6/27/08
We woke up and had a continental breakfast at the hotel and then made our way to the airport in two shuttles as it would only hold fourteen at a time. After check inn we flew directly to Indianapolis and arrived at 2:40 p.m. to waiting friends and family.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
6/26/08
Went to the airport approximately 4:45 a.m. and began checking baggage. Too early for the shop keepers. After about an hour or so we were able to buy coffee and sandwiches for breakfast. We said our goodbyes and flew to Belem. Then to Manaus and finally to Miami where 11 of our group changed tickets to fly all night and try to get to Indy early a.m.. The rest of us would overnight at the Red Roof Inn. We ate a nice dinner at Bennigans next door to the hotel.
Went to the airport approximately 4:45 a.m. and began checking baggage. Too early for the shop keepers. After about an hour or so we were able to buy coffee and sandwiches for breakfast. We said our goodbyes and flew to Belem. Then to Manaus and finally to Miami where 11 of our group changed tickets to fly all night and try to get to Indy early a.m.. The rest of us would overnight at the Red Roof Inn. We ate a nice dinner at Bennigans next door to the hotel.
6/25/08
Today the bus is taking us to Alter-Do-Chao for a half day at the beach. It is about 1 hour from the hotel. Upon arrival Shaggy tells us that the famous Amazon Women were from this location and relates many stories of them. Many of the guys took off in a boat across the river to climb a mountain. The remainder of the group took a boat tour of the area. The views from the mountain top were breathtaking. We returned to swimming and a lunch consisting of Pirarrucu, the largest freshwater fish. We also ate rice, beans, and salad as well as the sodas Guarana and Coke. A heritage dance interpretation was put on for our enjoyment as well. There were probably a dozen or more dancers. After dropping off Scotty and Jason at the hotel we went shopping for a few hours downtown. Tonight was busy as we had a service where three children accepted Christ! Afterwards we were wisked away to the same pizza joint as before. We ate dinner and also made thank you presentations to our translators and hosts (Truth Project Members). Now the work would begin as everybody would need to be packed and on the bus by 4:30 A.M. to go to the airport. Many did not sleep.
Today the bus is taking us to Alter-Do-Chao for a half day at the beach. It is about 1 hour from the hotel. Upon arrival Shaggy tells us that the famous Amazon Women were from this location and relates many stories of them. Many of the guys took off in a boat across the river to climb a mountain. The remainder of the group took a boat tour of the area. The views from the mountain top were breathtaking. We returned to swimming and a lunch consisting of Pirarrucu, the largest freshwater fish. We also ate rice, beans, and salad as well as the sodas Guarana and Coke. A heritage dance interpretation was put on for our enjoyment as well. There were probably a dozen or more dancers. After dropping off Scotty and Jason at the hotel we went shopping for a few hours downtown. Tonight was busy as we had a service where three children accepted Christ! Afterwards we were wisked away to the same pizza joint as before. We ate dinner and also made thank you presentations to our translators and hosts (Truth Project Members). Now the work would begin as everybody would need to be packed and on the bus by 4:30 A.M. to go to the airport. Many did not sleep.
6/24 /08
Today was a mirror image of yesterday with V.B.S. and soccer. The exception would be that lunch was at Scotty and Jan's house. He was a gracious host permitting people to use the computer and even allowing some to call home to the states. This afternoon the bathroom entrapment contained Grant Cottingham who was locked up for fifteen minutes. When he was released the bus had already left and he was able to catch up to the bus and flag us down with the help of a motorcycle taxi and driver. We had about one hour to do a little shopping downtown today. We also had a soccer match at a very nice club in Santarem. The other team was a no show for awhile (probably due to the confusion with the time change). Our team won this last game handily. One interesting thing happened in that Bill was referee and I believe it was Rocky who went down on the ground rolling around and Bill called for help. So Carley, Aaron, & Tara rushed onto the field to give water air and aide to the referee as Rocky is rolling on the ground. It was all obviously staged but one of the other teams players picked up Rocky and carried him over to the bench which he immediately left to continue the game. Roc also informed of on more person being saved at the game. We went to a restaurant downtown for a homecooked type dinner.
