Monday, August 13, 2012

August 13, 2012, 12:17 p.m.

 

Yesterday we left Boa Vista right after lunch and came here to
Italiano.  We sent a small group of people out on the speed boat
to let the surrounding people know we were here and would be
opening our clinics today.  The rest of us stayed behind and played
soccer games with the Brazilians!  Even our boat crew came out
and played with us.  I've never played soccer a day in my life, much
less with Brazilian women!  The men play much more aggressively,
of course, so thankfully we had enough men to play each other!
It was a great afternoon building relationships over their favorite sport.

 

Ananda (translator) and I spoke to a woman in the village this morning, and
she said she's never seen a missionary boat here.  Praise God for guiding
us here!  Pray as we minister to these people today, that as we meet their
physical needs, they would see the Great Physician working through us.

 

Here's a note from Joanna Loyd from our team.  She's an ARNP.

 

"I spent a day and a half with the Brazilian doctor soaking up
every piece of knowledge he could give me, taking notes and
doing exams.  He is also a new doctor, just out of medical school
1 month ago.  We saw 60+ patients the first day and saw diagnoses
like fungal skin infections, ringworm, migraines, hypertension,
possible heart disease, and acid reflux.  We even saw 2 kids with
pneumonia.  The doctor left yesterday, and from here on out, it's me...
something I didn't expect.  Those of you who know me know that I'm a
quick learner, have a great education from Vanderbilt, and love taking
care of people.  But I'm treating patients with which I have very limited experience,
like kids, women with gynecological problems and people
who are fairly healthy.  My training is with very sick patients in the ICU. 
I covet your prayers for wisdom, knowledge, and safety for these
patients.  I saw patients today with diagnoses such as headaches,
miscarriages, nausea, acid reflux, inflammation of the gallbladder,
gynecological problems, and infectious bacteria... possibly shigella. 
One family came from an area where there was flooding
in their house, which is near a flooded cemetery.  They
have been drinking the same floodwaters from the cemetery. 
The Lord only knows what bacteria, hepatitis, and other infections
they have because of this.  All of these villagers live a 4-hour boat ride from
any medical care.
 
I know I'm here for a reason and these people need attention. 
I know that the Lord has me on this trip for a reason, and I'm willing to
be uncomfortable for His glory.  He is calming me, giving me wisdom, and
bringing diagnoses to mind... this I KNOW.  My team is praying for me.  The
translators are used to dispensing medications in the pharmacy, and they are
reminding me of the dosages for the various medications that I'm not used to prescribing.
While I'm working in the medical clinic meeting physical needs, I'm thankful
that everyone else is able to meet their spiritual needs and spread the gospel. 
We are so thankful for your prayers!"

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Sunday, August 12, 2012, 10:40 a.m.

 

Greetings from Boa Vista!  Today is Father's Day in Brazil, so they are having a huge party here at this village,
and most are not interested in coming to receive medical or dental care, much less to chat and get to
know us.  Some of us are on the boat right now because of the chuva!  Chuva is Portuguese for rain.  This
storm is quite windy.  There are white caps on the river.  The rest of the team is up in the village giving a few
of the villagers some medical and dental care, distributing eyeglasses and medications.  We will leave here at
lunchtime and try to find opportunities to serve in other villages.  The men from our team have been packing
fishing gear and tools to give to the men of the villages.  Linda and I are here writing the blog. 

 

Yesterday in Sao Joao Batista, we had all of our clinics and ministries open.  The medical clinic saw 44 patients. 
The dentist arrived at lunchtime, and she got right to work after lunch.  While the women were waiting in the clinics,
Linda, Jacqueline, and I got to hold some cute babies and meet some nice teenage girls and mothers.  Late in
the afternoon, we gathered about 20 women in the church to talk with them and give them some family packs
containing soaps, lotions, vitamins, washcloths, and Daughter of the King bracelet kits.  Most of the women
were believers, and we had an opportunity to pray with them and for them before we left.  Right outside the church,
Cody and Ananda were taking family pictures with our polaroid camera.  They put the pictures in a little craft
foam frame with stickers.  They really seemed to enjoy that.  The men on our team were really encouraged by the
large group of men who participated in their meeting.  Francisco shared his testimony with them.  Izzy preached
a little sermon.  One man accepted Jesus.  The children had a great time in VBS!  We saw them playing with
the hoola hoops we brought from Hoola for Happiness.  They were jumping rope and playing soccer, too. 

