June 25, 2009

June 25, 2009

GPS Coordinates,

Look us up on Google Earth or Google Maps!

S 03.05.522

W 057.41.393

Dear Friends,

This email is coming a few days late… because it is an update about Tuesday, but today is actually Thursday. In fact we just sent the email update about Wednesday. I felt the need to go back and document June 23^{rd, 2009 because is was the greatest birthday that I have ever had. Yes, yes this is Alisha Altman. I am the luckiest person on this boat. I just celebrated my 26th birthday.}

The day started with the most beautiful sunrise full of indigo skies, and a light tangerine tint to the horizon. It felt like the most perfect gift from God on my birthday. That morning we had another amazing breakfast full of French toast and pancakes, but the best part was the deliciously fresh papaya and pineapple (along with much more… It was time for us to go to the Village, and I was ready to do the work of the Lord. A few of us went to a Village down the river to take a peak at the water well that we dedicated to Tom Bailey on June 24th. The boat ride was interesting and a little bumpy to say the least. The other people went into the Village to search for "Devine Appointments" make by life's "Great Orchestrator."

One of my brothers in Christ was walking around the Village and found just such an appointment. He was in the presence of a man that was his same age, and actually looks quite a bit like him as well. The man was drinking rubbing alcohol to get drunk (this is because liquor is too expensive, and difficult to find). Matt was so moved by this man's desperation to escape reality that he started to share with him his own previous struggle with drinking. The connection of one problem that two men from different worlds shared almost moves me to tears as I write. The connection united these two men through Christ for life. Later that evening Matt shared his testimony at church, and the man from earlier accepted Christ into his life. All in the room electrically felt the experience. The Lord's presence was felt in everyone that day.

As we went back to the boat we shared parts of our day. My own personal story was that walking through the Village reminded me so much of the place my dad grew up. The children reminded me of myself when I was little. This place is half a world away, but I feel home! I am not sure what the means for my life, but living open-handedly for God brought me that Best Birthday of my life… I con only imagine what else he has planned for me, and everyone else on this boat.

June 24, 2009

June 24, 2009

GPS Coordinates,

Look us up on Google Earth or Google Maps!

S 03.05.522

W 057.41.393

Dear Friends,

Today was a slight change of pace for our team as we visited a rather small village of 14 families with the additional purpose of dedicating a water well our Amazon Outreach Water Team had finished drilling that day. We arrived early in the morning sloshing through the mud from the rainfall the night before. We gathered in the small but cozy weathered church building to sing praise and worship to our Father. As the congregation began to sing "Open the eyes of my heart" in Portuguese some of us began to sing along in English and the mixing of these 2 languages reminded us of a time in Heaven when all languages will be worshiping together. Laoja, one of our translators, opened with a short message about John 3:16 and challenged the women of the village to think about the significance of giving up their son or daughter to die for someone they didn't know, just as God the Father gave up His Son for us.

At vacation bible school, the team acted out a skit of the Good Samaritan in addition to throwing frisbees and kicking soccer balls around the wet grass while the medical and dental team worked about 100 yards away pulling teeth and offering medical help. All the while engaged in these activities we noticed our eyes wandering back and forth on what was happening with the water well. As the water team worked under a blue tarp we found ourselves not really knowing what we were looking at but still looking on with amazement to see what the final product would look like. Around lunchtime we were able to feed the people of the village with warm beans and rice as they eagerly gathered in line.

Arriving back from lunch the team was able to roam and engage in wherever they felt, whether that was teaching the young children how to throw a Frisbee, or gathering with the women to paint their nails. As the Amazon Outreach water team continued to work away, anticipation was growing to pump the first fresh water from the well. Soon enough word traveled that it was complete and ready to go. This particular water well was dedicated to our team leaders husband, Tom Bailey, who the Lord took to Heaven 2 years ago. Our group leader grabbed an empty water bottle and filled it with the new water as he offered it to Brenda Bailey as she drank the first sip of fresh water. Then, one by one people would come up and take their turn to pump the water including an 80-year-old grandmother and the village leader. He grinned from ear to ear at the joy that his village now had fresh water. As people were taking turns posing in front of the well, one of our team members scooped some water from the river and brought it back holding it next to the clean water. As we looked at the difference between the brown dingy water and the new clean water, we were reminded of how Christ cleanses us from our dirtiness.

