I just got off the phone with Tim T. and the group is in the Belem airport. They have a while to wait before their first flight (out of 4), but they are definitely on their way home!
Flight information (these are all local times):
Tonight they fly from Belem to Rio De Janeiro (5:50pm - 9:30pm)
Then from Rio De Janeiro to Miami (10:35pm - 6:20pm)
Tomorrow they split up into two groups:
Group #1 flies from Miami to Atlanta (9:25am - 11:20am)
Then from Atlanta to Newark (12:19pm - 2:40pm)
Group #2 flies from Miami to Atlanta (11:09am - 1:08pm)
Then from Atlanta to Newark (2:00pm - 4:24pm)
Group one will hang out at the airport until group two arrives, then they'll hop in the vans for the 4.5 hour drive back to Speculator! And I'm excited to say, that I'm privileged enough to be one of those van drivers! I'm terribly excited I get to see the group tomorrow afternoon and I'll be sure to share all your love with them.
I have two prayer requests:
1) This day of travel can be very critical for the group. This is when lessons are solidified and experiences turn into stories. Let's pray that the Spirit would continue to solidify His work in them.
2) This one is more specific, requested by Tim T. There are a lot of emotions floating around the group over the end of some things: the end of Brazil, nearing the end of LIFT and the end of some other things. Today is especially hard for them, so lets pray that the students as well as the Tims would be focusing on the eternal benefit of their circumstances. God's desire is Christ-likeness displayed in them; this should be our expectation and prayer.
Let's pray this for the LIFT group today:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:17-20).
Mini-sermonette not entirely relevant to LIFT: This is one of my favorite sections of scripture because it talks of the power of the Holy Spirit. As believers in Christ Jesus, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now living within us working mightly. What is He working on? Molding us into Christ-likeness. The same, unimaginable amount of power that raised the God-man from the dead is constantly available to us so that we may glorify Him.
Thanks for reading once again. My next update will be short (either late tomorrow night or Saturday morning) letting you know the team is home and well.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday Update
Tim O (TO) called his bride today, so this update is really coming from Courtney.
Today, the group spent the day installing water filters at 15 different sites. Apparently, each filter weighs 300 pounds; I'm sure this was a sight to see. They'll be installing more water filters tomorrow.
If you remember, last night the group split up and visited 3 different churches; they went very well. I'm not sure about the other two, but Emory preached at one of the services (most likely the service TO attended) and did a great job. At this point in time all the LIFTers have shared their testimonies across the Amazon basin and have done an excellent job.
Courtney's email to me was filled with exclamation points. This tells me that TO was really encouraged to share what's been going on. The group is doing well and has seen God working in mighty ways in Brazil. We can praise the Lord for this.
Thanks for praying!
Today, the group spent the day installing water filters at 15 different sites. Apparently, each filter weighs 300 pounds; I'm sure this was a sight to see. They'll be installing more water filters tomorrow.
If you remember, last night the group split up and visited 3 different churches; they went very well. I'm not sure about the other two, but Emory preached at one of the services (most likely the service TO attended) and did a great job. At this point in time all the LIFTers have shared their testimonies across the Amazon basin and have done an excellent job.
Courtney's email to me was filled with exclamation points. This tells me that TO was really encouraged to share what's been going on. The group is doing well and has seen God working in mighty ways in Brazil. We can praise the Lord for this.
Thanks for praying!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Sunday
Happy Resurrection Sunday everyone!
Tim T called this afternoon (I am sad to say I missed his call, though. He left a message) to give a quick update on the days events.
This morning there was an Easter service at one of the churches along the Amazon River. It was quite long, complete with some baptisms and communion. Tim T preached and Ken T (Tim's missionary brother) translated; Tim said that this was really special for them.
The point of Tim's call was to inform us all about this evening. The team will be splitting up into three different groups and going to different churches this evening to participate in their church services. There will be some singing, some testimonies and some of the students will even be preaching. If I didn't miss the call, I would be able to tell you who was preaching, but let's be praying for all of the students tonight. Leading a congregation in corporate worship is a great privilege, but can also be challenging.
