WinDs oF cHaNgE...

It's only been 2 weeks since I came back but it seems like so much has happened already...

I'm still in the winter season, so I´m still a bit more introspective...
Let me try to share some of the latest news around here at the Mount of Oaks...

Today I almost finished the main structure of our prayer shelter...This is how I found it (picture below) when I came back... 

It was a bit sad to realise that the wind blew the roof cover away, and nobody did anything about it... For me this is such a central and vital place of the community I want to live with... And if we don´t care about our place of prayer, what does it say?

This is a place for anyone to have a retreat with God, a place to hide sometimes, a place to seek comfort, wisdom, peace, joy, a place to seek God together with others... yes, for me this is the place from which all the other things will emerge... 

I felt as I came back that something in the air was different...I couldn't tell exactly what it was, but something has changed... and maybe this image is a reflection of it...

We met together the day after I arrived and I was surprised to hear some things I heard... I still don't know where those things came from, or if they were always there, but hidden... In the end I was glad things got cleared... 

we had a discussion about the vision of this land, and some were not totally agreeing with what was posted on the new blog ... 

I didn't want to sound arrogant, but I had to remember everyone when some months ago  I shared about the vision and everyone agreed... when I posted it on the new blog , nobody said anything, and while I was away the ones who stayed decided to change things without consulting me... That was strange, because I always open things in our circle and now I don´t seem to be included in their decisions... This didn't feel good to me, because there was no transparency... 

Now they were saying they are not so comfortable with the initial vision and they wanted to change it to fit theirs...

Anyway, I don't want to go into details here, but in the end it was obvious that there were some important pillars, like the spiritual aspect and hospitality, that they wanted to change in a way I could not agree with.

Of course our decisions are made in a circle and hopefully we get consensus, but in this case there was a pillar that is already part and foundation of the history of this place.

Of course the vision or call for this place will get clearer and some things may change according to the ones who compose it, but some things are foundational, and if we take those, we are then trying to build something different... And that´s ok, but it´s not here...

This is not only a place to develop a permaculture design for our own benefit... This is a place primarily of prayer too. regenerate land, yes, but also people whom we will be here to serve... Something very strongly in me was telling me not to take that away from the vision for this place... as it would become something very different from what I believe God wants... This was all very tricky and very hard to say, but I felt at this moment I had to stand for what I believe it was put in my heart and hands to do here. I really hate to impose my ideas on others, but this I have it clear in me, and I was praying before this conversation I felt God telling me I was to stand firm...

 In the end Josh and Rosie said they would like to go to some other friend's land in the Algarve, as their vision is more to live in a permaculture farm with a few friends, and not having the constant flow of people as we have here... I totally understand and support them in their choice, and I would not like that anyone who lives here would not really fit in the vision for this community... Hospitality being one of the most important things we'd like to offer... welcoming the strangers and weary wanderers whenever they show up... Of course we need boundaries to protect ourselves, and I´m sure we will receive the wisdom to do so along the way...

This is a permaculture farm, yes, but it´s not only that... It´s to be a monastic community, or a spiritual community if you prefer, but not bound to any religious order and also not exclusive to any particular path, but with unity, respect and common ground between us all... From the start we say this land is God's (as the whole Earth is), and it was dedicated to  the Spirit of Christ, and this same Spirit is ALL inclusive (even though people might try to confuse "Christ" with "Christianity" or "Christians" )... we might be exclusive when we say we want to develop permaculture and not other kind of intensive agriculture, but we'll also include all other sorts of ideas and ways to care for the earth as long as it's respectful and not harming...

BEING INCLUSIVE AND AT THE SAME TIME DISTINCTIVE OR PARTICULAR, has been a question in my mind since then... I believe we can be both... we don't exclude anyone, but because of some particular values, or pillars in the vision for this place, some people might feel excluded, but not for being themselves... 

