The Last Day!

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy New Years! For those of you who have been around Amazon Outreach for a while I have some exciting news, our dear friend and translator Thiago Ramos got engaged last night during our New Years party! His girlfriend and her mom are serving as doctors on our trip and so we are all extremely happy for them, we had a blast bringing in the new year last night on the Amazon.

Today was definitely the most difficult day of our trip. We stopped in Bejamim Constan today and struggled meeting people because many people in the village slept in after a late night. It was a much needed "chill day" if you will because it went at a bit of a slower pace. We actually had a few interesting encounters with some Jehovah's Witnesses today that challenged us as a team. But Antonio, one of the leaders from Chapada church in Manaus encouraged us with a great verse. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. This verse really encouraged me because although we were somewhat discouraged momentarily by these people who only wanted to argue technical doctrine with us, God is much bigger than that situation and He did so many other things throughout the day worthy of praise.

One of our translators had a neat opportunity to share the gospel with a young 12 year old girl who ended up accepting Christ and Jason Delph reminded us all that that is why we came and if that is all that had happed on this whole trip it was totally worth it. My good friend Lydia Hurt also had a sweet moment with a little 4 year old boy in the midst of all the religious conversations. "I was playing with a little boy/holding him throughout the day and continued to hold him while I was listening to my mom and Mr. Delph talk to a Jahovah's witness. Because I was trying to pay attention to their conversation i was somewhat neglecting the little boys fast-paced talking. He seemed to have gotten a little frustrated and finally tapped me on the shoulder and looked me in the eyes,spoke very slowly so I could understand, and said.. "Do you have a heart?" I smiled and said "Yes i do, do you?" and he said "Yes, Jesus is inside". I told him Jesus was inside my heart also and he proceeded to ask if my mom and my sister had Jesus in their heart. I told him they did and they loved him very much. He said "does everyone on your boat have Jesus in their heart" and i told him that they did and thats why we were here. He gave me a big smile and a thumbs up. It was truly a blessing, I felt like it was God's way of saying He is still working through us, even in the life of a 4 year old little boy. In the midst of our frustration He is there and He is doing His work and is allowing us to be blessed along the way. Previously I had written verses in my journal for brazil and the verse I came to today was perfect. Luke 16:21 says "He has hidden things from the wise and revealed them to little children." How great is our God! :)

In Christ,

Landen Ellis

Feliz Ano Novo

Greetings from the Linda Esperanca,

Today we went to Sao Jose and had a great time with the people there. Corey, Skylar, Lydia, Taylor and I had the opportunity to talk to the teenage girls about life, boys, school and God this afternoon. It was really neat to see how the girls opened up to us and were really receptive to what we had to say about having pure relationships. Zach Woods shared his testimony with the adults after the daily afternoon soccer game and it was incredible. The people there invited us to a service tonight at the local church and we went, sang some songs and Skylar and Brennan shared their testimonies. The pastor of the church was so sweet and thanked us multiple times and once again we were blessed with hearing how the Linda Esperanca has passed by his village multiple times and he told us that he had been praying that the boat would stop there one day. It continues to rock my world how God is using this boat and this ministry without us even realizing it. After going on so many trips the past 10 years it has been an incredible encouragement to me that this boat has such an impact on the lives of the Brazilian people.

Sam Turtletaub had a neat experience tonight getting to talk one on one with a 13 year old boy named Leandro. He had become friends with the boy during the day and sat by him at the church service this evening. During their discussion Sam learned that this young Brazilian boy was addicted to maurajiuna and his friends told him if he stopped doing drugs he would have no friends. Sam and Thiago were able to share the gospel with him and he prayed to receive Christ as his Savior but he is going to have a long struggle with overcoming addiction ahead of him so please be in prayer for him.

We had a minor soccer injury today so please keep Chandler in your prayers that she would have a quick recovery. Nothing major but of course we want her to be back to 100% as soon as possible! Everyone is doing great but exhaustion is starting to take its toll so strength, energy and endurance is our greatest prayer need right now. God is good and we witnessed that in a marvelous sunset this evening! Happy New Years!

