From the Helm – Tuesday, June 15, 2010

5:00 AM – We arrived in Mamuru at 10 yesterday morning after a couple hours in Obidos taking on Dorenilson, his family and a few last minute supplies.  The first person that came in to view as we docked was my old friend Baldo.  So good to see him. 

The lake level is high but nothing like last years record levels.  Fish are scarce, forcing the locals to scrape by on fresh game and beef – it’s a tough life, indeed…

- All was set up and our teams were on location around 2 PM.  Dorenilson has asked that we split the time of these days between Mamuru, Castanhaduba, Flexal and Curua.  This kind of progression is what excites me.  We are able to reach more people where they live instead of forcing them to come to us.  Being of service to people in their own homes is somehow important to me on many levels.  God is gracious to allow us to do so more often than not.

Our first day ended with a fresh surucucu (bushmaster) snake bite that came in at 8 PM.  We were called to the 11 year old boy’s house and promptly set about the task of bleeding him.  The first 45 minutes is crucial.  If the victim of such a strike isn’t gone within 45 minutes to an hour after the bite, it is no longer life threatening.  We never know the severity until those precious minutes have passed the victim into safety or paralysis.  We transported the young boy back to our location where we ran two IV bags through him within an hour’s time.  By 9:30, he was transported home and all was calm.  What an incredible sense of relief.  Thank You, Lord, for allowing us to be here this day to be part of your mercy and provision in this way…

- The sun is beginning its rise now.  The morning is dawning to another day of dependence on His wisdom and direction.  The unfolding of the coming hours will undoubtedly yield the beauty of God’s grace, comfort and providence.  I look forward to each moment.  I’m grateful to be here at all…

Noon – Underway to Castanhaduba.  The remainder of our time in Mamuru was like what the remainder of our time anywhere is usually like: People desperately wanting to be seen and we desperately attempting to see every one of them.  We leave with the comfort of knowing we’ve done the best we could with the limited time and resources available to us…

The snake-bitten child rested comfortably.  Kendall was in surgery mode.  VBS was loud and cheerful, as usual.  Now, on to fresh waters and new peoples.  It’s been 19 years since my last visit to Castanhaduba.  I look forward to seeing what’s become of it…