Day 1-2 Carpenter's Way July 2012

Howdy Lufkin, Texas from Kristine!  Carpenter's Way team arrived safely in Manaus and boarded the Amor e Esperanca shortly before midnight on July 21st, the same day we departed!  We settled in and most were asleep before 2am.  There is NOTHING like sleeping in a hammock on a boat that is rocking after a long day of traveling.  We slept like the dead! 

 

Day 1 consisted of our first meal as a team at breakfast and devotion followed by a steady stream of unpacking all the luggage filled with supplies.  We made piles all over the lower deck of the boat and then slowly but surely created VBS bags, ladies' bags, men's bags, and family bags to pass out at each village we encounter.  We picked up 4 more passengers in Maues, which is the hub city of all 5 villages we will be ministering to this week.

 

Day 2:  Monte Sinai is a village consisting of about 40 families (200 people), 90% of which are Christians.  So this was a wonderful start to our trip, a chance to minister to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We debarked the boat at 9am, breaking off into our teams for the day.  I was working with VBS headed up by Barbara Pate, serving along side Dana, Sam T., Megan, and our translator was Rosie.  The children were very involved and many prayed with Barbara when she led a salvation prayer after I presented the gospel.  The dental team, eye glass team, medical team, and pharmacutical team stayed very busy all day.  130 patients were seen by the medical clinic, (Kay, Mary Ann, Evelyn, Kevin, Phillipe, and Socorro) which kept the pharmacy (Donna, Janice, Claudia) very busy.  The eyeglass team consisting of Toni, Teresa, and Vanessa, saw 23 patients who can now read their bible more clearly!  Chad, Melinda, Dja, Sarah, & Marilha served on the dental team and saw about 30 patients and pulled about 20 teeth.  Ally had the chance to paint nails for some of the ladies today and was amused when the young girls wanted to paint her nails instead, and she happily obliged.    Sam H., Trey, Cameron, and Gigi were our street evangelism team.  They met with the patriarch & machriarch who started the village.  When they came here they were not Christians, but since their salvation have had 17 children (3 whom have passed).  They report that alcoholism, prostitution, and drug addition have been very low comparitively because of the acceptance of Christ in the village.  During our ladies meeting I was given the chance to share with the women the importance of spending quality time with the Lord each day, modeling for our children what it means to have a relationship with God, daily walking with him (Luke 9:23).  I am told that our soccer team was not very successful in defeating the local youth in soccer.  Amanda cut about 25 heads of hair while Naarah braided hair for some of the women & girls and cut her first head of hair with clippers today!  Paige & Peyton took portraits, and Pam got to treat a blind woman with a fresh dog bite.  Trey led the men's ministry reading from Ephesians 4:17-24, reiterating that the sinful ways that entrap so many others in surrounding villages is no more and that they can focus on renewed thoughts and attitudes.  At the final meeting, a local pastor preached about healing and many came professing to receive Christ and His healing power.

 

We have had a wonderful trip so far and look forward to serving a new village tomorrow!  Thank you all for your prayers!

 

Melinda wants to say hello to all her family and that she is having a great time with all the wonderful Brazilians she has met!  Chad wants to say Happy Birthday to his brother Nate.  Mom, tell MacKenzie mommy loves her so much and Teresa & I love you and Dad!!!

 

Until all have heard,

Kristine Mize

fourth day in Amazon

We had another great day in the Amazon.  We arrived at our fourth village today (called N. Sra. Do Carmo).  We divided up into various ministry

 

teams: a women's ministry team, a VBS, a men's ministry, a medical team, and a haircutting & nail painting ministry.  The doctor who had been with us

 

for the past three days left part way through the day after helping villagers will all kinds of problems.  Shaina, Brittany, and Elizabeth have been doing a

 

great job and were complimented by the Brazilian doctor for their efficeincy in the pharmacy. Gabby and Pedro were the Brazilian translators for the

