From the Helm – Monday, January 04, 2010

6 PM – We arrived back at the Beatriz a couple hours ago.  What a ride…

The ride “down” was as surreal as the ride trip “up”.  The rapids and falls were so violent and shallow in places, the canoes had to lower by rope, backwards – a thrill best experienced than described...

The Wai-Wai’s live in a region of abundant fisheries, prey and natural beauty.  The sights are breathtaking.  The privilege of watching these people live out their daily lives has given me a new understanding of simplicity.  They want for nothing for they never ask for no more than they need.  When they receive their daily sustenance, their response is one of gratitude to their God.  They take nothing for granted and give freely of what they’ve collected for their own families. They are truly grateful for each day God allows them – something I see little of outside my personal world.

- These past days, I’ve experienced a number of things I don’t fully understand.  Conversations and observations that have yet to divulge their full meaning and application to my life.  I look forward to the continued unfolding of what God made available to me in all this  I’ve been blessed in a special way and am profoundly grateful.

- On January 2^nd and 3^rd, several of us went to Mapueira by invitation of their Pastor (Fernando) and the Grand Chief of the Wai-Wai, Elizeu. The journey was another 8 hours up the Mapueira River from Inaja.

The river quickly narrowed and the falls stretched for hours at a time.  Immediately upon departure from Inaja, we battled Paradise Fall for two hours.  Then after a short break of smooth water, we entered the 3 hour engagement of Mare’s Fall.  The channel shrunk to less than 30 yards across.  White-capping waters compressed by high walls of granite and overhanging trees and vines.  What an awesome sight to behold.

We finally arrived in the Capital city of Mapueira at 3 in the afternoon.  The Grand Chief had prepared a royal reception for his guests.  Their new Year’s celebration was still in full swing.  We were taken to the Great House where some 500 Wai-Wai were sitting, dancing and eating from a bountiful spread of tapioca bread, taper, paca, capivara and smoked fish.  We were served as the men and women dance around the great room in full native garb.  I was given the knee joint of the taper on a clothe made of tapioca.  Greg felt fortunate he was too busy filming to enjoy the feast. After the fruitless search for anything other than skin and bone in my “knee”, I felt tempted to grab a disposable Kodak and act busy myself…  It was all good.  The dancing went on for 2 hours before we were whisked away to a meeting with the “powers”.

We met in the church building.  A building that seats some five-hundred.  It is a 110 X 50 foot structure.  Massive by anyone’s standards.  The Grand Chief and his aids sat with the pastors, Luiza, Edno and me for another long hour.  I listened as Elizeu spoke of Wai-Wai history and their needs.

The missionaries came in 1950, clothing the population with the Word and covering for their bodies.  They remained until 3 years ago.  Now, other than a visit once or twice a year, the Wai-Wai’s are left to themselves.  I could sense the air of a “lost child” as he described the great loss of the missionary presence among them.  I was saddened yet encouraged they were finally on their own to use the spiritual tools that had been planted in their hearts.

Elizeu asked for many commitments from me that I was unable to make; things I do not feel led to do – mainly, abandon the lower clans to tend to the Capital City.  God has drawn me to the forgotten, not those who’s needs are being met.  Mapueira has more than they need and seek less of Him who provides.

Missionaries such as Irene Benson gave their entire lives to these people.  The fruits of their labor abound.  They built houses and lived among the people of Mapueira for more than 50 years.  As the result, this is a Nation of Christians.  They have blocked entry of all other denominations, save those evangelical in nature and theology. They’ve created a protective bubble for themselves.  This spiritual commonality seems surreal to me.  It is a good and unique thing to experience.  Practically all of this nation profess Christ as their Savior.  It is an uncommon thing in the world I live in – exciting and comforting…

After a long evening at the church, we retired to Irene’s old homestead.  It is kept almost as a shrine to her – her presence was almost tangible.  We ate rice and sardines at 11 PM.  I was exhausted from the trip and overexposure to the sun.  I’m burned rather badly…

- We departed early on the morning of the 3^rd.   My mind and heart were full and contemplative the whole way back to Inaja.  By the end of the scorching trek home, I had come to see clearly the plight of this Nation.  These are a people who have been blessed to hear the Word and accept it, almost collectively.  These are a people who have the Bible in their own language.  These are a people whose eternity is anchored in Christ.  However, these are a people who thirst for understanding of the Word’s application to their personal lives.  Their thirst for clarification of what they read in scripture is profound.  It is reminiscent of the Ethiopian eunuch who was found by Philip on the roadside, studying scripture but lacking any understanding…

- My arrival back to Inaja was truly comforting.  I had come back home.  The evening was filled with conversation with Foracha and Marciano about my travels.  There was an almost childish jealousy in their demeanor. They’d not liked the fact we had taken of our time with them to visit a “strange land”.  I was both humbled and amused.  My love for them grew even deeper – our bond, stronger…

-  I was also met with the news our water and food supply would last only another 12 hours.  Our time here would be limited to that.  Departure was set for early this morning.

- Last night was a beautiful time of gift-giving and worship.  The people had us stand at the front of the church while one-by-one, they all came and adorned us with headdresses, bracelets and necklaces.  It was deeply moving.  Before the whole thing started, the Chief had come to me privately saying he had but one gift to give me.  I was left speechless when he presented me with the house on the river we’ve called our home for the past two years.  He declared that the house is no longer a house of the Wai-Wai.  It is now the house of Bill – Bill’s House!  My, my, my…  What an honor.  I now own a true piece of Eden…

- The peoples response to the teachings of  Brent, Greg, Mark and Ken confirms in my heart and soul these are a people hungry for the word.  Work among the children had never been undertaken.  VBS gave new life to these little ones.  They suddenly found themselves part of the larger tribe. 

The request for our continued presence here has touched me deeply. Van and Sherry were able to meet the physical needs of all who came to them.  Greg recorded every moment on miles of film.  I look forward to God’s clarification of the meaning in it all.  I look forward to it, indeed…