We Found It!

We found the end of the line, and made it home.  It's name, Aracaty.  Population, a dozen families or so.  Location, up the Maro River.  I've been up this river one other time, but didn't make it this far.  Besides this trip claiming the title of "Furthest from Home" it also brought me the first chance to take a plane ride.

Aerial View of the Maro River

On Wednesday the 6th at noon, the PAZ crew and boat carrying material and a team from Journey Fellowship in Louisiana embarked on the 22 hour journey up three different rivers to arrive at the community of Aracaty.  I was set to join them on Thursday evening shortly after they were to arrive, but due to some tardiness in the local church baptisms that I stayed to participate in, we didn't make it and rescheduled the flight for the next day at 8 AM.  This made for a worrisome night for my wife, since I had no way to advise them of the change in plans!

On Friday morning we took off and I enjoyed the hour and fifteen minute flight over the rivers and jungle.  Not to make it sound too easy, we took a wrong turn and couldn't find the community!  So we headed back to the last community that we knew and stopped to ask directions.  From there we were able to make our way to the final destination, make a fly-by and then find a place to land.  I found a local to give me a ride in his boat to the next community over and I made my grand appearance.  Let's just say my wife was pleased to see me!

Nighttime worship service

The team was already busy at work, the trenches for the foundation dug, trusses all but built, and a couple of the main supports already in place.  We worked the rest of the afternoon to prep the project to be able to raise the trusses the next day, finishing the foundation as well.  The team was anxious to participate in the worship services, and the local church wanted to take advantage of the visitors, so various team member shared and then one preached the Word to these hungry folks.

On Saturday we made some great progress, mounting all the trusses and continuing to prep the dirt for the floor.  Sunday brought us a bit of rain, but beings how this team is full of work-a-holics, they continued to put the roof on.  Later in the day we were able to take a break and hike through the jungle, finding some rather interesting fruits to eat as well as some large trees.  Later that evening we headed over to the neighboring community of Mariazinha to minister to the people there.  On the way we met a man with a freshly butchered cow in his boat.  Not a normal occurrence.

Church construction site

First thing Monday morning as we were heading to the construction site, we found out where the cow was going, to the porch of one of the families, quartered and waiting for the butcher.  Once on the site, we found out that our brick work was going to be a bit slower that morning.  Turned out that the mason and the butcher are the same person!  We were able to get all the prep work done that day to be ready to pour the floor.  But not to be outdone, the community was preparing a huge cookout for us that day!  What a treat to share some grilled beef!

The big day on the job site is always the day of the pour, since so many people are needed, fetching water and sand, mixing concrete, running wheelbarrows, screeting and finishing the concrete.  Praise God that all went smoothly and we were able to finish by shortly after lunch.

Everybody after finishing the floor

After that was the most significant portion of the trip.  Of all the construction and ministry trips that I've made in my time here, I've never seen a community more touched or impacted than this community.  Literally, as we pulled away in the boat, almost the entire community was on the shore crying.  At first count, it may seem a bit dramatic.  But then we (Americans) are fairly numbed to this type of experience in our lives.  Most of these people had never even made it to the local city (Santarém), let alone seen a foreigner.  As we came in the name of Christ and partnered with them in the construction of their church building and ministered to them, an impression was made.  And just as quickly as we arrived, we were gone, a quick five days.  We surely can't take for granted our ability to impact the world in the name of the Kingdom of God!

Even when you arrive at the end of the line, God is sure to be leaving His mark.  We're honored to be a part of it.  Thanks for making it possible for us to be here.  Pray with us for the growth of the kingdom of God in Aracaty and the surrounding regions.  May God continue to pour out His grace upon this growing community of believers!


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