The Amazon 2010

Posted July 10, 2010

Dearest Friends,

HOME

I have enjoyed my time at home and am anxious for the great adventure that we begin tomorrow, July 10th. All week we have been practicing and repairing equipment. We also had the joy of sharing at 2 youth prisons yesterday. I will write more about that in the next letter. This is a lovely group of young people that the Father has given me this summer for a puppet team. They have great enthusiasm for the Lord and I am so thrilled to have them as partners. Please pray for Seth, Jared, Paige, Heather and Christa as they serve this summer. We will be traveling all over Tennessee; Baltimore, Maryland; Hanover, Pennsylvania; Ticonderoga, New York and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I am still trying to schedule a show in the Cape Cod area. Please contact me if you know someone who would be interested. We already have housing arranged. Hold us in your prayers.

The following words were written as I traveled home June 29th:

I am sitting on the airplane as I write these words to you. It is dark outside and almost everyone around me is asleep. As usual I cannot sleep. I’ve been crying, I’m still crying.

My heart is full with wonder at all we saw God do, but I keep thinking about all the children that we saw, their lives are hard. You cannot imagine how hot it is where they live and there is no relief. There are no fans, no air conditioning, and no electricity except for a few hours at night. All the comforts that we hold so dear do no exist for them. My leather watchband rotted in half, and my leather cane cover disintegrated. It is also very humid.

However, the worst part of the children’s lives, the really terrible part is that most of these children really know nothing about Jesus. They may know His name, but they do not know His stories. So many times we have all heard how to put our trust in Jesus. Most of the children along the 1000 plus rivers in the Amazon region have never has this hope explained to them once.

Many of you wrote me while I was on this trip and told me that you thought we have a lot of courage to take this trip. That is simply not true. We simply needed to obey. I’m not a brave person, but I pray every day that my Father will kindly make me obedient. That is the deep need of all of our hearts.

I have learned so much on this trip. Obedience requires endurance. Everyday we all prayed for strength. This trip was not easy, but I will tell you what I thought about when my body was arguing with my heart. If I were a child living in these places, I would want someone to come and tell me about Jesus Christ. Whatever it took, no matter the costs, no matter the discomfort…. I would want some to come. A person who is drowning hopes for rescue; these children need the rescue that only Jesus can give. Please don’t stop praying for them because we are coming home. Please pray for God to show us new friends that we can partner with on other rivers, so that we can reach more of these children.

There is one more truth that I want to share with you. Courage is not required for going, but is necessary for coming home. As always, home without Mike is hard. My children live far away and I miss them all terribly. At moments like this, when such deep loneliness threatens my peace, I think of my Father. I trust God’s steadfast love. I hold to His promises, I know that all these hard separations are only for a short time. God is so faithful! I have hope! Thank you all for praying and giving!

In Jesus, Linda for Paige, Christa, Heather, Seth, and Jared

Posted June 28, 2010

Dearest Friends,

A RICH MAN'S HOUSE

One of the shows we did while traveling on boats was on a very wide porch of an plantation home. A hundred years ago it was an amazing house overlooking the water. Now, from the smell, we realized that it had been reduced to everyone's favorite bathroom spot. It still had a nice wide concrete porch and so the children had a good place to sit. They could never sit on the ground because of the fire ants. We did not really notice the smell after a while and besides, there was no other spot available. The children and many of their parents came too. They wanted to listen and we were blessed to tell them about Jesus.

That morning, I told them a story about a very poor man who had lots of silver, gold and other riches. He was a king, but he did not know God. The children listening where very poor. I wanted them to see that they could have true riches if they knew God, if they put their trust in Jesus. I hoped that they would want not what you hold in your hands, but what you hold in your hearts. Continue to hold the children on the river in your prayers.

THE DOCTORS AND THE DENTISTS

During the first part of our trip, we traveled with doctors and dentists. We always had a crowd because everyone was waiting to see someone. This was wonderful ministry and very well received. Our new team will be regularly traveling with medical teams and so they will always have a crowd. Praise God! Often, our Brazilian directors, Fabiana and Gerson Simioni travel with doctors.

MISSIONARY LINDA AND MISSIONARY SAM

We spent most of our trip as a "logistical help". We never told anyone that we were missionaries. During the last few days, we have been regularly introduced as Missionary Linda and Missionary Sam, etc.Iit was a big change. However, no matter what you call us, we told people about Jesus Christ and His hope.

