Satellite Phones

I just got off the phone with Tim T!

The LIFT program has two satellite phones that are reminiscent of the "high-tech" cell phones of the late 80's. They can pretty much call from anywhere in the world and they sound like they're on the other side of the room. It's quite deceptive actually. How can someone standing in the middle Amazon jungle sound that clear?

Anyway, Tim said that he had to wait a bit to call because a huge rain storm came through and he couldn't step outside. He was looking at a magnificent rainbow while we were on the phone.

The group is doing well. Their days have been filled with work and their evenings have been filled with ministry. They've traveled around sharing testimonies, songs and skits with the communities they've been visiting. They end their days with peaceful rides on the river back to camp under the stars.

Easter Sunday was great. They had a sunrise service on the the roof of the boat before attending church. This was a really sweet, encouraging time for them. After the long, Spirit-filled service the team walked inland quite a ways and played soccer with some Brazilians on a full-length soccer field. By the end of the game it was pouring rain and the group loved every minute of it.

Installing the water filters at different homes along the river was very eye-opening for the LIFTers. Some the families are in extreme poverty, owning next to nothing. The way that the church shares Christ to these people through community development is a great example for these future leaders. They install water filters, bringing clean water to impoverished areas and opening up doors for evangelism. The follow through with solid discipleship and start up cell groups connected to churches. The Lord is clearly working through Project Amazon and this is very encouraging to the group.

Today, the group was scheduled to continue installing water filters, but are taking a day of rest instead. Some of the group are sick and some of them have minor injuries (running around the Amazon basin barefoot...). Having part of the group out of sorts, is throwing the rest of the team off, so a day of rest was ordered. Let's pray for the LIFTers today that they would rest well and that illnesses wouldn't spread.

Tomorrow the team will celebrate Ken T's (Tim T's brother) birthday, then head into Belem. They fly out of Belem Thursday morning and should be back in Speculator, NY Friday night!

Tim said that he would try and call either tomorrow or Thursday, so there should be at least one more update from Brazil and one or two more after the group arrives home.