It's All in the Foundation

Some of the most pleasurable moments I've had here in Brazil take place at some odd times.  We set off on some adventure, not really knowing what we're getting ourselves into, with maybe just a slight inclination of what the journey may entail.

On Friday morning, I returned off the river from a three and a half day construction trip to the community Mucambo.  In many aspects this trip was typical.  Moving materials from our boat to the construction site, digging trenches for the foundation, mixing cement, tying rebar, participating in local ministry through prayer sessions and cell groups.  In other ways it wasn't so typical.  Sporadic rains, broken generator on the boat, having to stop and reprime the fuel system on the diesel engine of the boat, only to find a dead battery, sending us on a nighttime Amazon adventure to seek a loaner battery.

Mucambo lies due east of Santarém, about a 6 hour boat ride down river, but 11 hours to get back home because of the currents.  During part of the year, this area is reachable by road, but boats continue to be the most reliable and safest form of transport.  The community is powered by a generator for 3 hours a night.  Locals anxiously wait for the arrival of 24 hour electricity, which according to the politicians, is on the way.

View Larger Map

I'm not sure where the best moment turns out to be, maybe seeing the joyful face of the local worker's wife who served up banquet style lunches for us each day, or maybe it was the midnight run across the glass-like Amazon River at 15 knots soaking in marvelous views of the Milky Way, or perhaps the daybreak view of Santarém from the river amid the anticipation of returning to our wives and families.

And then there was the community, hungry for the Truth, studying the Word, realizing their death in sin, but basking in the victory of Gospel Grace.  OH GOD, MAKE THEM YOURS!

It was a privilege to work along side the locals and help kick off this project.  I hope to some day return and see the fruit of an eternal investment.

JAE

With the local worker and his family.

Construction site

Mixing a cement/sand slurry for the foundation.