This is My Testimony

On Sunday night, we went to the service at Fernando's main church in Vila Real, where we spent most of our time. A big part of coming on this trip is sharing your testimony. Jamie really wanted me to share my testimony in this service, because many of these people had met Brian in years past. I was very nervous about doing this. More like scared to death! I am not a public speaker, and I haven't done anything like this in...ever? I really don't know. But, I was somewhat prepared and I knew God would help me through it. I did use my phone, because I don't think I could have remembered what to say without it. Maybe it is silly, but sharing my testimony like this gave me reassurance and confidence that I can do hard things, and God can even speak through me. There was part of me that really wanted to just stay in my room Sunday night and not even go to this service. My stomach hurt and I was exhausted. But I am so, so glad I said "no" to my flesh in that moment. Sharing my testimony was the beginning of God really stretching me and working in my heart on this trip. Jamie also preached a very powerful message, and the music was so beautiful. It didn't take long for me to realize why everyone who has ever been to Portugal loves it so much! Afterwards we ate pizza (so much better than sushi!) and acai cups (amazing!) and then went to the big grocery store to grab snacks or whatever anyone needed. Everyone was ready to crash when we made it back to the hotel. It was a great first ministry day in Portugal!

I made her take this picture at the grocery store so we could send it to Jack. She was clearly excited!

The nighttime view from my room. So pretty!

One of my favorite moments from our entire trip...they sing so beautifully! 

The Lord Bless You, and Keep you...

Jamie preaching video's (3)

Andy's testimony

The Portuguese Bait Shop

After church, Fernando took us to eat at a restaurant that is now only known to us as the "Portuguese Bait Shop." It was somewhere he had never been before, and by his own admission, it was the worst meal he's ever had in Portugal. There was nothing but sushi on the menu, and it was the real, raw fish kind of sushi. I tried a few pieces, but if its not a fried shrimp tempura roll, it's not for me. I will never forget glancing over and watching Jamie chew and work very hard to swallow what was in his mouth. So. Funny! To top things off, one of the girls found a live caterpillar in her sushi. At that point, I was officially done eating. The combination of hardly any sleep and eating at the bait shop for lunch did not work well for me. I spent the afternoon curled up in a ball with a bad stomach ache. It almost ruined going to the evening service for me, but I made myself get up and go anyway. Needless to say, we will not be returning to the Bait Shop and we now have a long-running sushi story to tell!

I got to Facetime with the boys! It was so good to see their faces!

Sunday Morning in Vila Real

After getting to the hotel at 5:00 AM and crashing, we got about 2 hours of sleep and a hot shower, and we were off to church on Sunday morning in Portugal. It was dark on our drive in, so opening the windows to this beautiful view was just amazing! We loaded into vans and drove an hour and a half to get to the church. There is something about listening to believers worshipping and preaching in another language that is just special. We learned really fast that they sing very loudly and beautifully in Portugal! To say we hit the ground running is an understatement, but we didn't want to waste any time. Who needs sleep?!

This is the view standing on the balcony of my room.

Having my own room was an unexpected blessing on this trip. I never, ever get to sleep by myself, so I quite enjoyed it! 

Somehow I managed to pull myself together and not look like I had only slept for two hours.

And this was the view from the back of the hotel.

This is one of three church plants that Fernando is a part of at this time. It is pretty incredible how God is using him and his family in Portugal!

We had just a few minutes after the service to take pictures around the church. It was so beautiful there! 

We decided that the landscaping in Portugal looks like Minecraft...everything is lined up in rows and just so cool looking. 

What a fun time, hanging out with these two!