nO tiMe 2 bLoG, sOrRy...

I have so many things to share, but recently I haven't got the time to sit and post on my blog, mainly because many things have been happening...

My computer´s battery is hardly holding any charge, so I have to come our "power house", this little cement cabinet, 5 minutes behind our land... it's a blessing that our neighbor Aquiles gave us the key and permission to use it to charge our electric devices, but is not the most comfortable place to sit and write for a long time... it´s usually not a problem for me, but recently, in the end of each day I'm really tired of physical and emotional work...

I'm taking part of the day to do this... it is a rest for me to remember and process things that have passed

...so, I'll be doing that as I share it with you...




After my last posted, I went on a small trip to the Islands of UK to meet some friends who are part of a network called SPEAK ... a beautiful group of friends, mainly students, activists in behalf of different justice issues, free spirits, artists, prophets, nonconformists, peacemakers, active children of God... 

I arrived at the end of the "dance for Justice" party on saturday night... Jo was at the door and she welcomed me in...I immediately felt at home, after a looong day journeying on buses, metros, trains and plane... but it was all worth it in order to see so many familiar faces I've known since my "tour" in Europe in 2005... Emma was there of course as she was quite involved with Louise from the start... I would go to Belfast afterwards, so I knew I would have more time to catch up properly after this...

When I came in, people were chilling out on couches, others having nice conversations, others dancing, others sleeping.... here in my very bad picture is Louise, who started this network, and Mike Love giving a workshop on prayer and repentance... It was nice to see Mike, even for a short while...we had a nice conversation on economics and "leadership" in communities, even though none of us like the word "leadership" in particular... 

He's a common friend of the Winters, the lovely family on the other side of the mountains that I´m often visiting now... Mike was the connection and I'm so blessed for his initiative... I wish Mike comes to visit one day...
It was nice to see Brother Tom from Scotland and get to know Hannah... Lucy was there too...they actually made a "talking circle" about the land the day before, and many people got interested... Patrice from Poland was another surprise to see, and the Dutch guys, Rik and Gerrard, who did a wonderful job with multimedia and music as they often do...they are amazing!

It was nice to see Hannah Housman and meet her husband Johny, and to share a bit about the land...they may come for the permaculture course, but they are still not sure...

It was a nice day, hanging out with friends, listening to good workshops, and simply being...
The day after it finished we had a nice "after party" hang out with those who were still around... I had a wonderful sleep at the Speak office and a rested morning in a nearby park... 

In the afternoon a few of us went to an alternative place called "passing clouds"...amazingly decorated as you can see a bit on the picture... we shared what we're involved in at the moment in our lives, we shared songs and poems, we welcomed "strangers" in our circle, and shared a bottle of Port wine that I brought with me... a feast of friends !!! Louise suggested taking me to eat some curry downtown, and of course I wouldn't refuse it... I had a bus to the airport at 11.30pm , so me and Louise hung out a bit more after dinner in a nice cafe, the same where I met her last time I was in London... we had nice conversations, as always...

Next morning I was flying to Belfast to visit Emma... she was not in such good form, and I was concerned with her...I mainly wanted to be with her, pray with her and support her... At the same time I arrived, another friend of hers also arrived from Manchester... it was perfect...Mareka, is a Dutch woman who is living in Manchester for 20 years now, knowing that that is the place God wants her to be... a gentle and wise woman with a heart to pray... we had a lovely time together, sharing lives and praying for one another... isn't it beautiful to be part of the family of God ?!

I had a lovely time in Belfast with Emma and some of her new friends... It was nice to meet Miriam, who will come for the permaculture course... they have been farming a piece of wasted  land between building blocks in the middle of Belfast, and they have lots of dreams to impact the city and hopefully challenge people to live life in a different way... even within a city context... it was nice to go out for a "pint", and listen to their dreams...

After a few days it was time to get back to the land, and keep on the work I was doing with the prayer shelter...

I knew that "going back" was not only about working...was mainly about being with those God has brought to this place at this time...
while I was in Belfast I got an e.mail from Ton, who was a bit disturbed with some things that were going on... It was not a surprise for me, as I was already feeling that could happen... I was wondering why these kind of things come up every time I go away... it makes me sad, and makes me question what might be the reason...

we had a "talking circle" the day after I arrived, and I expressed my sadness to everyone... I had 2 thoughts : each person needs to realize who they are in the community and which are their individual roles...for me, the strength of a community is when each individual lives up to who they are... and if they don´t know yet, that should make that their priority....people need to realize that they need to play their role in order for the community to function, and the absence of one part cannot disturb so much the function of the whole... I know I have an "overseeing" role, and I'm also aware we are in a very pioneering stage of laying foundations, but all other roles are as important as this... it's not about positions, but about functions... it´s the only way I see a body or a family functioning well...

