Hello from the Amazon! The Bent Tree team is safe and well.
Sunday, 09/02/2012
Village: Marajo
Village: Marajo
Our first day of ministry was amazing, we spent the day in Marajo, the first location of the Bent Tree water well. All ministries were in full force. We left the waterwell crew there to continue drilling as the minstry team continued down river.
Monday, 09/03/2012
Villages: El Shaday and Sau Mateus
Villages: El Shaday and Sau Mateus
Happy Labor Day y'all. Another full day of ministry. The visit to El Shaday was especially meaningful. Some of our team members were involved in the early construction of this Christian village back in 2000. It was amazing to see how the village has grown over the last twelve years and the impact it has had on that region of the Amazon. We found out that they hit rock while drilling the first water well at Marajo, which normally means the well has to be moved. However we found out that miraculously they were able to get through the rock! Glory to God!
Tuesday, 09/04/2012
Villages: Badajos and Vonderley & Tiane
Villages: Badajos and Vonderley & Tiane
Today was the most amazing day! This morning we worked in a small village named Badajos where the people had been resistant to the Gospel until recently. We were very well received and many prayed to receive Christ. During the morning a few of us went to visit a couple named Tiane and Vonderley. They became Christians through an Amazon Outreach team last year and have been persecuted by the friends in their village and by their family ever since. Two months ago they had to move out of their home because Vonderley lost his job. The villagers told him he could have it back if he decided to not follow Jesus but he and Tiane decided that they had no choice but to follow Him! A Christian family near Badajos told Vonderley and Tiane they could build a home on their land. We came to their little home site in the middle of the jungle with only Vonderley and their two young sons to work. The team decided to come back after lunch and help them level the dirt under their roof and clear the land around the house they had begun to build. We are putting the second BTBF water well on their property. Tonight we're collecting a love offering for them to purchase the cement for the floor of their house. Tiane spoke to all of us and as she spoke we realized how small our faith was in comparison. No one on our team has ever been faced with losing everything for Christ. We will never forget this couple and their family and they will remain in our prayers.