By Donna:
As I am writing this, here in the campground of Penacova, it is the height of the Easter season and more specifically Good Friday. We came here for Easter celebrations and visit some relatives. As everyone is getting old, wear and tear is setting in and we never know when it is the last time we are able to see some old friends and the few relatives we have here. Meanwhile, we stopped at a popular coffee shop/bakery to purchase a “folar”, a traditional Easter bread. To my dismay, the festive packaging features large rabbit with the heading ” Happy Easter, May the rabbit bring a lot of happiness, peace and love to you and your family” Well, I do declare that a rabbit is not the source of happiness peace and love. The cultural icon of fertility and spring is not able to bring the spiritual gifts that a crucified and risen Saviour, Jesus Christ can. Our living hope is in a resurrected Jesus Christ!
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25
And now, the farm report:
Since February was the month for pruning , and prune we did, March was the month of cleaning. After so many cut branches, grown grass, terrain tilled for planting, etc. there was lots to get rid of. We were able to separate a good amount of wood for future burning and plans are made for a small shelter to house it, all in due time. The remaining branches were collected and the fires began. During Gloria ‘s weekend visit the fire was blazing and with her help and the wind an enormous mound of branches was turned into ashes in an hour or so! A few days later we were able to get through all the materials from Gabe’s place as well. It is dry weather now, but not so dry that the authorities forbid burning, so burn we must. We have a bit more to do, maybe next week.
We set up another greenhouse structure. Right now it serves as a garage for the tractor and other tools. Comes in handy indeed! The tractor helps us to cut the grass, till the land and carry all heavy loads etc. It is a beast of burden we cannot do without!
Manwhile, we both came down with colds followed by persistent coughs. After a few weeks of working through this, we decided to go down to Lisbon where we could visit the nearby beaches and inhale some good sea air. It worked, and after an unusually warm and sunny week we were much better! Thank God for a change of air and healing in His Wings! We also filmed some great footage for the video verse project!
Perhaps more important, while in Lisbon, we had some sweet time with Jason at the apartment as we encourage him to keep pressing in to finish his course this year.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; SOS 2:11-12
On the other side of the ocean, dear Julie held her birthday celebration this month! She is strong and fit and younger than ever! With the new puppy to take care of she is busier and happier than ever! They had a late snowfall and the whole family frolicked together in the snow in their backyard!
We hear all is well in Macau and our family there is busy and prospering. Cristy’s family is well and thriving in their new location. We are praying for all. I am sure we shall see many pictures of them in our next reports.
Love and prayers.
m&d
Here are the images of this month:
