Day 6: Tapagem and Homeward bound!

Our day at Tapagem was amazing and a perfect end to an awesome mission journey.  God assembled the perfect team for this trip -- both Brazillian and American.

 

We had the largest attendance of children in this village.  They were very eager to participate - in fact, they were waiting at the entrance of the church and cheered as we arrived to begin our program.  They were very engaged as our translator, Rosie, presented the gospel and explained how they could pray to invite Jesus into their hearts.  We know at least four of them became Christians!!  The realization that one of these children could very well be the next leader to evangelize this area of the Amazon was not lost on us. Bethany and Hannah met with the teenage girls and shared their testimonies. About fifteen girls listened and shared their prayer requests afterward. They loved reaching out to the teens, and the girls seemed to love it as well!

 

The medical team saw about 125 people in this village, and the dentists saw more than 50 people!!  More eyeglasses were handed out here than in the previous villages.  It was amazing to watch people from one area of ministry see an immediate need in another ministry, and as time allowed, they willingly jumped in to help out in any way possible. 

 

During our team sharing time last night, a small boat pulled up alongside ours, hoping we could come to their village the next day. We were sad to tell them we'd be leaving, but we were able to give them medicine, clothing, flip flops, toiletries, and other household items. It reminded us that the work isn't finished and that all we have to do is show up to be a blessing.

 

Our boat just pulled into Manaus and the team will be headed for the airport in a few hours.  See y'all tomorrow!

Day 4 and 5: Sao Sebastiao and Nossa Sra Do Perpetuo Socorro

The team has had 2 more great days of ministry. We have been continuously blown away by the Lord's power and provision as we go into these villages and share Christ with the people.

The team felt the visit to Sao Sebastiao was a divine appointment.  As we spent time at the village we learned the pastor's family had been going though some trials and was in need of some spirtual support.  At the end of the day they had a special service to thank the team that ended with a slideshow of the pictures the pastor had taken of the team throughout the day.  The pastor's church was very nice compared to other village churches (they even had air conditioning), however the team learned no matter how small or advanced the church is, it's all about Jesus.

The team went and an EXTREME jungle adventure.  Where we had some serious come to Jesus moments.  We traveled 30 minutes via 3 small boats through dense flooded jungle deep into the Amazon.  During the boat ride to where we disembarked a large spider was found on Mark's back, after some panic we manged to get the spider out of the boat. With a machete we then cut a path thru the thick jungle.  What we thought was fruit on the ground was actually wild boar droppings.  There were meanacing trees with large spikes.  It was not our teams finest moment but we knew God was with us.  On the way back, the lead boat went under a large branch and a swarm of tracker jackers attacked Dan and Duane.  After numerous bites and more panic they were able to fight off the wasps.  Over all the team arrived safely back at the boat with only psycological distress.  Thanks to imediate prayers there is no evidence of any wasp bites from the attack today.

Today we learned no matter what our first impressions are of a seemly deserted village, God can show up in big ways.  What looked like a 20' X 60' island in a swamp ended up housing the most number of people we have seen in one day.  They came by the boat load to a small, flooded piece of land called Nossa Sra Do Perpetuo Socorro. All ministries were in full force and the Lord's provision was evident to all.  It was a blessing to see the supplies the team collected go into the hands of the villagers.  At the end of the day the pastor thanked us and told us about a dream he had six months prior.  The dream was about a boat coming with brothers and sisters in Christ to minister to that region.

Tonight the team got a chance to take the small boats out in two shifts to hunt alligators. The first wave that went out caught two babies and a larger one and named then Jefferson, Alfredo, and Willy. The second crew that went out had a little more luck, catching two larger gators about 3 and 4 feet long. Their names were Shadrack and Meshack. Unfotunately we couldnt catch an Abendago. One of our team members, whose initials are B.M., got a small birthday bite from one of the smaller gators, Willy.After we took all our fun pictures with them, we had to say goodbye to our new friends and put them back into the water.

We have one more solid day of ministry before heading back to Dallas.  We can't wait to see what God has planned for us. It's been really neat to see how the Lord has orchestrated our team and filled it up with so many willing servants. It already has the feel of a family and it has been a blessing to serve Christ together on this trip.

Day 2 and 3, Cinturao Verde and Novo Horizonte villages

The technical difficulties with our satellite connection have been resolved.  You should be receiving our team updates now. Yea God!  Our team remains safe and well.

 

We have had 2 more great days of ministry.  Serving the people of Cinturao Verde and Novo Horizonte.  The smiles on the faces of children and appreciation of the villagers are not easily expressed in a blog post, but we will have pleanty of pictures to share with you.

 

In VBS, our dramatization of David and Goliath will sure to up for an Oscar nomination next year.  Rosanne played an excellent David, knocking me (Dan) down with the first hit.  Wow, just like in the Bible.  Madelyn played an excellent King Saul and will sure to be nominated for best supporting actor.

 

The nurses and dentists have seen quite a few patients in the last couple days.  The rest of the team has deemed that treatment of worms is NOT an appropriate dinner conversation topic.  They have complied.   

 

The team experienced an extemely loud worship service last night.  We are asking that Amazon Outreach provide earplugs for future trips.  It is truly an awesome experience worship in a different language knowing they are worshiping the same God.  Our team was even invited to sing a song. 

 

Seriously, the team and villagers are truly being blessed.  We will have much to share with you when we return.

First Day of Ministry - Sao Sebastiao

Greetings from the Amazon jungle.

 

Good news, the team made it safely to Brazil and we have just completed our first day of ministry.  We woke up this morning to a beautiful Amazon sunrise and spent the day serving the people of Sao Sebastiao.  The water levels are very high this year, someone joked that they are the highest since the Great Flood.  God had the AC on for our team today, it was very comfortable and breezy at times working in the village. 

 

It was awesome day, all ministries were open for business: medical, pharmacy, dentistry, eye glasses, men's ministry, women's ministry, family portraits, hair/nails and VBS!  Karen and Sarah headed up the medical ministry and treated many patients.  Fred and Eli served in dentistry (or a better term may be extracted).  Geraldo and Mark dispensed medicines in the Pharmacy.  Sherry fitted eyeglasses.  My friend Duane lead the men in men's ministry and Lane completely enjoyed pouring into the women.  Rosanne and Madelyn took pictures of precious families and distributed pictures in a place where Walmart is far, far away.  I had the privlelege to serve in Children's ministry with Brenda, Hanna, Phyllis and Bethany with our awesome translators Rosie and Chris.  Our team GETS to be the hands and feet of Jesus ...HOW COOL IS THAT!  Thank you so much to our supporters, spouses, friends and families that have enabled us to do this.  You are with us. 

 

Although our team had many highpoints, the high point of my day was during our morning VBS session, 2 girls accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour after our team presented the gospel.  Right before I left for Brazil I posted a Facebook message asking for prayers for me and the team.  Immediately the responses to my post started pouring in.  I have seriously felt your prayers today.  Thank you and keep them coming, this has been only the first day of ministry there are many more to come.  Thank you all and we love you.

 

 

Dan Madsen