The other thought I had was that some people might have a problem with the role I have here... whether I like it or feel comfortable about it, I am a leader... and this area is a problem to many... it´s a problem when people see it as a position, or imposition... it´s a problem when they never had good leadership models around them... it´s a problem when they might be projecting on me, the bad leaders they had experienced in the past ... this is a great problem... I have felt, and now I know how it led people to gossip and create factions among us... people were afraid to come and speak with me, so they started to speak on my back and make whatever assumptions they have of me, without giving me any chance to "defend" myself... 

it might be my problem as well, but then I don't understand why I would be a problem for some, but not for all...  I'm still processing all this... I´m still learning...and there's so much to learn...

We´ve spent the whole morning in our "talking circle" because I wanted to hear from each one what happened when I was away...

Sadly it was all because of bad theology being "preached" at the morning prayers by one person... besides that, there were false judgments and false accusations that needed to be cleared out... people got hurt and there was a need for forgiveness... the first step was made during that morning, but more needed to be made the following days...

All this became a bit exhausting... but needed...
It was all around a new couple who came... they sincerely wanted to follow Christ, but the guy spent the last year in the "12 tribes" community in France, and that's where his theology comes from, unfortunately... Their theology is based on a very literal interpretation of the Bible and in my opinion very bad... it´s  very legalistic and judgemental portraying an image of a strict and judgemental God and little of the Loving, Graceful, Merciful God we know... I respect all spiritual paths and cosmologies, but when it comes to those using the name of Christ, I´m a bit more aware because bad theology often drives people further away from God and their own liberation,than it drives people to God.

Any group, and there are many christians like that, who affirm that their way is the only way, I already raise my red flag...
We only know in parts and we can all learn with each other´s paths, but don´t try to force anyone to relate with God the same way you do... not even God demands that...

Some bad theology is really messed up and dangerous... this is actually a good example... this guy was quicked out of the "12 tribes", because he was in love with his girlfriend, and too busy in his mind with that... yet he believes, or was brainwashed to believe, that only in the "12 tribes" there is "salvation"... so, I don´t know what is in his mind... he wants this "salvation" that he thinks it can only be found on the place he was just kicked out from... very messy... we need to be critical of everything we receive as teaching... we need to test things, check with other trusted friends, and especially check if they align with the character of a loving and all-forgiving God. 

One of the main things that can cause division and faction within a community is when we start to think we are the only ones knowing the "truth"... our human nature tends to think that "we got it all", "now we know the right way", etc... this happens with most church denominations, movements, with most religions really... It´s even understandable when we find something that transforms our life for the better and we want to tell everyone about it... But we all have our path to make... we all need different things to work on in life... and maybe that´s why we are attracted or called by different deities, masters or wisdom in our particular lives...

I believe there must be many good things in the "12 tribes" communities, and they must have started with good motivations ( I guess it was to call out the church to be the church, and that´s not bad at all)... but when pride comes in and doors are opened for deceptions such as the one mentioned, that's when it becomes dangerous, and sometimes damaging for the life... When they lose the vision of the kingdom of God, from all nations,tribes and languages, when they separate themselves from the rest of the Body, thinking they are better than others, when they stop having the space to speak to the rest of the body as they intended to, when they don't give space to be confronted as well, then they are making the same mistake as many spiritual people make, seeing themselves as the "chosen ones", missing the point of it all... to be a blessing to all peoples, and not to be better than others... 

this is a problem of human kind... it's our problem if we let pride take control...

There were many other things that didn't sound like the God of Love we know... like believing that the holocaust was God's curse on the jews for killing Jesus (that was Hitler´s beliefs)...that we should obey human authorities even if they are against God (like killing others in wars, like obeying Hitler to kill jewish people, etc...)...

Most of the "preachings" were totally out of context,and so far away from Jesus´ teachings of forgiveness, non-violence and all-inclusive love... There was too much speaking (or preaching) and not much willing to listen to other opinions...

this kind of theology and bad use of the Bible is what has been leading many christians throughout history to support slavery, racism, wars, homophobia, anti-semitism, gender inequality, etc...

