Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Update
Our flights have been delayed. We will arrive in Atlanta at 9:18am and fly out of Atlanta at 2:36pm. We will call parents from Atlanta.
Billy Becker
Billy Becker
Here we go!
We are in the taxi going to the airport. We are with our translators for the last time. These have been a good group of translators. They made are time here very easy. We will sit in the airport until 12:40 when our plane leaves. Atlanta will welcome us at 6:00am. Then, we'll land on holy ground at 9:28. We are so happy to be on the leg home. This has been fun but we are missing our homes, friends, and family. See you soon!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
We've reached the end.
Today was the last day for work. It was sad but good. The groups went out for the final time in a community where one of the churches is trying to start a Bible study. We had great success and hopefully a church will be born from our effort. It's all up to how well the nationals follow up (not discounting God working). What a wonderful time we had tonight. The translators had a party for us and we spent time hanging out and playing a game. Tomorrow we rise early and board a speed boat back to Manaus. Pray that our travels will be safe and that things (spiritually, mentally, and physically) won't fall apart here at the end. Also, pray that our time in Manaus will be fun and restful. Thanks and God bless.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
What a day- 7/19
Finally, we are resting in our hammocks while our boat continues to motor up the Amazon river. It's a wild thought, we are on the Amazon river in a boat going to villages telling them about Jesus. We have seen the Amazon dolphins, alligators (dead ones in the city), piranhas on the end of our fishing poles, and the people known as "river people." In the words of Sarah Micklos, "this is discovery channel stuff!" This area of creation is truly a sight to see.
However, there are other sites to see in this place as well. Peeking your head inside the door of a classroom to hear Taylor Locke sharing the Gospel like he does it everyday is a sight to see. Seeing Mark Haley realize how much God really wants us to depend on his strength is a sight to see. To be with Jessica Couch almost all day everyday (she is in my group) and hear how her confidence grows is a sight to see. Or how about seeing Sarah Micklos so sensitive to God's Spirit that she cries all the time. To watch Mikey B is like watching someone in their element. Ashley Wilson's passion to share the Gospel and her compassion for people is beyond me. To see our pastor able to have fun, connect with college students, and be a great spiritual leader has been amazing as well. Folks, I have had a blessed time. I miss my family, we all do, but we know and walk about knowing that what we are doing is right. Mission trips like these confirm or re-confirm so many things in our spiritual life. Here is a thought for the church BACK HOME to ponder. So many times youth and college students return home with a newfound passion for God and his work after a trip like this. The neat thing is the sending church (RBC) gets to experience the trip with the group and partner with them. We have been praying that God would work in the lives of these kids during this trip, but have you been praying that God would work in your life? Parents, if your child comes home and says God has called them to be a missionary would your prayer life increase with the anxiety or would your worship be greater because you prayed that God would work in your life? Church member, are you ready to welcome back an on fire college student with a splash of water or a splash fuel? Will you be part of the fire going out or will you expose your heart to catch the flame? People in Memphis and across your street need to hear just as much as these do in Brazil. You'll have eight people land in your city Saturday morning who NEED to keep up the good work. They will go wherever you want and sit down with whoever you want to share the Gospel. They may need some rest, but not much. What will it be...?
This morning we went into a school to interrupt their classes in order to share Jesus with them. It was a very neat opportunity. After that we got on our boat to travel to a remote village. It took about three hours for the people and president to decide if we could get off the boat. The place was different than the city, there was a weird feeling about it (Satan's territory). When we got the go ahead, our teams went forth as we have the whole trip. My team got to our first house and met a lady who had been told she would die in less than a month. As we all got on the porch the boards cracked and we fell through! Our translator Nick, Jessica, Larry (74 year old man from FL), and myself all went tumbling down...straight down. After we made sure our hearts were still beating, Jessica and the translator went into the house as Larry and I picked up the pieces. The picture below shows only the staircase that was actually where I stood to take the picture. There was three generations in the house, all females, and Jessica prayed with each one of them as they received new life! God dropped us off at the right time for the older lady and it was such a neat experience to sit outside the house listening to the conversation. The other groups had some difficulties. The village is slowly turning into alcoholics and people were very apathetic. All in all it was a good experience (spiritual warfare is good to experience). Tomorrow we will go into a similar situation and try to start a church. On Wednesday we will be in a city called Alvareas (shows up on google) and then back to Tefe to jump on the speed boat and head to Manaus. Continue to pray for our safety, unity, and witness. Thanks and God bless, Bill.