Today was a mirror image of yesterday with V.B.S. and soccer. The exception would be that lunch was at Scotty and Jan's house. He was a gracious host permitting people to use the computer and even allowing some to call home to the states. This afternoon the bathroom entrapment contained Grant Cottingham who was locked up for fifteen minutes. When he was released the bus had already left and he was able to catch up to the bus and flag us down with the help of a motorcycle taxi and driver. We had about one hour to do a little shopping downtown today. We also had a soccer match at a very nice club in Santarem. The other team was a no show for awhile (probably due to the confusion with the time change). Our team won this last game handily. One interesting thing happened in that Bill was referee and I believe it was Rocky who went down on the ground rolling around and Bill called for help. So Carley, Aaron, & Tara rushed onto the field to give water air and aide to the referee as Rocky is rolling on the ground. It was all obviously staged but one of the other teams players picked up Rocky and carried him over to the bench which he immediately left to continue the game. Roc also informed of on more person being saved at the game. We went to a restaurant downtown for a homecooked type dinner.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
6/23
6/23/08
We woke up early today and split into a V.B.S. group and a soccer training group. Our time had changed through the night without anyone telling us so we were already an hour late. Later we would learn that the time change was not official until tomarrow but most everyone had already changed. V.B.S. went well except for Maggie getting locked in the restroom for two hours. The clinic started off slow with only two youth from the neighborhood brought to the field with suckers from Dr. Byrd. After kicking the ball a little they sent the two out to bring back their friends and seventeen street wise kids arrived. Doc gave them the Evangelism ball testimony and as he was about to proceed with an alter call Junior stopped him and told the boys how 15 years earlier he had been sitting right there and made a decision to follow Christ. The largest boy was the first to come forward followed by the smallest and then everyone else came forward and Junior led them in the sinner's prayer with the Covenant players circling around the group. In the afternoon we worked at a youth camp picking up trash and scraping moss, Termites, and flaking paint from a dormitory. We were also able to get paint on one half of the buildings exterior. At Jennifer's church, one of our translators, a little boy named Fabrizio was led to the lord with Dr. Byrd's assistance. Fabrizio lives in a house across from the church with thirty other children. His mother had left his father was an alcoholic and his Aunt and sibblings were his only caregivers. His Aunt had just passed away. Please pray that Fabrizio can be a light in this dark family situation and can bring many others to the lord. After service we ate pizza at Massabor. They had a few different varieties as well as our favorite soda in country called Guarana, it is similar to a sweet ginger ale.
We woke up early today and split into a V.B.S. group and a soccer training group. Our time had changed through the night without anyone telling us so we were already an hour late. Later we would learn that the time change was not official until tomarrow but most everyone had already changed. V.B.S. went well except for Maggie getting locked in the restroom for two hours. The clinic started off slow with only two youth from the neighborhood brought to the field with suckers from Dr. Byrd. After kicking the ball a little they sent the two out to bring back their friends and seventeen street wise kids arrived. Doc gave them the Evangelism ball testimony and as he was about to proceed with an alter call Junior stopped him and told the boys how 15 years earlier he had been sitting right there and made a decision to follow Christ. The largest boy was the first to come forward followed by the smallest and then everyone else came forward and Junior led them in the sinner's prayer with the Covenant players circling around the group. In the afternoon we worked at a youth camp picking up trash and scraping moss, Termites, and flaking paint from a dormitory. We were also able to get paint on one half of the buildings exterior. At Jennifer's church, one of our translators, a little boy named Fabrizio was led to the lord with Dr. Byrd's assistance. Fabrizio lives in a house across from the church with thirty other children. His mother had left his father was an alcoholic and his Aunt and sibblings were his only caregivers. His Aunt had just passed away. Please pray that Fabrizio can be a light in this dark family situation and can bring many others to the lord. After service we ate pizza at Massabor. They had a few different varieties as well as our favorite soda in country called Guarana, it is similar to a sweet ginger ale.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Third posting
6/19
Second day in Obidos John and Junior crossed the Amazon in a Kayak this morning. We continue to see dolphins everywhere we go. We visited 4 churches and put on another Vacation Bible School. It started out looking like rain and 6 kids arrived God broke the clouds and we sent the six out to bring their friends and ended up with 35. Also had a soccer clinic in a well to do school. In the afternoon we went to a building called the milkshake where Junior signed up a team to play in a futsol tournament. Our guys won the first two games but were defeated in the third tying for third place out of 16 teams. Good job guys! Amy Moon and Dirancy Foddrill also played on the two opposing women's teams. It all happened so fast Dirancy wasn't sure who her teamates were and actually passed the ball to Amy twice. Amy's team won! Our team played a soccer game this evening in what some refer to as the castle. The field had three walls around it. Rocky played in this game and Joe took an elbow to the chest and just like FIFA the brazillians came out with a stretcher and carried him off the field only to walk back across 10 seconds later at half time. The other players wanted something to happen to them so they could be carried off in this manner. We tied 1-1. Brazillian teenage girls appear to be very grateful american teenage boys are here. Max and Chad drew the attention of the upperclassmen as Rocky did the lower classmen. Ask Roc Byrd about his nickname of "Mato Frangos" and also about Jabba's delivery with the assistance of Shaggy. Roc adjusted the entire crew, the cooks, and some of our team member. Sarah was his assistant. Fields are ripe workers are few. Please pray that the lord sends more workers.
