On the Amazon In Brazil

This past Saturday, Sept 18th, a team from our church headed out to Manaus Brazil.  Our goal was to visit two churches that we had sponsored to be built along the Amazon River.  We would also be delivering water filtration systems to the people that go to these churches as well. 

When we arrived in Manaus, we went straight to the boat that we would spend the next four nights sleeping in hammocks and going up river to visit the villages.  We stayed docked in Manaus until we left at 3am to go up river.  Not all of us were wrestling to get comfortable in our hammocks because there were two air conditioned cabins that four of our team members used while we were on the boat.  We actually got used to sleeping in the hammocks and they were quiet comfortable when you learned how to lay in it.

We arrived at our first stop in a town called Manacapru. It has a population of about 75,000 and it is also where we went to church on Sunday morning.  Actually, we were late arrivals because of our travels and the service didn't begin until around 12:30.  We were greeted by the congregation holding a sign that read "Welcome Champions of Jesus.  God Save America."  We were warmly welcomed and the service began.   I preached and Missionary Mark Lemos was the interpreter.  One teenage girl gave her heart to the Lord and the altars were filled with these wonderful Brazilian people seeking the Lord. 

After service, we gave one of the water filters to the pastor.  He was very appreciative as were all of the people who received one.   As we continued to travel up the Amazon River, we stopped at two more churches and handed out the remaining water filtration systems.  The water filtration systems will help the people because it will filter out the bacteria, parasites and other items in the river water. 

Everyone seems to be enjoying the trip and trying new experiences.  The people are very friendly and we have had a wonderful time.  As we have traveled the Amazon, we also have been able to do a little peacock bass fishing.  That has been a blast.  We have caught several peacock bass, Parana and another type of fish that is pronounced "try-eata".

We are now in Manaus and staying in a hotel.  That is the reason that I am able to update.  Where we were at on the river, there was modern conveniences that we enjoy.  The hotel is nice and we will go to the last church that we had sponsored to be built here in Manaus.  Tomorrow we will visit the leper colony and then begin making our way back home.

It has been a great trip and everyone seems to appreciate how blessed we are.  Personally, I am ready to be home and see the family.  I am missing Mitchell's first soccer game while I'm away but hopefully someone will have photos or videos.  That should be funny to watch.  Missing the family and ready for my bed. 

A Night With Two of My Favorite Ladies

It has been another "whirlwind week" as we live this wonderful life.  Life is wonderful when you get to take special moments and enjoy those who God has placed in your life.

Krystal and I were able to go to Chicago with some friends last year on Labor Day weekend and spend some time enjoying the "Windy City".  It was our first trip and we'd love to go back.  Ashlyn has always wanted to go to Chicago, but she went to her first "PK" (preacher's kid) retreat instead.  While Krystal and I were in Chicago, we had the opportunity to see the Blue Man Group and we loved it.  If you haven't seen or heard of the Blue Man Group, you need to take a look online at www.youtube.com and put in "Blue Man Group" in the search and get a taste of the show.  It's fun and intriguing.  (www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOL8-qIYemg)

 Well, last night we were able to take Ashlyn to see the Blue Man Group at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.  I had seen an ad and we ordered tickets a couple of months ago, but never told Ashlyn until this past Tuesday night.  She was excited.  It was a great time as we ate at one of our favorite resturants ~ Taco Bueno!  After eating, we headed to the show.  It was a nice evening of hanging out, laughing and making another memory.  It seems like I'm desiring to make more memories with those I love as I live this life. 

I am blessed to have two beautiful ladies in my life that God has blessed me with.  Krsytal and I have been married 19 1/2 years and Ashlyn has been part of our life for 14 years.  I don't know what I would do without them.  They both are very talented and intelligent.  They are also an inspiration to me spiritually as well.  I don't know what I did to deserve them in my life, but I'm glad God gave them to me.  In fact, I really didn't do anything to "deserve" them.  They are just another wonderful gift from my Heavenly Father.  Thank you Lord for giving me two wonderful ladies to live my life with.  I will be forever grateful.

Oh, by the way...Mitchell didn't go.  We have some great friends who were willing to let him hang out at their house.  Don't feel sorry for him.  He loved going to the park, swinging and just having fun.  He let us know all about his evening too.