I am writing on the road, as my visit to Portugal continues, for now I do not have a permanent address so I keep moving.  After one week back in this beautiful sunny country, I have slept in 4 different places. This is the first time I write a newsletter in a Hotel room.
To give you a brief summary of what happened so far, I visited with my sister, who is very ill and due to the gravity of her state could hardly recognize me. I hope I have brought some encouragement to her husband who works tirelessly to take care of her along with some helpers. That has been the most heart wrenching part of this visit, as I claim God’s grace and watch and pray for this distressful situation.
Mostly I have stayed with Cristiana, who has been gracious to put up with her father for most of this time. Together we have enjoyed several walks around downtown Lisbon, full of tourists at this time of the year, and the company of some of her young friends whom I found to be very idealistic and in different stages of life – during the yummy dinner served by Cristy, we had some amazing conversations about changing the world and making it better and the different methods of reaching that goal… we have not reached the final conclusion but we sure will let you know if and when we do.

Jorge and Cristiana in Lisbon

I visited Dr. Alvarenga, who is an old friend from Macau, and lives now with his wife 100 km North of Lisbon. We had a fantastic talk about life and death and how the Word of God is the key to strength and  guide us through troubled times.  Religion and the up and downs of different denominations were one of the topics as we agreed that Jesus Christ is what we need not any particular denomination.  John 12:32.

I also attended a meeting of my old high school colleagues from Mozambique, held at a restaurant in the nearby city of Evora. I only recognized a few of my old colleagues but the meeting was inspiring with about 150 people talking for several hours  about old memories. I was blessed to leave several Audio Bible samples with my old friend. They seem to appreciate it and I am sure I will hear more from them from now on.

With old friends: Abilio and Regado

On the other hand, and at a different venue, I met with a Pastor friend from Mozambique, who has been visiting his family here also, and we discussed the in and outs of our possible supply of audio Bibles to his region. Pending a contact with a Chinese company, which he hopes will let us include some packages of bibles in their containers from China. We agreed to pursue that or other possibilities to get the Bibles there.  Along the same line, right before I left for this voyage, still in Zhuhai, we paid half the price on an order of 300 Portuguese Audio Bibles, which are now being manufactured . These are to be sent to Mozambique and Portugal. The shipping and the subsequent delivery through customs are part of the challenge we face, which is yet another reason for me visiting here. This next week I have other meetings scheduled related to this matter.

These went to Mozambique.

Ready for Portugal the audio Bibles I manage to bring with me.