Day 2-3

Day 2 & 3

On Saturday morning at 8am we had a team of 9 prayer warriors head into the River to take part in several divine appointments. They visited 4 different homes, and the spirit dominated. The rest of the team was still working in the Village of Boa Vista. We once again had the Women's ministry, Men's ministry, Vacation Bible Study, Optical, Medical and Dental. The ministries were very successful. The Women made 19 Gospel Bracelets that the village ladies loved! The VBS played games with the children, and colored pictures Moses. They also played with an oversized parachute that was made of the colors of the rainbow.

As the morning progressed it was time for our first Youth Rally. The team that came to the villages in September had noticed a lot of teenagers in these villages, and therefore wanted to make the focus on the mission to work with the teenagers to build up disciples. The way that we plan on doing this is through Youth Rallies. Around noon the teenagers gathered to sing worship songs and hear our preacher speak alongside his wife. The message was simple, yet just what they needed to hear. Stuart told them that they needed to make sure that they were planting sweet seed to grow sweet fruit in their life. The actions of today are repercussions of tomorrow. The massage was amazing!

After the youth Rally the guys game the village boys a handmade fuze ball table and American football. The guys spent some time teaching the Brazilian boys how to throw, catch, tackle and run patterns … It was Awesome. As we were leaving the village a group of us that had been on the trip in September went to pray one last time for Thiago and his family. This family has a strong influence in the village of Boa Vista, and I hope that they will be filled by the Holy Spirit to lead in a Godly way.

After lunch the team decided to take it easy and spent the afternoon swimming in the Amazon River. This included throwing and catching the ball, and jumping off the boat in the most creative ways possible. That evening we went to a new Village called Sao Sebastiao. This is where the missionary Ena from Constantinopolis lives. The entire team attended the evening church service as our friend Jofrie preached an inspirational message.

Finally the day was concluded by Alligator hunting. The first team that went out had several girls that wanted to make sure the alligators were not being hurt. The way they planned on doing this was by throwing them back as soon as they were un hooked. The second group did catch a few little guys and brought them back to the boat before releasing them back into the wild.

Sunday was our first day in the Village on Sao Sebastiao. The group shared in an amazing devotional led by team member Don before exiting the boat to begin ministry. The villagers were ready to go. Our doctor finally was with the team, and the people were anxious to see him. As I learn more about the villages I know that this is the one thing that they are in desperate need of… Medical attention. The doctor had to hit the ground running to see all of the villagers, as well as the dentist. The VBS ministry had many more children than the few days before. Women's ministry gave out 25 bracelets and had an awesome bible study with the women about the worry that they have in their life. The men's ministry talked with the men about how to be men of thunder. As the afternoon came to a close the Youth ministry had another Youth Rally. This rally hosted Stuart as the speaker once again. He delivered a great message about trusting the Lord to give you the strength to beat The Enemy. The rain poured down as we listened to the Word, and after the rain we headed to the boat to rest from another day of ministry.

After dinner we sang worship songs in the dark and watched the dramatic lightning storm that God blessed us with. That was followed by the evening share time. This time involved sharing from the last two days because we were not able to share last night due to the long evening service at the church. This was a sweet time to bond as a team, and open our hearts and minds to God's Will for our trip! All in all it was another normal day. HA

day 1

Day 1

Today was Day 1 of mission living in the beautiful country of Brazil. Many of our teammates are on the river for the first time, and it was so beautiful to watch them experience it! The area that we will be working in this week is called Lake Juanaca. The Baptist church that we work with from Manaus has a church in this area and have a missionary named Ena living there. The Village that we went to today is called Boa Vista, which translated into English means "Beautiful View." And let me tell you… that is an accurate description. The land is beautiful as well as the people.

From the moment we stepped off the boat, hopes were high and the Spirit was evident. The team from September was in this same village, so for many of the group this was a return to sweeet familiar faces. The group split into teams doing vacation Bible school, women's ministry, men's ministry, youth, dentistry, eye glasses, and medical. The dental team performed many extractions, one of which was a boy we met on the September trip who had been having seizures weekly. He was seen by the medical team and prayed over that trip, and has not had a seizure since. The children's group was small, which allowed the team to have some great one on one time with each of the children. Some of the children had teeth pulled, only to return to the group to continue singing and coloring. The medical team saw several patients and even performed a small surgery on the boat. The women's ministry made bracelets, had a Bible study about taming the tongue, and committed to reading the gospel daily.

