Kristine here again. Sorry I didn't write yesterday so let's get caught up!
Day 4: Vila Darci is a village of about 41 families with 2 known families saved. They have a Seventh Day Adventist church where the members of the community worship together. Kevin led the devotion this morning from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, reminding us that we are ambassadors for Christ. I was able to be on the evangelism team again today. Originally, we just began visiting with the people around the clinic because it seemed everyone was in town. Later, we walked down the path to the first house and met a man named Joshua & his wife. They introduced us to their many pets including a monkey named Sheka. I read Joshua the story of Joshua & the battle of Jericho because he said he did not know the origin of his name. After our group talked with them for a while, Joshua & his wife confirmed their faith with us and I read Ephesians 3:14-21 as a prayer over them & their home. Teresa & Chad were on the hair & nail team. Chad cut men's hair using the hair clippers & even let one man cut his hair. Teresa spent most of the morning holding a sweet baby girl even while painting nails! That afternoon following lunch & siesta, a huge rain storm came but that did not deter our team or the locals from being part of the activities. Haircuts were given, VBS played games, and the men's & women's ministry met. In the women's ministry, Amanda gave her testimony reminding the women how much Christ loves women, Pam shared the plan of salvation with the ladies using the hot pads the Donna brought from her friends in Newton. One woman got so excited that Pam let her stand up and "preach" while Pam sat in her chair! The final community worship was the best so far, partly because Barbara & team kept the young children in VBS. The Brazilians started us out with songs in Portugese, then the Americans led by Chad & myself sang two songs in English. Kay shared her testimony and "Pastor" Kevin brought the Word. The rain stopped & we sailed away, very fulfilled and excited about the enthusiasm the villagers had for the Word. Once dinner was over, the newbies all went crocodile hunting and caught one!
Day 5: Acao-Era is a town of 37 families, with 3 families professed Christians. They have a Catholic church with a confirmed Christian leader, but no missionary presence. In the morning Pam, Megan, & I were able to play manicurest, doing women's nails, 1 man's nails and a couple of pedicures. Amanda & Naarah cut hair. Sam Hughes assisted the dentists for the first time ever and Trey, Janice, Gilbert, Jacy, Teresa & Chad were able to be on the evangelism team. They met a fisherman & his wife who were believers. They shared the story of the disciples who were fishing & could catch no fish but Jesus came along & told them to cast their nets again & they could not hold all the fish! The man & his wife told them that 20 years ago their children left for Manaus and have never returned. They miss them desperately and hope they will return someday, but even more they hope that if they do not see them again in this life, that they will see them again in heaven, hoping that they will accept Christ too. Rejane was sharing with about 15 young men when she saw Trey & Gilbert walking by and asked them to come share with the young men. Trey shared his testimony & the gospel with them and they prayed to receive Christ! At the women's meeting, Donna shared her testimony & again was able to give every lady a hot pad made by her friends in Newton. Pam again shared the plan of salvation using the hot pads. Trey & Chad led the men's meeting where Chad was able to share his testimony & talk to the men about nutrition. At final worship, we sang songs in Portugese & English. Tonight, I was able to share my testimony, reading from Matthew 6 regarding Jesus' message to not worry about your life and then I sang "His Eye Is On the Sparrow". He cares for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field & he will also take care of us. Then Pastor Trey shared a message of peace from John 14:27-29. Time at the village was capped off with a soccer match where many Americans took part (including me!) but to no avail. We were defeated again.
Back on board the boat, as I am typing, some of the group is huddled around singing songs with Chad on the guitar and sharing in the highlights of the day. Two of our crew members accepted Christ this morning during devotion with their fellow Brazilians!! The most significant part of this trip to me is not just the effect we have had on the villagers and of course the lessons we have learned from them, but the relationships formed on this boat. No one wants to go to bed! We love being together, praying together, sharing our experiences, and singing praises. We have one last village to visit tomorrow before we begin our trip west to Manaus.
Your prayers are being heard and answered! We are all experiencing the movement of the Holy Spirit. We are meeting new sisters and brothers in Christ! Thank you for being part of this experience with us.
Until all Have Heard,
Kristine
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