The Reign in Spain

A Carnival We Won't Be Celebrating

Today is an official holiday in Portugal, as it is in much of Europe: Called "Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras" in much of the world, it's the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  In Brazil (and though we're in Portugal, we work among Brazilians, so we're sort of in Brazil), it's the season of Carnaval, a four-day celebration ending on this day.

Carnaval comes from the Latin "carne": "flesh," and much of the celebrations that take place around this time are conducted as a sort of effort to take as much pleasure in the flesh as possible before the season of Lent, with its giving up of favored items (chocolate, candy, etc.) in traditionally Catholic countries.  Think of Mardi Gras celebrations in the Gulf Coast area of the U.S., and you have much the picture of what Carnaval is all about.  In folk religion terms, it's basically getting out all of the sinning one can before Lent kicks in.

As Christians, we hope to take seriously Christ's call not to sin, rather than storing it up for a season.  So we'll be celebrating today in a different way: by going to church.  Please pray that tonight's service in the Santa Marta FMC will be well-attended and festive for the right reasons: Christ's love and forgiveness and reign in the hearts of ourselves and others who are called to live holy lives, not just for a season, but for all seasons.

Thank you for praying for us and the work here in Portugal, and may God bless you as well.

In Christ,

Michael and Carrie (Caty) Hamley

Island Living

   Okay, so we don't technically live on an island.  Although by the hurricane-like winds and rain we got two weeks ago, you would think that we lived in a remote Pacific island.  But alas, we are just miles away from Lisbon, a European capital with "all the trimmings."  Still, without internet or telephone in our home and the connection at the church being unreliable, it sometimes feels like we are isolated and alone.

   If you haven't been hearing much from us lately, it is in part due to this situation.  We appoligize to anyone who has e-mailed or Facebooked us and has waited for almost a week for a response.  Each and every one of you is so important to us personally, as well as a vital member of our team, so we want you to know that you are not forgotten!

    The second reason we've been a little out-of-touch lately has been just keeping up with the pace of ministry life.  When we are not ministering, praying, in church, writing lesson plans or teaching, we're trying to learn some Portuguese, or sleeping!  But we thank God that He is finding so many ways for us to serve, and are excited to be a part of what He is already doing here in Portugal, at least for a while!

    This weekend please keep us and the pastors of the three Lisbon-area churches in your prayers as we drive to the southern coast of Portugal for a pastors/missionary retreat.  May it be a time of meaningful fellowship as well as rest.

   Also pray that God would give us grace here in our living situation, which has us pretty frazzled.  We've been without a washing machine for 15 days now, and are becoming increasingly frustrated with the landlord and his many empty promises.

   Lastly, pray that God's spirit would continue to move and draw new believers unto Him.  Pray for the new cell groups and discipleship classes that the churches are starting to educate and equip a new generation of Jesus-followers.

      One final note:  If you and your family have been or are current financial supporters, and you don't give regularly though the on-line giving account service, could you please e-mail us the amount you plan to give this year?  We understand that several of our faithful supporters are currently unemployed and may need to reduce the amount they are sending in, while some folks seem to have increased their giving.  Either way, it would be great if you could drop us a quick line to let us know how much support we can count on for 2009.  Thank you so much for you past, present, and future investments which are fueling our work here in Europe.  And if you don't currently give, but would like to start (no amount is too modest), let us know and we'll tell you how to get started.

    We thank God for you!  Thank you for doing your part to fulfill the Great Commision around the world!

        Carrie (Caty) and Michael Hamley