VISION

I never understand how little I know until I am in a new place. Though God has been kind to me and I understand how to work with children, different places always require some changes in our program and equipment. I did not understand how difficult it is to reach these children, but our friend Jakobine was a patient teacher.

There are many rivers in the Amazon region and they are full of children. People were surprised that we bought such special things for children since the adults or young people are always the focus. I see that we will need many teams spread across these 3 states that together are the Amazon region. Please ask the Lord to raise up future partners in ministry in these areas. My heart's desire is to reach all of these children with the Gospel.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for Sam and I as we are flying to United States on Monday and will arrive in Atlanta on Tuesday. Please pray for Silvana as she travels to Ireland on Tuesday. Please pray for Fabiana and Gerson as they prepare for another mission trip next week to the Kayowas Indians. We are all tired, but so happy! God is very kind to us!

In Jesus, Linda for Gerson and Fabiana Sam and Silvana

Posted June 24, 2010

Dearest Friends,

500 CHILDREN

We have spent today doing ministry in the city of Santarem. It is deep in the state of Para and surrounded by jungle. Since we were in the city, we did 2 shows today at a school for different groups of children. Then this evening, we did a show for a church in an area where they are trying to reach the community for Christ.

Today was a sweet gift from our Father as we had the sweet joy of telling more than 500 children and teenagers and adults about the true love that only Jesus gives. We heard many children calling on Jesus, asking Him to be their Savior. Some prayed softly and some very loud.

The message of true love is desperately needed in this city. They estimate that as many as half of the people in the city are true believers. However, because this city is a major truck route, there is a huge business in this city devoted to the sale of pornography and prostitution.

There is much light in this place, but there is also much darkness. The children who prayed today need your prayers. Ask the Father to keep their lives pure and their hearts focused on the cross.

STEPHANIE, RAPHAEL, JENNIFER, LUCAS, AND DANIELLA

All of these children were at the second show today at the school. All of them wanted to thank me for the story that they heard. Each one gave me a little plastic bracelet that they had and I am very happy. I have bracelets that are 2 shades of pink, 2 shades of blue, and one white one. Anytime that a child comes to me after a show and wants to say thank you, I am so honored. I was so touched by their kindness.

AUTOGRAPHS

More than 100 children stood in line this afternoon because they wanted my autograph. For the longest time, the line never got smaller. I signed notebooks, text books , scraps of paper, and one arm. I sat in a chair and finished all of them. It was very hot and I was very tired, but if it was that important to them, I really wanted to try. Earlier in the day, I had been too hot to finish the first group and I felt bad about saying no to the children. So, I took the time to draw a hill with a cross on it for each one. I signed Linda below the hill. I wanted them to be reminded of the story that they had heard. I am no one important. None of us are, but today God kindly made us important to the children because we told them about how they could know Jesus Christ. Hold these these hungry and thankful ones in your prayers.

HOME

Tomorrow, Friday, we will leave this place and fly to the capital city of Manaus. We must wait 10 hours for our next flight and then we have a long flight to Campinas. Sunday morning, I will bring a mission report at an old Presbyterian church in Sao Paulo and at a smaller church plant. Please pray for these opportunities as I want very much to encourage them to pray for and help our Brazilian Directors, Fabiana and Gerson Simioni. I want to encourage them to have a vision of reaching the children of Brazil for Jesus. Please continue to hold us in your prayers.

In Jesus, Linda for Gerson and Fabiana Sam and Silvana

Posted June 23, 2010

Dearest Friends,

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Please pray for the Christians in India, where I have worked for years. We were just there in February and March of this year. They are fearless brothers and sisters for the Gospel.

Yesterday, many churches were attacked by a group of people opposing Christianity. Today, they burnt 2 buses, a van, a jeep and 2 cars that belong to Christians. A young man named Moses had his home broken into. They burned many of his belongings and his Bibles. Last week, they brutally attacked some other Christian workers.

These friends in this area are very dear to me. Some are like family. I beg you to devote yourself and your church to prayer for them. Pray especially for our close friends there, and many others who need you to ask God to protect them. Pray!

THE AMAZON RIVER

I am writing to you on a boat on the Amazon River. We began our trip 2 and a half hours ago at the place where the Tapajos and the Amazon Rivers meet. We are deep in the state of Para on a boat named Silva de Munhoz.

