Water Well Dedication to the memory of David Parker

Today was our last day of ministry in the villages.  Tomorrow we will be in Parintins. At the close of the day we were able to have a celebration of the succesful drilling of a water well that we placed in a small community in the Nhamunda area.  The water that came from this well tasted great and was some of the cleanest I have ever had in my life.  While river water is obviously plentiful in the Amazon it is more polluted by the day thus causing continuous illness for the precious people that live in the 30,000 villages.

 

We have been praying all week as to who to dedicate this well to and we gave that decision to 5 of the PCA students that have been on this trip at least 3 times.   They all whole heartedly wanted to dedicate the well to David Parker a much loved Trinity Christian father who just recently went to be with the Lord at a young age.  Beth and I went to Baylor with David.  He led a full life and made an impact on everyone he met.  I always remember him with a smile on his face.

 

David was a family man.  The day he went to be with Christ he had been married exactly 25 years which is rare in this world.  David loved his bride DeLynn and called her Princess.  David loved his 4 sons and was actively involved in every phase of their lives.

 

David lived a full life that was not wasted.  He was the head of the deacons at Parkway Hills.

 

David will be remembered by so many for all the ways he touched their lives.  This water well in his honor is another tribute to his life.

 

How will you and I be remembered when our time to meet God face to face comes?  Will we have lived this life for ourselves or poured it out in service to other people.  One thing that struck me on this trip is the two messages that come across my cell phone depending where we are on the Amazon River.  It either says  NO SERVICE  or VIVO (which is the phone provider).  VIVO in Portuguese means ALIVE.  The thought crossed my mind that when there is NO SERVICE (to God) we are not as ALIVE in Christ as we should be.  Only one life will soon be past - only what is done for Christ will last.

 

Thank you for your prayers this week.  We saw the Lord move in mighty ways!  In the last two weeks roughly 60 students from TCA and PCA had their lives transformed here on the River.  I was particularly blessed to have the blessing of my nephew Luke Gilliland experience the work here.

 

Christ Is Life!  Johnson Ellis           (We will try and get another blog out on our way back up the river.  All is well with students on the trip!)

 

Awesome day of ministry in Sagrado (Sacred) Village

Today was quite the day!!

 

We began our day with a typical boat-breakfast: pineapple, watermelon, papaya, scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, ham, and our new staple food, peanut butter bread! Of course, no breakfast would be complete without steaming hot Brazilian cafe (coffee). After breakfast, McKenzie led worship, and Michael, Mr. Beeson, Mrs. Paulette, and Mr. Ellis shared some inspirational words. We all suited up in bug spray and sunscreen and were ready for the village.

The village, Sagrado, which means "sacred," was very responsive and eager to hear what we had to say. VBS skits were a hit. Eric Y, Sam, Danny, and Sheridan did a great job connecting with the kids through skits like "The Birth of Jesus," "Fruits of the Spirit" and the worldess book presentation. The medical/optometry station was filled all day, seeing that this is the first time a full medical crew and pharmacy has visited this village. Zach and Dr Pribich helped dispense 50 pairs of eyeglasses!  It was amazing to see the way medicine and optometry can open a door to evangelism. After the patients received their care, we got the chance to speak with them through translators and share the Evange-Cube. Ashley, Hope, Caroline, Courtney, and Theresa got the opportunity to pray with those who wanted to pray to receive Christ. It is an indescribable experience knowing that we'll see Sebastian and others again in heaven one day.

Soccer, that the boys normally play, was a favorite for the girls today, too. Though on a smaller field, the Brazialian girls showed they had skill. Mr. Ellis even noted that they would be an excellent addition to the PCA girls' soccer program. The boys held their own against the men, but fell short, 2-3.

Just playing with the many children (blowing bubbles, jump roping, and covering Haley with stickers) is blessing in itself. Even through a language barrier, nothing shows love like quality time spent with little ones. The village was completely untouched by the outside world, proven by the amazement on their faces when they saw bubbles, their faces on cameras, and beanie babies. While we were entertaining the kids, Ashley, Theresa, Courtney, and Rose (translator) got to minister to the women of the village by sharing Christ with them, giving them hygiene products, baby items, and children's toys.The women were so grateful, and many even prayed to receive Christ. It was a very moving time, with many thanks and kisses.

