This past Monday we spent the evening with the Barron Family whom we met through our church. Monday night is Family Home Evening night for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so together we shared in singing, prayer and a spiritual message. It has been a long time since we've spent FHE with another family but it was a special experience to feel the Spirit with new friends in a country far from home. (And they thought it was really cute to hear Amy pray with an American accent).
It is also interesting that Matt has been able to use his Portuguese language skills (though he claims to be quite rusty) in helping the missionaries with their work in this area. There are quite a few Portuguese immigrants that don't speak much, if any, English. Apparently it has been a problem in furthering the missionary work for a while and the members of our congregation here have been praying for a solution. It is really neat that Matt can help and something we wouldn't have ever imagined happening - needing Portuguese in England! It is yet another testiment that the Lord is very mindful of us and all His children and that we can serve as instruments in the hands of God no matter where we live.
So have you got Portuguese families in your ward, also, then?
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool that Matt can brush up on his Portuguese and do missionary work too! I glanced back over your last few posts (we've been out of the loop without internet) and I want one of those mowers! That is so cool! Plus, I had no idea that there were so many weird "english" words to sort out! It looks like you guys are having a blast out there. And yes, you should brave costco for the syrup. It's a must. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting that even other Europeans immigrate to England. What is the reason? Portugal is not really a country I had figured would generate a lot of emmigrants due to economic or political circumstances.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great story about Matt and language. I'm going to use it both at church (don't bury talents, God answers prayers, "my hands are the Lord's hands") and work (graduates in technical/professional fields can often use their non-native foreign language capability while working in their primary career field).
There are large influxes from many Eastern European countries. I'm not 100% sure why so many from Portugal other than the UK is still by far in the top league for economic powers in the region. It is so easy to leave the poorer countries, that they come here to see if they can get better jobs. Once one is successful they bring family, word spreads, then bundles of people.
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