Prayer News from Portugal – November 2007

 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say on the Lord.     (Psalm 27:14)                                                                          

 Dear Prayer Friends,

 As we enter the month of December and all that it reminds us of, we might also ask ourselves where has this year gone, and what have we achieved in the Lord’s service?

Here in Portugal the wheels of progress in the Lord’s work seem at times to turn very slowly, but daily service continues and some gains have been recorded.

 At the Home for the Elderly, two new people have been attending the Daily Devotionals, and Sr. Alvaro has asked for a Bible, which was presented to him this month. He is not yet a believer, but is very attentive and I sense that he is not far from coming to a decision.

A catholic lady, Sra.Isabel, has also attended some mornings recently, but is not appear able to understand as clearly as Sr. Alvaro.  Sadly since Sr. José’s wife died he has lost all interest in life and we have been able to communicate with him further about the Gospel.

 Maria, and the couple Antonio & Eugenia continue to attend the weekly services at

S. Jacinto, as does Otilia who lives near the church.  We are still waiting for these to express a desire to obey the Lord, and follow on in baptism, and church membership.

 It was good to have both Robert & Garry Stredder visiting us earlier this year, also

Ricky & Carole Wood, and Arnot & Angela Bridges , all of which were able to see some of the work here at first hand.

 As many of you know, we have a large number of sponsors of children from the House of Ants here in Portugal , and we try to keep in contact with each of them on a regular basis. Next year, if the Lord permits, we hope to visit some of the churches here and show the latest Video of the work in Mozambique .

 I normally visit two or three Prisons here in January together with a brother from Spain where we give out a Calendar with a daily Bible verse and thought, together with a New Testament, both to prisoners and prison staff. We have always been well received during these visits.

 I was able to spend a few days with the family in the UK for a short but memorable visit, and plan to spend some time with John & Cathie and little Josiah in the USA this Christmas.    

 May each of you know the Lord’s rich presence this Christmas and throughout the coming Year.                                     

                                                                                  Yours in the Lord’s service,

                                                                                                                 Paul Challoner.

E-mail: paulchalloner@hotmail.com