The day was closed with worship songs and a message given by pastor Stuart. This was a miracle in itself trying to track him down to let him know he would be preaching. He had no time to prepare, and this was part of the beauty of his message. It was truly spirit filled. He inspired the men to treat their children as a gift. He was very direct about focusing on restoring the value of family in the village. The most important point of his message was that "If you don't do it, no one will. Do not wait for another boat that might never come."

The team is doing well and is recovering from a long day of traveling. I am sure everyone will be sleeping well in their hammocks tonight. So far everyone has been safe and healthy, with the exception of a few sunburns today (despite a dermatology PA on board chasing everyone around with SPF 70). HA All in all the day was normal.

 

First Amazon Outreach Operation Christmas Child Trip

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

 

Merry Christmas from the Amazon Jungle!

 

Our team has been sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and distributing Operation Christmas Child gifts to villages along the Rio Negro for the past 3 days.  A typical presentation consists of singing songs with the children, puppets, an amazing reinactment of the Christmas story, more puppets, a time of sharing with a Brazilian pastor and the distribution of gifts to the children.  Tuesday morning, our first stop was Santa Maria Village where we exteneded our programming to accomodate more children as they arrived by boat.  When the second group of children arrived, we let the children  reinact the Christmas story in full costume .  Just as our team were perparing to go to the next village, another boat filled with children arrived and our team shared Christ and distributed gifts to the children on the beach during a special time.  We presented gifts to approximately 225 children today.  The excitment of the children opening their gift bags has been amazing.  The best part the eternal gift of salvation thru Jesus Christ our Saviour is offered to all people we are in contact with.  I can think of no better way to celebrate his birth.   

 

The water levels here are at record lows so many villages are difficult to get to with the Amor.  Our team is transported via speed boats to the villages that are harder to access.  The team is having a great time serving.  We are looking forward to the upcoming days of ministry.

 

Following Him,

Dan Madsen

 

 

First Amazon Outreach Operation Christmas Child Trip

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

 

Merry Christmas from the Amazon Jungle!

 

Our team has been sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and distributing Operation Christmas Child gifts to villages along the Rio Negro for the past 3 days.  A typical presentation consists of singing songs with the children, puppets, an amazing reinactment of the Christmas story, more puppets, a time of sharing with a Brazilian pastor and the distribution of gifts to the children.  Tuesday morning, our first stop was Santa Maria Village where we exteneded our programming to accomodate more children as they arrived by boat.  When the second group of children arrived, we let the children  reinact the Christmas story in full costume .  Just as our team were perparing to go to the next village, another boat filled with children arrived and our team shared Christ and distributed gifts to the children on the beach during a special time.  We presented gifts to approximately 225 children today.  The excitment of the children opening their gift bags has been amazing.  The best part the eternal gift of salvation thru Jesus Christ our Saviour is offered to all people we are in contact with.  I can think of no better way to celebrate his birth.   

 

The water levels here are at record lows so many villages are difficult to get to with the Amor.  Our team is transported via speed boats to the villages that are harder to access.  The team is having a great time serving.  We are looking forward to the upcoming days of ministry.

 

Following Him,

Dan Madsen

 

 

Amazon Trip Update

Wed Aug 5

 

As we awoke, the moon was so bright that we thought it was already sunrise but it was only the shimmer of moonlight reflecting off the water shining into our boat.   Off the side of the boat was a school of large fish jumping out of the water.   One of the crew told us they were Boto, a large fish.   On the shore you could hear thousands of birds telling each other it was time to wake up, it was the beginning of a new day.

 

 

We are half way through our trip as we go into another small village.   Pucusal is on the Lake and has only accepted Christians other than Catholics for about three years.   The pastor, his wife and baby daughter joined us for the next 2 days of our journey and explained to us the history and the hope of the new believers.    They told us that most knew how to be saved but few had accepted Christ into their lives.   Bill, Chip, Wes and Doug walked door to door meeting people in their homes and talked to them about Jesus.   It was no coincidence that Sue struck a conversation with one of the teachers of the school.   They walked to the classroom, and drew pictures on the chalkboard for the students when they returned that afternoon.