I feel we are to stand against this as followers of Jesus, the friend of the poor, the oppressed, the ones who suffer all sorts of injustice in this world... Jesus, who proclaimed freedom for all, who is always on the side of the oppressed, the one who claims no accusation against us... This is The Jesus I want to follow... The One who accepts us the way we are, and daily transforms us into who we will become...

Anyway, we learned a lot during these days, even though it was exhausting...we learned about the way of forgiveness...we learned about unconditional love... we learned about confronting the truth with Love... and most of all, we learned about God's sovereignty... it's not up to us to judge... only God sees the heart...

we do love this couple, and we know their hearts are sincere... that is what makes us sad with all this... they will leave us next tuesday... not because we told them to leave (I believe all those who are here are brought by God for a reason, so it's not up to us to invite anyone to leave...we just need to trust God)... The main reason they are leaving is because her grandmother died some days ago, and she wants to go and be with her sister...
Be praying for them... May they see the Light as they seek The Light...

Darek , our friend from Czech Republic, also left last monday... here he is helping me with the prayer shelter... it was so nice to have him with us... he's such a nice guy... he was really sorry he had to go...he almost cried when me and Jared took him to the bus station... But he wants to come back for the winter... he has a tea tent, and during the summer he goes around to many festivals with a "mobile community", another group of nonconformists called "GodArchy" ...they have reggae music, nice tea, coffee and other products fairly traded, and they also challenge people in issues of Justice and living a different life style not conformed to the world we live in... a convoy of "john the baptists" calling out people to "repent", which literally means "change your way of thinking" and live out differently, out of the oppressive system...

And here's Shiloh... isn't she cute ?!! And she knows it ... we started to call her "scar face", because she's always falling and getting scars... poor one... she's in that stage... she's lovely... she's the daughter of another lovely young couple, Chris and Amelie, who came from California to travel a bit and get a different perspective on their lifestyle... it was too much for them having Chris always working and not having much time for Amelie and baby Shiloh... Amelie was telling me how these few weeks since they have been here seem longer than the 1st year of Shiloh, when time seemed to fly away... They are such nice people, with such nice hearts...and it's wonderful to have a baby around... they want to travel some more before going back to the US, where they live... they are praying about what kind of life will they have back there... they would love to have a piece of land and live in community, but that is really expensive in California...anyway, they are praying, and I'm sure God will lead them... As we can testify with our experience, money is not a problem when things have to happen...

Amelie with Shiloh on her back, Stephi (on Nono's back ) who's also visiting again from Germany, and Dane...they all went shopping vegetables with the donkeys...it's always fun !!!

Here is Dane trying to make Zebrita move... by the way, before she left, Line gave away Zebrita to a man in Fundao who has more horses and one donkey... so, now we're left with Nonolito!

The prayer shelter has been my main work these days... I wanted to put the dirt on top before the permaculture course starts...it's not done yet, but at least the wind will not blow off the roof cover...

I still need to make this kind of edge all the way around... I only made it in the front so far...

It looks like a giant mushroom !
Jared helped me a lot, digging out the dirt from the floor and throwing it on the roof... that was hard work !

Ah!!! and here's our new car...a mitsubitshi pick up L200, from 1991... another blessing... it's perfect for the work we need to do here... Edna and Paulo (my sister and brother in law) lent me 3.500e to buy it this week, and I made the insurance for a year for 223e from the donations I received from some of you... the guy who made the insurance knew this car from the other owner and asked me how much I paid for it... when I said the price, he told me that it was a very good deal, because this car hardly have problems, and this one has not so many kilometers... it was previously from a hardware store who needed to have less expenses...they bought it new and never had big problems about it... I felt at peace, and I'm really glad with it... Now we can get many building materials that we will need for this year... 
I need to pay my sister back as soon as possible, and I also got some friends who would be willing to lend us some money for a year...
SO, if you would like to send some donations to pay it back, it would be much appreciated... let me know...

There's a group of 8 people coming from Germany with Simone, who was with us in the beginning...so, I might post about it next week...
And the permaculture course starts next saturday... it's going to be amazing... let me know if you still want to come... we can still have 3 more people to attend the course...

