Baylor Day 2

Howdy!

 

Day 3 of ministry here in the Amazon. Update from yesterday, the youth rally was incredible! Americans and Brazilians were blessed and relationships were formed that will not soon be forgotten. We got to work with a group of roughly 60 young adults from Pastor Elmer's church in Parintins. They were such a blast to be around. Gabi shared her testimony in church and encouraged so many with her words by letting the Holy Spirit use her.

 

We spent time split up into groups of guys and girls and shared powerful stories of purity, forgiveness and restoration in Christ. God really did some amazing things in the short time we were in Parintins. I want to personally thank the Young Singles at Prestonwood who worked so hard to raise money to make this event so incredibly successful. I got to spend time training the leadership in the church how to run a youth rally so that they can go out into local villages and reach the young people there.

 

Today we are in a larger village called Bahaia. Us Americans (mainly me) are learning to be flexible and roll with the punches. Harrison has done an incredible job leading and keeping my head on straight, he also just told me he scored a goal against the Brazilians in our big soccer game this afternoon.

 

The Bush family, Tori, Amber and Leah worked hard at the dental station pulling teeth all day. Lauren Simpson, Lathan, Lexi, Emily, Troy, Taylor, Jennie and Lauren Glavin spent the afternoon loving on kids. They were awesome VBS leaders and I was so blessed to watch them share the love of Christ with the sweet Brazilian people who are so dear to my heart.

 

We started some mens and womens ministry today and it went well. The Holy Spirit really spoke through Michael and Harrison's testimony to the men. We also gave the women some of the new evangelism aprons that were made and donated to Amazon Outreach and they were overjoyed, smiling laughing and posing for one another, it was a sweet sight to see.

 

Harrison and I had the opportunity to meet the President of the village and hear his story. He has been praying for 3 years that a church would be built in his village and here in a couple of months Amazon Outreach is bringing a trip here led by Bill Blythe that will build that very church to answer his prayers. The people here are open and hungry for the gospel so please be praying for the future leadership of the church here because the enemy definitely does not want such a large, powerful community on fire for Christ.

 

Everyone is healthy and we could not be more thankful for that. Keep praying for continued health, rest and that God's name will continue to be glorified throughout the nation. We look forward to a new day to proclaim His name but until then, "Soups On Baby" aka Dinner Time!

 

Deus Abencoe
Sic Em Bears
In Christ,
Landen Ellis, Harrison Ross & Baylor Team

Day Two, Part 2

Oi from Brasil,

 

Everyone has made it safe and sound. The Bush family, Amber and Michael and Leah all arrived safely in Parintins this evening. The past few days have been crazy because of weather and flights but we have all arrived and everyone is doing great!

 

This afternoon most of the team went to Good Samaritan Village here in Parintins (a city/island on the Amazon) where we had Vacation Bible School and played lots of soccer with the kids. Shelton, Taylor, Troy and Jennie made great disciples in the skit where Jesus tells the men in the  to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. Brent Adams, Lexi and Lauren were swarmed by kids, they were loving on them and having a blast just playing silly games despite the language barrier. It was a successful afternoon and no one wanted to say goodbye when it was time to head back to the boat.

 

There has been plenty of rain here but we are all going strong and aren't letting that stand in our way. Pray for us Saturday as we will be doing a youth rally (basically day camp on steroids) with a group of teenagers here in Parintins. It is a powerful opportunity for us to minister to kids close to our own age and really relate with them and share the hope we have found in Christ.

 

We can feel your prayers. We are so grateful that everyone was able to make it here safely. Pray for strength, energy and boldness in the days to come. We look forward to letting you know how the Youth Rally goes.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Jones-- Amber made it here safe and sound and she wants you to know that she loves you and is already having a great time here in the Amazon. Thanks for your prayers, God bless!

 

In Christ,
Landen Ellis & The Baylor Team

Day Two, Part 1

Hello from the Amazon!  We are in a city on the river called Paritin, and we are going to begin VBS with the kids soon.  This is the first chance we've had since arriving to connect with the satellite and let everyone know we're doing great and we're alive.  We will, God willing that it doesn't rain all night, post again this evening with more information about what's going on and how we're all doing.  In the meantime, don't worry and we love you all!