It is very interesting to see the difference in the 2 rivers. The Amazon is muddy and brown and the Tapajos is clear and blue. They say it is "sweet water." I spent the ride in a beautiful pink hammock that had been decorated with 12 inches of pink hand crocheted lace. They all told me that the hammock was the color of my face. It's true. I look like a tomato.

Bits of grass covered ground break loose from the shore and randomly float down the river. Presently, a lot of these are floating around our boat. On the shore, I saw a Sapucaia tree. This has the strangest seed pod I have ever seen. It can grow big enough to use as a lampshade.

THE CHURCH

This church is built on stilts just like all the houses that surround it. In December and January, they have heavy rains. The church sits way back from the river bank, but during the rainy season, you can ride a boat to the front door. If there is a lot of rain, you can ride your boat through the church.

It has a high roof with no ceiling. The 2 sides are giant windows, but there is no glass. They have green mesh in them to allow the breeze, but keep out the mosquitos.

The Pastor is a dear man who often stages dramas of Bible stories. They showed me video clips of part of 2 past dramas. The Pastor proudly told us that he always played the part of Zacheus. He is very short and actually climbs a tree so he can see Jesus. Everyone was costumed in sheets and towels.

They also did the story of Lazarus. The rich man had a special costume. He carried a brief case, wore a tie and had a cell phone. He wore long trousers. They all thought he looked very rich!

Another Pastor brought his village children to see the show today. They arrived in the church boat.

Please pray for these men. They are hard workers and want their people to see a different life. These men really need your prayers!

LIFE ON THE AMAZON

Life in this place is the same as many places on the river. I will tell you about life in Tapara where we did a program for the children. There are 3 churches in this area, small and struggling. The oldest church in this place is only 10 years old. Living life as a believer is strange to these people.

At 14 or 15 years old, a young girl will usually sleep with someone. Sex outside of marriage is the norm. The girl will get pregnant and have children from many different fathers. Marriage is not common. Children usually do not know their fathers.

Alcoholism is a big problem. It breeds physical abuse and more lives are destroyed. This is a very broken place with many hurting people.

Some always believe that education will solve social problems. Most children here do not finish high school. Besides, these problems are heart problems that can only be healed by the power of the cross.

ANDERSON'S STORY

Anderson is a little 11 or 12 year old boy who came to the puppet show today. He has black hair and deep brown eyes. His smile is beautiful. He is one of so many children who watched us intently at the show today. There was an ocean of beautiful brown eyes staring at me. They had the sweetest smile. Their laughter was a gift.

After the puppet show, Silvana and I talked with him. We told him to remember what he had heard. He told us that he had prayed with us today. Praise God! I told him to study hard in school so that he could read the Bible well.

He lives in another community and goes to that church. He came on a boat. The pastor there said that he is very bright. I told Anderson that he could grow up and tell all the children in this place about Jesus. He smiled so big!

When he told me that he prayed with us today, he immediately threw his arms around me and gave me the biggest hug. My shirt was soaked with sweat, but he did not seem to care. He just wanted to hug me. He just wanted to say thank you! Please pray for Anderson and his new faith.

PRAYER REQUESTS

We have 2 days left in the Amazon region before we begin traveling back to Campinas, near Sao Paulo. Please pray for the remaining shows. I will not arrive home until Monday afternoon. Please continue to hold us before the throne.

In Jesus, Linda for Gerson and Fabiana Sam and Silvana

Posted June 22, 2010

Dearest Friends,

OUR NEW TEAM

I am blessed to report to you that our new team is established here in the state of Para, one of the 3 states that comprise the Amazon region. We are placing the equipment with a lovely German lady named Jakobine who has given 26 years of her life to the people of Brazil. She works with 3 Brazillian nationals. They serve with Mission Aviation Fellowship which is known as Asas de Socorro in Brazil. They travel by boats to remote areas, offering free medical and dental services. The doctors that partner with them are believers.

Jakobine shared that for a long time she has had a dream. She wanted to more directly present the Gospel to the crowds of people that they see. She told us that this set of equipment answered her prayers. She watched the response of people this week and saw their smiles. She saw that the children and adults listened equally well. She was happy. She saw that all ages related well to watching the puppet shows and had many conversations with the people in the villages as a result of what they heard.

