God of Wonders

Here is a Brazilian pioneer and her daughter.

The hike to remote homes.

For the first time, we rode on the boat along with 4 motorcycles.

Naldo, one of the pastors doing river work, recently went to new area to share the gospel. After only two visits several people had accepted Christ. Last week a work team was here from Ohio and we had planned to take them to this new community to do a service. Our family was able to go along on the 3-day trip…
The community we visited was made up of homesteads. The Brazilian government gives out tracts of land for homesteading, if the family can begin to produce crops or livestock the land becomes theirs. It is a difficult life. The land is usually very remote, often with no electricity or access to roads. This area was no different. It was situated about 3 kilometers off the river and the only roads were for motorbikes. To help with the task of moving our gear, as well as freeing us up to meet with some families farther away, we took 4 motorbikes on the boat.
After we shuttled the people and gear, 8 of us set off to find a family who’s daughter had accepted Christ the last time Naldo visited, and asked him to return to tell her family about Christ. After a stunning ride through rolling Amazon ranchland and old-growth virgin jungle, the road came to an end at a pasture. We spent about 20 minutes hiking around, retracing our steps a few times, searching for the family’s house. I have to admit, it seemed a little surreal, trudging around in the jungle, looking for a house of a family who wanted us to tell them about Jesus.
We finally found it, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. We met the family, and after some small talk, Naldo asked if it was true that they wanted to hear about Jesus (they answered with a nervous yes). Understanding much of what he said, I listened as he explained the importance of a relationship with Christ and not adherence to a certain religion. They agreed to pray to accept Christ (the father, mother and a young girl), we all prayed with them and for them. And then we left, eager to get back before dark and in time for the evening service.Naldo plans to visit as often as he can to continue to teach them and encourage them. I wonder what will ever come of that family. It seems the cards have been stacked against them. Then I remember Naldo’s story. He was a drunk and a troublemaker. After a knife fight where he sustained a wound to the chest, he ran away from his assailant and stumbled into a church. His life has never been the same.