Wonderful last couple of days!

Oi! We are back in Santarem.  It is hot! We had a rest day yesterday in Alter do Chao. Some of us went on a tour to the floodforest but we all certainly had a lot of fun swimming.  Beach day was awesome!

God has been working on our lives.  At night we are able to share how God is working in our lives and for sure, we are growing in Him. Tears and laughter have never felt so good! We feel like we have known each other on the team forever ago.  Friendships are building. And we are sharpening each other daily, GOD IS GOOD!

On Saturday, we were in Boim, we got to share God's Word at a school, later we were able to partake in their folklore month festivities.  We were asked to be on the panel of judges to score folklore dances, it was like American Brazil Idol.  Ha, ha. At the end they took us out to dance. That was a lot of fun!

We are loving sharing God's Word and we are more bold in praying.  So far there have been over 125 people coming to know the Lord.  Amen! Thank you all for your prayers, we are loving sharing who GOD IS. 

We have a couple more days here, it has gone by so fast but yet it seems that we have been here forever too.   Pictures and videos to come...

Hello, family and friends! We are writing to you from Aveiro today. Yesterday we visited Santa Cruz, and Fordlandia on Wednesday. We have spent our mornings going into schools to do VBS and purity workshops. In the afternoon, the boys played soccer with some of the local teams. We have witnessed 50+ people give their lives to Christ! Our Lord is alive and with us! The people have been so inviting and welcoming to us. Our team is growing closer to each other and meaningful relationships are building. We praise God for his protection and strength. We invite you to pray for our team to stay hydrated, cool, and healthy.

We'd like to share some highlights from these past few days. In Fordlandia we had a lot of fun embracing their culture and participating in activities such as dancing! Yesterday we had some rain, and the boys took full advantage of showering outside. (pictures to come!) We are really enjoying teaching the kids about Jesus, and playing games with them. The land and people here are all so beautiful. We are in awe of God's wonderful creations. We will try to update with pictures and videos later today!

Love,

Courtney and Kendra

What a very exciting soccer game that was played in Itaituba!!  The field was out of only dirt with lumpy grass spots, the guys all adjusted well to playing on it. It was a very intense game, very close the entire time. Our guys never played together until then. They did great together! It was so fun to watch them play and have fun. Each player played with such great character. God brought a huge cloud for coverage during the game so that it wasn't miserably hot. Along with a most beautiful double rainbow. Our guys fought hard and came out winning 4-3. Afterwards, we joined in a circle to pray for and share the Good News of Jesus Christ! At least 20 boys accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and joined us for church that evening!! Good is truly working here!

This Daniel Gerber! I would like to share with about the eventful day I and we as the mission team had yesterday. In the morning we played a futsal tournament. There eight teams total participating in the tournament. We American split into two teams because we had enough people. And both teams made to the semi-final.Even know that neighter of the teams made to the finals, we had an amazing experience. we tried to show Jesus's  love during the game.  At the end of the games, I was asked to give a little bit of my testimony and to pray. At the end of my speech, about a dozen of people accepted Christ as their personal savior. I was shocked because i did not expected that. In the afternoon, we played outdoor soccer with a very good team. At the end of the game we shad the same thing happened as in the morning. Afterwards we want to a local church. I was again asked to tell my testimony for the whole congregation. The cool thing was that the some of the soccer players who had accepted Jesus for the first time were at the church. After i finished speaking about my testimony, I had people coming to me and telling me that they were impacted by my story. Which was the main reason why I was will to goo up there and speak about my testimony. I was people to love god and to grow in there faith once they hear how God has been good in my life. Over all, it was a very powerful day. I never thought that i would one day serve God in the Amazon basin. Especially considering where I came from (Ethiopia) and the life style i had.  God is Good!!

Itaituba

Oi! It has been crazy good around here! We have had a lot of roller coaster experiences, mixed with high and lows. Each time we see a hiccup we pray and God provides. 12 pieces of luggages were lost in transit but thank God tonight we should be getting most of them.  Some people got sick but with prayer they felt much better- thank you JESUS for healing!

We had over 500 kids yesterday at VBS as we visited 4 schools. The kids were excited to meet the Americans. We shared God's love and Word as we shared the story of David and Goliath. 
We were able to worship at a local church here in Itaituba, with lots of up beat music and great message from the Pastor.  Gabe and Belle delivered their testimony, God gave them courage and the right words to speak to the people of the church. It was a great experience to see and witness how God worked through them. 

Today, we had a futsal tournament at the inside arena.  There were 8 teams total and the guys placed 3rd overall. After the tourney, we were able to share the word of God and how he works through our lives, and Daniel was given the opportunity to share his testimony with the eight different futsal teams. Daniel has a great gift of speaking, and really connected with the teams.  We prayed for them, and showed them love, after the prayer twenty, yes TWENTY boys accepted Christ as their savior-Glory to God!
This afternoon, we have a soccer game and then another church service.  We are excited to see how God is going to use us tonight.

Tonight we will be leaving Itaituba and traveling to Fordlandia, this is a community that was established by Henry Ford.  The area is known for the rubber trees and he was able to use this as resources for his automobiles.
Please continue to pray for us to have safe travels, healthy bodies, and keep our eyes on Jesus! 

We will update as much as we have access to internet! 
Thank you for the prayers! 

2012 Trip

2012 Brazil Trip
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/theshewards/3/1370794856/tpod.html

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.