From the Helm – Wednesday, January 06, 2010

4 AM – Peaceful waters all night.  After brief stops in Porto Trombetas, Oriximina and Juruti dropping off passengers, we’ve made good time.  Our ETA for arrival in Parintins is set for around 2 this afternoon.  Our flight to Manaus leaves at 5, tomorrow morning.

- I slept from 8 last night until my coffee was delivered just a bit ago.  Good, sound sleep.

I look forward to seeing Phillip and Matthew in the morning.  It’s good to be heading back for awhile. William will join us in the USA next week.  These young men are a joy to me and their mother.  A true joy…

-   This has been a different sort of venture than many of the past. I don’t recall feeling towards a community and people as I do towards Inaja and the Wai-Wai.  As I left them, it was an odd sensation of leaving home and family in a unique space and time, only to be reunited with home and family in yet another unique space and time – leaving home to go home.  It’s beautiful in a way that escapes definition; so, I won’t venture to try.  I trust God allows me to introduce the Boys to all of this one day.  It would be good, indeed…

- Our time together is about up.  The Team has seen so much; experienced so much.  At this time, we know only a little regarding what we’ve ventured through. God will reveal more to each of us as He unfolds our days.  I look forward to seeing and hearing of such enlightenments as they become clear.  What a deal this has been.  What a deal, indeed…

I’m grateful to You, Lord, for the breadth and depth of these days.  I’m grateful for Your wisdom, protection, provision and grace through it all.  Lord, I’m humble before You this day.  Thank You for Your consideration of me.  It is truly humbling, indeed…

- From the Helm will continue from elsewhere, on another day, as God leads…