TCA Day 5

Day 5

Sao Benedito (St. Benedict)

Despite chiggers and utter exhaustion, today's ministry was a success. Not to worry the mothers, chiggers are nothing serious.. just bothersome. St. Benedict's was the largest village we have visited yet. From the evening's reflection, everyone seemed to have been lead by the Spirit to the ministry where God could use them most.

VBS: The kids today were crazy. Because it was the largest village, the multitude of children were a challenge but a blessing as always. The two Camillas (our translators) were extremely helpful and Mari's love for the kids was so evident in the way that they flocked to the games that she initiated at the end of VBS. Preston Pownell's story was one of the sweetest of the day. There were two mentally disabled boys in their mid-teens that Preston completely adopted. He never left their side and loved them in a way that impressed us all. Although none of us on our own had the energy to handle these kids, everyone ministered to these hyper kids very well. Several of the children watched for specific Americans after their return from lunch. Nancy as always was fantastic. Her energy amazes us all. She truly loves each child and leaving them brings tears to her eyes everytime. I have never seen such a child magnet. They are drawn to her immediately. The trust that these children display is absolutely mind-blowing. For example, in the meeting at the end of the day one little girl, probably just over a year old, came up looking for a seat and since there wasn't much space, I (Anna) hugged her into my lap with one other girl. In about 2 minutes her head rolled down a little, and I realized she was sound asleep. I switched around and cradled her in my arms. After the meeting, her mother came up to me to take her home and gave me the sweetest smile. Even though i was pretty much just there to receive this child and did absolutely nothing to win her trust, I loved her, and her mother appreciated that in a way that I have never quite experienced before.

- Anna Heffner and Chrissy Thompson

DOOR-TO-DOOR:

Tuesday night, Mr. Delph said that today was the day when in years past, the kids, translators, adults, etc. "hit the wall," so to speak, in the adventure that is the Amazon Mission Trip. The Day of the Wall began with a hike up an extremely steep flight of 76 stairs...but who's counting. The rest of the day was just as difficult and utterly terrifying as the trek up the stairs.

We began our morning ministry of Door-to-Door conversations with the villagers that were willing to speak with us. The first few were very hesitant to delve into conversation, which was a greatly disappointing way to start off the day. It only gets better from there. The next few hours consist of Trip Starkey and Karaline Coats in particular stepping up to the plate and listening to the Holy Spirit guide them in spreading the gospel with the villagers. Trip and Mr. Clements led a teenage boy to know Christ in what was possibly the coolest moment of the trip so far. The boy asked us a question that was terribly hard to answer, and good 'ole Trip comes up with a verse from the Bible that completely applied to the situation. Here's the part that makes this story awesome. Trip didn't know what the verse said. He merely told Mr. Azevedoe to read 2 Timothy 3:12 to the boy. Un-Real. This happening is a perfect example of how God is doing so many different things through so many different people

Next, Karaline Coats acquired two coconuts, three mangos, and some fruit I've never seen before from the kind people of the village that we got to talk to. Even more spectacular than the attention and love Karaline, and all of us really, received from the people today, was how well she shared her faith with a struggling family. Context: Husband a believer...wife, not. Karaline did an excellent job of on-the-spot giving her testimony and applying it to the woman and her life. While we are uncertain as to how much this lady really took away from Karaline's story, it was obvious that the Lord had great plans for us today, despite the "wall."

As a group, we pushed through "the wall" together as a team, and were able to accomplish what we felt the Lord had called us to do: making disciples of all nations.

THINGS THAT NEED TO BE MENTIONED ON THIS BLOG:

After lunch on the boat, we lost some good soldiers that could not continue the day. That's how large this wall was. Austin Gregg and Alex Beebe fell to dehydration and exhuastion, and the doctors decided that it would be best if they did not go out for the rest of the day. Our fallen friends will not soon be forgotten. But really, they're fine. Both have recovered quite swiftly due greatly to the care of Dr. Ku and Dr. Beebe on our boat. They are awesome.

To all the parents that have never seen a picture of these villages in Brazil: If you can't wait to see the pictures on Sunday, rent Jurassic Park in the meantime. It's basically the same setting.

To my Mommy: I am applying sun-screen and insect repellant twice a day, and I'm having a wonderful time. I love you.

P.S.- The blanket you secretly put in my bag is not being put to use at all. It's hot.

-Kyle Cox

Also the teen women Bible study continued again today led by Katy Clements, Karaline Coats, Taylor Landry, Sean Ku, Catherine Chesnut and Amber Betts. The young women really opened up today and not only allowed us to talk to them about identity, but got very personal with us, sharing their problems and struggles. One even shared her story of her father who did not want her anymore. While we were all very touched by their willingness to open up to complete strangers, it was encouraging to see the Holy Spirit work through us to each give our testimonies to these young women despite the language barrier. I'm excited to see what God has in store for us on our last two days.

Love you mom and dad! ... Tell Bozzly I miss him!

-Karaline Coatshh