From the Helm – Tuesday, January 05, 2010

2 AM – After a long shower and a good meal, I slept amazingly well.  I am rested for the day to come.

- Marciano and his team of pilots ate aboard last night.  It was good to feed and house some of them aboard the Beatriz in the same way they cared for us in Inaja.  These are good men.  To bring us to and from their home is a dangerous and intense undertaking.  I am grateful for each one of them.

- We are scheduled to depart for Parintins after breakfast this morning, delivering Braginha to his home in Aboim along the way.  I will have to sit with him for a bit, explaining that we will no longer be able to continue his monthly financial support.  The offerings for his ministry have not been provided for by churches back home for more than 4 years.  AMOR simply hasn’t the funding to continue in this manner.  There are other issues with Braginha that have led me to make this decision.  We will give him title to the AMOR/Cesar; a couple months continued support and continue to pray for him.  I wish him well and feel certain God will provide if and as He chooses in the future.

It is unfortunate that promised support for several of our pastors has not been provided.  AMOR has assumed these commitments for several years now.  I see little way of continuing to take up this slack much longer unless God shows differently.  We send more than US$ 3,500.00 each month over the amount that actually comes in for these pastors.  Their work is anointed and I have no complaint regarding the monthly challenge to meet their needs.  However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to divide up the dwindling funds that arrive.  God will keep those He desires to keep and the others will find His provision elsewhere.  I know this in my heart.  It’s the way it is…

1 PM – We were underway at 8 o’clock.  The canoes broke off from us and headed back up the rapids.  I watched until they left sight.  My heart is heavy.  God permitting, I’ll be with them again, soon.

- We met with Braginha a couple hours ago before taking him back to Lake Aboim.  He told us he had felt this change coming long ago.  He is not concerned with the future.  He is certain God will provide.  He is correct in his assumption.

We signed the boat over to him with the assurance we still remain ready to help him in any way possible, in whatever ministry God leads him to engage in.  He has much to contemplate regarding his person and life.  I’ve been there myself a number of times.  It is all good in the end if he will but seek and follow – one step at a time.  All good in the end, indeed…

We are now headed to Porto Trombetas at a good clip.  The Beatriz is running flawlessly.  It’s good to be aboard her, once again.  After a brief stop for a meeting in Trombetas, we will head on to Oriximina then, Parintins. 

At this point in time, our ETA for arrival will be this time tomorrow.  We’ll confirm the actual time when we get there…