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....assisting Christian outreach in Portugal |
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Helcio and Angela Lange de Silva, Mondim de Basto
Helcio is from Brazil and Angela is from the U.K. They lived in Birmingham after their marriage in 1986 and in 1988 spent a year in Brazil before moving to the north of Portugal, where they’ve been ever since. They have four children, Cristina, Emily, Daniel and David. Angela talks about recent developments: There’s a definite “feel” of autumn in the air as I write this, looking back over the events of recent months. Our sympathy goes out to those of you in the U.K. who had such an awful summer. However, if it’s any comfort, ours wasn’t wonderful either!
We’re well, after a very busy September in which we’ve had several visitors and been very blessed by their fellowship with us and in-put into our personal lives and the church. We’ve re-opened and re-organized the school, starting lessons and working with an after-school homework centre using part of our premises. All this without Carol!! She broke her ankle quite badly when she was in England and came back only a few days ago. We’re so glad to have her back!
The summer was a mixed time in the church in which we saw several of the church members struggling with very difficult family situations, bereavement, illness and very definite demonic attack. However, it has been good to see them coming through, having grown stronger in their faith. . We have much to praise God for:
1. The two baptismal services we had in September, in which our son Daniel, was baptised along with four members of the church. It was a special treat!!
2. The young people have not only got the youth cell up and running but are also discipling and caring for each other. Two girls who don’t attend church are coming to the cell meetings and we’d like to establish a cell for the adult members this autumn. Please pray as we prepare them and encourage them to start ministering to each other.
3. Our children have worked very hard leading the cell group, the worship and organizing the prayer mornings we had weekly in the church throughout the summer. The girls are both back at university. Emily has started the C.U. meetings today and needs prayer as she seeks to reach fellow students. This year she’s got a Christian girl living in her flat plus another girl from Mondim she went to school with. On the other hand, Christina hasn’t got any accommodation but has been sharing her friends’ rooms in the halls of residence, but in November she starts a 6 week placement in a psychiatric hospital near Coimbra and has managed to find a flat there. Please pray for what will be a challenging work experience for her. The boys continue working hard at school, but always love it when the weekend arrives!
Future Challenges:
1. Cabeçeiras: Pray that God would give us strategies for evangelism to reach people and form friendships: never as easy when you don’t actually live in the place. We’d like to see conversions in people from the town so that they can open up situations for us to develop. The people who we have contact with are from out of town.
2. Vila Grande: for a deeper understanding in those who come, of the claims of the gospel on their lives, and a desire for more regular input. At the moment we go once a month.
3. A couple from a remote village over 60kms away: they became Christians 2 years ago through a radio programme and would like to be members of our church! They have no transport so it involves a lot of driving and overnight stays! We need wisdom to know how best to include this couple who are desperate to be part of a “body”.
We’re very grateful for all who have prayed so faithfully, corresponded with us and supported us financially. We know that we wouldn’t be here otherwise and appreciate the fact that we’re part of a much bigger “team”
Helcio and Angela Lange de Silva October 2008 Forward to Peter and Marilyn Hawkes, VN Famalicăo
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