Return to the River!: Part 2
-by Michael Allen
Hello AVM Family,
Return to the River was the headline a year ago as Team One Chapel departed for their mission trip. It had been almost 2 years since a team with AVM had been engaged in a mission to the West Amazon Basin. This year the return was not just Team One Chapel but also for Pastor Eli. As many are aware he was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and it was uncertain that he would be able to participate in any mission activities in the near future. Through faithful prayer and the healing hand of our Lord, Pastor Eli had a successful surgery and was medically cleared to return!
In mid-August Eli, Silvana, and Tao (Brazilian dentist) joined Team One Chapel, led by Rich & Christi Jennings, in Tabatinga to prepare for their mission. The trip consisted of a dental clinic, worship services, VBS, and discipleship training.
The dental clinic saw 111 patients with 42 extraction patients and over 100 teeth pulled and 69 restorations. There was no dental chair, so Tao operated standing up and the patient sitting in a regular chair!
The team participated in five church services with each member giving testimonies. Three of the services had messages delivered by Rich, Christi and Harold Clark, with Pastor Eli conducting the service for the Lord's supper. Every chair was full, and people were standing outside! Praise the Lord!
There was VBS every day with an average of 40 kids each day! In addition, the team had one day with the village youth teaching them about the fruits of the Spirit.
On the last day in the village the team taught through the T4T discipleship program with the leaders. Not only did the leaders attend, nearly the entire village showed up! They also answered the challenge to continue the program and make disciples after the team departs.
The team has also been given an open invite to return and, God willing, they plan on going back again next year!
If the Lord is speaking to you about your return to the River or a first-time trip, please contact me and we can discuss and plan.
"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." -Romans 11:29