August 10, 2012 - STF's first Amazon Blog!

South Tampa Fellowship (Tampa, FL) here!  We made it into Manaus at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday night.
After the usual long time getting through customs, we boarded the bus for the short
ride down to the dock where the Amore Esperanca was waiting for us.  It was midnight,
and we immediately got underway to get to our first village.  We each claimed our
hammock and got settled in for sleep.  Thankfully, there's no time zone difference,
so there's no jet lag to overcome.  We arrived at Samauma early yesterday morning. 
The head pastor came onto the boat to introduce himself and tell us a little about
the village.  This is one of the more developed villages.  There is a paved road,
cars, a couple of buses, six churches (one Catholic and five Christian), and a
small hospital clinic.  There are about 900 people here.  It's pretty evangelized
here, so he asked us to build relationships with the people.  Tell them about how
we came to know Christ and share a little about our lives with them.  After
breakfast and a short time of worship and devotion on the boat, we divided into
small groups (each with a translator) and walked around the village inviting the
people to come meet with us after lunch at 2:00 p.m.  Sara & I met with the ladies,
along with Nadyr, our translator.  We gave them manicures and pedicures.  I shared
my testimony with them while I painted their nails.  Sara asked them questions
about their families.  Nadyr knows just how to translate things and make them feel
so comfortable with us.  Andrew, Brent, Mike, Stefan, Francisco, Brian went with Izzy,
their translator, to find some men.  The men were all out working, so they didn't get
to have a meeting. Johnny & Cody went with Marcos, their translator, to give out
eyeglasses.  Several of the young girls arrived, and Marcos translated they were not
there for glasses.  They wanted a picture with Cody.  Since some of you don't know
Cody, he has light brown hair that he wears a little long on top, and baby blue eyes.
Cody obliged them and let them get their picture.  Jacqueline, Linda, and Joanna
stayed behind on the boat to finish sorting all of our supplies. The pastor asked
for an impromptu church service last night.  He asked if we would sing some worship
songs as a group, and if a couple of us would share our testimonies.  Andrew and I
shared our testimonies.  Our group sang Shout to the Lord and I Will Lift Your Name
on High.  The time now is 7:08 a.m.  Everyone is moving about the boat, getting
dressed for the day, and getting ready for breakfast.  We are stillin Samauma this
morning.  We will leave here after lunch for our next village, Caapiranga.  Our Brazilian
doctor and dentist will be joining us this afternoon.  Signing off till next time, Bekah