I Spy God...

We have been having an incredible time so far in Porto, Portugal!  The people have been so nice to us and we have meet some amazing people.  The staff here has been great. 

I wanted to give you a quick update about how we have seen God work in and through us along the way.  Every day all of us on the project share our high of each day, low of each day and where we “spy” God at work.  It has been a great way to keep our focus on God through out the day watching for Him to show up.

When we (Faulkners) began our flight from San Diego to Denver we met a flight attendant who was a little short with the boys and not as nice as we would have hoped.  As we began talking with her we found out she was from Portugal!  Once we told her we were going there she softened up and began telling us about her country and was very sweet with the boys. 

From Denver we flew to Chicago.  When there we were boarding our plane and the man taking our tickets had a pin on his collar that said “Jesus”.  So I (Shawn) told him I liked his pin and that we were on our way on a mission project to Portugal.  Now we were some of the first to board with children so there were many people behind us waiting to get on the plane.  He stopped me and put his hand on my shoulders and prayed out loud for our family and the project while all the other people waited, and listened! 

We met up with the students and staff a day later and then flew off to Frankfurt and then Porto.  The check-in, flight, customs, luggage and all went flawlessly!  The boys did wonderfully on the flight!  Thank you for all your prayers!  They were felt!  They played games, slept, ate and watched one movie.  We were hoping for TV’s on the backs of each seat but it wasn’t the case but the boys did great even without them.  How did our parents manage without electronics? 

Our first three days here have been very busy but very fun!  The first day we checked into our rooms and then walked along the river where it meets the ocean.  It is beautiful here!  We had lunch as a team with the staff couple here.  It was a great experience in authentic Portuguese cuisine!  Not all enjoyed it.  We walked some more, came back to the hostel, had a meeting, some dinner and then off to bed.  Many were tired but fought through it to make the jet lag not as bad. 

The second morning and first full day we spend at Garcia high school speaking in 6 classes.  We split into two groups and spoke at the same times in three different class periods.  Each class was 1.5 hours long so we played games, the girls spoke from up front about their lives in America and we did small group discussions.  It was a great day.

Today, Day 3, was much of the same only many more classes!  We spoke in 9 classes today! 15 classes in 2 days!  The students have done amazingly and the staff have as well.  We have met MANY students and learned a lot about life in Portugal.  We have had great conversations about God as well.  Many are open to talking but we hope to get to know them more at the parties we are throwing Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

It has been great to spy God working through the students especially in the small groups as they share about their faith in America.  They have taken great steps of faith.  I have also been able to spy God in my children.  Jacob has been leading “Simon Say’s” in every classroom with the students.  They really enjoy him.  They also flock to Isaiah!  They love a little blond baby walking around campus.

Tomorrow we have most of the morning off and then go to speak in two schools to 5 classes.  It will be a full afternoon but again very rewarding and full of great conversations and hopefully great relationships. 

Prayer Requests:

Pray for Energy for the team.  We have been very busy.

Pray for great relationships with students and that they would want to come to the parties.

Pray for continued team unity.  We have been getting along great so far.

Pray for the Faulkner boys.  They have been great in the classrooms and attracting LOTS of students.   

Pray they have energy each day to make it through.  So far so good but they are tired.

Thanks for your prayers.  We hope to update every few days. We have LOTS more pictures on other cameras.  

Shawn