This was a great match for us because the doctors always drew a crowd and we could share with them. This group is organized to reach places that others do not know exist. More, they have a long term relationship with the communities on the river and so the people trust them. This is good ground for the Gospel! Finally, our lead Brazillian Directors, Fabiana and Gerson Simioni, are planning to continue working with them and help them improve their skills. We will be able to reach so many children who have not heard about Jesus and His hope. I am very excited!

Please hold them in your prayers as this is a very hot place to work with lots of fire ants and giant spiders. Please ask the Lord to give them great wisdom as they must share in places where false teaching and superstition rule. Please ask the Lord to keep them safe and dry.

SANTAREM

Very late tonight, we fly deeper into the state of Pare toward the state of Amazon. It is our plan to do many puppet shows in that area and our hope to make contacts for another team. Our friends there are also with Mission Aviation Fellowship which has been working in Brazil for 55 years. You can travel by boat from Santarem to here, but you need 4 days. So, you can see why we want to place a team in this new area so that more remote children can hear about Jesus Christ. Our long term vision is to plant ministries in all 3 states so that all the children can have the opportunity to hear about God's great plan for their lives. Please pray us safely there. We have been told that it is hotter there. All of us are tired and need strength. Our joy in the Lord carries us to this new place. Pray!

MICHELE'S STORY

Michele is a beautiful little 10 month old baby girl whose mother is a drug addict. Her father is also a drug addict. Both of her parents live on the street and they steal and sell their bodies to buy drugs. The little one has been placed in the foster care of Christian friends who run a ministry for street children and adults. I met her today at a puppet show that we did for adults living on the street. Please pray for this little girl to be placed in a loving Brazillian family. Please pray for her parents. I have been told that it looks hopeless for her parents, but our Father is the hope of the hopeless.

The people who came received their breakfast and looked miserable at the thought of watching puppets. I saw their frowns change to smiles and I saw many listen to the story of Joseph. God is so kind to us to give us this opportunity to show His love to those who do not know love. Please pray for those who attended to hold onto the Gospel and allow Jesus to change their lives.

We take every opportunity to share God's great story so we did 2 puppet shows at 2 different churches yesterday. We were at both of the churches where our new puppet team members attend and a lady from the street ministry. The churches were so nice and clean and the people so nice. It seemed a world away from where we were today. Please ask the Father to burden all of the Christians in this city with a desire to reach the hopeless.

Brazil has hundred's of thousands of people living on the street in different cities. Many are children. There is great opportunity to serve here and where you live.

In Jesus, Linda for Sam, Silvana, Gerson, and Fabiana

Posted June 20, 2010

Dearest Friends,

Alexander's Story

Alexander is a little 12 year old boy that I met on the river. He lives in a house on stilts because the river floods under his house in winter. It is still brutally hot, just wetter. This is a typical home. You can see through the walls. Monkeys can be a problem as they come in and destroy your home. There is no regular electricity. His family might have a generator. Rice, pasta, fish, fruit, shrimp and beans are what he eats every day. The bathroom is outside. He goes to school on a boat. He had never left the river. He had never seen any of the things we use in the show. I am the first American that he has ever met.

After listening to the Bible story, he prayed with me and put his trust in Jesus. I talked with him a long time on the school boat. His fact is covered with raised black moles. He was hiding in the engine room at the back of the boat. He had the sweetest smile as I explained that God made him the way he was for a purpose. I told him that true beauty is in the heart. I explained that sometimes I an frustrated by the weakness of my body, but then that weakness makes me pray and trust God for my strength. I encouraged him to talk to God when he is worried about being different. I cherish his smile. Hold him in your prayers!

Beautiful Work

As we were leaving to come back to the city, God used a lost man to encourage me. I was so very tired and hot. I felt so weak. The man had come to many shows. He said,"It is a beautiful work you do. Please keep going and going." then he hugged me. I did not feel tired any more!

In Jesus,

Linda, for the team.

Posted June 20, 2010

Dearest Friends,

The following stories are from the last week when we had no possible communication. There is more to tell, but this will give you some idea of all the wonderful things that the Father did. We returned today on a boat and trained our new team this afternoon. Rejoice!

Stranded

We are in the state of Para, one of the three states in Brazil that we in the west identify as the region of the Amazon. The easiest way to get anywhere is by boat. Sometimes it is the only way. You can sail around the coast and then go upriver on a variety of rivers that feed into the Atlantic Ocean.