 

medical team and, as usual, did an excellent and patient job translating.  Karin led the haircutting ministry team again today and had a mix of men,

 

women, and children who needed haircuts. Assisting with nail painting and translation, Isabela was a great partner with Karin. Connor, Brooke, Tracy,

 

Jay (who left part way through the day), Becky, and Katie led VBS.  The kids at this village were very energetic (maybe even rowdy), but nothing our

 

VBS team couldn't handle.  Pastor Abimael led another men's ministry today: he shared the gospel with men at the village and also gave out gifts of

 

fishing line, hooks, and po cket knives (and last but not least Portuguese New Testaments).  Nathan, Jacob, and Campos helped with moving

 

equipment and talked with villagers, asking if there was anything that could be done in their homes.  At the women's ministry, Phyllis, Linda, and Carla

 

shared the gospel with the village women and gave good advice about prayer and salvation. Rose (the very joyful leader of the translators) loved the

 

day, especially spending time with the ladies in the women's ministry. Part way through the day everyone took about two hours to eat lunch and have a

 

siesta because it was very hot. In the afternoon, people's roles changed, but the highlights were a balloon fight with the village kids, a group

 

conversation with a manioc flour maker, and the ladies had a special gift giving and prayer time.  The day ended with a great finale- a beautiful sunset

 

behind the boat as we ate dinner.  The Lord blessed us with another opportunity to share His Word and bring joy to others, all in all, a great day.

Days 5 & 6

Readers, today is our last in the Amazon! We are so sad to leave, but so overjoyed at the work God has done and cannot wait to share it with you in person!  Your kids have been incredible servant-hearted disciples on this trip and we know that they are anxious to share all God has taught them.

 

Wednesday night was our last concert in Parantins.  It was one of the students' best performances, and God moved tremendously!  It was wonderful seeing the Brazilians dance to our songs and being able to participate in worship with them.  The performance was held at a beautiful outdoor pavilion and the energy from the crowd was amazing to witness! 

 

Thursday, we traveled along the Amazon River as we headed back towards Manaus.  We held three different panels on the boats where students had the opportunity to ask questions to the adult sponsors concerning serving in ministry.  The panels included how business men share their faith, lead their families and serve in the church; how business women share their faith and serve in the church; how wives of men in ministry support their husbands, remain obedient to their callings and serve; and how college students remain strong in their faith during school. 

 

We arrived in a village this morning and spent time doing a little shopping in the market before we will board on our planes in Manaus and head back to the USA! Thank you for supporting our students through prayer, we can assure you prayers have been answered and lives impacted!

Days 3 & 4

Hello, Readers!  As you can tell, our days are so jammed packed, that it is difficult to update as often as we would like because of limited internet connection, so this post will be filling you in on the activities of yesterday and this morning.

 

Yesterday, our students went to another community and were able to do VBS activities for two different school groups with about 200+ kids.  Several of our students put on skits, shared their testimonies, and did question/answer sessions for the Brazilians, and we had many opportunities to share Christ!  Here is a testimony from one of our students on her activities yesterday:

 

"Yesterday, my family group was supposed to go help with the clinic in a village oustide of Parantins.  Instead, we were assigned to go back to VBS.  I was a little disappointed because I was really excited to experience something different.  But, before we headed to VBS, I prayed that the Lord would change my heart and attitude.  Whenever we arrived at VBS, God gave me the opportunity to lead 9 girls to Christ.  God showed me that if our circumstances don't turn out the way we want them to, He will faithfully answer prayers and give us the chance to glorify Him!" -Macie Herring

 

The groups that were not doing VBS activities, were able to assist our nurse and a dentist in a clinic we held.  We also had many people come, and were able to give away basic necessities to them.  It was truly touching to be able to serve these beautiful people.  Some of our girls were able to paint nails, cut hair, and love on women and of course we have been playing A LOT of soccer! 