It was tough to leave those beautiful faces. With hugs, many pictures, and a loud "TCHAU" we were back on the boat. Half-way through showers, as we tried to depart for the main of the river, the boat would not oblige. We were stuck. We tried "Everybody to the front!" and "Everybody to the back!" but nothing would work. So dressed in bathing suits and towels, we were back on the shore. Thankfully, removing everyone helped free the boat and we all got to board again safely.

Now, after dinner, we are ready for a restful sleep and great day tomorrow, where we will also be dedicating the well that has been drilled in the past few days.

 

 

Amazon Adventure Day 2/3

Tuesday March 8th, 2011

Today was our first day in the village, Sao Jose. VBS went wonderful, the kids responded very well. Skits, crafts, and a Bible lesson (led by Mrs. Paulette) were enjoyed by kids and volunteers. Outside on a dirt playing field, the guys (Michael, Eric, Cole, and Chandler) played a tough game of soccer with some of the little boys in the village. In the women's ministry time, Ashley got to share her testimony and Haley explained the EvangeCube. In the medical clinic, students got to sort and distribute medications to villagers. Grant, Christian, Hope, and Kelby took their turns sanitizing dental equipment and comforting the kids. For Chandler's birthday tonight, we had brownies made and sang to him in English and Portuguese. We are so grateful for a crew that ensures great food, clean clothes every morning, and a welcoming atmosphere.

One of the most rewarding things I got to see today was in the Optometry room. Zach, Chnadler, Sheridan and I got to see men and women come in that had viewed a blurry world for decades. As a vision test, patients would read Bible verses of various sizes indicating their perscription need. Watching them put on the glasses and see a whole new world was a symbol to me of restoration. When one man received his glasses, his face lit up, causing all who watched to smile in the sharing of his joy (Hope).

I saw God today in the faces of the children during worship at the beginning of VBS. Although they were singing in Portuguese, a language that is foreign to me, I could still see the joy of the Lord through the kids. It was amazing to see God work through all of them, as they watched us act out the story of Jesus Christ. Their desire for the love and the gift of Jesus Christ was evident and moving (Rachael & Courtney).

Today I was encourged by one of the moms in the village. She had the most precious little boy cradled in her arms. Later as she watched me hold him, she whispered to the translator, "She's going to be a good mom someday." It was a blessing to hear how even a mom in such a remote location, could see my greatest calling in life (Ashley).

 

Caroline was a hit with the kids. Everywhere she walked, she had a large group of giggling children following her every step.

 

As we type this on the front of the boat, we wish everyone could see what we see. Everynight, in a pitchblack sky, where all that shines is the moon and stars, gorgeous lightning illuminates the river. They say the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas, but they're nothing compared to the thousands of stars here. To our right, we can hear a loud party on shore. And to the left, we hear nothing but croaking frogs.

Nights are windy, days are hot, bugs are prevalent, and God is good.

 

Til tomorrow,

A, H, & R

Day 1 - Amazon Adventure

Waking up this morning, our first full day in the Amazon, we were amazed at the creation around us. It is utterly indescribable, the beauty of our surroundings. It is amazing to think that in such an environment, though very different from our home, God is the same here as he is in Texas. "And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7:14)

The beauty we woke up to made the long journey here so worth it. After 4 airports, 3 flights, and a bus ride, we boarded the Amor e Esperanca in the middle of a Brazilian rain shower. After so much travel, showering on the back of the boat was a refreshment. We settled into our hammocks, ate a great meal, caught up on sleep, and ended the night with some hilarous "silent football" (an Amazon mission trip tradition). We - Hope, Rachael, and Ashley, are currently sitting at the front of the boat overlooking the water. For as far as we can see, river, trees, clouds, and an occasional hut (where Chandler, Billy, Eric S, and Brennan threw little kids soccer balls, yelling "Jesus te Ama") amaze us. This morning after devotion, led by Michael, we organized VBS materials, toys, and hygiene products for delivering to the villages starting tomorrow. Each of us got to sign up for our ministry of choice, such as: VBS, dental, medical, optometry, well-digging, and evangelism.

Today is a restful day, as we prepare for tomorrow's work. We are all eager and excited to start our mission tomorrow. We know the Lord will move in amazing ways, and can't wait to get back to y'all with our stories :)  Please continue to pray for our team, the villagers we will see, and all our health. We would like to leave you will a verse that's been on our hearts.. "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power, among all nations. Let the people praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!" (Psalm 67:1-3)

-H, R, & A

 

Day 1&2 Our arrival and journey!