O.k, I'm off now... it was a delight to share all this with you, and process for myself all that has been happening around me...

well done for getting to the end of it...
Much Love

PEACE

Enjoy a good REST

TiMe 2 bUiLd ...

Spring is blossoming...and that gives me hope and reminds me of God's faithfulness, goodness, compassion and mercy...

These last months have been quite intense for me, in many aspects, that's why I've been so rubbish to post on my blog... 

As I said many times, it has been an introspective season, with lots of thinking, lots of writing in my personal journal which helps me to realize what's inside of my soul... I have a lot at the moment... I'm allowing God to permeate those rooms which are often locked or rarely opened... It's been good, but quite exhausting... 

building with my hands has been a good way to relieve my mind, or at least keep it busy in more practical things ...

you can check out here what I've been doing this last month since I came...
Actually I already mentioned in a previous post about the prayer shelter... It has been a delight to see it taking shape...I finished the structure yesterday, and I can't wait to put the cover and dirt on top of it...

It is very encouraging to work with my hands... to get calluses... dry hands... sweat and tiredness at the end of the day... it feels good... especially when I see the result of it every day... it's much different from the work in our souls... most of the time we have no idea of what is going on...
we see nothing changing... it even seems useless sometimes... but it takes time, for storms to pass or deserts to end, for us to realize how much we have grown, how much we've learned, how much we've changed...

That is God's work in us...I'm sure God is as delighted with that work in me as I am with mine... I'm sure God can see the results in me everyday, but at the moment I see nothing and sometimes I wonder what is really going on...

All that is left for me to do is to TRUST, and WAIT... God knows all my imperfections and S/He gently shows me where I could improve ... As for my work, it´s a bit different as sometimes I have no idea what I´m doing, I´m following instincts and allowing the process to teach me...

Coming out of the land for a bit...
I've had a very pleasant time at Moses with Vonny, Andrew and the kids, Elouise and Joshua... Actually I went there because of Joshua's birthday... I was actually "kidnapped" on friday to stay with the kids on saturday while Vonny and Andrew went to buy some presents for Joshua... On sunday we had a lovely quiet day, a nice fish for dinner and "marshmallows" for dessert... There was no open fire, so they cooked the marshmallow on candle lights...
Everything about it looked unhealthy...but hey, it was fun !!! we're still alive !!!

I was amazed by the work these guys have been doing by themselves... They had to leave "Bacelo", the first land they were living in with Peter And Sue, because of some disagreements ...It´s not the place and not worth it to go there now...

Anyway, they lived for a while in their neighbors' house in Amieira (the village up the hill), which was great, they said, to get to know more of the portuguese culture... I bet they did...
Finally, in December, they moved in to Moses as they finished restoring one of the future guest houses... It's beautiful !!!

Look at the nice windows and door ?! Vonny shared with me how that was a promise she made to an african friend... she asked her that, if one day she would have to buy wood to build something, that she should buy wood from Africa ( from a sustainably managed source and not from illegal logging)...  so she did... they bought this amazing beautiful African wood, finely worked by a local portuguese carpenter...

All the rest, they did it themselves... all the plastering inside the house, the wood work, repairing the roof...oh and the bath place... I forgot to take a picture...it's so beautiful and pleasant !!! with a boiler inside to make it really warm...

It hasn´t been easy though. They have been going through a lot these last months as well... And there they are, with joy and peace in their hearts... They know they are doing the right thing... what brings life into their hearts...

One more thing...
Our car is dead... Everyone tells me it's not worth repairing it, but anyway, I guess we need a car at the moment... and preferably one that we can use to work and carry stuff...

I've been looking for some second-hand pick-up's , and the cost goes between 2.500E, and 4000 Euros...
I'm sharing with friends to raise some support for that, and I already got someone willing to loan us some money for a year as they did to buy the land...
If you are willing to support me here to buy a car, let me know and I'll send you the details for bank transfer or paypal account...

Another thing I was almost forgetting... the time to send your inscription for the PERMACULTURE COURSE is until the 1ST of MARCH... don't miss this opportunity if you're really interested...

Bless you all

PEACE

IsRaeL aNd pAlEstiNe...WaLk aBoUt LovE...

