Update from Portugal: Migrants Assistance

The Together for West Africa (aka 2gether4westafrica) ministry in Portugal has revolved mostly around immigrants from Timor East. It has been a good learning experience for us, but we'll be pushing harder to integrate into the African community of migrants the next 6 months as that is our target group. In the meantime, some Timorese have been very helpful as "ushers" into the African community here.

We have been providing food for the Timorese as that is a basic need, but it is too expensive for us. Instead we are now donating 100 dollars a month to the group at the catholic church that provides weekly food services to the migrants. Several bakeries and groceries provide discounted or free food. So our money goes a lot further and anyone with food needs we just point them in that direction.

Our program of providing temporary work has been good as most everyone we began ministry with now has real paying jobs. But for newcomers, they need small jobs to get by until they can find work. We will continue that ministry only for newcomers.

I will be going to Togo this summer to help the children register and pay for School.

I have been waiting for direction on my Portugal residence card (visa) before I book my travel. We have our meeting with Portugal Immigration on June 21. Some people have gotten cards in two weeks after this meeting; most within a month; and a few have waited months. So I will book my travel for one month after the meeting.

I can travel without my Portuguese permanent residence visa card, just not through Europe. So Lisbon -Paris, the shortest route is out of the travel equation. I could go through Morocco, but that has risk if they check my passport.

So most probably I will take the most sure way: Lisbon-America-Togo. It is an extra ticket and much more travel, but at least it is the most sure route.

I could also fly direct, Lisbon to Ghana...but that requires more visas, and extra border crossings. Generally, this type complexity increases the travel risk.

So, I likely will spend a week in the USA on the way to and from Togo.

Ultimately, I'm looking at spending 6 weeks in Togo to do back-to-school programs with the children and their parents.

Blessings Mike