The Eisenmann Initiative: Up the Maro

I used to think a six hour car ride across some Midwestern states was a long ride. But now I've been introduced to a six hour ride in a four meter long aluminum boat! Our experiences have the ability to quickly change perspective and adjust the statements of relativity that we make on a day to day basis.

Thumbs up from the workers kids!

Last weekend I headed out to the Maro River with fellow PAZ missionary Jeff Turner and the mission construction guru Joaquim. I've traveled with both of these men before, but this trip was special because of it's nature. Our goal was simple. Arrive in the community of Vista Alegre, install the twelve main support beams for the church, install the six trusses, put on the roof, and then come home. And in the name of the Lord, this was accomplished.

One significant praise report from this trip was that for the three days we were there, it never rained! OK, that doesn't sound too radical, but this is the rainy season in the rain forest, and according to the locals, it "never" happens that three days pass without rain during this season! So praise God for holding the rain for us to accomplish our goal and get home a half day early! Interestingly enough, the rain did cut loose one hour after we finished and we got to spend the first hour of our trip home in the driving cold rain on an open boat at 42 kph!

This was my first time up the Maro River. One has to go up two other rivers to arrive at the Maro, but once you get there, you quickly realize your location in the middle of the jungle on a winding river of dark, cool water swiftly making it's way to the Amazon. We traveled 200 kilometers to arrive there (127 as the crow flies) taking six and a half hours to do so and filling up with gasoline four times. We hauled with us over 200 liters of gasoline to make the trip!

SIDE NOTE: At current exchange rates, gasoline in the city of Santarém costs approximately US$7.10 per gallon. In a river village such as Vista Alegre, located 200 kilometers from the city, a person must purchase gasoline from a boat that makes weekly trips up and down the river, at a cost of US$16.56 per gallon! And he will need gasoline to power his boat engine, generator, and chain saw!


Hauling hand-cut lumber out of the forest.

The local people make their living cutting and selling wood. It was great to see how they had sacrificed their salaries in order to provide all of the wood for this church! I'm continually impressed at their capability to use chain saws and cut by hand all of their boards! I was shown how they pick trees, cut them down, rip the boards, and then haul the planks to the rivers edge so it can be loaded on a boat and taken back to the community.

We share some blessed time of conversation and were able to encourage the families of Vista Alegre. God has made a huge move in this ten family community. To date, all but one family as been saved! I look forward to seeing what God has in store for this place and the local worker. It was an honor to work along side of the local men in building their church. I really hope I have a chance to return.