In Christ,

Landen Ellis

Day #3

Dear Family and Friends,

Day 3 of ministry has just come to a close and once again it was such a blessing! Everyone is still healthy and safe praise God! Today we worked at Sao Pedro and it was a pretty large village. For those of you familiar with the area the we have been working in is about an hour speed boat ride away from Itacoatira. Our ministry schedule was similar to the past few days and I got to spend some time sitting in on discussion with the teenage girls! It was such a blessing seeing how well they received the message from the Chapada team.

Katie Johnson, one of our team members had a neat experience in the village today. "A group of us had the opportunity to go into two different homes and share the Gospel with two families. They were so sweet and joyful, and were very encouraged by everything we had to tell them. Later on in the afternoon, one of the familes that we had the opportunity to talk to came and found me, and the mother left her two young children with me the rest of the day. The little boy, Kyle, was one of the most joyful boys I had ever seen. His smile and presence made my entire day. Even though I wasn't able to communicate with words, it meant a lot that he still wanted to stay with me the rest of the day, and wouldn't leave my side!"

One thing that Mr Delph has told us is "Share the gospel and use words only when you have to". This phrase is really cool because despite the language barrier I have witnessed so many of these college kids communicating God's love through their actions. We are studying the power of the Holy Spirit and reading Francis Chan's 'Forgotten God' which has really opened our eyes to how great our God is and how He has been in the Amazon long before we got here. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to love on the people in these villages! Keep up the prayers for health and safety, they are working! Time for alligator hunting! Tchau! :)

In Christ,

Landen Ellis

(Please forward on to Jeff Hurt)

Day Two!

Bon Dia from the Linda Esperanca,

Yesterday was another great day for our team! We went to the village Nossa Senhora do Perpetuo Socorro and had a full day of work there. We got off the boat nice and early and set up medical, women's ministry and VBS. In VBS we did the skit of the Angel setting Peter free from Prison, Will made a great (and rather large angel) the kids absolutely loved it! The women's ministry has been going very well and Mrs Delph was able to sit down with all the women of the village yesterday and have an incredible time of prayer and discussion, what a blessing!

One thing that has been such an amazing encouragement to me after going on trips all these years is the similar stories we have been hearing the past two days that I'm sure will bless many of you as well. At both villages we have talked to people and yesterday to one woman in particular who was so excited to have our boat stop in her village because everyone there recognized the boat well. They knew the Linda Esperanca because every time it passed someone would throw out balloons with candy and Bible verses. This women had saved all the Bible verses from inside the balloons and had her daughter teach her how to read so that she could understand. She said before we came she did not know what this boat did but she knew it had to be something great because the simple balloons had blessed her and her people so much. Hearing this story blew my mind because after 8 trips I never realized how much of an impact this simple ministry had! Glory be to God for showing up in an awesome way yesterday. The entire team agreed that the Holy Spirit was present in the village and we really felt God moved in the lives of the people there. Please continue to pray for health and safety for our team!

In Christ,

Landen Ellis

P.S. Johnson Ellis, could you please forward this email to Jeff Hurt (Jhurt@sw-credit.com) so that he can send the last two emails on to our family members not registered for the blog! Obrigada!

We're Alive and Well!!

