Reflections about our river trip

Getting ready for a 3 week trip with 15+ people is no small plan. The night before our departure, there looked like the army was going on the trip with us. Tons of boxes with hammocks, blankets, and boxes and boxes of food.  I thought Clyde might of been hungry when he did the shop for the 3 weeks. We headed up the river and it took us 7 days to get to the last homestead before heading back down slowly. This site of river, dusk, campfire was the routine and everyone knew their role. Some cooked, set up camp and someone was on kindling and fire building. The kids enjoyed campfires and on occasion, we had some worship and devotions after a long days haul.

In every village we visit, the best way to communicate is through soccer. Makenna jumped in and played with the guys and gals of this village. It’s natural to just show up and jump in and play no matter what. Between the hours of 5 and dark, soccer is the entertainment and a universal language that gives us entry into the lives of the people.

Catching fish, cooking on open fires on the beach and sometimes eating lunch at 3 or 4pm is common when we are traveling on the river. Remembering our road trips, stopping at rest areas with nice bathrooms, vending machines or even the quick fast food or subsandwich makes traveling very convenient and arrival prompt. But this style of travel is anything but predictable. But one thing I enjoy is the good quality of food that comes off the fire. Nothing but ORGANIC! This day we had fish soup with rice and farinha! And I think it was our last day of ice to enjoy a cup of cold juice from a packet!

Walking up river channels and creeks helped the boat get up with less weight. Hannah did an excellent job, being so little, she held her own and always told me to follow her! She always led me to the right spot and she never fell. I fell plenty and was tired by the time we got back on the boat! 

Our first morning. We all hung our hammocks under a farinha house. Privacy and space was a rare commodity. We girls stuck together and were looking out for each other. Who knows what the guys did. Nate asked for my help for most his needs. But he got more creative as time went on. 

This was one of the most challenging rapids we had to get the boat through. Upstream and lots of water and rocks! Everyone had an idea of how to get up the rapid, but learning to be patient and wait for our captains orders was a test. God was good and gave everyone the ability to work together and we got up the rapid not in world record time, but safely and calmly.

 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But  the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against  the evil one.

I love this picture of Clyde in the Word on the beach early one morning. We made sure we gathered our team together to read the word and share what He was showing us. It really gave a sweet union between us all. 

Our first stop was with Cecilia and her family. Her hubby, Bebe, was away getting supplies at the nearest town 1 day away by boat. We enjoyed 2 nights with this family and saw God softening hearts. It was a great time as we reconnected and introduce more friends from our team to this family.

Chelsea, Kelsie, Celia(owner of homestead) and Lucineia(local missionary and wife of boat driver) in a last picture moment before we said our final good byes. 

2 yrs ago, Dona Celia didn’t know us white, gringos. She was shy and reserved, but polite as we showed up unannounced at her homestead after 5 full days travel by boat from Maribel. During our stay, it rained for 3 days and forced us to stay and get to know each other. It ended up to be a wonderful time. 

This year, it happened again that we came unannounced. But this time it was like embracing an old friend. Having to tell her we were not coming back in 2015, she was very sad but as we explained our situation to her and she understood. She looks forward to the next team, whoever may come up, and the opportunity to hear the Word of God as she is illiterate. We gave her a Saber Storyteller from Global Recordings Network,GRN, which she loves listening to it each night.

Our boat captain, Floresval, on the front of a boat as we head up a very shallow spot on the river. He is a very cautious captain and takes every move very seriously. We appreciate his attentivness. His wife, Lucineia became a Christian about 9 yrs ago. She prayed for her husband every day and about 3 years ago, Flores became a Christian and was baptized. Since then he has had a rocky walk. His wife is small in size, but big in spirit and we ask you keep them in your prayers. They have both told us they want to help make this trip possible every year. 

This is a family that have been rejected by the community they lived in. They started all over again about 2 years ago. We have been getting to know them little by little and we see their desire and heart to follow Jesus. It has cost them a lot to go down this path. Today, we see the blessings of the Lord on them. We went to their village to dedicated a little church building they built from their own sweat and tears on their land. They invited many to come and celebrate and testify what God has done, but for one reason or another, nobody came. Our team was there to celebrate and it was a very sweet time with these brothers and sisters in Christ. We also celebrated the next day with baptisms. Everyone is now baptized and walking as new creations!!!

Thank you Jesus for this family of believers. Keep them in your protection and give them the love, grace and wisdom to reach their neighbors who have had a hard time accepting them because of you. ((all who are in the first row(red shirt in the left to the gal with baby on her hip on the right) make up this family)) See a video to see more moments with this familyHERE.

This is what we are just tapping into and ironically, what we are leaving behind. I see another 10 years of ministry and yet, God is calling us home. I can't question God's plan, just trust Him. I can see He is lining up others to come along side and I feel content in that. 

So many more moments and reflections, but this is just a start. 

We are heading out of internet range til November, but I try to have some more updates and thoughts and reflections to post then!

Thanks for reading…..Kelsie

PS, Chelsea Martins, thank you for most of your photos since my camera wasn't working…most of the time!!!