6/20
Second day in Obidos John and Junior crossed the Amazon in a Kayak this morning. We continue to see dolphins everywhere we go. We visited 4 churches and put on another Vacation Bible School. It started out looking like rain and 6 kids arrived God broke the clouds and we sent the six out to bring their friends and ended up with 35. Also had a soccer clinic in a well to do school. In the afternoon we went to a building called the milkshake where Junior signed up a team to play in a futsol tournament. Our guys won the first two games but were defeated in the third tying for third place out of 16 teams. Good job guys! Amy Moon and Dirancy Foddrill also played on the two opposing women's teams. It all happened so fast Dirancy wasn't sure who her teamates were and actually passed the ball to Amy twice. Amy's team won! Our team played a soccer game this evening in what some refer to as the castle. The field had three walls around it. Rocky played in this game and Joe took an elbow to the chest and just like FIFA the brazillians came out with a stretcher and carried him off the field only to walk back across 10 seconds later at half time. The other players wanted something to happen to them so they could be carried off in this manner. We tied 1-1. Brazillian teenage girls appear to be very grateful american teenage boys are here. Max and Chad drew the attention of the upperclassmen as Rocky did the lower classmen. Ask Roc Byrd about his nickname of "Mato Frangos" and also about Jabba's delivery with the assistance of Shaggy. Roc adjusted the entire crew, the cooks, and some of our team member. Sarah was his assistant. Fields are ripe workers are few. Please pray that the lord sends more workers.
6/20
Today was a recreational day. We fished and caught mostly catfish. Sebastian and Jordan caught a red belly piranha and a white piranha which we had the cook prepare and many of us sampled. They taste like bluegill. Some of the team spread our clothes on the upper deck to dry after having been washed only to have it rain. They dried later that day. On the way back to Santarem we stopped at a beach where most of us jumped from the third floor of the boat (approximately 22-25' high) into the Amazon. We swam and kayaked the whole afternoon into the evening. Caleb wins the awards for frequency of jumping from the boat and most vicarious which we dubbed the falling monkey award. We also buried Amanda up to her neck and then dug a moat around her and calling her Amanda's Island. Dan, Owen, Jordan,and Ryne decided to kayak into a lagoon at dusk. Dusk happens to be feeding time for the alligators. Junior strongly suggested they make their way back to the open water or the safety of the boat. Two kayaks flipped but no injuries. A good time was had by all. Tonight we packed up and docked in Santarem. Moved all our gear to the Amazon Park Hotel. We really felt sad leaving "Mockville"and also saying goodbye to Amy Moon, however we also felt there would be many more adventures awaiting us on land. One thing we won't be missing from the boat is the "head" it was just large enough to shower, shave, and urinate without changing feet position. A praise note: no one experienced sea sickness the entire boat trip however a few constitutions needed slight adjustment.
