Portimao, Portugal
During the pandemic, the ministry of the soup kitchen of the International Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, Portimao, Portugal, skyrocketed as many more people found themselves without work, food, and shelter. Whereas in the past we used to feed up to 60 on a Sunday and up to 40 mid-week, we are now serving up to 160 people three times a week. The number of countries represented has also increased. We now feed people not only from Portugal but also from more distant places such as Ukraine, Belarus, and Uzbekistan.
One of the highlights of th
e Christmas season was the Christmas dinner at the soup kitchen when we served a roast dinner to 138 people (take-away style), followed by desserts and a bag of presents for each person. These included a fleece blanket, a Gospel of Luke, a Christian magazine, and a bar of chocolate.
We now have a number of Muslims from Uzbekistan coming for food so it’s a special joy to give Christian literature to them, as they may have never heard about Jesus before. Please pray that the Lord will draw them, as well as all who come to the soup kitchen, to Himself. We also prepare a special non-pork option for them in our meals and sandwiches.
Among our cooks for the Christmas meal were Alberto & Tanya, a Portuguese couple who have in the past been helped by our soup kitchen. Now they are using their time and talents to help others. Please pray for them that they would come to know the Lord.
Joy & David Borgan