The day ended with an inspiring message from one of our team members about Christ being our everlasting water and encouraged the village not to just simply receive it, but to cover themselves in it as he poured water over his head. We passed out Portuguese Bibles and encouraged the people to dig in to the scriptures and water themselves in the word. After the service, we officially dedicated the well to Tom Bailey concluded with inspiring words about the character and mission of Tom's life and the impact that it had on specific team members. This was the smallest village we visited but one of the memorable.

 

 

 

June 22, 2009

June 22, 2009

GPS Coordinates,

Look us up on Google Earth or Google Maps!

S 02.50.172'

W 057.25.039'

Dear Friends,

Perhaps it would be a nice change of pace to start with the end of the day rather than the beginning. The most exciting event occurred after dinner during the alligator hunt. Three boatfuls of Amazon Outreach teamsters cruised with our captain and engineman down the coast of this tributary just outside of our second village. As the first six of us set out upon our adventure, we adjusted our cameras to the dark and prepared for the unexpected.

The engineman shown his light through the reeds and located the red eyes of a three-foot alligator. We crept upon it and he lassoed it with a noose. Then wrestled it into the boat with the help of the captain. The alligator's teeth sunk into the handmade oar, and they were forced to pry the jaws loose in order to tie them shut with a shoestring and medical tape.

After pinning her body to the floor with his bare feet, the engineman hoisted the alligator from the dinghy to the main boat and we took turns hoisting it up ourselves for pictures.

Not exactly a spiritual highlight, but noteworthy nonetheless.

Our second day in the villages was unique from the first, but familiar enough to build upon our experience from the first day. This village, like the last, had approximately 1500 people and municipal water and electricity. There were five churches in town, a clinic, and several bars (one of which was open at 8am on a Monday).

Two evangelism teams headed out in separate directions, as the Vacation Bible School team taught the children songs, made gospel bracelets, and talked about the person of Jesus Christ. One of the evangelism teams was fortunate to visit with a local pastor and encourage him and his family, while the other team was able to share the gospel with several people, three of which indicated that they had trusted Christ.

The medical, vision, and dental team saw approximately 60 children and a similar number of adult patients, and gave away 60 pairs of glasses. The most common ailments were worms and tooth extractions. One man who could not even come to the clinic, however, had a throat infection, which was treatable by antibiotics. Although, the long story involved many team members, the short story is that the patient's son, who is an alcoholic, after his dad's treatment, indicated that he wanted to trust Christ and did so. There was an immediate change in his demeanor, and he went on to ask for a Bible and wanted to know if there was a church in the village that he could go to where he could study the Bible and where the Bible is taught.

As we walked back to the dock and waited for the dinghy to take to our boat, we thought about the privilege of carrying this gospel to those who have not heard. The sun was setting across the river, and as we turned around and to look back up the 30-foot staircase that climbed to the village, we saw the silhouette of ten-year-old boys in front of a blue-sky backdrop. The author wonders what the future holds for these soon to be men, and we pray that they would grow in the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We ask that you would join us for just a moment and pray the same.

In Christ.

The Amazon Outreach Team

June 21, 2009

June 21, 2009

GPS Coordinates,

Look us up on Googe Earth or Google Maps!

S 02.47.703'

W 057.10.218'

Dear Friends,

This morning, seven of us woke with the sun to prepare for our day by doing physical training on the third deck of our boat. Those of us who joined in felt like it was a great start for a wonderful day of ministry.

After breakfasting, prayer and worship, we split up into our ministry teams and started into our first village. Most of us were surprised at the size of the village (200 families) and the relatively good living conditions. This village has a well in the back and running water supplied to most of the households in town. Moreover, western toilets and septic systems occupy the backyards of most homes. And electricity powers televisions that allowed villagers to watch Brazil stomp Italy in a World Cup Soccer qualifying match today.

Although the quality of life has improved as compared to neighboring villages, the problem of sin and the need for Jesus Christ's salvation are just as weighty here as they are anywhere else in the world. During women's ministry, the wives complained that their husbands were drunks and that they cheated on them often. Some of the kids in Vacation Bible School were rambunctious. And this afternoon a man was stabbed with a pool stick and a broken bottle during a bar fight.

Despite this evidence that all people are sinners and in need of a Savior, it is encouraging to know that Christ has the power to save and change lives, even those wrought with sin. During the evening worship service, the Vacation Bible School kids performed a song that they had learned, one of our team members shared her testimony to an attentive crowd, and an indigenous missionary shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was encouraging to see how many responded and indicated that they wanted to give their lives to Jesus.

