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 Christmas groceries are distributed to the poor, the infirm and the 'shut ins' in areas of Portugal few tourists would ever see.
 Last Christmas Pastor Oscar Segura together with his dedicated team delivered 100 parcels to families living on the breadline in the slums and shanty towns around the Lisbon area.
 Included in the food parcels is a Scripture calendar printed in Portuguese produced by the Trinitarian Bible Society which we hope will bring spiritual encouragement and new life in Christ.
 Perhaps after visiting the Algarve, you could be forgiven for believing that there are areas of Portugal which remain desperately poor even though it is part of the EEC. But, Siloam uses this opportunity to reach and touch the hearts and lives of people with the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ at Christmas time.
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Operation Oscar Siloam 2008 Christmas parcel outreach to the needy in Portugal
Dear Friends,
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Our
Christmas grocery basket
Flour
Sugar Rice Pasta Macaroni Pasta Spaghetti Milk Fat spread Margarine
Butter Marmalade Jam Ð strawberry Chocolate spread Cheese Olive
oil Oil Ð corn Chicken stock cubes Instant coffee Breakfast cereal
Chocolate milk brake Chocolate bar Butter biscuits Chocolate cake
Cookies Shortbread mini bites Peeled plum tomatoes Tinned sausage
Tinned mushrooms White beans Beans Corn Tuna steak in grind Tuna
pate Sardine pate Peppered ham Peach halves in syrup Pineapple in
syrup Strawberry jelly Delight chocolate Washing up liquid Floor
cleaner Cream handwash Toothpaste Bar soap Cream Dry codfish (a
great delicacy)
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Siloam's Christmas parcels outreach to Portugal is one of our most popular projects which began in its present form in 1984. Over the years we have worked with various church groups and co-workers as the social needs have changed throughout this small nation but currently we are working through Pastor Oscar Segura in the small town of Malveira less than an hour's drive north of Lisbon.
Oscar's church belonging to the Assemblies De Deus denomination was established in Malveira by an Englishman Dr Collin Bowker back in the 1950s when it was very difficult for missionaries to work in Portugal because of the severe persecution from the unelected dictatorship government.
Now because many people visit the Algarve and the attention has been focussed on Portugal for more than a year after the sad disappearance of little Madeleine McCann, people have come to learn more about Portugal than ever before. Even tourists who travel to the Algarve often contact us to advise us that they have seen the poverty behind the hotel buildings which the Portuguese authorities would rather you didn't see.
Siloam uses this opportunity to bring help and encouragement to poor people in Portugal as a means of reaching their hearts and minds for Jesus Christ over the Christmas period. Your involvement again this year will ensure the success of this important social outreach which we know will prepare hearts for the simple gospel message that can bring new light into a dark soul. The Evangelical churches at this time use the opportunity to have Christmas nativity dramas and musical events to attract non church attendees into their growing congregations.
A Christmas parcel which will contain almost 40 items will cost around £36.00. This is enough for a family to survive on for more than 2 weeks but one of the most expensive items in that gift package will be the delicacy known as Bacalhau which is salted codfish which the Portuguese will eat as they celebrate the birth of Christ.
While we are tucking into our turkeys and enjoying all the festivities that we traditionally partake in, I know your Christmas will be enriched by knowing that you have contributed towards the help of a needy family in Portugal.
Last year Pastor Oscar received from Siloam supporters like you, €5,000 with which he was able to put together 100 food parcels which brought tremendous joy and happiness to those on the fringe of Portuguese society. This year those €5,000.00 will cost us much more - perhaps as much as £4,000.00.
Your gift of £100.00 could provide 3 Christmas food parcels that will help someone enjoy this special holiday, "for whom nothing has been prepared." (Nehemiah 8:10 second part).
A gift of £7.00 could provide the codfish delicacy of Bacalhau for a Portuguese poor family. How much will your turkey cost you this Christmas???
Last December Pastor Oscar Segura spent less than £100.00 on fuel, photo expenses and other sundries. The Malveira church provides the volunteers the space to accommodate and pack the food parcels and it also tops up additional finances needed to make this Christmas outreach successful.
I shall enjoy great personal fulfilment this December by taking another load of wheelchairs overland for the disabled in Portugal. I also realise many of you can't spare time to undertake such adventures. But, your participation in this Christmas outreach to Portugal will I know bring you great personal happiness and satisfaction. - Thank you.
Richard Norton
Director-Siloam UK
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