Derek George -- AVM

In mid-May 2008 we had the privilege of spending 3 days with the precious people of São Pedro and Vila Nova Canaá, in the Municipio (County) of Anama. Our time there was incredible as we held worship, told Bible stories to the children, and conducted awesome Men’s and Women’s Bible studies. The children performed a drama about how Jesus calmed the stormy sea during one of the worship services. We saw over 155 decisions that week and conducted over 1000 hours of discipleship. What an awesome God we serve!

However, amid all of the joy and celebrating, it was absolutely heart-breaking to meet Kasia, age 7, and Demares, age 5. They both had badly deformed “club feet.” Their parents loved them deeply and were very concerned about them but had no idea how to help them.

We took several photos of the girls’ feet and, as we were leaving the area for Manaus, we stopped by the Secretária de Saude (Secretary of Health) for the Municipio of Anama. After hearing our story and seeing the pictures, she assured us that she would start the process the very next day to get them seen and corrected. Pastor Josias will be there to follow-up and keep us informed of the progress

There are many occasions when God gives us the opportunity to help the people in the interior like this. Most of the parents either do not know what to do or have given up after many broken promises.

I have included a couple of pictures of Myna. You will remember her when you see the picture. Praise God, she has had her first couple of surgeries and is making good progress.

We continue to praise God for His faithfulness in allowing us to be a part of His work in the remote regions of the Amazon River Basin.

Ashley -- Palmetto, FL

Evangelism in the Amazon is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before in my life. God has used me to do things here that I never saw myself doing. Through this trip I’ve learned to stop limiting God; He has proved to me that with Him, I can do anything. Over the past 10 days I was sick, I was exhausted, I was dirty, and dehydrated, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I learned to count on God to work through my weakness, and see His divine work accomplished. On this trip I was able, with God’s help, to conquer my fears and give my first public testimony. On this trip I was able to see God’s mighty work in transforming whole communities for Him! Praise Jesus that he allowed me to be a part of it! More people need to be a part of this blessing; the people of the Amazon need to hear about Jesus’ love for them, that means WE need to go tell them. What an awesome experience it is to go to these villages, and get to know the people, see what they do and how they live, to meet their families, play with their children, and most importantly, to share with them the story of salvation and then pray with them to receive Christ. I’ve never experienced anything more powerful. I came on this trip with a friend’s church, and now I plan to go back to my home church and lead a team to come back next year. The people of the Amazon are ready and waiting to hear the Gospel, they just need people who are willing to answer God’s call to GO and tell them; I’m so glad I answered the call, it has forever changed my life!

Diana Bennett -- Parrish, FL

What an awesome God we serve when we empty ourselves of self and drink from the Living Water, Jesus Christ. This trip has been such a blessing. Words can’t describe how exhausted the body can be but how exhilarated the soul is after every new salvation, every smile, and every hug. May we never forget the beauty of the Amazon and her people.

Gary Helton -- Bradenton, FL

I’d like to tell you about my experience in the Amazon basin. After flying into Manaus, we spent one day touring the city first instead of the last day due to lost luggage. We traveled about sixteen hours up the Solimões River to Anama, where we went to a church service. The pastor went with us further into a lake where we stopped at New Brasil. Upon arriving we split into teams with one team going to the school, another to the homes in the village. Two teams were selected to go out on johnboats to visit the scattered homes away from the village. I was on one boat and volunteered to be the operator. The first home we stopped at was a one room wooden shack that most of us would use for an equipment shed. We talked with the mother and two children and presented them the plan of salvation. The mother was a Christian, but her eleven year old son gave his life to Christ.

The next stop was to visit the houses owned by one family, the father Manuel needed prayer for his failing eyesight. The entire family is Christian, belonging to the Assembly of God church.

hat afternoon, we visited a home by the Catholic Church. The mother was already saved, but her fourteen year old son accepted Christ. We stopped by another house that was a small ranch and visited with two sisters. One sister lives there with her baby and the father who owns the ranch. The other sister was visiting from Anama. We witnessed to her and she accepted Christ. They also attended the Saturday night church service where about thirty seven were saved.

The next two days we visited the house near the Catholic Church. The nineteen year old daughter, Maria accepted Christ and her father and another brother accepted Christ the following day.

Across the lake, we found a small village where four families live. I had the privilege if presenting the Gospel story with the EvangeCube and four people accepted Christ; Ages 13, 25, 31, 62.

There were so many astounding experiences; it’s hard to put it all down. Our team was able to lead several people to the Lord.

We also went to New Canaan and San Pedro villages where we held a men’s bible study and conducted discipleship training.

I would highly recommend this trip to anyone; you will come back a changed person.

Tim -- Terra Ceia, FL

When I first decided to go to the Amazon, it was more because I wanted an adventure. But God had another reason. When I arrived at New Brasil, I was intrigued by the kids. They are just like American kids; they slip and fall, cut their legs, and scrape their knees. The difference is that they then swim in the rivers and their cuts and scrapes get infected.

When I saw the infected cuts I had to help them. I cleaned and bandaged their wounds. As I looked into the happy eyes of the children with their shiny new bandages, I could see God smiling back at me.

God had another reason, and I am looking forward to finding out what it is!

Tracy -- Parrish, FL

Getting to the Amazon was not easy. I originally was supposed to go to Italy on a mission trip, but that trip was cancelled. God had another plan for me. About two months before the trip to the Amazon, I had gotten a phone call from a friend about the trip. I was unsure about going to a third world country. I told my friend that I would think about it. A few days later, he asked me if I was ready to give him an answer. I told him I really had not thought about it. He then said, “Well, you are already signed up so be prepared to come up with $2,300.” I didn’t know how I would come up with all the money in just a couple of months, but God is an awesome God and provided every penny for me to go. And he had a plan for me. During the trip God taught me something about myself. In order to be successful in preaching Gods word, I must be willing to step outside of my comfort zone. This is something that would be difficult for me. But again, God always has a plan. I was always sitting on the side lines watching others lead people to Christ. But whether I wanted to or not, God was going to give me the opportunity to share his word. When Patrick told me that I would be evangelizing to the people of the Amazon, I was quite nervous (and was even hoping that I wouldn’t get a chance to share). We had gone to a few houses where I watched Joel and Wilna share the Gospel. But, when it was my turn to share, we went to several houses where nobody was home. I was hoping that nobody would be home so that I would not have to share the Gospel. But, when we came to the last house, two sisters were home and I got to share the Gospel. On that day, God blessed me by working through me to lead those two sisters to Christ.