Our boat is just leaving the village now (7:30 PM) and we head off to the next one. We will share what God has done tonight, worship, pray, and prepare for tomorrow. It is funny to think that we will be in a completely new place tomorrow hoping for continued impact through the power of the Holy Spirit, God will glorify the name of Christ. And we are thankful to know that there is a long-term church presence to follow-up on our new brothers and sisters in Christ.

Please keep us in your prayers.

In Christ.

The Amazon Outreach Team

Saturday, June 20th

June 20th, 2009, 9:38PM
GPS Coordinates
(try to use with Google Maps or Google Earth):
S 02.47.272'
W 057.09.316'
 
Friends,
 
It is the third night for half of the Amazon Outreach team to stay here in Brazil and the second night for the rest.  Two human-filled hammocks swing under dimly lit rope lights above the third deck of this portable hospital that floats down the Amazon River and up her tirbutaries.  Portuguese and English fly as rapidly through the air as do the moths and the other unidenifiable bugs.  Laughter bursts out over a game of Uno, and I rejoice at the international fellowship and friendships begun between us and our translators in such a short time.
 
Two nights ago, seven member of this June 18th Amazon Outreach team did not yet have their visas due to delays at the Houston Brazilian Consulate, but received them the following day and joined the rest of the team last night after midnight.  We departed from Manaus at 2 AM by boat and just arrived at our first village 18 hours later.
 
We sit anchored off-shore, preparing to use a satellite internet connection and writing this update, while others visit, play games, and swat bugs with an electric-bug-zapper-tennis-racket.
 
Its amazing to think that only two months ago, there were only four people confirmed to go on this trip, and tonight 19 are preparing for their first of six days of ministry in multiple villages off the Amazon River.  We feel confident that God has brought together this team for His purposes.
 
Tomorrow, two doctors, a nurse, and a dentist will provide care and perform checkups, treatments, and surgeries for villagers oppressed with ailments easily treatable, but often serious, because they lack access to healthcare.  We will be coordinating a Vacation Bible School, doing men's and women's ministry, doing evangelism, distributing eyeglasses, clothing, and toys, and testing water quality.  Our hope and prayer is that many would trust Christ for salvation.
 
We would quickly like to thank our wonderful fathers out there for life and love, and congratulate our sons who are fathers for the same.  We love you Dads (and sons that are dads)!  Happy Fathers Day!
 
Blessings,
The Amazon Outreach Team 

Saturday, June 20th

June 20th, 2009, 9:38PM

GPS Coordinates

(try to use with Google Maps or Google Earth):

S 02.47.272'

W 057.09.316'

 

Friends,

 

It is the third night for half of the Amazon Outreach team to stay here in Brazil and the second night for the rest.  Two human-filled hammocks swing under dimly lit rope lights above the third deck of this portable hospital that floats down the Amazon River and up her tirbutaries.  Portuguese and English fly as rapidly through the air as do the moths and the other unidenifiable bugs.  Laughter bursts out over a game of Uno, and I rejoice at the international fellowship and friendships begun between us and our translators in such a short time.

 

Two nights ago, seven member of this June 18th Amazon Outreach team did not yet have their visas due to delays at the Houston Brazilian Consulate, but received them the following day and joined the rest of the team last night after midnight.  We departed from Manaus at 2 AM by boat and just arrived at our first village 18 hours later.

 

We sit anchored off-shore, preparing to use a satellite internet connection and writing this update, while others visit, play games, and swat bugs with an electric-bug-zapper-tennis-racket.

 

Its amazing to think that only two months ago, there were only four people confirmed to go on this trip, and tonight 19 are preparing for their first of six days of ministry in multiple villages off the Amazon River.  We feel confident that God has brought together this team for His purposes.

 

Tomorrow, two doctors, a nurse, and a dentist will provide care and perform checkups, treatments, and surgeries for villagers oppressed with ailments easily treatable, but often serious, because they lack access to healthcare.  We will be coordinating a Vacation Bible School, doing men's and women's ministry, doing evangelism, distributing eyeglasses, clothing, and toys, and testing water quality.  Our hope and prayer is that many would trust Christ for salvation.

 

We would quickly like to thank our wonderful fathers out there for life and love, and congratulate our sons who are fathers for the same.  We love you Dads (and sons that are dads)!  Happy Fathers Day!

 

Blessings,

The Amazon Outreach Team