NCF in the Amazon

With much gratefulness, Josh and I hosted a group from our home church, Northfield Christian Fellowship.  Fourteen people braved the heat, bugs, no electricity and spiders to participate in our lives, to see what God is doing in the Amazon and to deepen their connection to us by putting our dirt under their nails.

Let me introduce you to Hillary Shaull, who will guest blog and share her reflections....


Well to tell you a little bit about myself, I am a college student spending a month of the summer here with the Pflederer family. I came down with the team to get my hands dirty with them. The Lord called us and He brought us out of our element and set us in theirs to be used by Him. The week with the team was a week full of growth, sweat, and great fun.

Back row:  Josh, Sam Stuber, Paul Scherer, Dave Wolff, Dave Hillrich and Mark Scott
2nd row:  Rubber Man whose real name is Serverino, Hillary, Barb Scott, Gabriella, Hannah Scherer, Jen Scherer, Heather Scott and Caleb Hillrich and Greg Bolliger
Front row: Brin, Mia, Ava, Jacob Scherer, Dixon Wolff

At the beginning of the week we had  the Vacation Bible School day where we planned singing, a lesson and crafts. Before coming and even on arrival we were uncertain to where it was going to be held. The church in that area had flooded but Oh how the Lord provides! We held the VBS at a building that was being used as a church. This was one of the very many answered prayers throughout that week; it was open to the outside and just had the perfect amount of space to spread out and do the activities. Pass the cups was a big hit among everyone. We came prepared but had no idea what to expect but God had it all in His hands. Everything lined up so well; better than we could have imagined. What a blessing it was to see everything run smoothly and to be able connect with the kids and their families despite the language barrier.

Josh and Brin's teammates, Reginaldo and Andreia are leading some childrens songs.

After VBS was when the real work began. The men got started on the roof project and the expected time to finish was by the end of the trip. Amazingly they completed the roof in just two days. It was evident that God was at work with just the provisions of safety, weather and the different skills that each person could offer to the project. The rest of the time was spent working on the Pflederer's new and old house and then moving them in. I feel so blessed to have served with each and every single one of the team members. I was humbled to see a selfless love,...Christ's love, shinning within each of them. It was Christ dwelling with in His body, the church, and illuminating each of us from the inside out. But its not just in this time or place we can be reflections of Christ; its everyday and every place that we can show Christ to someone else. How in these everyday moments can we be a beacon for Christ and His Holy name?

Josh and Mark and the "moving truck."

One thing that was really fun that I must mention is the visit to the Rubber Man. Yes, I said the Rubber Man; we were just as curious and puzzled to what this meant. Josh was telling us that we would get the privilege to venture into the jungle and see this Rubber Man make rubber. When the time came we went on a short little boat ride and ended up in the Rubber Man's jungle collecting rubber sap from the rubber tree and eventually he formed a rubber ball. It was so neat to see, so if you ever come to visit in Brazil...put the Rubber Man on your list.

During high water season (as it is now), the river comes right up to Josh and Brin's house which provided Dave and Caleb some opportune fishing.


As we were taking the boat ride to the city we came upon the rivers Rio Solimões and Rio Negro. The Rio Negro is the largest blackwater river in the world. These two rivers flow side by side, then eventually join together to make the Amazon River. We swam in two different rivers at the same time; an experience I will never forget.    

 Ava, Brin, Dixon, Hillary and Jacob braved the rough waters where the two different rivers that make the Amazon River can be distinctly seen.

As we were swimming in the river Sam Stuber captured the dolphins that were giving them a great show just on the other side of the boat.

I was talking with Brin earlier that week and she was sharing with me in one of her recent Bible studies they were covering the stories of David and Goliath, Daniel and the lions den, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  How these men expressed remarkable qualities and over came by the power of Christ but without realizing we can value their character too highly. These men were just like you and me but they had the faith and trusted God no matter what the outcome.

Did they tremble?... Possibly 

Was it a struggle and stretching experience?... Yes

Would they do it all over again?... Of course, they experienced a miracle. God used them in an incredible way and by His grace He can use you and me in great ways as well, if not greater! I don't want to limit what God can do through me. Sure this trip has been stretching and difficult at moments but we experienced God moving and working through His people and I would have to say...

I would do it all over again!