Let's also be praying for the group as they round the corner to their last leg of the trip (they arrive back at their original base camp (the orphanage) on Wednesday and start traveling Thursday). This is a crucial point in the trip where some of the LIFTers can start "checking out" and disconnect from what's in front of them. Let's pray that our mighty God would give them the strength to finish well.
I pray that we would all finish well; let us press on in prayer.
Tim T called this afternoon (I am sad to say I missed his call, though. He left a message) to give a quick update on the days events.
This morning there was an Easter service at one of the churches along the Amazon River. It was quite long, complete with some baptisms and communion. Tim T preached and Ken T (Tim's missionary brother) translated; Tim said that this was really special for them.
The point of Tim's call was to inform us all about this evening. The team will be splitting up into three different groups and going to different churches this evening to participate in their church services. There will be some singing, some testimonies and some of the students will even be preaching. If I didn't miss the call, I would be able to tell you who was preaching, but let's be praying for all of the students tonight. Leading a congregation in corporate worship is a great privilege, but can also be challenging.
Let's also be praying for the group as they round the corner to their last leg of the trip (they arrive back at their original base camp (the orphanage) on Wednesday and start traveling Thursday). This is a crucial point in the trip where some of the LIFTers can start "checking out" and disconnect from what's in front of them. Let's pray that our mighty God would give them the strength to finish well.
I pray that we would all finish well; let us press on in prayer.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Saturday Update
We heard from the group again, after a few days of quiet. They've been doing similar things for the past few days: working on church buildings alongside PAZ missionaries and Brazilians and having some church services.
Yesterday they had a church service where worship involved some samba line dancing, which was (I'm sure) enjoyed by all and very encouraging to the group. Tim O. preached and some of the students told their testimonies.
Today is a day of rest for the students. They've been in Brazil for just over a week now and this will be the first real day of rest they have. Let's be praying for them today as they recoup from their week of hard work. There is another service today and Ken Trezise will preach.
Tomorrow, Tim T will preach at the Easter Sunday service and then the group will head out on the house boats for a few days.
Monday and Tuesday, the group will be traveling up river to deliver water filters to communities with no clean water.
All in all, the group is doing well, but they're becoming more and more aware of the spiritual warfare around them. This is the most important thing we need to be praying for this weekend.
Please Pray:
That today's day of rest would be encouraging to the group.
For the men preaching at these services and for the LIFTers as they share their testimonies
For the communities that the group will be visiting with these water filters; that the gospel will be clear to them
Pray against the work that Satan is doing in Brazil and in the group and for strength and encouragement for the all the believers down there.
Thanks for reading and happy Easter!
Yesterday they had a church service where worship involved some samba line dancing, which was (I'm sure) enjoyed by all and very encouraging to the group. Tim O. preached and some of the students told their testimonies.
Today is a day of rest for the students. They've been in Brazil for just over a week now and this will be the first real day of rest they have. Let's be praying for them today as they recoup from their week of hard work. There is another service today and Ken Trezise will preach.
Tomorrow, Tim T will preach at the Easter Sunday service and then the group will head out on the house boats for a few days.
Monday and Tuesday, the group will be traveling up river to deliver water filters to communities with no clean water.
All in all, the group is doing well, but they're becoming more and more aware of the spiritual warfare around them. This is the most important thing we need to be praying for this weekend.
Please Pray:
That today's day of rest would be encouraging to the group.
For the men preaching at these services and for the LIFTers as they share their testimonies
For the communities that the group will be visiting with these water filters; that the gospel will be clear to them
Pray against the work that Satan is doing in Brazil and in the group and for strength and encouragement for the all the believers down there.
Thanks for reading and happy Easter!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
On Being Dirty
When LIFT (and I) went to Nigeria last semester we practically stayed in the Marriot of Jos.
Except for two nights.
Our second and third nights in Africa were spent away from our compound visiting orphanages. We were in awe of the generosity offered to us; the families that ran these small orphanages gave up their own bedrooms for us to stay in.
For two nights we were immersed in poverty, complete with no running water and sparse electricity run from a generator. We were mentally prepared to be dirty. When push came to shove, however, some of the ladies weren’t emotionally prepared to be dirty.
