Raising the Roof

My life was changed! -- Ashley Allen

Today I stood on the top deck of our riverboat as we pulled away from the community of Bom Jesus. As I watched the children and the Church that we had poured our heart and soul into, I felt something that completely changed my life. I never thought that I would be able to come on this trip. But, on my 13th birthday I was told to start getting ready for a trip to the Amazon. A couple years ago when God called me into ministry and told me that this is what I would be doing for the rest of my life, I had no idea he would take me to a place like this.

I came here on a mission to spread God's love and minister to Brazilians on the remote rivers but... they ended up ministering to me more then I could minister to them. I fell in love with these people and they stole my heart in about two seconds. I have absolutely no idea how to speak their language but in the end that was the least important thing. In the short time that I was here I got everything I could ever need or want. Nothing in the world could ever replace the love, compassion, joy and honor I got out of this trip. It wasn't a vacation at all. It was a life changing experience that will never be forgotten. I love these people more than life itself and would to anything to spend one more day with them, seeing their eyes that make you melt and their smiles that give beauty a whole new meaning.

Construction on the Amazon River -- Ben and Jill Sutterfield, Austin, Texas

Good morning - bom dia My wife and I accompanied our twin sons on our first mission trip. Our trip was with mostly youth from our church and a few brave adults. It began with our wanting our sons to experience a God-centered "spring break" activity. The Amazon Vision Ministry trip's purpose was to build a church in a remote village on the Amazon River in Northern Brazil. We finished the construction minutes before an announced church meeting, where more local Brazilians showed up then were in the village. TOTALLY AWSOME!

God blessed us with the opportunity to witness for Him. Our sons want to move to Brazil, where they experienced God first hand. My wife and I are forever changed. AVM is well managed, well focused, and "God's mission" oriented. To God be all the glory!