 

After another delicious dinner cooked by the awesome cooks here on the boat, we had our devotion, and went
to our hammocks early.  Tchau for now from Linda and Bekah!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Saturday, August 11, 2012, 6:57 a.m.

 

Bom dia from Sao Joao Batista!  I write this blog early in the morning before breakfast, but I don't have time to try to post it
until after lunch.  The satellite works better with full sun and no clouds.  There is a better chance of those conditions
right around the lunch hour.  We spent yesterday morning in Samauma.  We divided into groups to work in our various ministries.
Andrew, Ryann, Brian, Johnny, Natalie, and Ananda worked in Vacation Bible School with the kids at the gymnasium.  Cody,
Sara, and Jacqueline worked in the eyeglasses clinic.  The need in the eyeglasses clinic at this village was sunglasses,
which we do not have enough of on this trip.  Izzy, Francisco, Mike, and Stefan worked in the men's ministry.  Like
yesterday, most of the men were out working.  I saw them chatting with a store owner for a long time.
Nadyr, Sara, Joanna, Linda and I were invited to thehouse of one of the ladies we met yesterday.  Her name was Maria
Francesca.  She was so excited to show us the house she and her husband were building.  She showed us where she currently
lived.  She showed us her daughter's house, too.  She has six children, five boys and one girl, all grown.  She and her
husband gave us some inga fruit from their tree at their new house.  I call it velvety sweetness.  When you open the pod,
there are fuzzy white sections.  Inside the fuzzy white stuff is a big black seed.  You only eat the white fuzzy part.
The flesh is very soft and sweet.  She gave us plenty to take back to the boat to share with everyone later.  She gave us
some papaya, a small green plant, some juices, and farinha.  We gave these items to the cooks on our boat.  Later, Sara
joined us, and we all talked to two teenage girls.  We chatted about everything with them, sharing with them what we do
for a living in the United States.  They shared with us what they want to do when they get out of school.  Our doctor
joined us yesterday.  We will be able to provide the medical clinic today.  Joanna is a nurse practitioner, and
she will work with him and learn how to treat the villagers.  He told us a little about himself last night.  He is 23
years old.  In Brazil, they don't have to go to medical school as long as we do in the United States.  This is his first
mission trip as a doctor.  Well, breakfast is almost served, and I certainly don't want to be late for that!  Tchau! - Bekah

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

Day 6 & 7 Carpenter's Way July 2012

Day 6:  Novo Paraiso (New Paradise, also serving Ebenezer).  Our morning devotion was concerning clinging to Christ's hope.  We debarked the boat an hour early so we could get started right away since we needed to leave at noon to head to Maues to get gas before 6pm.  This was the smallest village we visited all week serving only 9 men & 9 women in adult ministry as well as many children.  The dentistry team including first timers Amanda & Teresa saw many teeth pulled including 3 small children who broke our hearts as they struggled to fight the inevitable.  What touched many of us the most was the infectious moving of the Holy Spirit in this village because most were believers already.  Just being around the leader of the church and his family of 8 brought me to tears because they were so happy to share the morning with fellow believers.  One woman came to Christ that morning after praying with Peyton, Mary Ann, & Jacy about her struggles as a mother of 10.  I met a single mom named Ralene who I promised to pray for as she seeks a Godly man to raise her daughter with, just as I do.

 

On our way to Maues we stopped at an encampment where the local missionaries meet once a month to work together on the spreading of the gospel.  Then in Maues we said good-bye to 4 members of our team who served with us all week and will continue to serve in this area long after we are gone.  One of them named Rejane, who I call my soul sister, touched us all very deeply with her beautiful singing voice & her boldness with sharing her faith.  Chad & Teresa gave her the guitar & case that they brought with them on the trip and the gratitude she felt made some of us cry!  In Maues we walked around and had ice cream at a local vendor then headed back to the boat.  That night, we had a celebratory dinner to honor our crew & translators as well as the birthdays we had aboard:  Teresa, Toni, & Cameron.  That night, Chad shared with us about waiting patiently on the Lord from Isaiah.  Many of us stayed up later than usual knowing our time together was soon to end and because we knew we could sleep in the next day!