Waking up this morning, our first full day in the Amazon, we were amazed at the creation around us. It is utterly indescribable, the beauty of our surroundings. It is amazing to think that in such an environment, though very different from our home, God is the same here as he is in Texas. "And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7:14)

The beauty we woke up to made the long journey here so worth it. After 4 airports, 3 flights, and a bus ride, we boarded the Amor e Esperanca in the middle of a Brazilian rain shower. After so much travel, showering on the back of the boat was a refreshment. We settled into our hammocks, ate a great meal, caught up on sleep, and ended the night with some hilarous "silent football" (an Amazon mission trip tradition). We, Hope, Rachael, and Ashley, are currently sitting at the front of the boat overlooking the water. For as far as we can see, river, trees, clouds, and an occasional hut (where Chandler, Billy, Eric S, and Brennan threw little kids soccer balls, yelling "Jesus te Ama") amaze us. This morning after devotion, led by Michael, we organized VBS materials, toys, and hygiene products for delivering to the villages starting tomorrow. Each of us got to sign up for our ministry of choice, such as: VBS, dental, medical, optometry, well-digging, and evangelism.

Today is a restful day, as we prepare for tomorrow's work. We are all eager and excited to start our mission tomorrow. We know the Lord will move in amazing ways, and can't wait to get back to y'all with our stories :)  Please continue to pray for our team, the villagers we will see, and all our health. We would like to leave you will a verse that's been on our hearts.. "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power, among all nations. Let the people praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!" (Psalm 67:1-3)

-H, R, & A

Day 3, Divinio

 

"Paraiso", "Sol Nascente", and now "Divino".  Allow me to translate our journey for you up to this point.  Our first stop was "Paradise" (Paraiso).  We left "Paradise" and traveled to "Rising Sun" (Sol Nascente).  After "Rising Sun", today, we entered "Divine" (Divino).  Maybe it is just the Bible teacher in me but this trip is beginning to read like something out of the Bible.  To recap: Monday we were in Paradise but had to leave (no, we didn't eat the wrong tree).  Having left Paradise, we spent Tuesday (the day that is "full of grace") in the Rising Sun (Son?) which was the next step before we could enter Divine.  (OH, and tomorrow...we go to a new city...) 

 

Divino is so named because of its incredible view.  Though we are always treking "up" from the boat into the villages, this was the steepest climb yet.  The walk up to what I will call Mount Futebool ("foo-chi-ball") was an extra 800 foot ascent to the Holy of Holies (a.k.a. the soccer field) at the highest point of the village, where we tied the Brazilians in "foo-chi-ball.  (It was not quite Dagon falling down before the Ark of the Covenant, but close.)

 

What have I seen as a teacher, parent, and teammember on this trip?  I've witnessed faith and faithfulness, daring and patience, playfulness and earnestness, frivolity and weightiness, love and truth, joy and sorrow, light and life.  In a word, Jesus. 

 

I've seen him in the hundreds of hugs, piggy back rides, high fives, and fist pumps your kids (and mine) have bestowed upon village children.  I've seen him in the heartfelt testmonies our students have shared.  I've seen him in our times together in the evening sharing our day and sharing our reflections on reading together Timothy Keller's, The Prodigal God.  I've seen him as we've hugged each other, carried one another's burdens, laughed at ourselves and each other in the way that people can when they are freed from self-regard and pretence by the awesome presence of redeeming, unconditional love.

 

Why now?  Why here?  Can I suggest something for you to think about as I've suggested to us here.  The Christian God has eternally existed as a Tri-unity of co-equal Persons.  But what does this have to do with seeing Jesus in the Amazon?  Everything, actually!  In The King's Cross, Tim Keller puts it this way, "The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are each centering on the others, adoring and serving them.  And because the Father, Son, and Spirit are giving glorifying love to one another, God is infintely, profoundly happy...The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are pouring love and joy and adoration into the other, eachj one serving the other.  They are infinetly seeking one another's glory, and so God is infinitely happy."  God is, in His essential Being, "other-centered"!  And He is infintely happy being so.  He made us, not to gain from us, but to share with us the ove He's always known.  He made us to spread the joy to us and He made us in His image.  Being made in that image means we will most resemble Him, and therefore share most in His happiness, when we live life centered on Him and others and not ourselves.  When we have a week like this in which we do live to degree greater than "normal" an other-centered existence, we "see" and "share" in what we were always meant to see and share.  