Presently, we are stranded as our second boat did not arrive until near dark. It is not recommended to travel upriver at night. So, we hung our hammocks on the boat and plan to leave in the morning after a good nights sleep.

All of us are praying. We have been told that it is not safe here. One of us must stand guard all night as thieves are a big concern. We have prayed and I know that the Father will send His angels. I trust in the sovereignty of my King. His providence. The captain was kind to let us sleep here and even had 1 of his men stand watch with us.

What Happened

The night passed in peace. We were visited by 1 very drunk man and a large snake. The drunk man went to sleep in the back of the boat and the snake stayed in the cargo hole. He stuck out his tongue at us early in the morning to greet us.

The Second Boat

The first boat was 2 stories tall and carried more than a hundred people plus a lot of freight. However, our second boat was a new adventure. For 4 hours, we puttered down the river, with the engine sound roaring in our ears. It was a very small boat, packed full of our equipment.

I kept thinking about how much travel it took for me to reach the children. I had 2 flights to reach Sao Paulo and then a 2 hour drive, followed by a bus ride and then 2 more airplane flights. Then, I had another short drive to the harbor. I rode on 2 different boats for a total of 8 hours.

Last night, I boarded a third boat, the smallest yet. It glided across the water like skis on a rough lake. Sam and I went over by boat and everyone else walked through the jungle. We traveled during the daylight, but returned at night.

It was wondrous what we saw God do. Many children came to the program and many prayed out loud, asking Jesus to save them. We are blessed!

The sky was ablaze with the brightest stars. I prayed that this place would be filled with many believers, " Shining as bright as the stars in heaven."

Denilson

Denilson is a little boy that I met as soon as we arrived in this place. He was the only child around and I wanted him to know about God. I told him that God saw him and knew his name. He was amazed to hear that God had a plan for him. I told him about Jesus Christ. He listened as though all of these very basic truths were news for him.

All of these things I told him as I tied a balloon animal. Please pray for Denilson. Ask the Father to write His truths on Denilson's life. He came to several puppet shows and I talked with him more about Jesus. Keep praying!

CiCi

CiCi is a little girl with Downs Syndrome. She lives near where the Amazon river empties into the Ocean. The beach near her home is covered with rocks that resemble smooth coral. It is a beautiful place surrounded by a jungle full of immense trees and strange fruits. However, it is a hard place to be a little girl who does not understand many things.

CiCi has a beautiful smile. I saw it when I stopped the other children who were making fun of her speech. I told her that I was from the southern part of the United States and everyone thought that I sounded funny. She listened and came to other shows. Pray for CiCi to discover the One who made her beautiful! After one show, I gave her my drawings and she was so happy.

Rita De Cassia's Story

Rita is a beautiful little 10 year old girl, with dark eyes and silky black hair. She is named for a Catholic Saint. Her relative must include many peoples, maybe slaves, Indians, and Portuguese. I do not know the exact details of her family tree, but I know that today she became a child of the King, a member of God's family. She prayed with me. Rita wanted to thank me for telling her about Jesus, so she took pencil shavings and shaped them into flowers. A missionary here gave her glue and paper. She made me a bouquet of flowers.

Tears fill my eyes as I write these words. She belongs to Jesus. Ask Him to protect her and keep her pure. There is so little light here, no hope. Little girls became pregnant at 12 or 13. I do not want this for this little lamb. Pray!

Up The River

I can not tell you where we are. I doubt that the children here have any understanding of where they are in relationship to the rest of the world. The place is called Crairu, but you will not find it on any map. We went up river for about 30 minutes in a severely overloaded small motor boat, 5 of us ,our missionary partner Jacobena, the boatman and all the puppet equipment. Sinking appeared to be an option. I hoped the puppets could swim. We traveled through a giant green tunnel and tried not to think about snakes. Strange birds and so many butterflies are everywhere.

At the school, the children stare at us with wide eyes. They dress like your children but the world they know is nothing like the world your children experience. You can only travel here by boat. It is so hot and we are always soaked. The fire ants bit me as soon as I climbed out of the boat. I now have 51 mosquito and ant bites. I definitely should not have counted.