6/21
Saturday early morning finds us eating breakfast at the hotel so we can get an early start to Belterra for V.B.S. All are excited about the return trip where we plan to eat at a churascarria. After arriving in Belterra we could tell the Truth project had really promoted this eventful day. We had two basketball teams but ended up playing eachother the first game. The winning team then went on to handily defeat a local team only to lose in the third round. This city is very unique in that it was started by Henry Ford. Most buildings are made of wood unlike everywhere else. While the V.B.S. crew worked with the children the rest of us went canvassing/ evangelizing door to door with our green Truth Project shirts. Everyone seemed so excited about the game and about the service to follow. We arrived at the field only to learn that the game location had been changed to another field due to rain earlier in the day. Worst soccer field to date. No nets,no lines, tall grass, separated by muddy ponds. The other team won barefooted (6-3) and had a 68-72 year old playing forward. We had a man give his heart to the Lord on the soccer field. Jason Courtney had witnessed to him and then after the game the teams were meeting and praying together and this man came forward. Praise the lord. There was also high expectation of what might happen at the service. We had a wonderful service where we saw many invites from the canvassing. The music and message was good. Most of us enjoy a song where everybody jumps up and down. Probably one of those you had to be there moments. We quickly left to go to the restaurant, which is not normally open at night but Junior is a friend of the owner. It is all you can eat and let me tell you some of these youth can really pack it away. Near the end many even bought ice cream. It was a neat experience. The next day we would learn that the owner had called Scotty and jokingly said he didn't make any money on us as we ate twice as much as their usual customers.
6/22
Breakfast at the hotel at 6 a.m. in order to take the bus at 7 a.m. for an early morning soccer game in the neighborhood Junior grew up in. We lost 6-3. The field today made Belterra's field look like carpet. One side had sand 6" deep and foot tall grass. The other side had cavernous ruts 20' long and 6" to 1' wide by 8" deep. This was all interspersed with broken glass and pottery as well as the only rocks we've seen in country. When we had arrived horses were grazing on the field and had marked outthe corner "post(not flags)' arc with road apples (Manure). Some brazillians played barefooted. The team also brought all their previous trophies it took 6 people to carry them 1 trophy alone took two people. During the soccer game Tim went with Scotty to the prison to take some medications to a prisoner there. There are great opportunities there as this is the only prison in Brazil with a chapel inside the walls. Scotty also informed us that they have the paperwork and permission from the warden to do many things there. Please pray for the right contacts to aquire a large building where they could take up to 150 prisoners and teach them to read and right and train them with other job skills to give them hope and a future. Also pray for the money to purchase the building. The internet is slow here at the hotel as it takes up to five minutes to load a page. Our evening service was eventful as the Byrd family gave their testimonies. While Sarah was speaking Roc's plastic seat gave way dumping him on the floor. All had a good chuckle and Sarah seemed to relax a little with the diversion and gave a fine testimony.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
6/15-6/18
6/15/08
Sunday AM arrived in Manaus. Cleared customs with no problems. Praise the Lord!! Changed money and sampled acai ice cream in Manaus airport. Arrived in Santarem around 6:30 am. Boarded our boat called the Natureza. The captain's name is Sebastian. Also we met the missionaries Paul Scott and Amanda Smith. We purchased hammocks and ate our first meal on the boat. We left the dock around 11:30 am and proceeded up the river to the Trombetas River. Many of us rested from our exhausting travels, some not even waking up for meals.
6/16/08
Monday 4 am arrived at the city Porto do Trombetas. Porto do Trombetas is a private town owned by a company that mines bauxite. Another interesting fact is that this city is only a 4 hour boat ride from a tribe of Indians. Many people living along the river are descendants of native South Americans.
After breakfast we arrived at the church ready for VBS, but no kids. All in school. Instead we went evangelizing with a couple of our groups meeting up at a school. Two people came to know Christ!! Praise the Lord! Some verses that spoke to us today are Matthew 22:8-10, "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find. So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests."
Had some fun swimming in a cement pool filled with dark creek water. Josh Miller entertained us by climbing trees and retrieving tropical fruits. Max Beckley was swarmed by teenage girls who mistook him for the actor Zac Effron.
That evening we had our first soccer game and service. Rocky Byrd sprained his knee. In this exciting soccer game we lost 5-1. After the game everyone in the group was presented medals. During the church service Amy Moon, Erin Hall, and Eric Engle gave their testimonies. Went back to the boat for dinner and immediately left for Oriximina.
6/17/08
Tuesday morning got up early. Half of the group headed for VBS, the other half headed out to hold a soccer clinic. At VBS we had over 85 kids. Praise the Lord! A deaf mute child was in attendance, he touched many hearts. The parachutes were a big hit. Brazilians and Americans had fun playing the drums. Many of us began to come out of our shells. Rock Byrd did an amazing job presenting the lesson using the eball. The soccer clinic went well. For missing a goal the boys had to do a push up, which they did very enthusiastically.