We are all free to live as we want and where we want, but if I go and join a place where there is already a foundation, I will only build on top of it and not try to change the foundation... Anyway, this could develop in a nice philosophical discussion, but it will not be here...

Ton also shared a desire in his heart to live in a smaller place with 4 or 5 people who would vow to live in total silence, except for some reflection seasons where they would have some teaching or something along these lines... Interesting!!! I encouraged Ton to go for it...

I think something that´s very important in a community is that people know what they want, and follow it... and not try to drag others along...

It became clear to me, and hopefully to all the others, that each one had a different vision afterall, and we were not to impose or try to change what was already part of the DNA of this place. 
I surely don't want to drag anyone to live here if they don't share the same call... those who desire the same will come and the land will call...

I believe this vision, as any that stands the test of time, is God's, and we can only see a glimpse of it... If this is God´s, it will stand the test of time and God will call those who will share the same dream... Of this I'm sure... I´m not building anything, I´m discovering along the way what God has in mind... And I´m looking forward to finding out...

Since that day I have these words in my mind..."winds of change"... and the WIND keeps blowing... and it's a season to let The Wind bring the change... 

As I re-build the prayer shelter I keep thinking this : "BUILD WITH STRONG FOUNDATIONS"... 

I'm planning a more stable prayer shelter, stronger, and hopefully it will last a bit more than a year... I like when things don't last long anyway, but a bit less waste and maintenance would be good... I can´t afford much anyway... 

My house needs some attention as well... This is my next project...

It really needs fixing... renewed... and strong foundations...

Maybe a green roof... and a bath place inside would be amazing !

I'm just waiting for Peter to move from the guest room (he's building a shelter for himself) so I can stay there while I rebuild the roof of the house... I want to finish the prayer shelter first, of course, but I hope I can have my roof ready before the permaculture course...

Speaking about Peter...he's a very nice and friendly man who arrived 2 weeks or so ago... he came from Germany on a bike until the south of France and then he hitchhiked after a truck smashed his bike...He's staying until April and then he will keep going on the road to Italy... one of those pilgrims we are so blessed to welcome here and offer shelter...

Line is back as well... here cleaning Zebrita's feet... she was just waiting to sell Zebrita and go to France to join a "Christian Community" where she met a good old friend... but this week she found out that her friend is coming here with his horse... so, it might take 5 months until he arrives... Line asked me if she could stay and she will not sell Zebrita yet...

Of course that would be no problem...
Nonolito will be very happy about that too...It 's so nice that Line is back here, and we're having such cool times praying together and having lots of questions about the Bible and Jesus...

Actually , we (me, Line, Carly, Ton, Jared, Peter and Darek) have been having really cool meditative prayer times each morning... at the moment we use the big bus until the prayer shelter is ready... 

Once again I see how this is so important and creates such a special bond between us all... Of course we can have fellowship with people in so many other ways, or our own time with God...but there's something special when we pray together...One in mind, heart and Spirit... this is where we see each other's hearts, and where God's heart is shown through each one, in each one...

Anyway... most of the days so far have been cold or rainy, with some nice sunny days, but not many...
this gives us more time for indoor activities, like Carly making this amazing basket... or many other stuff we can entertain ourselves with in the big bus...we can even make fire inside and stay warm, so that is inviting !!!

Oh, and look how much snow we've been having...

Twice now, each time for 1 or 2 days, we had the mountains around us covered with snow... it actually snowed in the land, but not enough to stay for long... sooooo beautiful !!! This is quite rare here in this age , that's why it's so amazing for us !!! People around say it used to be more frequent...

Nature inspires us...Nature calls us to retreat... Nature calls us to gather and get cosy around the fire... Nature calls us to reflect and contemplate... Nature calls us to admire... Nature calls us to change... Nature calls us to move on... Nature is never static...
neither are we.. we are like the Wind...

sOLidaRiTy FaSt FoR ZiMbAbWe, tHiS sUnDaY

I just signed this petition to fast for Justice in Zimbabwe THIS SUNDAY...
Kumi Naidoo, a South African activist in his eighth day of a 21-day hunger strike, has recorded a video appeal for Avaaz members worldwide to join the protest by pledging to fast this Sunday, when he will speak to the African Union summit about Zimbabwe's crisis. 