However, there are other sites to see in this place as well. Peeking your head inside the door of a classroom to hear Taylor Locke sharing the Gospel like he does it everyday is a sight to see. Seeing Mark Haley realize how much God really wants us to depend on his strength is a sight to see. To be with Jessica Couch almost all day everyday (she is in my group) and hear how her confidence grows is a sight to see. Or how about seeing Sarah Micklos so sensitive to God's Spirit that she cries all the time. To watch Mikey B is like watching someone in their element. Ashley Wilson's passion to share the Gospel and her compassion for people is beyond me. To see our pastor able to have fun, connect with college students, and be a great spiritual leader has been amazing as well. Folks, I have had a blessed time. I miss my family, we all do, but we know and walk about knowing that what we are doing is right. Mission trips like these confirm or re-confirm so many things in our spiritual life. Here is a thought for the church BACK HOME to ponder. So many times youth and college students return home with a newfound passion for God and his work after a trip like this. The neat thing is the sending church (RBC) gets to experience the trip with the group and partner with them. We have been praying that God would work in the lives of these kids during this trip, but have you been praying that God would work in your life? Parents, if your child comes home and says God has called them to be a missionary would your prayer life increase with the anxiety or would your worship be greater because you prayed that God would work in your life? Church member, are you ready to welcome back an on fire college student with a splash of water or a splash fuel? Will you be part of the fire going out or will you expose your heart to catch the flame? People in Memphis and across your street need to hear just as much as these do in Brazil. You'll have eight people land in your city Saturday morning who NEED to keep up the good work. They will go wherever you want and sit down with whoever you want to share the Gospel. They may need some rest, but not much. What will it be...?
This morning we went into a school to interrupt their classes in order to share Jesus with them. It was a very neat opportunity. After that we got on our boat to travel to a remote village. It took about three hours for the people and president to decide if we could get off the boat. The place was different than the city, there was a weird feeling about it (Satan's territory). When we got the go ahead, our teams went forth as we have the whole trip. My team got to our first house and met a lady who had been told she would die in less than a month. As we all got on the porch the boards cracked and we fell through! Our translator Nick, Jessica, Larry (74 year old man from FL), and myself all went tumbling down...straight down. After we made sure our hearts were still beating, Jessica and the translator went into the house as Larry and I picked up the pieces. The picture below shows only the staircase that was actually where I stood to take the picture. There was three generations in the house, all females, and Jessica prayed with each one of them as they received new life! God dropped us off at the right time for the older lady and it was such a neat experience to sit outside the house listening to the conversation. The other groups had some difficulties. The village is slowly turning into alcoholics and people were very apathetic. All in all it was a good experience (spiritual warfare is good to experience). Tomorrow we will go into a similar situation and try to start a church. On Wednesday we will be in a city called Alvareas (shows up on google) and then back to Tefe to jump on the speed boat and head to Manaus. Continue to pray for our safety, unity, and witness. Thanks and God bless, Bill.
Update- 7/20
Wow, we tied up on a tributary of the Amazon tonight. The sounds of the jungle nightlife are similar to a typical night in the mountains. Except for the occasional monkey in the distance or the splash of dolphins enjoying the freedom of quiet waters. The bugs are minimal and the beauty is unimaginable.