 

Last night, our students performed in another outdoor pavilion of the community we had been working in all day.  It is wonderful seeing our students love on the crowd--especially the younger children.  Afterwards, we were able to hear from two missionaires we've been traveling with, Josiah and Megan McIntyre.  They are a young couple in their 20's who have been in Brazil a little over two years.  They also have an almost one year old daughter, Asia.  Our students were blessed to hear about their call to the country of Brazil, and we are thankful for their hearts in serving the Kingdom. 

 

This morning was the first time we were able to go into the classrooms of 8 different schools here in Parantins.  The students were split up into groups of 3 with one translator and the majority of them shared their testimonies to the classes of the hope they have found in Jesus Christ.  Our students really enjoyed getting to share with teenagers around their age, and the school's faculties were very appreciative of us coming!  We are going to be visiting more schools this afternoon, so please be praying God provides us with opportunities and great conversation!

 

Here is another student's account of yesterday and today:

 

"During this week in Brazil, I wasn't expecting to be so open about my faith.  I'm used to talking to friends and family about God, but would never thought to speak to young women in a foreign country who don't even speak my language!  On this trip, I was expecting to sit back, play and love on the kids and not actually share my faith or the Gospel with anyone.  But, God had different plans for me in store.  The third day, we were here I was told to help speak in front of a classroom in a village and talk about my trials of being a Christian and how I can always overcome them because I have a personal relationship with Christ.  When I was told that, I was extremely nervous and scared I would say something wrong or wouldn't say enough to where they could understand my point I was trying to get across.  The night before I prayed about that God would speak through me.  When I was handed the microphone the next day, God completely took over when I spoke.  Afterwards, a girl my age came up to me and told me she wanted exactly what I had and I got the opportunity to pray with her and help her to accept Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior.  During this trip, God has really taught me to let go and let Him take over control of my life, and now I have spoken to so many girls and boys about having a personal relationship with Him.  This trip has made a huge impact on my life!  I am now more comfortable to share God's Word with anyone, and on this trip I learned to let go and let God!" -Nicole Craven

 

We have our final concert in Parantins tonight, and we have invited students from all of the schools we've visited and will visit this afternoon. Please be praying for a mighty work of the Holy Spirit and that He will move amongst this community.  God Bless!

 

Another student shared her account of the past couple of days:

Day 2 Blog

(This is the blog from yesterday!  I apologize that it was not posted yesterday, we had no internet signal where we were! Enjoy!)

 

"Last night (Sunday), our students performed their first outdoor concert in Parantins.  It was an incredible experience, and the students were blessed to be able to watch a service in Portuguese including worship, praise dancing, and a sermon!  We saw 8 people make decisions for Christ and it was a tremendous blessing!  Our students enthusiasm has been awesome to watch, and the relationships some of them have built have forever impacted their lives.

 

Today (Monday), we went into the community of Cabori.  Our students went into the schools and ministered through various activities including VBS, sharing their testimonies, and question/answer sessions about life in the United States.  Several of our students led children and teenagers to the Lord, and were able to experience the love of the community.  Here is an excerpt from one of our students:

 

"God has taught me to be a servant for Him.  Over the past few days, He's shown me how great I really have it and how much I can help others.  I've really enjoyed helping others and sharing a smile.  I love you, family!" -Tristyn Richardson

 

Tonight, we performed a concert in front of the schools and saw many of the same students with their families.  God is alive and active amongst our students and their witnesses have truly impacted those around them.  They are truly giving above and beyond and God is using them to glorify His name!"

 

Be on the lookout later this evening for an update of today's activity and concert tonight (Tuesday)! God Bless! 

Day 1 Blog

Hello, Readers!  We have officially been in the Amazon since Friday afternoon, and God has already been working and moving immensely amongst our group and the people of Brazil!  Friday night upon our arrival, we performed a "flash mob" scene in the Manaus Mall and invited people to attend our concert the next evening and tonight's performance we will have in Parintins. 