The Gospel is news in this place. What a privilege God gives us. This is the most precious adventure. Please pray for the seeds of faith that are being planted in this place. Ask the Father to grow in these children deep faith.

It makes you focus on the cross with all that is in you when you realize that you are telling children the first Bible story some of them have ever heard. More, you are by God's grace, introducing them to God, Jesus, the Bible, everything. There is a Pastor who comes to the village maybe once a month, but this is the first time they have had such a special program just for the children . Our friend plans to return to this place with more of God's great stories. Pray for these children. Rejoice! Your prayers and support threw open this door. Thank you.

Two Schools

It took so many boats to get us to these places. Part of the team rode in one boat and had fish and shrimp jump into the boat. Sam and I rode part of the time on a school boat (the school bus). As we were riding, a lady showed us a school of fish and said pyranna, whether it was true or not the timing was of the discussion was not very motivational for me. I was very, very careful as I climbed into the other boat.

At both schools, the children were very excited, but at one there were more Christian teachers. You could feel the difference in the 2 places. At the first school, so many children prayed loudly, asking Jesus to save them. At the second school, a little boy bravely prayed out loud. I wondered if he would have the courage to finish, but he did. Please pray for all of these children. Ask the Lord to make them strong Christians.

The Bota

The Bota is actually a fish that resembles a dolphin. He swims in the river and is to sport because of his pink color. There are many legends surrounding the Bota. The village people believe that when there is a full moon, the Bota becomes a man and comes a shore. They say he sleeps with girls. Often, when a girl does not want tell who she was with or is not sure, she will say that it was the Bota. Even now, there is a girl in the village who claims the Bota made her pregnant. This is a different world.

So many people here pray to images of people, believing that they have the power to help them. Many superstitions are held as truth. The first who came to this place claimed they knew God, but they didn't teach people how to know Him. They taught the people that they could be good enough to go to heaven. Others more recently came who did preach the Gospel but added a list of rules. Again, they did not get the truth. The children and the adults listened to the Bible stories with delight. They are hungry for the truth.

My Favorite

My friend Taise talked with a little girl. She asked her what she liked best. Remember, we were working with dentists and doctors, who gave everyone free care. My friend and her father had wonderful games for the children.

When she asked her what she liked best, she quickly answered that the stories about Jesus were her favorite part. It is so sweet to see how His stories thrill these children.

In Jesus,

Linda, for Sam, Silvana, Gerson and Fabiana.

Posted June 12, 2010

Dearest Friends,

The Children

I want to tell you about the children that we are with this week. They have a very difficult life. Most struggle to understand what a father should be and do not know a mother's love. Too many parents, desperate to feed their families, will offer their child to a man for an hour of pleasure. The child is sold for a kilo of rice or a kilo of beans. This is usually not a singular event.

What must a child think about their parents and their professed love when this is how they are treated! It is no surprise that as the girls grow into teenagers they choose to sell themselves for 50 cents. They have no idea that God has a purpose and a plan for them. Ask God to show us how to tell them about God's love and God's plan in a way they can understand.

Most children will not go beyond 4th grade as they must leave the area for future education. More their families usually needed them to find work and help support the family. This is a big responsibility for a 9 or 10 year old child. They have no childhood.

Most of the people read very little or not at all. This is another problem the missionaries face as most of the people cannot read God's word.

You can see how much these children need to hear about Jesus Christ. They can only discover their true worth at the foot of the cross. Please pray for these children to have hearts and ears to hear God's truth and God's love.

Double Translation

Tonight, we had the sweet delight of hearing children pray out loud, calling on Jesus to save them. There is a large Japanese community here that is not easy to reach with the Gospel. We were the entertainment at a little 8 year old Japanese girl's birthday party. Many adults attended either with their children or as friends of the family. Her parents are believers and that is why we were invited.

So that everyone could hear the Gospel and understand, we translated from English into Portuguese, into Japanese. God was kind to us. It worked beautifully! A little over a week from now, we will do a program at a Japanese fellowship. Please begin to pray for this opportunity, asking God to call more of these little ones to Himself. It is strange. Here I am in Brazil, seeing Japanese children trust in Jesus. This is more than I could have imagined.

MAF

Mission Aviation Fellowship partners with local churches, missions and community leaders. In the beginning of their work in Belem, the pastors had no vision for missions. Still, they are very hesitant. Outside of the city,there are areas here that have long belonged to the enemy and so they are hard to work in for Christians. In some places, evangelical churches have only been allowed to exist in the last year.