Greetings from the Linda Esperanca,

We just finished our first day of work out on the river and it was incredible! The village we went to today was Nossa Senhora das Gracas. There were about 60 families in this village and we had a great time getting to know them throughout the afternoon. It was only an 8 hour boat ride to the village from Manaus so we got there early this morning and then unpacked all the bags and got everything ready for the day since we did not have a lot of time to do so on the boat. The medical team went out and worked with the people in the morning and we did VBS and women's ministry in the afternoon. The people from Chapada have been very helpful and fun, we are all having a great time getting to know them despite the language barrier. They did a puppet show about joy to go along with our VBS lesson on Jonah this afternoon. It went really well once we finally got the sound system working and I think the kids really enjoyed it. After VBS we all went out and played some soccer because no trip would be complete without a good ol game of Brazilians vs. Americans (which we lost of course but not without a hard fight!) After the game we were able to gather many of the villagers together and Mr Delph gave his testimony. The kids absolutely loved hanging all over Will, Zach, Brennan and Sam and we got to play with the children for a little while before heading back to the boat and onto the next village. At this point the plan is to hit one village everyday so we are on the move at the moment. Yesterday we spent some time in Manaus doing some outreach for Shalom Baptist church and then went to the Sunday night service there. We met up with a team from YWAM which was really cool because there were so many different nationalities represented among all of us! All is well, everyone is safe and healthy and all of our bags made it safely Praise God! Please be praying for continued health and safety! The team has already bonded so well and we are having a great time working together to bring glory to God's name!

Everyone sends there love!

In Christ,

Landen Ellis

Pai, eu to viva!

P.S.: Johnson, eu recebi seu recado e e stou cuidando da tua nenem!

November 28th

Boa tarde!!

Well, we've started our 24 hour journey back to Manaus. We're enjoying a relaxing day of food and fellowship on the Linda Esperanca. We currently have a competitive spades tournament going on while people nap, sing songs and read while enjoying the beautiful Amazon scenery. Praise God we have a breeze because the boat is moving!! We've blown up baloons with Bible verses and candy to launch off the boat along with soccer balls as we see young children in the villages along the river. Who knew a baloon launcher would be so handy in the Amazon! It's entertaining to see how kids will jump off boats and swim into the river just to grab the goodies - it's also funny to see the ones who are expecting the boat of Americans and flag us down! We stopped briefly this morning in Itacoatira to say goodbye to our friends Audrey and Lexi who had to catch an earlier flight back to the US. Please pray for their safety as they make the long journey home.

We ended our time in Lake Carada with an adventurous speed boat hunt for alligators. We seriously thought they were joking until we ended up on the boat armed with life jackets, head lamps, and an alligator net. We took 4 speedboats through the same alligator infested canal that our group got stuck in the night before. We sailed through the canal with no light but the moon and a spotlight looking for the perfect gator. Once the glowing red eyes are spotted everyone has to be silent and all lights go off while one of the crew goes in for the catch. Those gators are quick though and out of 4 boats only 1 came back with a prized catch...a baby gator only about 2 feet long...we have proud pictures of Jeff holding the gator now. He might have reacted differently if it was hog hunting. Tonight we have a big boat party planned that involves bowling, coreography, skits, and of course hair braiding. We may or may not take Amazon Glamor Shots...there are no words to describe the look of one who has been in the Amazon for 9 days. Keep in mind the pictures will not do the smell justice!

