(a recent prayer letter received from Beau & Valerie Moore, Portugal)

We had an eventful couple of weeks. Thank you for praying for God’s specific guidance during our meeting with our building owner. It was our intention to buy the storefront we are in as well as the one next door as our church grows. God provided the money to do so through fund-raising during our furlough. We were disappointed that while we were away, a pet store began renting the storefront, and this week we learned that they have a 5-year contract. Even if we purchased the building, we would still have to honor the contract as their new “landlord” and that would NOT meet our need for more space NOW. What a bummer, because we thought our plan was so straightforward and simple. But God must have other plans, so we are grateful for a closed door leading us in another direction.

Beau was able to track down the owner of a building that is not listed for sale but has been empty since it’s construction. We feel it could meet our needs nicely. The owner was not actively trying to sell or rent, but is no longer going to use the property for its original intended purpose so he is willing to meet with us and discuss a price after he has the property appraised. Please pray:

• That he would come back with a reasonable asking price
• That our documents currently in the possession of a lawyer will “move along” quickly and that we would be granted our tax-exempt status.
• For a meeting we have with three local government officials on Thursday at our church. They wish to meet us and our “space” and hear what we have to offer to the community. This could be a great opportunity!

Thank you for sharing the names of those you are seeking to witness to. We have been bringing them before the Lord. We ask that you would also add Mark and Ana, a couple we met recently. Ana has MS and struggled with God for allowing that in her life. From our conversation, we gathered she is not a believer. Please pray for opportunities to have another spiritual conversation with them.

We had a special blessing when a member of our colleagues’ church came to our services to share his testimony as a religious refugee, having been arrested, beaten, imprisoned, and escaping, arriving in Portugal four years ago with nothing, knowing no one, and speaking only Mandarin. Even before he learned Portuguese, he came to youth camp and set up chairs, washed dishes, carried canoes, and served however he could. It was convicting and inspiring for us and for our people. What our brothers and sisters in Christ go through in order to be faithful to the Lord and we, who have been granted so much freedom, how lazy we are to even bother to read our Bible, pray, or attend a weekly service, let along actually SACRIFICE anything for our faith or testimony for the Lord. Lord, help us to do better!