Sunday 9-13-09

Today started with a beautiful sunrise along one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. We all arose and prepared to start a day of serving the Lord. We ate breakfast, and headed off the boat to do our daily devotional in the church at the Village we were working at for the day. This is something that we normally do on the boat without the villagers, but today the new pastor asked us to do the morning devotion on land which seemed appropriate since it is Sunday.

After the devotion we all departed to begin the different ministries we volunteered for. VBS and optical remained in the church while medical and dental were down close to the river in a pavilion. Many people came from all around to receive help through our ministries and every single person we helped was prayed over. Each ministry proved fruitful. There was no idle time at the doctor, dentist and optical locations from 9-5 (with a lunch break of course).

After the day of serving, some of us challenged the Brazilian boys to a game of soccer. Of course, we were no match for them but it was fun to try (and slightly painful)… We suffered a great loss scoring only 1 point to their 6. After the game, including multiple soccer balls to the face, fire ants bites and cow patty explosions, we gathered together for prayer and invited them to come to the Sunday night service. To our great pleasure some of them showed up and actually sat listening intently to the service. A seed has been planted and we are so grateful to watch as God pulls them in.

Finally, at the end of the evening we sat and shared the events of the day. God is working in this village and we pray that it will have a lasting effect.

Written by Amanda Starr (143)

Sunday 9-13-09

Today started with a beautiful sunrise along one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. We all arose and prepared to start a day of serving the Lord. We ate breakfast, and headed off the boat to do our daily devotional in the church at the Village we were working at for the day. This is something that we normally do on the boat without the villagers, but today the new pastor asked us to do the morning devotion on land which seemed appropriate since it is Sunday.

After the devotion we all departed to begin the different ministries we volunteered for. VBS and optical remained in the church while medical and dental were down close to the river in a pavilion. Many people came from all around to receive help through our ministries and every single person we helped was prayed over. Each ministry proved fruitful. There was no idle time at the doctor, dentist and optical locations from 9-5 (with a lunch break of course).

After the day of serving, some of us challenged the Brazilian boys to a game of soccer. Of course, we were no match for them but it was fun to try (and slightly painful)… We suffered a great loss scoring only 1 point to their 6. After the game, including multiple soccer balls to the face, fire ants bites and cow patty explosions, we gathered together for prayer and invited them to come to the Sunday night service. To our great pleasure some of them showed up and actually sat listening intently to the service. A seed has been planted and we are so grateful to watch as God pulls them in.

Finally, at the end of the evening we sat and shared the events of the day. God is working in this village and we pray that it will have a lasting effect.

Written by Amanda Starr (143)