A farewell trip

Preparing for a 3 day river trip

One of our goals for our last couple of months in Altamira has been to spend some quality time with some of our close friends. Clyde and Kelsie's family has been close to us, especially over the past year as we have both been pursuing God's plan for our lives together.  I have been on two significant survey trips with Clyde, and he was part of the group that was looking at starting a new base in a remote area of Amazonas. More recently, we have each seen God lead our families in different directions.  Our excitement for each others new vision is tempered only by the realization that we will not be working together.  

Last week a team of 4 guys from Clyde and Kelsie's hometown of Grant's Pass, OR came to visit them and see their new ministry.  Ella and I were able to tag along on a farewell tour of Maribel, the region where they are now living and ministering.  Maribel has always been our most remote work, the distance making frequent trips difficult.  With Clyde and Kelsie having lived there now for only a few months, I could already tell a growth in some of the potential leaders of that region.  For more on the region you can watch this video that I made on a past trip:

We had a great time traveling downriver in two canoes and visiting the people with whom Clyde and Kelsie are ministering.  One lady greeted us with a huge smile, asking Clyde if he had gotten her message.  Clyde hadn't got it, but after some explanation, he remembered that he had prayed for her when he saw her in the Malaria clinic a few weeks before.  The woman was ecstatic to report that she had been healed!  We didn't have time to stay long at her house, but she begged for Clyde to come back and have a church service.  

It was a bittersweet time for me, realizing I would probably never return, but recognizing that God was already using Clyde and Kelsie to touch peoples lives with the love of our Father. 

Allison and Ella

A typical village on the Iriri River, a few houses made up of members of the same family .

Some of the local women cleaning fish, the Iriri always provides us with plenty of fish and other wildlife.

Ella enjoys the shade of an umbrella with Makenna and Maddy, two of Clyde and Kelsie's four kids.

Clyde shares during a communion service in one of the homes we visit.

Ella and Makenna in the bow of the boat as we approach shore.

We traveled several hours each day in the small canoes, but the view made the uncomfortable benches and hot sun well worth it.