On a serious note today has been a great time to reflect on the work of the Holy Spirit in the Amazon. We truly believe that we advanced the kingdom in ways that we've never been able to before. The success of the speed boat teams were crucial in not only building relationships and witnessing but in discipling our new friends. Our prayer is that this format of discipleship will forever change mission work as we know it in the Amazon. Because of the positive feedback from the speedboat team of the first 4 days, the entire team was able to minister to the villages of Lake Carada in the same way. We split up into small groups and went to all 4 villages going door to door as VBS was held for the children. It was amazing to see the Holy Spirit at work in ways we had never witnessed...rather than focusing on quantity we focused on quality. We spent most of our time investing in individuals by being intentional with building relationships. Once we built trust we presented the gospel. Some had never heard it before, some resisted, and some are heavily catholic (which for the most part here in the Amazon means that they believe that heaven is based on works). Several individuals from all 3 categories made professions of faith and after that decision was made we poured scripture and encouragement into their lives. Rather than just leaving with a good feeling of furthering the kingdom we stayed longer to make sure they understood their decision fully. We then showed how to study the Bible and taught them what it meant to be a disciple and to spread the Good News to their family and friends. The Evangicube was extremely helpful...it was especially a success among the younger people as it served not only as a way to share the gospel with them but was an intriguing way for them to share with their friends since it's easy to follow and serves as a prompter as they walk others through the gospel message. A few of our team members were able to share and practice the Evangicube with new believers...what an encouragement to have them repeat the message of the cube with us so that we were certain that they understood the message in order to pass it on. It was amazing to see how comfortable our team became in speaking with these Brazilians. Although there were different bariers, with the power of the Holy Spirit, they were all lifted in that moment. We connected people in the villages and began to set up small groups as we taught them the importance of what Paul said that the church should look like. These villages are so tight-knit that many of them already practice community as it is described to us in Acts 2. That was enlightening and encouraging to our team and presented a great opportunity for us to learn from them. We often go to foreign countries thinking that we have so much to give and bless others with. Our approach this time was different. Rather than meeting a person once, sharing the gospel, and leaving with hopes that they got the message, we were intentional with our time and invested in really getting to know these people over several days. That way, we were not only able to know that their decision was genuine...we were able to teach them to grow in a relationship with Christ. We taught them the importance of sharing and that is could be their first step of obedience as a Christian. We made sure that the people in the villages were aware of everyone who made professions of faith so that they can encourage one another and discuss their faith further. Essentially, these will be the first village small groups. The missionaries for the areas are aware of the decisions as well. They will be following up with the progress of these new believers.

We have both been on mission trips before, but this one is different. As fun as life on the boat with our friends is and being surrounded by beautiful scenery, it is the relationships we built with the people that will be missed the most. We came here to change lives and are leaving with our lives changed just as much. The way we prepared and approached this trip has forever changed our thoughts on missions. We have learned the importance of disipleship and how crutial it is for future and further impact on the world. We believe our group has a new grasp on the Great Commission. We have committed to pray for these communities that we were so welcomed to over the past 9 days. Although praying for them seems like all we can do, it is actually EVERYTHING we can do.

We will be home soon! We will do our best to explain what took place on the trip, but honestly, there are just not enough words to do it justice. Thank you guys for all of your support and prayer. Please pray for our safety back. Also, Josh Rolf's passport cannot be found as of right now. He will be going into the city to work everything out. Please pray for a quick resolution and a quick way to return to the states.

In Him,

Lauren Newman and Cathleen Moffitt

 

Thursday, November 26th, 2009 - a.k.a Thanksgiving!!!

At the break of dawn we loaded onto the speedboats and wisked down the canal to Lake Carara. Upon the opening we saw crystal clear water (in Amazon terms, meaning mucky brown) and beautiful palm trees lining the horizon. Now that we have painted you a wonderful picture...

Today we split into two groups, the first going to a surrounding village to share the gospel and provide VBS for children, and the second going to host a soccer tournament. We were on the soccer team and upon entering the speedboats to take us to the village, one of our valued members was left behind (that valued member was Audrey). After hiking up to the soccer field in Sol Nasciente we realized we were without a translator and Audrey, but through much smiling, pointing and Spanish we managed to survive until Norman and Audrey joined the team. The soccer tournament was for the four main villages that surround Lake Carara and served as the audience for the grand opening of the mission house that had been built in Sol Nasciente. We provided the teams with full uniforms inculding jerseys, shorts and socks. We played the first two games in the morning: Divino played Bucuzal and Bucuzal was victorious! For the second game it was Sol Nasciente vs. Paraiso where Sol Nasciente was the winner. The two winning teams would play each other in the afternoon for the Championship.

