesus :-)... and Hope came...and a new life came... Now he went to India where he spends most of his time with his daughter and 215 more kids that he adopted :-) Check out the web by clicking the title :-) God is doing amazing stuff around... things that hardly show in the news... well, actually CNN made a nice cover of his testimony... But there's so much more we don't know :-)