The End of the Line

It's another holiday here.  I don't think there are really more holidays in Brazil, it's just that they are always on a specific date, could be on the weekend, or during the middle of the week.  In the US, it seems like we like to hook them up to the weekend and so they seem to less intrusive on day to day life.

The local church has lately been taking advantage of these holidays to plan our baptisms.  Today will be on of those, a joyful day for over 1,000 souls who will testify to their faith in Christ and His atonement for their sins.  Such a momentous occasion in the life of a young believer!  I look forward to baptizing one of my disciples today, João.  (Yes, he even has the same name as me.)

Shortly thereafter, actually immediately after, I'll be catching a plane ride out to a remote village to help on a church construction project.  My wife embarked on the 25 hour journey with a team of Americans and Brazilians yesterday at noon, while I stayed back for the baptism.  Lord willing, someone will be waiting for me in a small boat at a location where our plane can land on the curvy Maró River.  From there I'll set out on one hour boat ride up the river to the community of Mariazinha (Little Maria, in English).  This is literally the end of the line, the last community on the river.  As the supervising pastor told me, "there's nothing but frogs after that!"

I'd appreciate your prayers for our tight schedule for the baptism and flight plan as well as a safe flight.  Also, that our trip would be of eternal significance in the spiritual history of the region on the Maró River. After all, it's for His honor and glory that we labor on this planet!

Thanks for your partnership in God's work here!

John

PS - Look for an update and pictures of the trip in a couple weeks when we return!