We will travel to these places. Since we cannot enter as an evangelistic team, we will be a logistic team. It is our job to manage the behavior of the children as they see the doctors. With this job description, we can enter these places of darkness and prayerfully, reflect the Father's light.

Jakobine, our friend here in Belem, has been praying since February, asking God to send her people who know how to work across cultures. We pray that we can be part of her answer. She is been looking for people who can present the Gospel in different and unusual ways.

We will really need your prayers. Christians who have worked in this area this year complained that they could not sleep for the entire time they were there. They could feel the oppression. There has been much false teaching in this place from people who claimed to know Jesus, but taught people that you can be good enough for God. More, there is much spiritualism, this is similar to voodoo and came from slaves who were brought here from Africa. People in these places know almost nothing of God's wonderful love story.

You Cannot Come

Just days before we arrived, the mayor who had invited us canceled the trip. You must work with a local person or you cannot go to these places. However, these leaders are not believers. The community became so excited that their leader invited us. They organized everything. Please pray that we will show the sweet spirit of Jesus Christ and shine as bright lights in the darkness.

Boats

Please pray that all the different boats we must use will be available. Please pray that we can get the equipment on the boats. Space is a concern. The boat trips are expected to take 8 hours. I have never had such an adventure and I am excited to see these dear children. I have also never been on a boat when I did not get sick. So, please pray. However, whether we get sick or not, it will be worth it all! It is an honor to be part of what the Father will do in these children's lives. We are all very happy!

The River

The river is life to these people. I went today and bought a pair of shorts, because the river is also the bath. We will take a bath in the river most of the time, so we will be wearing our clothes. I am experiencing more "firsts."

No Internet

You will probably not hear from us for a week or so because we are not expecting to have any internet access. Please pick a time each day and plan to pray for us. We will need your prayers. It is very hot and humid here and where we are going, it will be hotter. More, the places are very dark spiritually and the people have little or no Bible knowledge. Please hold us daily in your prayers! Each day, I will write down the wonders that we see our Father do, but you will have to wait just a little bit to see how He faithfully answered your prayers.

In Jesus,

Linda, for Sam, Silvana, Gerson and Fabiana.

Posted June 10, 2010

Dearest Friends,

Home in Brazil

I am safely in Brazil and all of the equipment is with me! I am always so happpy when I see all of those bags arrive safely. Praise God! In all of the important ways, this place feels like home. Our Brazillian Directors, Fabiana and Gerson Simioni are like family to me. Their welcome is always so warm and embracing. All the time, I miss being with my children, Josh ,Teresa, Matt and Jill. When I am with them and their sweet children, I always feel surrounded by love. I feel safe and I can truly rest. That is the same feeling that I have with Fabiana and Gerson and always Sam and Silvana. It is sweet to see how the Father knits our hearts together with His powerful love.

We all share the same passion for reaching the children of thge world for Jesus Christ. We have the same heart and so we share the same joy. Please hold all of us in your prayers. Yesterday, we packed for the trip to the Amazon. We must first fly to the Amazon and we will get on the boat. Please pray that we will not have too much expense getting our equipment into the Amazon. Ask that the airline would show us mercy.

Please stay on your knees as that is the only way that we will be able to stand in the dark. Thank you!

A New Grandson

Please rejoice with my youngest son,Matt, and his wife Jill. They will wecome a third son into their arms in late August. Please pray that this little boy will come to faith early and walk with Jesus with passion. Please pray for Jill as this is a very hot summer. I can not wait to meet this little one. I am so excited!

I Have A List

Yesterday on the plane I met a very interesting man who has traveled the world as a merchant marine for 30 years. He told me that he has a list of places that he wants to see before he dies. He was on his way to Rio. However, as we talked, I understood that he had no eternal plans. As I sat beside him, I prayed alot for him, asking God to show me how I could show him God's great love for him. Please pray for this man and ask the Lord to give him a desire to know Jesus.

In Jesus,

Linda, for Sam, Silvana, Gerson and Fabiana.

Posted June 7, 2010

Dearest Friends,

THE AMAZON

Tomorrow, Monday, June 7th, I leave for the Amazon. Sam and Silvana Shaw are already there and we will work with our Brazilian directors, Fabiana and Gerson Simioni. I will fly to Sao Paulo and then we will drive to Campinas. On June 9th we will fly from Campinas to the Amazon and begin our work there.

