Dear ones I call friends and family!
Swinging from my hammock on the second deck of our rather large katamarang boat, as she vibrates her way up the Amazon river, I think of the many stories that have filled my sails in the past month. Our means of passage is so different to what I imagined, causing me to resolve to stop expecting things and to totally just roll with the divine adventure.
The Amazon river is broad, and the passengers are many. Like river gypsies, little cannons frantically row up to our boat and the locals on board toss down gifts of plastic bags of clothes and bags of chips! In return the water Fock, wave or at and smile in exchange for snacks. The whole deck is criss-crossed with colorful hammocks, some look like Spanish dresses, others have tassels and knitted edges, while others show football team linage. We cook our meals on a one plate stove, on the lower deck, close to the engine room. The top deck is used for emergencies, I think, but according to our captain, Douglas Lam, over Christmas time up to 1200 passangers party through the night, dancing till dawn. I am thankful that it is mid April and that we are only 200 humans a float the brown fresh water.
Last night I felt to excited to sleep, I am on the Amazon river on a boat. The moment is almost to big to hold in both hands, so I sigh and prayers float on the hot breeze. Captain Douglas Lamb, an African American with a British father and Brazilian grand children, explained to us, that we sail close to the Amazon river's edge, to avoid strong river currents. He came to Brazil 20 years ago, met a lover, parted from her, but stayed for his offsprings' sake. The big dark skinned captain, in shorts and a t-shirt is like like a Shepard to his ship's flock as he repeatedly made sure that we are comfortable, and gave us full access to the bridge whenever he is on duty.
With 5 days on the water, and no wifi, I want to pin down some of the short tails I became a part of in the last three weeks.
On arriving in Brazil, I was allocated to a smaller team of 8 that stayed with congregation members in São Paulo city. São Paulo is the world's 5th largest metropolitan city. It takes 4 hours drive to cross without traffic. The streets are filed with life and warped &wonderful street art (graffiti). The church building we were dropped at looked tiny and unimpressive, while waiting for the pastor to welcome us, I imagined how to redo the interior decorations or change the color scheme, and wall decorations of the church. Little did I know that the members of this little urban sanctuary would change the way I think about the Body of Christ.
Firstly our Brazilian hosts, Joe and his wife Monica won us over with Brazilian food, of which I have not found a dish that I do not like! Everything under the green and yellow starry flag tastes good! And secondly, I learned practically from the elders and pastors of the church, as they do not want to be called by official titles of function, as they believe each member has a role to for fill. During their services no time is allocated for tithing, and members just drop money in a basket at the back. Joe explained that many churches have lost focus and want to make money. Their elders and pastors all have full time jobs as not to be a burden on the congregation.
I think what I enjoyed the most was Joe's informal teachings he gave us after supper each night. He shared on the biblical model of churches and introduced us to South American theology. In between translation and many cups of chocolate milk ( to which both South American kids and adults wake up to) I enjoyed debating and thinking about the practical aspects of our faith.
Another church also invited us to join them for their Saturday morning evangelism program. Again my expectations, were dull in comparison to their reality: whole families gathered, little girls in floral dresses, moms with baby prams and x- drug dealers strolled down the streets of their neighborhood handing out invitation cards to church. We visited the most tropical park, I have ever seen, where the kids took a water and swing brake. We then continued to pray for homeless people. The city has 13 000 humans who dwell on sidewalks and under bridges.
On leaving for the next city, four of our new friends, took us to the bus stop and greeted us with tears and bits of Easter egg, it reminded me of the early church kneeling and praying with Paul before sending him off on the rest of his journey. Rio de Janeiro,our next destination seemed strangely un- festive, as the church we were visiting did not expect us to come. The heat sank down on us and my team was given to empty Sunday school classes to sleep in, and no other indication of a program. However the Pastor's son, Lucas, 21 year old designer, song writer and musician hosted us, and identified members of the congregation that needed home visits and prayer.
Each day we prayed, met believers and was fed by the mom in the church, who made it their personal goal to introduce us to the most local dishes & treats. Only Lucas spoke English, but the church ladies soon felt like our own mothers. The church we were visiting has been faithful for more than 60 years, but they were facing difficulty with members leaving, gang violence and Wudu practices in the neighborhood.
In spite of these difficulties, Lucas and his young friends are rising up as leaders, serving at an inner city prayer house and ministering to Prostitutes and doing home visits. On our final day, our Rio mommies made us a packed lunch of tuna sandwiches and took as to see the famous Christ the redeemer statue overlooking Rio. We were told that many people worship the statue and believe that the statue protects the city.
It is good to know that our hope is built on Jesus Christ, the corner stone, who is our solid fortress.
Belém, our third city and church we stayed with. In Belém there is a saying: "Will you come visit before or after the rain?" As this city is very close to the equator, it rains every day. We were thankful to sleep in a church with air conditioning, and we were again welcomed with Brazilian hospitality. The believers there are bold in their faith, and invited us to join them, as they do drama's at their local night markets once a month. We got to share how we each joined missions and they taught us how to Salsa, took us to different homes, church services and a kitchen tea.
We could pray for a family that suffered the loss of their father, after he tried to protect his neighbor from gang violence. In spite of harsh conditions the church is joyful and sent us on our way with gifts of hammocks. At this very moment we are using the hammocks to sleep in, on our bed-less journey across the amazon river.
This whole adventure is part of my childhood dreams to travel and through your prayers and The Lord's divine plan, I travel, swim and skip further into South America.
Thank you for carrying me in your prayers, with " Muito Amor" & Gloria Duos!"
Kotie-Alet*
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