 

After our lunch and daily nap, we trudged into the next village with all our supplies up a very steep hill and a long way along the trail.   As we arrived the children emerged from the school house and followed the Bible school team and sat under a big shady tree.   Julie has done an outstanding job of providing quality education with the lack of equipment and all the crafts that we put together for the kids.  (We have not yet gotten our suitcases.)

About 5:00 the pastor invited some of the villagers to come worship with us.   We sang a couple of songs first in Portugese then in English.   David M was the first to give his testimony followed by Kaylaynn before the pastor gave an inspirational message to the people.   We pray that the hearts and lives of the people have been changed.

 

 

The evenings come in early as the sun sets by 6:00.   Our meal, as always, was wonderful but afterwards, we were in for a surprise;  allegator hunting!   I thought we were only going to try and SEE some.   No, we actually caught four of them and brought them back to the boat.   This we can verify because we all took turns holding them while everyone took pictures.   What an awesome, inspiring day.

 

 

In Christ,

 

The Team in Brazil

 

FBC and Prestonwood - City of Parintins Day 2

Tues Aug 4

 

The mornings are special quiet times; some awake to watch the sun rise while others continue to sway gently in their hammocks.   Individually we spend time in prayer and Bible study or trying to spot pink dolphins.   Now, you might ask us for proof of one of these beautiful animals but they are almost impossible to get a picture of.   (They are not pink elephants.)   I assure you they do exist, if you want to see one, well, we welcome you to come with us next year.

 

 

Once again we headed to the Good Samaritan to share with the beautiful children from the poorer side of town.   Today, David S. shared the plan of salvation using soccer balls to over 300 wide eyed students.   The kids are so loving that Kaylaynn and Laurie could hardly be seen because of all the boys and girls surrounding them with hugs.

 

 

One of the many aspects of going on a mission trip is allowing yourself to step out of your comfort zone and do things that you have to rely on God to help you with.   Doug shared with us his victory over fear of sharing his testimony.   He was able to allow God to use his past to help about 30 gang members make better choices for their future.   What a marvelous Lord we have to equip us when we need it and we know Doug will continue to be used to minister to the hearts of young men.

 

 

Although these kids have very little worldly possessions they are rich in joy and love.   "Lay not up for yourselves treasure on earth where theives can steal but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven."   As we travel to Lake Carara we know that these experience on the Amazon are treasures in our hearts that one day we can lay at the Shepherd's feet.

FBC and Prestonwood - City of Parintins Day 1

Mon Aug 3

 

Before coming on this trip there were three things that concerned me: the bugs, the heat and the hammocks.   I decided that being eaten up with bugs, overwhelmed by heat and lack of sleep was a small price to pay for serving God, so I trusted He would see me through it.   So far we have not had any bugs, well, a couple of tarantulas at the village and these hugh ants at the school, most of us are getting plenty of sleep in the hammocks and . . .  well, two out of three isn't bad.

 

Today we went to the Good Samaritan school in Paritins.   This Christian school is funded by the government and has three separate groups of students, morning, afternoon and evening.   Out of the rows of blue buildings we saw faces standing in the doorways waiting for our arrival.    Soon the auditorium was filled with yellow tshirts and excited children.   Once again, Julie did a fantastic job of organizing the presentation to the elementary students, Ken and Tom were our star performers and Priscila controlled the bunch with children's Bible songs.

 

 

While the little ones were having a great time, Clayton spoke to the teenagers, some who were former gang members, and played ping-pong.   Sue and Nadyr painted the older girls fingernails while talking about Jesus, school, and, of course, boys.   We had a great time and the students asked us lots of questions about the Bible, our families, and things in America.

 

 

After lunch and a nap, always a welcomed repreve, we returned to the school to experience once again the joys of the morning.   One of the interpreters overheard a young boy saying negative things about Jesus, so she and Vi found a salvation bracelet and shared Christ with him.   After they were finished, he turned and gave them a big hug and a smile.   Who knew that planting seeds in a hot and humid land could produce so much fruit!