On the River Again

Don't worry, I don't listen to Willie Nelson....well at least not much anyway :-)

 I'm about to head out on the river and would appreciate some prayer support.  This afternoon I embark on a supervision trip with our head missions pastor, Nilton.  I look forward to spending a couple days with him traveling and gleaning from his more than 20 years of church planting experience in the Amazon Basin.

Also on this trip is fellow missionary Scott, PAZ board member Matt and his guest, Nate.  Thanks to some generous donors back in the states, we are privileged to present some new musical equipment to a couple river churches that then will be able to use to host services.  This is a huge blessing and no doubt we will get to see humble men of God receive gifts from the Body of Christ in the "other hemisphere."  I'm honored to have the chance to go.

[Update: Feb 3, 2011 - Due to some unfortunate transportation issues that arose last minute, I was unable to go on this trip.  Despite my absence, the prayer requests remain.]

After that, Lord willing, the health team will head out during the Carnaval holiday to the village of Boa Vista do Cussari.  This will be a special trip for us as Silvia's father, an ophthalmologist, will be performing surgeries in the village.  The focus of the surgeries is to fix a common eye disease, Pterygium.  The cause of this disease is related to UV light exposure.  In this region, the sun is very strong and people don't often wear sunglasses, especially in the villages.  Also along are two visiting medical doctors, one general and another surgeon.  The rest of the PAZ health team will be along to to provide nursing care and nutritional counseling.

Please pray for these trips.  We believe that the Lord's purposes will be fulfilled.  Pray that we could encourage and support the local people.  Pray that through the gifts of equipment and medicine, God would be glorified!  It all comes from God, we are just the bearers, the feet!  We go in love, but our goal is not strictly physical healing, but rather, spiritual healing!  May we see grace upon grace poured out upon these villages and their people!

Thank you all for your partnership in prayer!

Silvia just got back this weekend from another health trip, so look for her post soon!

Grace and Peace,
John