We spent the day today in a community that seemed a little more advanced and organized. I actually saw a trash can on the side of the road. The people were friendly and receptive. The schools here welcome with open arms what we are doing. The principals think God can change unruly kids, what a novel idea. Each team went to a class room, the teacher gave us the floor, and we got to "teach" the Gospel to the children and teenagers. What a privilege! After the school we went in the community and shared door to door. The pastor here is great and the church seems eager. They have a desire to start a new church on the other side of the town and we laid the groundwork for that today. There should be enough believers in the community to start a Bible study. After lunch two teams went back to the school to get the "afternoon" students and the other teams went to the new community.
Today has been a little testy. We are living on a boat with 24 people and two bathrooms WITH the showers in them. In other words, if you don't shut the lid on the toilet then you'll fill the toilet up when you shower. Also, the water is pumped straight into the tank from the river. That seems real cool and all, but it stirs the stress tank a little. All in all, we are fine.
Tomorrow is our last day in the work. It is sort of sad. We are done. We'll go back to Tefe tomorrow night and get on the speed boat Thursday morning to head to Manaus. Friday we'll shop and get on the plane Friday night at 11:40. Pray that we will finish well and keep the unity that has blessed us immeasurably. Also, begin to pray for us that our return home won't be very stressful. Reverse culture shock is almost as bad as culture shock. Be patient with your student as they settle back in. Have dinner Saturday night at home and let that be official share time. Give them the day to unpack and let loose a while. Hopefully they'll be too excited to wait til dinner.
I cannot tell you how great this trip has been. Even right now as I sit on the front of the boat in my hammock blogging and looking at the stars, listening to my music to deter any "fears" from unfamiliar sounds, I cannot explain the excitement and encouragement that this trip has brought to me and the rest of the team. Our hearts are wide open to God. Completely vulnerable to the movement of His Spirit. Mark and I read Philippians 2 this morning and what a timely word! God is so good and He knows exactly what we need. Praise be to God for anything good that comes out of this trip. Give God the glory for souls that are saved. Sing it is well all the day long. What a great God. Good night.
We spent the day today in a community that seemed a little more advanced and organized. I actually saw a trash can on the side of the road. The people were friendly and receptive. The schools here welcome with open arms what we are doing. The principals think God can change unruly kids, what a novel idea. Each team went to a class room, the teacher gave us the floor, and we got to "teach" the Gospel to the children and teenagers. What a privilege! After the school we went in the community and shared door to door. The pastor here is great and the church seems eager. They have a desire to start a new church on the other side of the town and we laid the groundwork for that today. There should be enough believers in the community to start a Bible study. After lunch two teams went back to the school to get the "afternoon" students and the other teams went to the new community.
Today has been a little testy. We are living on a boat with 24 people and two bathrooms WITH the showers in them. In other words, if you don't shut the lid on the toilet then you'll fill the toilet up when you shower. Also, the water is pumped straight into the tank from the river. That seems real cool and all, but it stirs the stress tank a little. All in all, we are fine.
Tomorrow is our last day in the work. It is sort of sad. We are done. We'll go back to Tefe tomorrow night and get on the speed boat Thursday morning to head to Manaus. Friday we'll shop and get on the plane Friday night at 11:40. Pray that we will finish well and keep the unity that has blessed us immeasurably. Also, begin to pray for us that our return home won't be very stressful. Reverse culture shock is almost as bad as culture shock. Be patient with your student as they settle back in. Have dinner Saturday night at home and let that be official share time. Give them the day to unpack and let loose a while. Hopefully they'll be too excited to wait til dinner.
I cannot tell you how great this trip has been. Even right now as I sit on the front of the boat in my hammock blogging and looking at the stars, listening to my music to deter any "fears" from unfamiliar sounds, I cannot explain the excitement and encouragement that this trip has brought to me and the rest of the team. Our hearts are wide open to God. Completely vulnerable to the movement of His Spirit. Mark and I read Philippians 2 this morning and what a timely word! God is so good and He knows exactly what we need. Praise be to God for anything good that comes out of this trip. Give God the glory for souls that are saved. Sing it is well all the day long. What a great God. Good night.