 

Yesterday, our groups had the opportunity to do ministry along the Amazon River.  Three of our groups went to villages and ministered to the people there through VBS, and men's/women's ministry.  The other group went to an orphanage and painted all day while loving on beautiful kids!  Below is an excerpt I've asked one of our students on our boat to share about his experience yesterday in one of the villages:

 

"God's been up to big things here in Manaus.  My family group went to an orphanage of about 30 kids, over 90% of them coming from abusive environments.  We painted classrooms, tables, and played "futbol" with the kids! Later on we performed a powerful concert, and 18 made decisions for Christ!  Our goal was to bless the Brazilians, although they ended up blessing us even more.  It was evident by the encouraging comments that God revealed Himself to the Brazilians tonight.  Our next stop is an 18 hour boat ride to the different villages here in Brazil.  God's been faithful but greater things have yet to come!" -Ty Herring

 

At the concert last night we had 3,000 in attendance at New Baptist Church in Manaus.  As mentioned by Ty, there were 18 decisions made for Christ last night in result, and God truly moved through our students' performance and attitudes.  We had the privilege of getting to talk with many Brazilian teenagers after the performance, and our students were truly blessed to be able to learn from and minister to them. 

 

Please be praying for our performance tonight and be on the lookout for our post tomorrow!  God Bless from the Amor e Esperanca!

Castle Hills Amazon Outreach

JP:

 

Can you please help me post the following blogs?  I have the first template setup on Constant Contact and I know that you know how to work Constant Contact.  Julie, I am sending this to you as well so that if JP is away and is unable to send it can you send it through Constant Contact?.  I have two blogs that will need to go out individually.  I am sorry that I can not send pictures but there is a 70k size limit on this Satelite phone.    PLEASE SPELL CHECK!!!

 

June 6th/7th Travel Day

 

Hello everyone.  Well, travel day went by with quite a blur.  We took for granted the complexities of managing 30 peoples' itineraries, as well as the complexities of getting so many people on ONE flight into Manaus!!!  The rain came to Dallas and caused our flights to be cancelled.  We waited in the airport until 2:30 a.m.only to find out that there was no hope to get a flight to Miami in order to connect with our flight to Manaus.  We went home understanding that our trip would be cut short or cancelled altogether.  Our four team members who flew in from Calgary Canada stayed with us at our house for the few hours of sleep we were able to get.  We all woke in the total amazement that the trip likely was done.  The 16 kids on the trip were all thoroughly distraught.  They thought they had lost their chance to share Jesus with the Amazon River people.  But, we knew that God had a plan.  At 8:00 a.m. Jed Thompson, Executive Director of Amazon Outreach called me and said that the earliest we could get to Manaus was Sunday Night.  We were supposed to be on the River Thursday night and now the trip would be reduced to only 3 days of reaching the river people.  Jed said that it was our call if we wanted to cancel and re-schedule the trip.  But, we knew the focus of our group was to go when God sent us.  So, we told Jed that God must have a plan and if He intended for us to be there only 3 days, then he had reasons.  WE WERE SOLD OUT!  WE WERE COMMITTED.  Jed said to sit tight and await further direction.  After that, Sara Nelson, who is moving back from Calgary to Castle Hills {Yeah!!} joined her husband Tom to go and close on their house purchase.  Melissa Workley and her family decided to kill time by going to a movie.  We started to go to our favorite Mexican Food joint for lunch.   Basically, everyone were getting back to normal life back at home.  I think we were resigned to the fact that the trip might be over, but a least on hold for a few days.  Just then, I received a text from Jed, "Get to the airport as fast as you can.  Some people will be boarding a flight at 2:25 p.m. {45 minutes from now}  We sent out an emergency communication to everyone.  Sara Nelson and her husband Tom got up from the closing table and proceeded to the airport.  The closing would have to wait.  Melissa Workley gathered her familyand lef the movie theater.  We all ascended upon the airport immediately.  We left in waves.  But, by midnight {actually 1:15 a.m.} everyone was in Miami.  God wanted us to know how complex these logistics were but also wanted us to see His total control on the situation.  Long story.....but, everyone had tickets to Manaus the next morning except for Corbin and I.  For us, we had to get to the ticket counter by 4:30 a.m. and prepare to beg and plead to let us on the flight.  Corbin was told the night before that the there was only business class tickets availalbe and that each ticket would cost $3,000!  We definitely did not have $6,000.  We could have sold Corbin's guitar but we would have still been $5,990 short! {seriously!  have you seen this man's guitar??  he would have been better off buying one off of one of the river people!!}  Corbin and I marched down to the ticket office praying all the way but TOTALLY knowing that God had it handled!  Miraculously, there were regular seats available and we jumped on the flight for $300 a piece.  We gladly paid and ran out before they could change their minds.  We made it and Corbin got to keep his guitar!!