I just got annoyed and sad with an e.mail i received to "vote for Israel"...
I respect the person who sent that to me, but I had to reply to check if he was in his good mind...sometimes we just don't think about what we're doing...specially when it comes to signing petitions on the internet...
so the e.mail goes like this:
" Please login to this to vote and consider forwarding this
> important message to your friends and colleagues
>> Apparently CNN is pushing a poll showing that 60% vs. 40%
> of Americans favor "Palestine" over Israel in the
> war in Gaza. We must respond with numbers and be heard. We
> must stand together. Thousands of these emails are going
> out across the world right now. Be a part of supporting
> Israel. See also the hateful messages being left if you
> need motivation to become involved. Please pass this to all
> concerned.If you have not already done so, please click on
> the link and then simply click on the Israeli
> flag..."

I was disgusted just by the language... who are "we" who are supposed to stand together?!!

Are these "hateful messages" the best motivation to get involved?!!! ... This makes me sick...

Shouldn’t WE (fellow human beings) be for PEACE and JUSTICE for all...?!!!

I’m not for "Israel", and I'm not for "Palestine"... I´m more protective of Palestinians simply because they are being oppressed and suffering injustice under the Israeli state for many years... The jewish God I know would also be for the oppressed, as always.

I have some good Israeli and Palestinian friends... And I love them all !!! And I'm sure they would love each other, if only they could meet together...
I’m for a reconciliation between brothers and sisters...for peace... If there is Hope for Heaven on Earth, there is Hope for this...

I’ll not read propaganda... I'm sure I can hear many hateful messages both from "Palestine" and "Israel" ... these might be nations (I'm not even going into that discussion here), but they are made by people like you and me... and so often people don't agree with their Governments... they are equally human beings, who suffer, who might feel injustice, who might feel anger sometimes, who might feel hatred, saying and doing horrible things to each other... 

Is it easy to forgive when we are wounded ?! Be honest !!! Both Israelis and Palestinians are tired of seeing terror, family members being killed, their land being stolen, etc... Would you easily forget and forgive if any of this would happen to you ?!!
What they both need is to forgive and heal... and maybe to have role models to help them, instead of a bunch of people, who probably know nothing about their reality, voting for one or the other...
In the end, they are both victims of fear...
We should not encourage this hate as children of God... as ministers of Peace and reconciliation...

Lets pray for Peace... Real PEACE that comes from FORGIVENESS... Not by man's power, not by armies or Government agreements... Not by propaganda of hate...
Let us pray that FORGIVENESS takes place... And for the best to be decided for both these peoples who suffered so much already... Lets pray for wisdom for those involved in the peace/reconciliation process... because this is too complex for me to figure out what is best to do...


Instead of focusing on the bad things that are happening, let us remember that there are good things...

This next March, it will start the Walk about Love 2009 in Israel ...starting from the south until the north...
a bit of their description:
" We aim to walk the entire length of the land of Israel from South to North , to show the rest of the world that it is possible for people of different races, colors and nations to understand each other. Gathering together with all of our different cultures and languages, we will share a demanding challenge.

A One Thousand Kilometer Walk In Three Months .
Our mission is to demonstrate that coming together in harmony is possible.
This protest is a heartfelt cry for connection and unity. We are but tourists passing through this world for a short time. Lets not waste our time.
Come together and enjoy a true connection as one human family – living, working, walking, singing and dancing together. The sharing of our beautiful differences towards the common goal of Global Brotherhood will enrich us all.

Walk About Love is firstly a universal musical festival featuring artists and musicians from all over the world. This exchange of musical cultures, we believe, will create a universal understanding. Dancing together we will learn to love and accept each other. "

...the "foolish" showing some wisdom to the so-called "wise" in this world...

May Palestinians be invited, (if possible for them to get in some territories) and welcomed ... May the message of Love be transmitted, that we can live together and love one another without fear, irrespective of our religious beliefs, our colour, our nation, etc...

This is the message we are to carry as children of GOD!!! The God of ALL Nations, peoples, tribes and languages !!! The I AM !!!

May God Bless us all...

SHALOM
SALAAM

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...

mOuNt oF oAks cOmMuniTy...tHe viSioN...

Finally,  after nearly 2 years living here, the time has come to define what this place is all about...what God has been putting in our hearts even before we came to know this place called "Mount of Oaks"... a vision that got matured with time, and I´m sure it will keep maturing...

I'm working on a new blog just for the land and the community as I feel it's already having a life of its own, and I'm not the only one anymore committed to stay for longer...

