pRaYeR rOoM LaUnChEd...

We launched the prayer room on Sunday at 9pm... it has been amazing... I haven't been having much time to stop and write but I hope after this week I'll have some days for that... Meanwhile I just wanted to post some pictures and give thanks to God for all that is already happening...Me, Ton and Marcia spent some days "transforming" the class room into a cosy place of prayer... I love doing that... I don't know what it is...
but it just feels good to prepare an environment for people to be in the presence of God... finding intimacy... finding rest... finding freedom... finding Joy... finding GOD...being touched by God's Love and led by His Spirit to pray...

we were praying before that people would get involved... and it was amazing to see a bunch (more than 10 I guess) of old ladies arriving at the school door at 5pm, ready to come in the prayer room... I could just smile , but I had to say that it would start only at 9... they went to have a look of course..."Oh, it's so beautiful", they commented... :-)



At 9 we came, me and Ton, while the others were on their way walking... and there they were, the same old ladies, and some more, waiting already...we went up, I explain the idea of the prayer room and read the things we wrote as most of them cannot read nor write... they were sharing with me before how they would love to know how to read, but unfortunately on those times they didn't really had opportunities to study... with 7 years they were already working in the fields...

I asked them to sing the "Our Father in Heaven..." as they sing at mass, and that's how we started, then I made a prayer and just sat on the floor with the guitar and worshipped... I closed my eyes and couldn't dare to open them anymore... I just felt lots of people coming in and out... I felt the room was getting full... around 11pm I stood from my place to drink some water...the old people were still there, there were younger people, children... I could see the peace and amazement in people's faces... some people came to me saying how they liked it and giving thanks...

I thank God, cuz only He could make it happen the way it happen... it was a beautiful beginning... Ton said next day that there were probably more than 100 people who came by...the Mayor came as well and sat in front of the wall where all the paints are...he made a heart and wrote "PAZ e AMOR" (peace and love)... so sweet !!!
Now it's the 3rd night and I'm here alone... my heart is filled with thanksgiving and joy... many more people arrived today and the walls of the room are getting filled with beautiful prayers from many open hearts...
It's been also nice to be downstairs at the door as people come in and ask about the room... I've been having really cool conversations with people I never spoke before...
well, I could share many more things that already happen, but I'll write more latter...I'm ready to be alone with God again...
God is here in this place !!! and not only here, but His Spirit is flowing out :-)...

pRayEr & sErViCe wEeK...

We're almost ready for our week of prayer and service in the village of Povoa de Atalaia... this year we'll have new components and we're organising all things together with the Mayor, which is bringing a whole new dynamic to it... we're having the rainbow people who are here willing to help and also excited with the event...some will go to the "Boom Festival first", so I believe it will be a bit like a "cultural shock" for those, eh, eh, eh :-)

So, the whole week will happen in the village...the 24/7 prayer room will be hosted in the Primary School...we also shared with the local priest and he liked the idea, so, hopefully we'll have many young people from the catholic fellowships coming...
from monday till friday we'll be serving the village in different ways, like cleaning the woods from trash, arranging the village little garden's and maybe painting the village Hall...we'll have our meals there as we'll be able to use the kitchen in the village Hall... On the weekend comes the different components : we'll have a "Social Fair" with different portuguese organizations who are focused on areas like "poverty"(OIKOS), "fair trade"(COOPLANETA), "Ecology"(GAIA) and "Immigration & Racism"(SOS Racismo)...we're also having a stand from the "Mount of Oaks Community" and Ton will present the "Sewa Ashram" as well... Josh and Rosie might have a stand as well with "Permaculture" informations...
There will be seminars on these areas too , and I'm curious how people will respond to this as it is something new on this region...

We'll have some workshops as well, of circus, graffitti and basket making... in the night we'll have some traditional music concerts and performances... and of course, food and drinks throughout the night...
It's gonna be fun... and I hope in any way people will be touched and transformed...
That through all these things people might be challenged, awaken and moved to share with others...
That's our hope!!!

if any of you are interested to come, here are the directions from a last year post...or you can just come to Povoa de Atalaia cuz we'll be there most of the time...look for the village hall or the "Ringue" (soccer concrete space) ...bring a tent and sleeping bag to camp at the Mount of Oaks :-)...Bring Joy, a servant heart and lots of Love :-)

mY SisTeR aNd nEpHeWs cAmE 2 VisiT...

These are already old news, but anyway, I had it written but had no time to upload pictures :-/...it's been kinda busy these weeks, and too hot to be seating in front of the computer...sorry !!!
Anyway, Edna, Pamela, Mafalda, Joshua and Nelson came for a few days visit...it was so nice to have them over...Joshua and Nelson got soooo big since last time I saw them...so sweet too :-),,,yes, I'm a proud aunt :-)
so, here´s just some pictures...


they love water...you can tell :-)...here's Joshua "helping me"...

both having a bath in a bucket :-)

we found out that's the kind of hat Joshua likes...just like her aunt :-)...Look at him, so cute !!!

so, tomorrow I hope to post about the prayer week that is about to come...

PEACE...