 

In the biblical story, we were kicked out of Paradise because we thought it better to "be" god than to "see God" and to be served rather than serve.  Hasn't life been grand since then?  The rising "SON" came after the dying Son who selflessly laid down his life to redeem us from the wreckage.  The only way to the Divine is by going through the risen Son. Let us trust him and follow Him on the way to the new city!

Tuesday Blog; Sol Nascente

Howdy folks! It's been another day aboard the Amor Esperanca! As always, we are jovial, full of laughter, and very very tired. However, the spirit of God is rampant in our hearts and (hopefully) the hearts of the Brasilians. Today began in the middle of the lake whose name escapes me. To say the least, it was absolutely breathtaking. The lake is a section of water connected to the Amazon itself but much more peaceful and scattered with villages. Today we visited Sol Nascente (the biggest of the five lakeside villages)! Our pastor, Vanderley, and his wife, Erika, are from this village; therefore, today was an important focus in our missions.

 

After climbing the long hill and subsequent path, we reached the community center of the village, where VBS, Dental, and Medical ministries were setting up. As usual, the children were adorable, full of life, and not smelly (opposite of us). Also, several groups visited people house to house. Both writers of this blog were in the house to house ministry, and I can honestly say that the presence of God was ever prevalent in the joy and hearts of the villagers. We (Karaline, Gracie, Taylor L, Austin, Blake B & our translator Rose) came upon many villagers and three houses. We got the blessing of sharing testimonies, hearing their prayer requests, and listening to their stories. We were extremely encouraged by their God-given faithfulness and joy.

 

After these activities, we headed back to the boat for a lighthearted lunch. While eating, Brasilian children in the waters below screamed at us to come and play, while we sang Justin Beiber and then worshipped for a bit. Thus ended free time, and it was back into the village! Huzzah!  Upon reentering the village, we held group sessions for men and women, separately, then together. Dental, Medical, and VBS all continued without any large hiccups, and we continued our fellowship with this wonderful people.

 

I won't run through the entire soccer game, but I will say that the Balancos (Americans) played an incredible game, and our top scorers were Blake Verdoorn (1), Blake Barnes (1), and Preston Pownell (2). A stellar defense (Kyle Cox, Davis Williamson, David Jordan, Austin Chandler, Brooklyn Hill, and GOALIE Katie McTavish) held the Brasilians to only 3 goals (4 on a technicality) that could not best our score of 4! Therefore, America pulled a win today!

 

Afterward, we headed back to the community center and held a water balloon fight with the children. This lasted around a minute and a half, and I'm not sure if one American got to throw a water balloon. After the adults finished up at the mission house, we held a church service for the Brasilian villagers. It began with a short speech by Pastor Vanderley, then a song including both Blakes, Austin, and Kyle. After that, Tara Samuelson gave a beautiful testimony as the sun set, and we performed the "Everything" skit (Look it up on YouTube if you're curious!). Mr. Williamson preached on the "Parable of The Two Lost Sons," better known as the "Prodigal Son". We headed back to the boat for dinner and after that, ALLIGATOR HUNTING!

 

Many folks (all new kiddos) headed out on the boat to catch the beasts (largest being about 20 inches). Better believe it. After that, we discussed our day and our book, "The Prodigal God," by Tim Keller. We prayed over Vandeley and Erika about our thankfulness for their great impact and service to these villages, as well as safe travel to a missions conference in sweet home Alabama.

 

In all seriousness, today held a constant reminder of the glorious joy that God provides for us. Through the children, people, and lives of the Brasilians we witnessed to, we saw a constant outpouring of hope and love. I think most everyone would agree that God was all around us today, helping as we sang, spoke, and moved about. It is a marvelous thing knowing that this joy so constant and so powerful can only come from our Father. Please continue to pray that we will keep our hearts focused and this joy in our hearts that we experienced today.

 

We all love you so much, and are extremely thankful for your love and support!

 

Boa Noite,

Austin J. Chandler and Blake A. Barnes

 

PS Liz, Bill says hi and he loves you!

 

PPS Mrs. Steely, Nicole wants you to know she went alligator hunting tonight!