At the moment there is me, Ton (who was previously in India for 10 years, starting an Ashram in Delhi), Josh and Rosie (an english couple I met on a rainbow gathering who were looking for a piece of land to develop their knowledge on permaculture and live together with other people), Marcia (who's now in Mexico, but soon will come back), and Carli (who came to stay with us for 1 year, but is considering extending that time)...

Of course these are the residents at the moment, but I have to say that the community is beyond those who live here... we are developing relationships with the local village and there are many others who have been part of the life at Mount of Oaks and have been coming from all over the world...some visit regularly, some pray faithfully, and so many contribute to our "magic hat" to provide for our different needs...

we gathered recently when Emma and Juran were also visiting... they are definitely part of the larger community...

I presented the vision God had matured in my heart during these last years and everyone agreed with it, adding little details here and there to accommodate everyone´s desires... we thought it would be nice to share it with others and make a new blog for the community... Of course this is a draft and there are a lot of details missing... but I also trust the details will be given along the way...


THE VISION

a MONASTIC, LIFE GIVING, ECO-COMMUNITY

that's the title I put above the picture I draw...I'll explain each part of the picture soon, but I want to bring some ideas first about these 4 concepts :

MONASTIC - ...in the world, but not of the world...
... reaching a balance between prayer, work, rest & fellowship
... a holistic & organic vision, where everything plays its part in order to function as a whole...we can see things separately, but we cannot really separate one thing from the other...

LIFE GIVING - ...We are here to serve The Giver of Life, so we give and receive Life

ECO - ...LOGICAL...in harmony with all creation...

COMMUNITY - ...being a family... 
...inward and outward focused...
...caring for one another and those around...
...inclusive, and not exclusive...

Lets see the picture now and the different parts of it ...

 »THE ROOTS...THE FOUNDATION... what really sustains the whole vision...

PRAYER, SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN GOD :

*Daily & seasonal rhythms of prayer, fasting, meditation and contemplation
*A place for individual & community prayer (communion with God)
*A place to seek God's presence
*A place for rest & healing (body, soul and spirit)
*A place to pray for others
*Keeping a network of people who pray for the land and community

» THE TRUNK... what holds it...

THE CORE COMMUNITY OF LONG TERM NURTURERS :

*A place for intimate fellowship...being a family... open and loving
*A place to grow with each other in character (healing & Transformation)
*A place to find out more about who we are, developing our gifts and talents
*A place of grace & acceptance of who we are and how we are

» THE BRANCHES... 4 different expressions ...

NURTURING THE LAND : developing permaculture, sustainable living

*Farming : veggies, animals
*Trees
*Crafts : wood, wool, leather, clay, metal, glass, baskets, etc.
*Use of natural resources for energy (sun, wind, water)
*Transforming products (drying, dairies, flour, bread, jams, soaps, medicines, etc.)
*Rest the land and animals (& people), one day a week and seasonally 

NURTURING PEOPLE :

*Provide hospitality, rest, healing & retreat places
*Provide fun for children and adults 
*Provide opportunities for people to serve as volunteers
*Serve the villages around (24-7 prayer/service week & other ways)
*Hosting workshops & Seminars : Permaculture, Music, dance, etc...
*Hosting School groups (educational)
*Going to Markets, fairs and Festivals (ways to share)

SEEKING JUSTICE :

*Being a model on the way we live and how that affects others, both locally and globally
*Networking with other communities for a fair exchange of products
*Developing ways to support communities, projects or individuals in poor countries :
-sharing our experience on sustainable living
-sharing with others their projects&needs (visiting as well)
-sell their products at fair prices & send them money
*Giving part of what we produce to those in need
*Offer space & voice for organizations/associations or individuals who seek justice, both locally & globally ("social fair" at prayer week or other events for example)

MULTIPLYING : by education and encouraging others to do the same elsewhere...

*Encourage and support others to do the same in other places
*Move to others places to start the same kind of community, or visit frequently those in pioneering stages
*Praying for more communities to start or for those who are already starting
*The goal is not to grow big, but to grow strong and steady in our values...being a model to be multiplied by anyone who has the same calling ...


Trees bear fruit with seeds, to produce the same kind of trees... but of course, there will never be 2 trees who look exactly the same ...

This is also a vision I got before I went to the land... a network which I believe God is building, between Eco-villages, Urban monasteries, and the many pilgrims who pass through both of them all over the world...I see this happening already...and more is to come !!!