If thousands of us fast, our actions will give power to his words.
Kumi Naidoo is choosing to fast all these days, but when he went to Zimbabwe during Christmas, he met many people who don't even have that choice.
Let´s remember those...
Let´s not only fast to join the hunger strikers, but lets also pray that God may bring Justice to these loved brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe.
And here are the words of Isaiah in chapter 58 for us all to meditate on ...maybe during fasting this sunday :


"3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.

4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?

6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
"

PeRmAcULtUrE cOuRsE ...cOmiNg sOoN...

Soon we're going to host a

PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE

FROM the 28th MARCH - 5th APRIL.
This is a 72 hour course, spread over 9 intensive days of practical experience and learning the principles, methods and applications of permaculture, sustainable land design and growing.

The course will be led by Lesley Martin, a teacher with twenty years teaching experience.

It will cost 150 EUROS including food and camping so BRING A TENT AND SLEEPING BAG.
We will need your confirmation and a 50 euro deposit until the 1st of MARCH, so that we can confirm the number of attendees and see if we have enough people to run the course.
Don´t miss out on this GREAT OPPORTUNITY because usually this course is much more expensive. We want to cover the costs and pay for the amazing teacher we are bringing, but we want this course to be available to as many people as possible and not only those who can afford what is currently available. 


WE'D ALSO NEED SOME 3 OR 4 VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH COOKING, AS ALL OF US HERE WILL ATTEND THE COURSE... THAT WOULD BE AMAZING !!!

SO IF YOU FEEL LIKE HELPING ON THIS WAY LET US ALSO KNOW TILL THE 1ST OF MARCH.
THANK YOU SO MUCH...

Please contact us for more information:
- by posting in our new blog
- by calling to our house phone : (00351) 275561057
- by calling my mobile phone : (00351) 965429083

nEw bLoG...

Just for all of you to know that the new blog from the land is
http://www.mount-of-oaks.blogspot.com (click on the title of this post)
and not anymore www.nurturingournature.blogspot.com...

We had some conversations lately with the ones who live here and some don't really feel comfortable with the whole vision, so we decided to change this name because Josh and Rosie who have been living here decided that they want to start a different kind of community and they would like to keep the blog name for their own personal blog...

NEW SEASON... Lets hold on to our ROOTS...

fAmiLy...iT's whErE oUr hEarT iS...

I had a great time with Emma in Ireland last month... getting to know her beautiful friends in Belfast and her family who live in a farm they call Annahavil, near Cookstown in county Derry... I could experience a "proper" Irish Christmas, and meet part of her family... they are great, very hospitable and making sure I was welcomed and feeling included ... I felt at home and among family with them...
After that, we went to the Land in Portugal to spend the new year with another family... the one we choose to belong to...

It was nice to be back home, to see Rosie and Ton...Josh was in the Algarve visiting his mum and Carly was in Lisbon with her family... Jared was also back there, Julia and little Anna came from Germany with Birger... Hajo and his sister Monique also came from Germany but left the day after we arrived... Darek from the Czech Republic has been there since the beginning of December... and Emmanuel came from Sweden with 2 other friends...
It was a nice group from "the wider family"  ...

It was raining most of the time and the roof of my house was broken in some parts, so I had to fix it a bit to stop some rain from dripping inside... It felt so good to be back in my little cozy hut... I'm looking forward to starting to build it soon ...

I didn't do much the 3 days I was there because I only stayed in the "landing" stage and I didn't get time to "settle"... It was nice to chat with most of them at different times... most of the days I hardly left my house because people would come by and we'd just stay in nice conversations...

