Day 6- Leaving Alter de Chao- arriving at Santarem.

After leaving Alter de Chao, we made it back to Santarem.  They boys played a game of basketball until sunset.

We were warmly welcomed at Igrejia Nova Jerusalem where we held a worship service that night.

Tyler gives his testimony that night.

Day 6- Alter De Chao

This was a day devoted to relaxing, having fun, and spending quiet time in HIS presence.

Junior's family partakes in this funny tradition where they hold a person by their legs and arms and let them drop.  It is all in fun and we obviously laughed at them, I mean with them!

They finally were able to catch Todd.

Ericles, Junior's nephew was the next victim! Todd and Robson do the honors.

Alter de Chao is a beautiful town with white sanded beaches.  It is growing more and more popular with tourists from all over the world.  We happened to be there off season.

Annette, Scotty, and Grace decide to go see nature by boat.

Serious fella'- he wouldn't smile at us!

The other part of our team decided to climb this steep mountain. At the top you can see the cross.  I heard the view was breathtaking!

Day 5-Aveiro

 In addition to VBS and sports clinics, in this town we also did a community service and cleaned up the main street.  One man commented, "Today you clean up our streets, tomorrow you'll clean up our hearts."  Who knew our one small deed showed God's love to many in the town.

Janderson and Sarah inviting this lady to the church service.  Sarah bravely does the invite in Portuguese.  Through God's strength, we were bold and went out of our comfort zone to proclaim His Word.

Olivia, Janderson, and Robson invite more people for the church service that evening.

Even though I didn't take many pictures in this town, no one on the trip will ever forget Aveiro.  As we were walking down the streets inviting locals to the church service, we took a wrong turn and "accidentally" came to this hospital.  We asked if we could come in and pray for the patients there.  After a long pause, the head nurse came back and agreed that we could.  We had a couple of patients and relatives who were with them who gave their lives to Christ.  There were many patients who simply wanted prayers.

This patient above was different.  She could not voice her petition to us, for she was only but an infant.  She whimpered and cried with what little strength was left in her.  The nurse had told us that this baby girl had only but a couple of days to live.  They could do nothing for her, even the doctors in the bigger towns could no longer do anything for her.  It would take a miracle for her to be saved.  The Mom was fatigued, hopeless, and burdened in seeing her child pass away right before her eyes.  The stillness was there,  words of encouragement were at this point hollow.  We did what was in our hearts- we cried out to our Lord, Jehova Rapha, and asked Jesus to intercede and heal this baby if it was His will.  We layed our hands on the Mom and precious baby girl and prayed over them. I can't say we experienced some immediate divine power and saw the baby healed in front of our eyes.  We left the hospital, crying- devastated-thankful for God's blessing in our own lives.  We left the hospital knowing that it was in God's hands.  Weeks after we returned from the trip, the Mom contacted Junior's family and she wanted us to know that her baby girl survived and she would be waiting for us when we return to celebrate her daughter's life.  Glory be not to us, but to HIM!!!!!

VBS

VBS

One thing that kept surprising me was the interest by moms to have the cross necklace we made at VBS.  Not because it was a piece of jewelry but because they were interested in knowing more about God. 

Bubbles! Kids were always mesmerized by them. 

Coloring books and crayons! Must haves for our next trip. 

Parachute- always a favorite, never gets old!

Soccer game.  After the game, we gave our testimony and invited each person to attend the church service that evening.

By the end of the service, not a seat was left.  Many youth males came, some were bold to come into the church but many others stayed right outside the door, wanting to hear God's Word.

Momma C doing some preachin'- her message was a blessing to all of us!

Trophies were awarded to the kayak winners.  Dovao, John, Mr. Wagner, and Grace do the honors.

The purpose in doing sports clinics is that it is a way to share the good news.  This young man not only won the kayak competition and received a trophy but he also received the best prize of all after he received Christ in his life.  Pastor Expedito walks him through in receiving Jesus.

Day 4- Fordlandia

Fordhlandia is a remote town that was inhabited by Americans because of  Ford Henry.  This town grew trees that helped produced rubber, hence Henry became interested.  You can see the influence USA had on the architect and layout of the town.  It was one of my favorite places we went to, and a place we where we certainly saw people so open and receptive to hearing God's Word.

Getting the kayaks ready for the kayak clinic and competition.

Many vacant factories.

John is happily helping getting the kayak events ready to go!

Look beyond the bus.  What an amazing view of the tributary.  Just beautiful.

Another public school opening its doors for us to hold VBS during school hours!  Amen.

Children loved taking pictures. 

Sarah, Sarah, and Jennefer introduce the Eball (evangelism ball).  It is color coded to facilitate telling the story of Jesus.

Praising the Lord through learning of songs.

Even the teachers were excited to learn!

The boys leading worship.

This boy learned all the colors of the ball and the symbolism behind the colors.  He earned a mini Eball.  Later that day as we did door-to-door evangelism, this boy's Mom said he wouldn't let go of it all day.  He was so proud of this Eball.  We were more proud that he will know Jesus' story!

Olivia.  Her joy is contagious.  Her love for our Lord- so evident.

Noland is helping attach VBS cross necklace.

Michael having fun with the boys!

The views!  Can you imagine playing soccer with this as a background?  We had a team play against our Covenant Christian High School team.

On the other side of the field you can see the water. Beautiful view.  Our team exchanged shirts after the game and made personal invitations to our competitors in attending church service that evening. 

In the evening, we held a service.  The service was well attended.  We led worship and John preached that night.  After Sarah B. gave her testimony, people came up and accepted Christ as their Savior . Amen.

Day-3 Itaituba

Futsal Tournament.  What a great turn out!  In this picture, Junior shares the gospel.

Momma C.  It's a little toasty inside, she happily cools off during a short rain shower!

Even though it's a friendly tournament, everyone brings their top game!

Stick shares his testimony.

Day 2- Itaituba

Finishing up with breakfast and getting ready for a long and fun day!

Small peek into our living quarters- hammocks are truly comfortable!

La Natureza

We came to this public school (which by the way, do not allow church to hold religious events) and by God's grace we were able to do a VBS in the morning there.  The turn out was beyond our imagination!   We had kids among kids that came so we quickly made more VBS crafts and had to quickly adjust our logistics to safely manage all the kids.  It was a good chaos that tuned out well!

If you look closely, the kids are wearing the VBS cross craft.  They wore it proudly.  We even had Moms who came up to us and wanted to make the cross so they could also wear it!  Sweet petitions!

Annette was amazing with the kids. Here she is blowing bubbles with the kiddos, they simply loved her so!

Friendly soccer game.

Austin gave his testimony after the game.  Junior translated.

Praying as some of  the youth gave their lives to Christ.

Here is one young man who gave his life to Christ.  He is now our brother in Christ.  Amen!

Evening adult service.

Mr. Atwell giving his testimony.  Janderson is translating.  Below, his daughter, Janelle begins to give her testimony.  Jennefer translates.