When the modern-day convenience of being-able-to-shower-when-you-start-to-feel-gross slipped away as we immersed ourselves into these two families, we started to feel out of place. Personally speaking, I found that I was constantly aware of how dirty I was. I didn’t necessarily mind that I was dirty (we were in Africa , after all), I minded my awareness of it. It was affecting my relationships and demeanor and I knew it.
At the time, I thought the only solution to this new form of selfishness was a hot shower. Now I see that by the power of the Holy Spirit, the solution was living inside me. Christ died on the cross for that selfish attitude so I would no longer have to be enslaved by it. ___________________________________________________
Before she left last week, I asked one of the girls what she was least looking forward to in Brazil. She responded with something I didn't expect. On top of the spiritual tension the group was expecting to face, her biggest anxiety was selfishness. She didn't want to focus on herself, especially in the area of cleanliness.
While I haven’t heard this from the group personally, I have a strong hunch that we can be praying specifically in this area. As we pray for the Brazilian people, the ministry of the LIFTers and the sanctification of all, let's also pray that the issue of being dirty wouldn't hold the group back from anything.
The Lord can use dirt to sanctify. Cool.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wendesday Update
Greetings! This update will be a bit long, so I'll try and break it up into sections.
Yesterday: As you remember, the group worked on some general maintenance for a few church buildings and docks. They split up into teams to do this.
One group was painting the insides and outsides of "windows" (heavy-duty shutters that keep people from going through the openings). The paint is to prevent insects from eating the wooden shutters and to prevent them from rotting.
The other group was installing a dock from one of the churches out to the water so that during the rainy season people can get off their boats and walk to the church without getting wet. This group was also installing "windows", and Tim T was painting the Logo for Project Amazon (PAZ) on one of the buildings.
Last Night: The LIFTers attended a Tuesday-evening church service where all the leaders throughout the Amazon basin meet. There is excellent communication from pastors down to the smaller cell groups as they are trying to build leaders in groups; this was great for the LIFTers to see. One of the pastors asked the group to share for about a 1/2 hour (spontaneous - no planning allowed!). The students were strangely hesitant to share, even though they've all done so as a part of our program before; they've been encouraged to be ready to share whenever the opportunity arises. Tim T admonished them a bit (in his gentle prodding manner), and eventually Sarah, Chris and Bri shared testimonies (with a translator). The entire group sang three songs in English, one of which the locals knew in Portuguese. The words were translated for the other two songs before they were sung. The people loved to hear how God was working in our youths' lives.
It is very evident that the Brazilian believers are very sensitive to the power of the Holy Spirit and are open to his work in their lives. During their debriefing time, Tim T communicated that he had been frustrated with our group's hesitancy to step forward and share their stories. He then asked for their forgiveness, confessing that he had pushed them when perhaps they weren't ready, rather than being an encourager. Through his humility, the students came to a place of confession and repentance; they didn't do what they should have: what they'd been trained to do in stepping forward to share their stories. Last night a lot of individual prayer and journaling took place as they searched their hearts and surrendered. The Holy Spirit is working in the group as they press into God. Ken Trezise (Tim T's brother, a PAZ missionary) encouraged them in this: that the Holy Spirit is working through the group in a powerful way. . .he can use all of us, and we need to step forward and start sharing, stepping out in faith. The students received this word from Ken with grace.
Room & Board: There are no beds where they are so when it's time to sleep, they find hooks (they're everywhere!) and hang their hammocks. I wonder how the group is faring with this; I'll be sure to ask when I talk to them. The menu has been 100% authentically Brazilian: great beans and rice at times, lasagne made with very salty ham, plenty of meat, lots of one-potmeals served over rice, rice with every meal.
Today: The group is doing the same types of things today, working on church buildings.