Nobody had great plans to celebrate the New Year, we were all feeling like having a nice and relaxed evening in each other's company... and that's what we did... Birger,  though, got excited for some fire show, so they all brought the fire equipment out and we had a nice time watching them...














After a nice show we didn't stay up so late, because we had a loooong ride the following day... 2700km to be precise...

Me and Emma were still wondering how we would get to Berlin to meet the other part of the wider family... we thought about hitch-hiking, but I'm glad Julia came up with another idea...

"- Why don´t you drive my car, drop Birger in Karlsruhe, and she could get the ride Birger arranged for himself"... This sounded crazy, and extremely generous of Julia, but it made sense and it would work out for everyone...

In a record time of one and a half days, we drove around 1800 Km from the land in Portugal to Biesenthal, north Berlin... Where there was minus 12 degrees...

But it was definitely worth it... we were again with family...

This is a special one ... our "nomadic family"... we all met at different times in different places or travelled together... we share many memories and many common dreams together...

we pray for one another...

we encouraged one another in hard times and celebrated the good times..

we supported each other in our lives, passions and dreams...

we cried and laughed with one another many times...
And this was another time like this... another memory created...

It was nice to hear how everyone was doing at the moment, to hear the things each one is involved in... what are some of our dreams and expectations... what are difficulties and challenges...

what are our pains and struggles... and after listening to one another, we would pray for one another...

and God would come in our midst, around us and inside each one of us doing the part that only The Spirit of God can do...

what a precious thing it is , to belong to a FAMILY ...

After 5 days I came back to Portugal... it was time to come back to the Land, and I'm really looking forward to this new season...

I'm not there yet... I'm also with my blood family, here in the Algarve, where my sister Edna lives now with Paulo, Pamela, the twins Joshua and Nelson, Rute, Paulo's sister in law, and Mafalda, her daughter...

I went this morning to a Christian gathering where I also met Sarita, with whom I lived in Lisbon, Rodrigo, Zeza, Rafa and Rania, a beautiful family who is also my family...

It was nice to be away all this time...the longest in these last 2 years...it was nice to be without responsibilities for a while... without the need to think about what needs to be done...

This was a time also to gain perspective and see more of what it's ahead of us in this new season...
As I said, I'm excited to start building my house. I guess after 2 years it's time to care for my own shelter, my nest... But I heard the prayer shelter was also destroyed by the storms, so I would like to build that first... For me it is a priority for us to have a place to be with God, The Bigness... a place to retreat... a place to shelter... a place to hide... a place to "date" with God...
I'll see...

We also hope to have fewer visitors the following months until the permaculture course in March (check out our new blog if you're interested), so we can also have more time for ourselves and for one another... to grow closer as a family who are living at this physical place at this moment...

I feel so rich to have such a varied and beautiful family spread all over the world...
Some people spend their whole lives storing money and possessions in order to feel rich and secure... and they spend so much of their time "making" money, and sometimes they end up not having time for family... we can see a lot of that during Christmas season... people spending lots of money on presents, but not really spending their time with those who are close to them...

Sometimes TV takes the place of family and consumes all the time people could have together... How sad is that ?!!! anyway, I don't want to develop this here...

As for me, I want to keep storing those I love in my heart... where my family is... that's what makes me feel rich and secure...I know I'll never feel alone... That is for me, to be rich...
I feel so blessed !!!
Thank you God...

I feel tired though, from all the travelling and constant being with people around... I might be changing and losing my nomadic predisposition as I used to be... I'm looking forward to accepting Jesus' invitation when He said : " Come to me, all those who are tired...and I will give you REST" ... I need to get back to my shantii rhythm again... with my quiet and solitude times ... all we need is balance !!! There is time for everything !!!

and here is just a funny contrast...showing how fast were the changes lately...
here's me at minus 15 degrees Celsius in Biesenthal...

and me with 12 positive in the Algarve...

I definitely prefer the warmth if I can choose...