Monday, July 19, 2010
From Jessica
Today has been different from the past several days. It was a bit sad packing up and leaving tefe but god made a way for us to share the gospel with the kids at school which was a great blessing. Several kids accepted christ. We are now on a river boat about to eat lunch and then go talk to people in a village. Pray that we can get accustomed to life on the boat because the hotel has greatly spoiled us or me at least. The lord has blessed us with many opportunities and I believe will continue to do so. We have each grown closer to each other and most importantly our savior who has called us to help lead people out of the darkness of sin and into his marvelous light of grace. Continue to lift us up in prayet. May we not be ashamed of our lord.
From Mikey B
Hello from pashtor aMikey B. This trip exceed expectations food good bed good make-a-toilet good people great God Amazing. Thank you for your support I don't miss U.S. but after boat life just maybe. Love M
Update
Blog followers, we are beginning our trek up river which means cell phone service may not be available. Also, I am not sure about electricity on the boat which means when my battery goes dead it may be Wed or Thurs before the blog is updated. If there is no update for one or two days please do not be concerned. Technology can only take us so far. Thanks for your prayers. To those that gave hand sanitizer to us, we are extremely grateful for your gift now that we are on the boat. Our shower water and hand washing water is pumped straight from the river. The water that we flush down the toilet is pumped straight into the river...put two and two together and you've got 8 people on strict conservative mode on the hand sanitizer. Mark Haley has decided that a little dollop every twenty minutes is the safe and conservative way, Mikey B has given up, and the pastor, well, I've never seen him cry like this. Ha! Just playing.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What a great day of rest.
Today we enjoyed a day of rest. We went to Sunday school at First Baptist Tefe. Then, we spent the afternoon hanging out. Some people went to the market and others went fishing (me and Bro Ashley went in a boat and Mark and Taylor went to a dock). Tonight, we went to three different churches. Ashley and I preached at our churches. At my church, Jessica Couch sang "Lead me to the cross" and did a great job.
Tomorrow we will start the second leg of our trip. We will get on a big boat at 8:30 and travel to different, smaller cities to continue our evangelism. We will be in the jungle for a few days which will be fun. On the boat, the girls will stay on the bottom floor and the guys on the top. We also hired a cook and supposedly it is supposed to be extremely good food. In the morning I am going to buy us guys a few cane poles and fishing tackle because we heard the fish really bite at night.
For prayer, remember the church at Tefe. Also, pray for us and our stamina. It is good that we are "starting" another trip. Maybe it will energize us. We are having a great time and definitely being changed by God, but we are so tired. We cannot wait to share with our church family about our trip. Hopefully we will be able to express all that we have attained from God. Start praying about what you can do to be on mission with God. Thanks and God Bless.
Tomorrow we will start the second leg of our trip. We will get on a big boat at 8:30 and travel to different, smaller cities to continue our evangelism. We will be in the jungle for a few days which will be fun. On the boat, the girls will stay on the bottom floor and the guys on the top. We also hired a cook and supposedly it is supposed to be extremely good food. In the morning I am going to buy us guys a few cane poles and fishing tackle because we heard the fish really bite at night.
For prayer, remember the church at Tefe. Also, pray for us and our stamina. It is good that we are "starting" another trip. Maybe it will energize us. We are having a great time and definitely being changed by God, but we are so tired. We cannot wait to share with our church family about our trip. Hopefully we will be able to express all that we have attained from God. Start praying about what you can do to be on mission with God. Thanks and God Bless.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
From Mark
Its amazing to me the amount of spiritual warfare that goes overlooked in our culture due to a sickening man centered society we've created. Its even more amazing how apparent the battle for our attention is when you place yourself in the center of God's will on a mission to carry out the great commission, something that I will admit is foreign to a life lived in the states. If I sought out to complete my purpose at home and kept Satan from hindering me, and constantly reminded myself of why I am on this earth, just like we do here in Tefe, I truly believe our world could become a harvest field. The importance of prayer is more evident than ever. It is in that way that we fight the spiritual warfare that is ever surrounding. God's lessons from the battlefield. -Mark
Friday, July 16, 2010
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