What an amazing trip! And it was NOTHING like I had anticipated. God took over that trip. All of the things I was afraid I would miss because I couldn't go I missed anyway because God had other plans. My paraphrase of James 5:13-16, "I had expectations for this mission trip, yet God had other plans. Instead of having expectations, I ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, I boast in my arrogance. All such boasting is evil." I did just that. Going back and reading my posts about my fear of not being able to go and what I would miss shows just that. I am so thankful that God showed me (1) that I was being partial to the Sateré people and (2) I had made that trip an idol. Not only this trip but my entire life is God's to plan, and I pray that He leads me where He is working.
So, what did I anticipate and look forward to that did not happen? Here's a short list:
I think my biggest disappointment was not going back to the Sateré people.
Not going to Maues.
Finding out Joia's house is not finished and needs more funding (I'm waiting on word from Steve about this).
Joia may be living near Parintins, so I would not have seen her anyway.
Erica and Fabricio were not able to go on this trip, and I had looked so forward to spending the week with them.
Rail worship happened only one night.
But what God did was amazing!
He took us to where He was working and gave us the privilege of working for Him.
We had an amazing group of translators and Brazilian team/crew.
We were able to go to a church service in Beruri. Hearing praise and worship being sung in Português and English was amazing! Both languages worshipping God at the same time. Still gives me chills.
Evangelism team was off the charts rewarding.
Meeting Pastor Franklin, his wife, Luza, and working with his son, Daniel, on the evangelism team was so rewarding.
Meeting Dulce (Pastor Andre's cousin) and her husband, Regis, and spending time with the on the boat was lovely! They may be the new missionaries to Maués and the Sateré people.
First of all, I thank God for being able to work with Jadyn on these mission trips. I rarely get to see him work because he is with the Children's Team and I am doing either evangelism, women's ministry, counseling an individual while he is working in VBS, or my "clinic administrator" duties in medical (those in the know will laugh at that). But when I do get to see him, this momma's heart is so full of gratitude. To see my son glorifying God by loving on these kids is such a blessing. He loves it! This picture was taken when we arrived in Manaus after about 31-hours of traveling. I hope you see excitement and not weariness on our faces. We were finally in the place we love, doing what we love.
This is in Beruri. We had just arrived at the church, and Jadyn and Beth Beroi just started doing their thing, connecting with kids with endless bubbles.
Evangelism team in Beruri. We were able to talk with many families and see what life is like living on the river...literally.
The worship service at the Presbyterian Church in Beruri was such an incredible experience. Raquel, Andre, Diogo, Regis, and Samuel Beroi (from Team Geyer) led praise and worship. Evelyn Cathcart gave her testimony, and Brad Fischer presented the message.
People always want their photo taken with Jadyn. They ask if he is a celebrity. It's got to be the hair. LOL!
Evangelism in the villages took us to the homes of the villagers, many of which were right on the water. Sometimes we had to go by boat, wade through the river, or walk on 2x4s across the water or steep embankments just to get to their home. They have much better balance than we Americans, that's for sure!
Women's Ministry was fabulous! Not only did I get to work with the women of the Amazon River villages, I got to work with some fabulous translators such as Raquel and Vitoria, and I got to work with Abby Miller from Team Geyer. Such an amazing experience!
In the last village, we faced a particular difficulty. The village had been rocked by the suicides of 4 young men about 2-3 weeks before we arrived. Two were brothers, ages 14 and 16, and they had each hung themselves. The chief (the woman I'm praying with in the last photo) asked if we could focus on hope in the men's and women's ministries that afternoon. When Steve told me this, I went back to the boat early before lunch to pray for God's direction. I had no words in the face of such a tragedy, but He did. I told them about Jesus and Lazarus, that Jesus grieved the death of His friend even when He knew he could raise him from the dead. I talked with them about how God the Father was separated from His Son when Jesus took on the sins of the world. Even though God knew Jesus would conquer death and hell, He still felt the separation when Jesus took on the sins of all humanity and in that moment became the worst sinner who ever lived. Both of these are examples of how we can grieve with hope if we are children of God.
One of my favorite parts of the mission trip is being able to serve with my dear friend, Adriana Mourão, the physician I met on the first trip I took last year. This was our third trip to serve together, and it was just as memorable as the others. She is such a dear friend and sister in Christ. She is my irmãzhina (little sister). This trip was made even more special because her older daughter, Emanuela, served as a volunteer translator and did a superb job! I'm looking forward to when Ana Paula is old enough to join us.
One of the ministries I get to provide is counseling to whomever asks. The women I have counseled so far have dealt with anxiety, grief, marital issues, stress with lots of physical symptoms, and concerns about a schizophrenic daughter (age 15). The translators I've had to help me have been wonderful. Even though this is one of the reasons I want to learn Português, so I can better understand and talk with the women I counsel, I know I will always need a translator, and Amazon Outreach brings absolutely outstanding people for this. Their hearts are tuned to God, so that makes them tuned to the needs of people. I am so blessed that my profession is used by God on this mission field. It's one of the reasons He led me to this over 30 years ago. I sometimes think I could be better used if I had gone to medical school, but then conversations like this happen, and I know I am doing exactly what God called me to do.
Even though we did not get to go to the Sateré nation, we were able to see Pastor Andre at an indigenous Sateré village he started outside of Manaus 12 years ago. This village is for the Sateré people who moved to Manaus thinking they could have a better life, but this is not what they found. It was so wonderful to see him! He has such a desire to take the Gospel to people who have never heard, and it is a privilege to be a partner with that. At this village, he also trains Sateré missionaries to go back to their villages and share the Gospel. A new Secretary for the Indigenous population is trying to make all missionary work illegal, including those who want to go home. Please join me in prayer that this will not stop us from going, providing services for the Sateré people, and sharing the hope that is only in Jesus.
While we were visiting Pastor Andre's village, they were beginning a festival. We saw traditional Sateré dancers, singers, and musicians, and even got to take part in one of their dances. I love these people.
This is the bridge in Manaus, the only bridge to span the Amazon River. I look forward to seeing this bridge every time I go because I know this is the gateway to the place and people I love so much. Adriana runs 5Ks, and many of them are over this bridge. I have told her that one day I want to run this bridge with her. Perhaps when I go in October, but it definitely will be more of a walk. I've ridden across it in a car, and that took almost 4 minutes just to get across. However, walking it will be such a powerful experience. I cannot wait!
Now to close with some pictures that try to capture the beauty of the Amazon River, but they are nothing compared to being there. The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular!
Even in monochrome, it is beautiful.
Who wouldn't love this breakfast view.
They call themselves the "Forgotten People", the people of the Amazon River villages. Please pray for them, and please pray for me that even during my battle with cancer, I will have the strength to go where I know God has called me. With Him all things are possible.
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