My mom and her husband Steve came all the way from Temecula, California and the beautiful wine country to our rugged neck of the jungle. They did remarkable and I am so proud of them.
They arrived in time for Maddy's 8th birthday. Thier visit was a surprise for the kids and boy were they surprised! Especially our Makenna. We enjoyed a relaxing day at a man made lake and retreat center and then rushed off to do errands before heading on our journey the following morning. We took Mom and Steve on a river trip just a few hours up river from where we live to meet the folks we are building relationships with. Along with us was our dear friend, Tim Kubacki who is a doctor/missionary and our Brazilian friend Alison who came to lead worship. It was a treat to have such a team with us. We had services and medical clinics at 3 stops over the 3 days. Ministry was sweet and the people were so receptive to our family and team. My Mom had a few people touch her heart so strong that she was weepy. But I recognized it as the special thing God does when we encounter Him through the people we are ministering to. It was very cool.
When we reached Maribel again, it was Thanksgiving. Mom and I got to cook together in my humble kitchen with just a few buckets or water. Makenna rounded up a few free range chickens from our yard and took them to a native woman who rung the necks, plucked the feathers and prepared them for me. I haven't gotten to the point of killing dinner yet! Anyways, Mom and I pulled off a pretty amazing lunch. Mashed potatoes, steamed carrots, chicken(which was tougher than tough) imported cranberries and later pumpkin pie and pumpkin crunch!!! After lunch we gathered up all our dishes and laundry from our river trip and spent 2 hours at the river washing dishes and clothes. We rushed back to the house as I had a ladies group planned for 4pm. Mom shared her testimony and met 3 of the ladies who soaked up her testimony and shared some of their stories as well.
We had a special service on Saturday instead of Sunday because we were heading back to Altamira on Sunday. We gathered in a thatched roofed house with only 1 wall. It was so breezy and refreshing. Mom and Steve enjoyed the change. We had service and enjoyed lunch together. After lunch we gathered the Brazilians for a family photo. It went well. Then our family gathered for a family photo. I set up the camera on a timer, got everyone set up and pushed the button. I ran to sit down in my spot which was in the middle of the plank we were sitting on and BOOSH! the plank broke right when I sat down. Clyde, Maddy and Nate got hurt but thank goodness it wasn't too terrible. It was a memory we will never forget. The funny thing was that the camera caught it!
There is so much more to share, but my brain isn't expressing it all that well.
Speaking of well... we had an artesean well dug and we have water, but the pump got plugged up. We had to take it in to clean when we took Mom and Steve back to catch thier plane home. We are praying that the pump will work and we will have water. Please pray with us for the finances to hook it up. It will probably be somewhere around $4000 to have it completed!
God is our provider and we trust Him for all things including this well project. The cool thing is that it isn't benefitting just us, but the neighbors in Maribel too! So 5 houses will have water from one source!
This means too that when rainy season hits, we can wash our dishes and clothes up at our houses and not in the river with the Malaria bugs!!!!
More later...Blessings!
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