In the afternoon we watched a gym class play futsol. Amy Moon played with the girls team and the rest of us invited people to the soccer game and service. Jacob Fields is mistaken for Harry Potter. The soccer game was a ruff one. Lost to worthy opponents. At the service we all enjoyed the music and had fun dancing with the Brazilians. Terry, Chad and Todd Canal shared their testimonies.
6/18/08
Wednesday arrived in Obidos. Half of the group went to VBS in a very primitive area. We were all shocked to see how many young children were caring for their siblings. Terry Canal had the opportunity to use her gift of nursing to care for several children. The rest of the group went to a church and had the chance to serve by painting a futsol court.
In the afternoon we continued to paint, while the rest of the group went out evangelizing. No game today, the boys were grateful for the break. The service was held outside because of the large turn out. Besides the many people in attendance, there was also several dogs and a horse. We were all touched by the Brazilian girls interpretive dancing. Garret Hoover, Jake Reller, and Bruce Warren shared their testimonies. We all rushed back to the boat to catch the end of the Brazil vs. Argentina game on TV. We were all amazed by the beautiful lightning and tried to stay dry from the rain.
Sunday AM arrived in Manaus. Cleared customs with no problems. Praise the Lord!! Changed money and sampled acai ice cream in Manaus airport. Arrived in Santarem around 6:30 am. Boarded our boat called the Natureza. The captain's name is Sebastian. Also we met the missionaries Paul Scott and Amanda Smith. We purchased hammocks and ate our first meal on the boat. We left the dock around 11:30 am and proceeded up the river to the Trombetas River. Many of us rested from our exhausting travels, some not even waking up for meals.
6/16/08
Monday 4 am arrived at the city Porto do Trombetas. Porto do Trombetas is a private town owned by a company that mines bauxite. Another interesting fact is that this city is only a 4 hour boat ride from a tribe of Indians. Many people living along the river are descendants of native South Americans.
After breakfast we arrived at the church ready for VBS, but no kids. All in school. Instead we went evangelizing with a couple of our groups meeting up at a school. Two people came to know Christ!! Praise the Lord! Some verses that spoke to us today are Matthew 22:8-10, "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find. So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests."
Had some fun swimming in a cement pool filled with dark creek water. Josh Miller entertained us by climbing trees and retrieving tropical fruits. Max Beckley was swarmed by teenage girls who mistook him for the actor Zac Effron.
That evening we had our first soccer game and service. Rocky Byrd sprained his knee. In this exciting soccer game we lost 5-1. After the game everyone in the group was presented medals. During the church service Amy Moon, Erin Hall, and Eric Engle gave their testimonies. Went back to the boat for dinner and immediately left for Oriximina.
6/17/08
Tuesday morning got up early. Half of the group headed for VBS, the other half headed out to hold a soccer clinic. At VBS we had over 85 kids. Praise the Lord! A deaf mute child was in attendance, he touched many hearts. The parachutes were a big hit. Brazilians and Americans had fun playing the drums. Many of us began to come out of our shells. Rock Byrd did an amazing job presenting the lesson using the eball. The soccer clinic went well. For missing a goal the boys had to do a push up, which they did very enthusiastically.
In the afternoon we watched a gym class play futsol. Amy Moon played with the girls team and the rest of us invited people to the soccer game and service. Jacob Fields is mistaken for Harry Potter. The soccer game was a ruff one. Lost to worthy opponents. At the service we all enjoyed the music and had fun dancing with the Brazilians. Terry, Chad and Todd Canal shared their testimonies.
6/18/08
Wednesday arrived in Obidos. Half of the group went to VBS in a very primitive area. We were all shocked to see how many young children were caring for their siblings. Terry Canal had the opportunity to use her gift of nursing to care for several children. The rest of the group went to a church and had the chance to serve by painting a futsol court.
In the afternoon we continued to paint, while the rest of the group went out evangelizing. No game today, the boys were grateful for the break. The service was held outside because of the large turn out. Besides the many people in attendance, there was also several dogs and a horse. We were all touched by the Brazilian girls interpretive dancing. Garret Hoover, Jake Reller, and Bruce Warren shared their testimonies. We all rushed back to the boat to catch the end of the Brazil vs. Argentina game on TV. We were all amazed by the beautiful lightning and tried to stay dry from the rain.
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