We returned to the Linda Esperanca for lunch and rest and shared our morning experiences amongst each other. Everyone was rather tired at this point and knew that the afternoon session was going to be pretty long. We boarded the speedboats again (this time no one was left behind) and returned to the soccer field. The consolation game was played first, Paraiso was the winner, followed by the Championship where Sol Nasciente took first place. After the tournament was over we walked over to the Mission house where Josh Rolf preached and we presented all of the teams with medals and Most Valuable Player awards. We ended the evening serving BBQ to all four villages. Lindsey and I were on the second to last speed boat to head back to the Linda Esperanca; on the way our driver pointed out the alligators in the water showing there orange eyes above the water reflecting off the light. As we entered into the connecting canal the water level was rather low causing the speed boat to get stuck and turning us around forcing us to conquer the canal by driving backwards. Suddenly there was a splash to the side, Kelly jumped out of her seat over Matt. Upon said startling, Audrey squeezed her cup to its breaking point. We are not sure what caused the splash but Lindsey is "absolutely certain" it was an Alligator. In the end, we made it back unscathed. Needless to say after a long day in the sun we were in desperate need of rest.

The lifestyle of the people inhabiting these villages is so different from ours in America, yet the children just smile all the time and are grateful for things that most would consider minute and meaningless. It is amazing to see how God is working throughout these villages, His presence is in their smiles and in their eyes, they light up at the mention of "el nome de Jesus Cristo". The villages truly embody the church through fellowship and community, through breaking of bread and walking according to God's call. "How Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news," Romans 10:15. The people wait patiently for us to come, not because we bring them material things, but because we bring hope and good news for them and encouragement to share in their faith with other villagers.

Friday, November 27th, 2009

This morning we again headed back to our respective villages, to further witness and encourage and to again hold VBS. We had a group of about 40 children in Sol Nasciente attend our VBS, where they learned about Daniel in the Lions Den. We did crafts with them and played with them, but mostly we just loved on them and entertained them in anyway we could imagine. One of the translators explained that the reason it takes the kids a bit of time to get to VBS is that they take showers and put on their best clothes when they hear that we are coming. The amount of joy that we provide them pales in comparison to the amount of joy they provide us; it is humbling to be here and do the work that we are doing.

In the afternoon we went to Paraiso and did another VBS. When walking back we saw and petted a baby armadillo ("Tortu") that one of the villagers had found in the jungle. Then further down the walk back a young child was coming up from the river holding a large fish in one hand and a giant bird in the other, we are truly one with nature here. When we approached the end to begin walking down towards the boat, the sun was setting through the palm trees, seeing God's majesty as we walked down the hill was the essence of breathtaking.

On a lighter note, we leave you with a humorous story...

One of the groups coming back from the furthest town had the privelage of experiencing shallow water, too many people and too big of a boat. One boat took all of the girls. Because of the weight we decided it was best to have a speed boat take two of the men across the lake to deeper water, where they could be picked up later. While that was happening three guys got into a canoe to follow them, because a group of hogs were coming towards the beach (Jeff Summerlin, Jon Lantz and Lucas the translator, were in the canoe). Nelson Crowe was left behind with his bucket hat to fend off the hogs alone. Long story short, the canoe started to sink half way across the lake, Lucas and Jon were laughing while Jeff (our resident banker- who gets queezy watching 'Planet Earth') was more than a little concerned. Keep in mind he had seen multiple alligators the night before. Water kept pouring into the sides of the boat, Jon is trying to keep the boat steady, Lucas is trying to paddle, while Jeff is frantically scooping water out of the boat with his bare hands- trying to keep his body perfectly still so as not to allow more water into the boat; keep in mind the water is only three feet deep! They finally make their way about 20 feet out from the shore when they get stuck in a mud slick. At this point a panicked Jeff began screaming to stop all together and wait for the other boat to come rescue them. He made the comment: "this is the most scared I have ever been in my entire life" to which Jon replied, "this is kind of funny" while Lucas is giggling at the front of the boat. Jeff's frantic response (delivered at the top of his lungs!), "I AM A CONSERVATIVE PERSON!" Jon and Lucas busted up laughing at his concern, in fact he was pointing out "alligators" (mud chunks) around them. Lucas jumped out of the canoe and towed them into shore where they left the canoe and walked around to meet the speed boat. Jeff is still upset about this occurence and we all think, a little scarred for life.

Audrey & Lindsey S. b