All's Well that Ends Well

Well here we are, three days after SERVE THE CITY, LISBOA, and we seem to have survived. All I can say is WOW! We had sooooo much work, and sooooo many people showed up to give their time for these two orphanages. It was awesome.

On Saturday night we had a "Grande Fiesta". As I looked around at all the smiling faces, i realized what an amazing thing we had all just experienced together. There was lots of food, drink, music and dancing. Awards were given out to the kids from surf camp. We had a celebrity from one of the favorite TV shows there. The kids were laughing. We were laughing. And I think God was laughing as well. At least I imagine He was. How could he not?

In four days we were able to give surf lessons to 15 kids from ALDIEA SOS. Re-paint an enormous multi-purpose room, plus bathrooms and hall at ALDIEA SOS. Paint the outer two walls of the recreation room at ALDIEA SOS. Put up a shade for the play area at CASA SOL. And repaint the in side court yard and out side wall of CASA SOL. (See picture above) It was a very long wall.

Peoples lives were touched. Peoples lives were changed. And God showed up in really cool ways. We had moments where we weren't sure we were going to get it off the ground. There were times when I thought this thing isn't going to get done. Then were times when I thought I love this and I hate this, but when all is said and done, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Blessings

Puking for Jesus-DAY 3 STC

So here we are at the end of day three of SERVE THE CITY LISBON. We have painted the court yard and outer wall of CASA SOL. That was a lot of work, but it sure felt great to see it when we were finished. We also put up a sunshade for the kids in an area that was blasted by the sun each afternoon, making playing almost impossible. Tomorrow everyone is at ALDIEA SOS. There is still a lot to do so please pray it finishes well.

So now for my story of the day. We left early this morning so we could pick-up Pasteis de Belem for all the workers. Noah is never the easiest person to get rolling in the morning, and this morning was no exception. He always has some pain or ill feeling when we need him to do something he doesn't want to do. So this morning he was complaining about his stomach. Well you can probably guess what's coming, but I'll fill you in.

We get to CASA SOL and start to work. Both the kids have been big helpers. So Eden jumped in, but Noah was kind of not in the game. I told him to rest and stay in the shade. It's really hot at CASA SOL. After awhile he came out and help, but then needed to rest in the shade again. I let him. I didn't want to hear him whine.

So there I am out on the street painting the outside wall and all of the sudden I hear Paula say "Keep going! Try to get out to the gutter!" Then I see Noah Puke with as much force as a fire hose. He takes two more steps out the door, and he does it again. Were all yelling "Get to the gutter!" And he's puking his guts up.

So yes we finished the work at CASA SOL, but not at a cost. Noah and Paula went home at lunch. He was a trouper and waited to go home at lunch. Right now he's sitting on the couch watching TV. He told me he puked out his nose two this afternoon. Pray he feels better so he can enjoy the Grande Fiesta tomorrow night. Be Blessed.

Kids, Work, and Blessings

So here are a few pics of the work being done. This was the first day at Aldiea SOS. We are sunburned, tired, and very content to be doing this work. We have had many people volunteer and spirits are up. SERVE THE CITY, Lisbon is going well. Please keep praying for us as we build relationship, and put muscle to the gospel. We are all blessed to be a blessing. You be Blessed too.

STC One Day Down

This picture is of Aldiea SOS the orphanage with 80 kids. It was the second of two projects that the Farmer family worked on today. The first was Casa Sol, the children's AIDS home for orphaned kids. In total we had about 30 people turn up for these two service project. It was wonderful to watch the outdoor court yard wall being transformed right before our eyes. Even though paint wasn't even applied yet, the improvement was drastic.

At one point I was inside Casa Sol, refilling water buckets to wash the walls. And two little girls, tiny little things, came around the corner to see what I was doing. They were the sweetest little things. Speaking my very broken Portuguese, I tried to share with them what I was doing. They attempted to correct my poor language skills. It was my favorite moment of the morning at Casa Sol.

I'll let Eden share a little about her day.

EDEN: I did some work spackling the walls. I was up on the ladder, and let me tell you working on ladders is not as easy as it looks. When I got home my feet hurt so much I wanted to scream because of my little friend called PAIN. At CASA SOL, I meet this cute little girl named Matricia,and at ALDEIA SOS I meet the cutest little puppy named Luna. While I was working I felt good seeing the kids smiles at Casa Sol.