All in All: Yesterday I mentioned the team was wonderful. Today, we have word that the novelty of 3rd-world living is wearing off getting more difficult. While the team is still doing quite well, some are becoming less and less excited with "showering" in the Amazon river and washing their clothes by hand. Kathy T suggested we try and guess who's actually washing their clothes and who is just wearing dirty clothes. (-:
Prayer: Please continue to pray! I mentioned back on Monday that we need to be praying that the Holy Spirit would be working in the group. What is really encouraging about this particular update is that we see the Lord abundantly answering that prayer; let's thank Him for that and continue to pray for the group's sanctification. Also, let's pray that the group would be comforted by the Holy Spirit and their community as they are becoming more uncomfortable with their living situations. For now, Kathy T has been the one communicating with the group (read: her husband) and sending me the updates. So far, I've just been reading about the group (as you have) but I can tell, even through this meager communication, that the Lord is indeed working. I am incredibly encouraged by this and convicted to pray more. I hope the same for you.
Yesterday: As you remember, the group worked on some general maintenance for a few church buildings and docks. They split up into teams to do this.
One group was painting the insides and outsides of "windows" (heavy-duty shutters that keep people from going through the openings). The paint is to prevent insects from eating the wooden shutters and to prevent them from rotting.
The other group was installing a dock from one of the churches out to the water so that during the rainy season people can get off their boats and walk to the church without getting wet. This group was also installing "windows", and Tim T was painting the Logo for Project Amazon (PAZ) on one of the buildings.
Last Night: The LIFTers attended a Tuesday-evening church service where all the leaders throughout the Amazon basin meet. There is excellent communication from pastors down to the smaller cell groups as they are trying to build leaders in groups; this was great for the LIFTers to see. One of the pastors asked the group to share for about a 1/2 hour (spontaneous - no planning allowed!). The students were strangely hesitant to share, even though they've all done so as a part of our program before; they've been encouraged to be ready to share whenever the opportunity arises. Tim T admonished them a bit (in his gentle prodding manner), and eventually Sarah, Chris and Bri shared testimonies (with a translator). The entire group sang three songs in English, one of which the locals knew in Portuguese. The words were translated for the other two songs before they were sung. The people loved to hear how God was working in our youths' lives.
It is very evident that the Brazilian believers are very sensitive to the power of the Holy Spirit and are open to his work in their lives. During their debriefing time, Tim T communicated that he had been frustrated with our group's hesitancy to step forward and share their stories. He then asked for their forgiveness, confessing that he had pushed them when perhaps they weren't ready, rather than being an encourager. Through his humility, the students came to a place of confession and repentance; they didn't do what they should have: what they'd been trained to do in stepping forward to share their stories. Last night a lot of individual prayer and journaling took place as they searched their hearts and surrendered. The Holy Spirit is working in the group as they press into God. Ken Trezise (Tim T's brother, a PAZ missionary) encouraged them in this: that the Holy Spirit is working through the group in a powerful way. . .he can use all of us, and we need to step forward and start sharing, stepping out in faith. The students received this word from Ken with grace.
Room & Board: There are no beds where they are so when it's time to sleep, they find hooks (they're everywhere!) and hang their hammocks. I wonder how the group is faring with this; I'll be sure to ask when I talk to them. The menu has been 100% authentically Brazilian: great beans and rice at times, lasagne made with very salty ham, plenty of meat, lots of one-potmeals served over rice, rice with every meal.
Today: The group is doing the same types of things today, working on church buildings.
All in All: Yesterday I mentioned the team was wonderful. Today, we have word that the novelty of 3rd-world living is wearing off getting more difficult. While the team is still doing quite well, some are becoming less and less excited with "showering" in the Amazon river and washing their clothes by hand. Kathy T suggested we try and guess who's actually washing their clothes and who is just wearing dirty clothes. (-:
Prayer: Please continue to pray! I mentioned back on Monday that we need to be praying that the Holy Spirit would be working in the group. What is really encouraging about this particular update is that we see the Lord abundantly answering that prayer; let's thank Him for that and continue to pray for the group's sanctification. Also, let's pray that the group would be comforted by the Holy Spirit and their community as they are becoming more uncomfortable with their living situations. For now, Kathy T has been the one communicating with the group (read: her husband) and sending me the updates. So far, I've just been reading about the group (as you have) but I can tell, even through this meager communication, that the Lord is indeed working. I am incredibly encouraged by this and convicted to pray more. I hope the same for you.
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