 

Day 7:  Today so far has been a lovely day as we cruise down the Amazon back to Manaus.  As I type we are having a share time of some of the highlights of the trip.  Throughout the day our team has been throwing & sling-shotting care packages overboard to villagers along the river as we head home.  A few of us had a blast teaching one of our translators, Gilbert, Texas slang for about an hour!  When we arrive in Manaus this evening, we will be staying in a hotel so that the boat can be cleaned & used for a large group that will be arriving tomorrow.  We are looking forward to air conditioning, a hot shower, and a chance to catch some of the Olympics, but after our time on the river, we will appreciate these things with even more gratitude than ever before!  Tomorrow we will sleep in, go swimming & shopping, attend church at Manaus First Presbyterian Church, and then we will all be going to dinner at a Brazilian steak house before we head to the airport at 9pm.  We will connect in Miami in the wee hours of the night and plan to arrive in Houston at 9:30am on Monday morning.  But as we have learned, sometimes God changes our plans and we will be cheerfully flexible if that is the case!

 

Thank you all for your dedication in praying for us.  The supplies you have sent, the money you gave to support us, and the prayers you have prayed have all been multiplied and will continue to be multiplied long after we leave here.  Please continue to pray for the villages as well as Amazon Outreach, but also pray for us as we take the lessons we have learned here and as we become more attentive to the Holy Spirit's movement in our lives.  We are forever changed.

 

Until all have heard,

Kristine Mize 

Day 4 & 5 with Carpenter's Way July 2012

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

 

 

 

Day 3-Carpenter's Way July 2012

Day 3:  Bom dia-which is "good morning" in Portuguese.  We had a fabulous day in Vila Nova! This village has approximately 39 families (about 195 people), only 18% are professed Christians.  Despite this, they were very welcoming, happy to have us there and receptive to what we wanted to share.  After Dja shared with us from Acts 2 & 3 we spent a lot of time in prayer during our morning devotion, praying that we would be the face of Jesus. 

 

I (Kristine) was able to serve on the street evangelism team today which also consisted of Sam T., Jacy, Pam, Toni, Rejane, and Josimar.  We were invited to enter 2 different homes & pray with the families there.  One of them did not have a Bible at all & we read some scripture with them.  I highlighted the passages and then prayed for their family to come to know Christ.  At the second home, we met three generations of men.  Only one of them can read & we gave him a new Bible to read to the family and Pam prayed for them.  

 

VBS had 55 children today with Ally, Teresa, Barbara, Cameron, & Evelyn.  The highlight was the skit that they put on about the birth of Jesus.  The children were really into the reenactment, bowing to baby Jesus.  The medical team reported 96 patients today!  Gigi, Chad & Sam H. played photographers today.  Amanda cut hair again today with Trey stepping in to give a mohawk to one young boy!

 

"God choses the right person for the right need."  The speed boat evangelism team, Vanderlei, Paige, Gilbert, & Trey visited a house with pet pigs, a new experience even for our veteran Paige. But while visiting with a local named Jackson who received Christ during their visit, the team was even more blessed by their time with him because he and Paige shared a common bond, the recent loss of a family member. 

 

I especially enjoyed hearing Pam share the gospel at the ladies meeting today, using comedy to warm up the crowd.  We had about 40 women in attendance.  Teresa, Melinda, Donna, and I got our fill of holding some beautiful babies too!  At the final village meeting, Chad & I sang an original song that he wrote, "There You Are", and Trey shared the story of Jesus & Lazarus.  The exclamation point at the end of this day was when the whole village headed to the soccer field to watch the athletes of our team take on the Brazilians.  There were so many on our team that wanted to play that a third team was created consisting of Americans & Brazilians.  The Americans held there own today and it was very fun to watch everyone play.

 

As I type everyone is heading for their hammocks, tired from a full day of serving and being blessed.  Please keep praying for the people we will encounter.  Tomorrow we will be serving another village consisting of mostly unbelievers.

 

Until all have heard,

Kristine Mize