I'm in the Band!

Several weeks ago, we visited a local arts building. They have dance, music, and art classes there. From what we understand, it is ran by the city. We met with the director of the band (we call him maestro...partly because we can't seem to remember his first name) who was enthusiastic about adding a new member. On the second practice I learned that our next performance would be in a week. So, last Tuesday, with the help of my sweet friend in this picture, I found a uniform that fits well. The only thing I was missing was the hat ("chapéu" in Portuguese)... we can't have everything, right?! ;-)

Our concert started at around 9:30 and lasted for 2 hours. There was also a choir and a small folk ensemble from the local college campus. As the choir (comprised mostly of elderly people) sang I wished like everything that I could bottle up the moment. I wish I could show you just how passionate, caring, and tender this community really is. What a privilege and gift to be able to play alongside them! I'm thankful and amazed at how God knew about this ensemble before we got here even though we didn't. I'm grateful that He gives gifts and magnificent opportunities to use them!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

American Football in Portugal

This past weekend, we went to a football tournament in Lisbon, the capitol. There were 3 teams including us. After a 3 hour bus ride, we arrived. In many ways, the games here remind me of those held in my hometown. Everyone knows everyone, proud mothers make their presence known in a way that is endearing to us but probably embarrassing to the subject, and there is lots of junk food. The differences are numerous, though. In most "regulation" games, the soccer goals are made into impromptu goal-posts as large pvc pipes are strapped on either side (after all this is a soccer field that dresses up as a football field). In general, everyone is very calm and relaxed. I look like the enthusiastic fan, and if you know me, that's a stretch! There's only one team in the league that has official cheerleaders (with pom poms, skorts, and big bows). So, it's much quieter! :-)

The field size is smaller by about 30 yards or so (because a soccer field is shorter than a football field). I was never part of the football community until now, so I don't know if this is a similarity or difference, but it is SUCH a family! I feel like I have new brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles now, and it is sweet. I've never been much of a fan of sports, but I could get use to this!

Plus, at the end of the tournament, the American Ambassador to Portugal showed up! Jacob accidentally got his picture taken with him! haha (Notice this is not a picture from me but from a professional. I can't take any credit!)

Eating in the Algarve

This season of the year is known for the hunting of caracois (pronounced something like "cada-coy-sh"). A couple from this area invited us out to have some authentic Portuguese food...

Along with snails, we tried a cold vinegar octopus salad, conch, and fish eggs. They also hunt what look like little clams. Those were the best!

The proper way to eat them is with a toothpick...or just slurping!

We topped off the meal with soft-serve ice cream on the marina! Yummy food and great company!

Remembering the Holocaust

Last Monday we were invited to participate in a memorial service at a Jewish cemetery in nearby Faro. It was eye-opening for us since, as far as we know, we've never personally met or listened to direct descendants of survivors or survivors themselves. It was sweet to listen to the beautiful Jewish hymns and the unified desire for peace and restoration.

Notice the olive tree in the background. Someone estimated it to be a couple hundred years old. It reminds me of the reference Paul makes to the Jewish race and the olive tree in the book of Romans.

The tombs were not just from the Holocaust period. The earliest one was from the 1800s.

The number 5657 refers to the Jewish calendar year.

Choosing Which Promise to Believe

A few months ago, we heard someone explain to us that temptation is simply Satan making promises to us. We are often too near-sighted to realize just how hallow and meaningless they are. Instead, we place that momentary promise over the eternal ones of our Father and act on our fleshly instinct. Here's an example...

This week we start language study on Wednesday. This is a HUGE answer to prayer! We will be meeting with a tutor in our home on a weekly basis. The goal is to learn Portuguese well enough to have real, meaningful conversations with the people around us--one step closer to making this city our "home".  But, even yesterday temptation struck as I muddled through ordering at a fast-food restaurant. As people cut in front of me and effortlessly ordered, I was flooded with the false promises of Satan. "You will take forever to learn this language...You can't even order your lunch...Why even try to learn when so many people around you speak English? You've never done well with learning language before, just let someone else do the speaking for you." All of these are lies, and I know that. But, how easy is it to listen to the promises of ease and comfort that Satan uses to tempt us!

So, instead of trusting in the promises of The Deceiver, I trust in the promises of my Redeemer. "My flesh and my heart may fail but GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART AND MY PORTION FOREVER" (Psalm 73:26). For me, it's less like IF my heart and flesh fail and more like when... But, the promise is there. Satan's promises never keep, and yet here God's promise doesn't end with my failure, but His sufficiency in the midst of my failure.

I've started underlining and copying down the promises that I encounter in scripture. When Satan tempts me to trust in his promises, I look to the promises of God that are incomparably more steadfast and sure.

The ultimate promise Satan makes (to Adam in the garden, to Jesus in the wilderness, to the lost person searching for purpose) is that we are OK without God's provision for our sinfulness. But, sweet friend, do not be deceived. This promise may seem to last for a day, month or even years, but it too is false. When we die, if you have trusted in this promise you will be accountable for your sin before our righteous creator and live out the promise you believed--eternal separation from God. But, God's promises endure that if you believe in your heart and confess with you mouth that Jesus is Lord, He rescues you (Romans 10:9-10). Your penalty is paid, and you are free from the imprisonment of the promises of Satan.

So, what promises of Satan are you trusting? What promises does God make that trump these false promises?