"Hello my frenz!" That is my international greeting...whether you're American or from anywhere else - you get the same thing. This trip has been a great experience serving the people of Portugal and several things are astounding.
1. God lives in Portugal too. It's not his summer home, but he actually permanently resides here and get this...he loves every single person here more than you may realize. It's been  so great to assist men and women that don't love, serve, and give in small doses - but day in, day out, rain or shine give until they fall in to bed from the moment they wake up. And they do it with smiles and as though it's a priveledge to extend the same grace they've been given. Certainly a lesson that has kicked my butt and one I need to absorb.

2. Extravegant love doesn't require extravegent actions but more so - simple actions that put feet to the faith we profess. A hug, a high five, a simple word of gratitude, a smile, a kind gesture. How complicated we make the gospel, serving others, and living the church. It's so easy for me to make excuses for why I can't this or that when I'm wrapped up in my world. What if I really embraced the truth that THE greatest is a servant - not the ones clawing their way through this journey scrapping to get everything I want.

Thanks for praying for us and our team. God has been faithful and good to us every step of this trip.
Looking forward to being with you all!

Love and prayers,
Gary and Katie n da team.