As I write, we are half way through our week. 11/16/2012, Friday, our
team of 25 safely landed in Manaus, Brazil around midnight. We then
traveled by tour bus to our boat, the Amor Esperança, and began our 20 hour
boat ride around 1:30 am (11/17/2012). The night was short though, with
breakfast at 7 am. Of course, Saturday would not be wasted, but was the
perfect opportunity to read, study the Bible, and prepare for sharing the
Gospel to all who are receptive. Our destination was three small villages
near Parintins, a city of about 100,000 people. Our team is working with
First Baptist Church Parintins, to plant a Church in each of the three small
villages, Maranhão (Madanyow, the largest), Varrevento (Vahevinto), and
Barajós (Badajois, the smallest). Three small teams were formed and
assigned to each village, for the purpose of sharing the Gospel. In support
of the small teams are about 9 translators and a medical team that is
spending 2 days in each village, while the small teams witness and hold
Bible studies with the local Christians. The medical team consists of Dr.
Socorro, one Brazillian dentist, one physician assistant, and two nurses.
Dr. Socorro and our PA's are examining patients, writing prescriptions, and
dispensing medications. On Sunday & Monday, the medical team was in
Maranhão and on Tuesday & Wednesday, the medical team is in Varrevento.
Thursday, we complete the medical work in Barajós.
Another important accomplishment for our mission trip is the drilling of
a water well in Barajós, which is the result of a $5000 donation. The
people in all three villages get their water from the river, which is not
always clean. Maybe in the near future, Maranhao and Varravinto will also
get a water well. The well drilling team began on Sunday (11/18/2012) and
the well will be ready to use on Thursday. We expect to have a well
dedication service before coming home.
On Tuesday, some of our translators who are from New Baptist Church in
Parintins, performed two drama presentations to American music for the youth
in Maranhão. Following the presentations, our team members had the
opportunity to present the Gospel to the youth of the village. We plan to
do the same today in Varrevento.
We begin the long journey back to Manaus on Thursday night, to arrive in
Manaus on Saturday morning. Many thanks (muito obrigado) to all who are
praying and have given to make this trip a success.
Our current GPS coordinates are: 2.82993 S, 56.75615 W.
