Donna:
We were blessed to witness from afar the wedding of Gabriel and Selan in Macau! It was an entire day of ceremony, joy and celebration with family and friends! Both the bride and groom looked satisfied and fulfilled! Indeed, the photographer Ben did a great job of capturing their mutual sentiments on that lovely sunny March day! Our best wishes to the lovely couple!
Also, Cristiana’s pregnancy is progressing well and with approximately 6 weeks to go the clock is ticking… Soon we will meet little Afonso!! We continually pray for mommy and baby’s health and well being.
Joana was able to make a trip to Brazil where she saw Christ the Redeemer in the clouds from the air! She said it was an amazing and beautiful experience! One day every eye shall see Him, the live Redeemer, coming in the clouds!!
News from the farm:
We returned to our homestead in the warmth of Spring eager to do some planting! Into the ground went 2 cherry trees, 2 lemon trees, 2 tangerine trees, 2 pear trees, 2 peach trees, and one loquat tree.( The partridge in the pear tree will come later:) ! We also planted some camelia flowers as well as manuka plants. We were zealous to improve the landscaping at the front of our cabin, so we took to zoning a patio area, and a straight and narrow pathway to the deck. With the use of gravel we were able to create walkways to the different rooms in order to stay out of the mud during the rainy days. The east side in front of the vineyard was zoned off as an area for tents if anyone is up for camping! It took a lot of energy to get it done, but we were up to the task and did not rest till it was finished.
The outside bathroom has benefited from an additional facelift. With the addition of some wood tiling on the wall, a sink and toilet and showering facilities it is looking pretty nice indeed! Yesterday we added some electricity and with a few additional touches yet to be installed it will be fully functional!
After a week of balmy 24 degrees afternoons, the cold returned and so did snow to the top of Serra da Estrella. Since it is only an hour drive from here, we went up and saw so much more of the area that we were not aware existed. We saw the ski slopes and lots more snow than on our previous trip there. We got some great drone footage courtesy of mother nature herself. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
We are back to very cold and rainy weather and eager to see how all our saplings respond to this change. We are newbies at this agriculture science and do the best we can with the information we receive. Locals tell us it can be bad for the cherry trees as some species were in full blossom, a situation which arrived from an early warm front ,and this abrupt. drop in temperature could direly affect this year’s cherry production. This area is famous for its delicious dark, sweet cherries. We are praying all will turn out well. Farmers surely do have to trust the Lord for a good and successful harvest!
We had Jason’s help for a few days while he was on spring break from uni. He lent his strength to cutting the way overgrown grass, helping drill holes through concrete walls and install electricity in the bathroom. Jorge and Jason also installed a window in the cabin, a treasure for the entrance of light and fresh air!!
To end on a high note, the wind and rain finally stopped and we were able to plant some veggies, fill up the water tanks, fix the broken electric circuits in the caravan and get the heater working! All’s well that ends well! And such is so with the Easter story! After the tragedy of Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion on our behalf, we are greeted with the empty tomb on the first day of the week, and after this glorious revelation nothing is the same! Everything has changed! Jesus Christ is the living one who died and is alive forevermore! Rev. 1:18. Death is swallowed up in victory!! O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? 1 Cor. 15:54,55.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this? John 11:25,26. Happy Easter!!!