For many years, I have been praying for an opportunity to go to the Amazon. For so long I've wanted to have an opportunity to reach these children with the hope that only Jesus Christ gives. God has answered our prayers in a wonderful way! We have identified some friends there whom we will equip and train. They have access to a boat and they will be able to travel up the river to reach the children after we leave. Please pray for these new friends as they have much to learn and we have a very short time to teach them.

Please pray especially for the children that will see our programs. I really want them to understand who Jesus is and how completely He can meet every one of their needs. Please ask God to give us wisdom so that we will know how to best share with these children. Since this is a new area of ministry, we have much to learn and we have a short time to learn it!

As always, please pray that my luggage will arrive safely and with no damage since it is full of necessary equipment. Please pray for me as I am traveling by myself tomorrow and need strength.

SOUTH AFRICA

Our new puppet team in South Africa is on their way to Mozambique to share for three weeks with children who live in very difficult places. Please pray especially for Rina, our new puppet director and the storyteller for our team. She has great enthusiasm for the work that she is doing with the children, but she needs your prayers. Each day they will have three programs that they will need to do for the children and this is a very new team. Conditions are very difficult in Mozambique. Please pray for strength and safety for the team. Please pray for them as they are traveling on poor roads through areas that are dangerous. Ask the Father to give all of them amazing skill.

BURMA

We have been seeing God do so many wonderful things that I have not had an opportunity to share with you all of the stories. While in India, we equipped a new puppet team that will be working in Burma. The leader has a wonderful vision for reaching this country with the Gospel. Please pray for this new team, because Burma is considered a very dangerous place to be a Christian. Christians are regularly persecuted there, and it gives us great joy to have this privilege to touch Burmese children with the Good News. We were also able to send some other equipment that can be used by Sunday School teachers across the country. Please ask the Father to give these friends special protection.

ANSWERED PRAYER

After I came home from South Africa, I was very sick with bronchitis and, I confess, discouraged. I expected to arrive home and find all of the necessary funds for the next trip in the mailbox. This was my plan, but it was not the Father's plan.I was very excited about what I had seen God do in South Africa but I was concerned that all the money necessary to buy the equipment for the Amazon had not yet come in.

I was praying and trying to sound more faithful than I really felt. It's funny to think about, because God, who saw my heart, saw my discouragement. Clearly I heard Him say to me, "Linda, just ask me." So I quit trying to sound holy, and told God the truth. I said, "Father, please, I need immediate encouragement that you will provide the money for this trip to the Amazon." As soon as I finished the prayer, the phone rang. It was a lady in North Carolina that I did not know. She told me that God had laid on her heart to contribute to the Amazon trip. She felt impressed to call and tell me what she was planning to send. The phone call made my heart leap with joy! I was so excited!

I was reminded again of the Scripture where God says to Sarah, "Is anything too hard for God?" Within the next twelve hours, the remainder of the money was committed and all the equipment was bought. Thousands of dollars were necessary to finish this project, and the way it was supplied is a great testimony to the faithfulness of God. I am so grateful for this dear lady in North Carolina and for the generous support of Chestnut Mountain PCA. I am also grateful for so many others who choose to remain nameless - but God knows their names. I expect to see God do great things in the Amazon, because I have already seen Him do great things to get us there. His plans are always better than my plans.

DISTRACTIONS

The other day I missed a wonderful opportunity. Through a series of circumstances, God placed a young man on my front porch so that I could tell him about Jesus Christ. The young man was not very polite and falsely accused me of being hateful to him. Like all of us, I cling to the illusion of my righteousness. I was so offended that he thought I wasn't a nice person! As a result of his accusation, I did not listen to the Father, but became offended. I focused on the wrong thing.

Please pray for this young man. Please ask God to send someone into his life who can tell him about Jesus Christ. I know that God has used this situation to remind me that I must not let distractions keep me from hearing what my Father is saying to me. I see it as a warning that I must be careful as I travel to the Amazon. Personally, I find the presence of snakes and piranha very distracting! Please ask God to keep all of our eyes focused on the cross. I do not want to miss another divine opportunity.

In Jesus,

Linda, for Sam, Silvana, Gerson and Fabiana.