From the Helm – Wednesday, July 14, 2010

2:30 PM – The team arrived on schedule yesterday.  There was a delay in their connecting flight out of Manaus.  We set sail at 10 last night.

Smooth sailing through the night.  The Ramos is tranquil.  Good to be off the main Amazon for awhile.  After breakfast, we all got together for the briefing regarding what we think we might be doing and where that might take place.  It’s always good to feel we have a plan…

Edno rendezvoused with us just before noon.  So good to see him once again.  We’ve been cruising for a couple hours; the Beatriz’s engine just went to an idle.  Sagrado is just off our starboard side.  Our time on location is about to begin.  Thank You Lord for the safety you’ve provided us thus far.  Thank you for all that is to come over the remaining hours of this day…

8:00 PM – Beautiful afternoon in Sagrado.  The people welcomed us warmly with rockets as firecrackers.  The American flag was flying high and the children they flowers and confetti as we climbed the stairs.  It humbled me deeply.  These are a precious and beautiful people.  They are precious to me, indeed.

Cilene was filled with questions regarding Rusty, Pam, Pat, Chris, Steve, David and all the rest.  I filled them in as best I could.  Pat has been constantly in their prayers over the past months.  I’m sure she’s aware of this…

- The remainder of the afternoon was spent setting up our clinics for tomorrow.  We will do all we can over the next day and a half.  VBS went ahead and got the children cranked while the rest of us looked on.

No services tonight. Edno felt it best we all rest up for tomorrow instead.  The team just finished with a service of its own aboard the Beatriz.  I missed it.  Sleep should be sweet tonight…

From the Helm – Thursday, July 15, 2010

Well, I officially miss David this trip!  My first patient took a full hour and a half to “more or less” be completed.  One of those simple extractions…

Medical treated the predictable variety of infirmities along with the well-babies of the community.  There was, however, a particular case that stood out from the rest.  One that dealt with the seeming hopelessness we come across so often.  The desperation we’ve brought the solution for, if the heart is willing and open.  This young mother sat through the consultation, blankly hearing the diagnosis of her three children.  She was in such a depressed state she probably heard little of it at all.  I remember such a state in my own life long ago.  Today, I am a breathing example that God is good and merciful.  By His grace, such an existence in but a memory to me.  I pray He provides such relief for this one.  I pray she has reached the point only He may be visible to her.  I pray that our team’s tenderness will have provided some form of direction to the One who holds all peace…

The construction team went up to Cucui to lend a hand to the church there.  They are beginning to erect their meeting place.  All the materials have been painstakingly acquired over the past years.  Our guys will do what they can over the nest day and a half to put it together for them.  What a dream come true for our brothers in Cucui...