So there it is, a brief up-date of our first day. I need to check in with the surfers and see how things went with the surf camp. I did see some of the kids dragging in as we were cleaning up. So I figure they had a great day. Will keep you up-dated as we progress toward the end of the week and towards greater exhaustion. I'm sure it will be well worth it, if this first day is any indicator.

Keep praying and be Blessed

Can you see my heart?

We are in the last few days before Serve the City kicks off. Please pray with us and for us as we do the work of serving these two orphanages. We have a lot of people involved in this and are expecting some great things to grow out of STC.

We are doing well. I really appreciate your comments back. It sure keeps us feeling connected with the states and old friends. Eden is having a little home sickness right now.

Our community, Grace has been sharing our life stories over the Summer. It is wild to see how peoples life's are all sewn into the fabric of Gods story. It is also heart breaking to see the abuse, abandonment, and hurt that we have all suffered through our lives. If you doubt that we are in a battle, just listen to the stories of the people around you. We are all walking wounded in some way. What an amazing privilege to fight for the hearts of this wonderful group of people.

So life is beautiful...(if you haven't seen the movie A Beautiful Life, see it!) My wife and kids are beautiful, God is beautiful, and you are as well. Now I have the Mister Rogers theme music in my head. Won't you be my neighbor.

If we can be praying for you in any way let us know.

Blessings

As I sit hear...

I'm listening to Charlie Dodrill and blogging in the dark. The cool of the night air is coming in through the sliding patio door. Somewhere down stairs I can hear the sound of chains as the cafe locks up their tables for the night. Kids and wife are tucked for the night. The dog's have been out.(plural dogs because were watching our friends dog Skitso. That's her name. She's very sweet.) I can't seem to go to bed before midnight anymore. So here I am thinking about life and wondering what to say.

We just had 2500 individual cereal boxes delivered to our garage the other day. The local Grocery store, Jumbo, is donating a bunch of food for the final get together. We're going to have a full blown surf camp. A couple has provided finances to cover the work being done at Casa Sol. People are starting to sign-up to serve. A local company is printing 80 t-shirts with the Serve the City logo and donating them. I am blown away. God is providing so much. It's crazy cool!

I wish that stupid street light outside would stop flashing on and off. The other day all the street lights on the street were on in the middle of the day. A few nights before there were none on during the night. I kind of feel like our street lights sometime. I'm shining like I'm supposed to, but maybe it's the wrong time or I'm blinking on and off. Ah well. This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine. In the morning.

Blessings

PS Happy Birthday Dane. The picture is from the night we went to Lisboa and read my play. Praying for you all.

At the Twilights Last Gleaming

We all get older, and I am no exception. This year is the 39th time I will celebrate the anniversary of my being here. I can think of only one other time I was out of country on my b-day. It was 1990 and I was in Kiev. There is a long story that involves the night before my 22nd birthday. (One of my favorite stories.) I'll save that for another time. This year will be the second time I celebrate out of country.

One of the things about celebrating my B-day is the fact that it happens the day after the Fourth of July. The day America celebrates it's independence. Fourth of July fireworks mean it's the eve of my Birthday. It's kind of like my own personal Christmas Eve for my birth. (Ooohh, that sounds weird. I am not comparing my birth to the Birth of Jesus.) Anyhow I have always felt like my birthday starts on the night of the Fourth of July. America throws a big fireworks celebration to kick it off.

Last week I was talking about how this would be one of the few years that I would not be seeing fireworks for my birthday. It was a somber realization. I think somehow I look forward to those fireworks more than anything else on my birthday. Don't get me wrong, go ahead and send money and gifts if you want, but the fireworks somehow symbolize my b-day and now they will not be there. It's funny, you don't realize how new cultures and environments can effect you, until you encounter those moments of loss. Fireworks is a loss for me.

But wait, this whole last week the "World Cup" for sailing was hosted here in our home town. It was a big deal. The place was packed. It was very important. So last night I had just settled down with a book, when there was a terrorist attack. Or at least that was the first thing that went through my head when I head the loud explosions. (We don't live to far from Scotland) I jumped up as the third or fourth explosion rang out. A fifth one. I bolted to the living room. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof to the night, that my God was still there. He loved me so much that he made sure that I received my birthday present. FIREWORKS!

As we stood there singing the National Anthem and watching some of the most beautiful fireworks I have ever seen, I felt as if it was okay. We are free! My life is good! And those fireworks were for my birthday. Even if they were two days early. Be Blessed!