 

After approximately 40 hours of travel we were finally on the River.  Never again will we take travel to the Amazon for granted, nor will we ever doubt that God is in control!  We boarded the boat, our home for the next week, only one day delayed!  We were greated by wonderful translators and an amazing team from Community Church in Manaus.  The river mission has been their heart for four years.  They are so GREAT!  We were immediatlely brothers and sisters.  We worship at night and in the morning in English and Porteguese!   We stand side by side, ONE CHURCH!

 

Away we go, taking God's lead!  What an amazing start!

 

 

DAY 1, JACITARA

We awoke after our first night sleeping in a hammock!  The night was actually cool....ok...COLD.  and I was the only person who didn't bring warm weather gear!!!   We are now at the village of Jacitara.  Here, there are about 20 families and one confirmed believer.    Vacation Bible School was a HUGE hit with the children!  Paul and Aaron Schmidt managed the eye exams and distribution of eyewear.  The last guy in line was LoLo, the patriarch of the village.  His entire family was beside him doting all over him.  He need 2.0's...his eyes were pretty bad!  He was so happy.  His wife and daughter and granddaughter were surrounding him and he they all looked so happy for him.  He was so appreciative that invited  us {the entire team} to lunch at his home.  Of course, we had to pass.  "OK" he said, I will still wait for you to come".  We will him again later in the afternoon.  Our Mission Kids team have been loving on the Amazon River children and they are having a great time seeing God work through them.  No whining, no moaning.  Just having fun serving Him.

 

The men are much harder to reach.  On guy {18 yrs. old} says he does not believe and "don't bother him with that stuff".  The only way to get through to the guys is to earn their trust.  It takes longer than a day.  But, as our Community Church friends keep coming, they will continue to gain more trust.  All of the guys have their hair cuts that match soccer stars.  Mohawks and bleeched hair are the trend.  They all watch MMA on saturday night on the one TV located in the covered area where we held VBS. Gyula Kalman would have had immediate credibility!  We need to get him down here!  This afternoon we did the one social thing that the guys are receptive to...we played Soccer!  The soccer gain went well and thanks to our Brazilian friends from Community Church, we actually held our own!  Jonathan Aldis had an insane header that saved a goal.  Both Aaron Schmidt and myself slipped in the mud and slid down into the amazon water... VERY Muddy!  Corbin showed off his crazy moves!  In the end we lost 3-2.  But, we truly gained their respect.  It was now dark and time to board the boat.  Now, the men who hardly cared, stopped playing soccer and sat down and watched us leave.  Small steps in a HUGE mission!  We gathered back on boat ate, showered and worshiped our awesome God.  The music and melody whether in Portuguese or English is surreal!   God is sure with us!  We hopped in our hammocks, I took some Motrin to hopefully dull the pains from the soccer game and fell asleep with anticipation for what God would have in store for the next day.