Sunday, February 03, 2008 – From the Helm

Stopped at Wellington’s house on the Parana da Eva at dusk yesterday.  Picked up some buffalo cheese, squash and collard greens – mainly, just stopped to have a cup of coffee and some conversation though.  He is family to us all.

It’s 3:30 AM.  The rain is gentle and steady.  The tarps are down upstairs.  The chef has served up my coffee.  We’ve just gotten underway after spending an hour fueling a passenger boat that called us in distress.  It’s tough to be in the middle of the Madeira River with a load of passengers and cargo and no fuel.  Glad to help.

I slept soundly.  Feel fit.  The Beatriz is running beautifully.  The glow of Nova Olinda is getting brighter to the south.  The day is unfolding.

I’m glad to be on the River.  Carnival starts today and runs through Wednesday here in Brasil.  The entire Country will shut down for the duration – no schools, banking, government, etc.  Quite a phenomenon.

Been thinking about all those who are thinking of us back home as we travel.  Old George, Norman and friends; the families and friends in Alabama; Robbie, Mike and the Walker’s – my prayers are with them all. 

The dawn is approaching – we are well…

10:50 AM – Abraham tied up alongside at 7:30 this morning and we got underway to parts unknown.  It was good to see him and his family again – great reunion, as always.  We were able to bypass Kwata (the Capital city of the Nation) so that we could cruise directly to our furthermost destination.  The ETA is set for 4:00 PM.  However, we will arrive when we arrive.  For now, the day is overcast and comfortable.  We are at 9 knots with the pastor’s boat in toe.  The day is good.

<a href="http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=-3.600000,-60.100000&spn=0.186314,0.236893&t=h&z=12&om=1">we are here</a>

Saturday, February 02, 2008

4:50 PM – It’s been a different day than we would have planned for ourselves…

Well before dawn, a good storm settled in from the north while we were at anchor.  The tarps were lowered and the folks got to enjoy the new air-conditioning we installed last year.  It is a good difference indeed (even with the lighthearted complaints that it was “too cold”).

I slept restlessly during the night – no real reason for it, but ended up with enough down-time.  After breakfast, Mike got news that his mother-in-law had fallen and was on her way to surgery back home.  The right decision was made and I took him to the airport to fly back to Mobile.  Mike and I have been looking forward to traveling together for better than a year now.  It will have to wait for another day…

As Mike was boarding his flight, another flight landed from Venezuela with the teams’ luggage.  Several of us gathered the 37 action packers and suitcases inside the Brasilian Customs area.  The agents X-rayed 3 of the packers, asked us what we were going to do with all the “stuff”.  The Customs agents already know me well.  Know who we are and what we do.  The particular agent on duty this morning was new to me.  We talked a minute about the aim of the mission.  He lowered his voice to me and said he was a member of the Assembly of God and was glad we did what we did.  The rest of the bags were waived through without incident – what a deal…

We were underway at 11:30 this morning.  The river was calm.  The sun was bright.  It’s good to be on the River again.  The majesty of it is breathtaking.  The respect if commands, awesome.  After all the planning and preparations, we’ve now entered another dimension of total dependence upon the Grace of God.  It is how I attempt to live daily.  But here, I feel smaller.  I feel just the right size – a part of a huge plan that He shows me glimpses of when He has something for me to do in it.  What a wonderful God I am privileged to serve.

I talked to my boys and Dad on the phone as Manaus slipped out of sight.  All is well. 

Abraham called from the Mundurucu Nation and will await us at the mouth of the Canuma River.  Our ETA is set for near dawn in the morning.  The sunset is but an hour away.  We are all excited about the unfolding of the days to come.  For now, a night of smooth sailing sounds good enough for me.

<a href="http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=-3.600000,-60.100000&spn=0.186314,0.236893&t=h&z=12&om=1">we are here</a>

Friday, February 01, 2008

The team called me this morning from Venezuela.  The authorities were considering sending Mike, Terry, Sandra and Jamie back home because they had no Yellow Fever documentation.  Well, somehow, someway, they were permitted to re-board in Caracas anyway (truly a “God” deal).  Last January, I spent 3 days in Panama for the same reason.  Looking back on it, it was a good lesson in patience and tolerance…

A bit tattered and worn, the group arrived on schedule at 10:30 AM.  It was great seeing these dear, old friends come through the gates!  All arrived in good spirits but not a single bag made it with them.  So, here we sit in port.  The bags should be here in the morning – we will just sit and enjoy the afternoon and evening here in Manaus.

I made the calls to Abraham on the Canuma River.  All is on hold for our arrival, 24 hours delayed. 

It’s 2:20 PM.  The group has gone shopping in the city.  Mike, Terry, Jamie and Sandra are out getting there shots.  I am catching my breath and enjoying a cup of coffee aboard the AMOR/Beatriz.  Can’t think of any place I’d rather be right this minute…

Our plan is to pull out and anchor for the evening.  Right now, we are not where we thought we’d be in our journey.  But, we are exactly where we’re meant to be – that’s good enough for me.

<a href="http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=-3.600000,-60.100000&spn=0.186314,0.236893&t=h&z=12&om=1">we are here</a>

Boyd Walker

From the Helm

Thursday – January 31, 2008

Today is the eve of the trip; the 2008 season has begun.

The Beatriz is essentially new. She has been structurally and mechanically overhauled. I trust she will perform well. Whatever the end result, she looks and sounds great right now!

Today is the final day of preparation. All supplies and materials are onboard. Meds and perishables arrive today. There has been so much going on with the engines, kitchen, decks and so forth that today will be the first day that I will be able to sleep aboard – looking forward to it.

Stacy Allen arrived on the 27th and has been at a hotel waiting to board as well. Pastor Pedro arrived last night. The interpreters arrive from Santarem this evening. Things seen to be on schedule.

I’m looking forward to setting sail tomorrow. The plan is to depart our home port of Manaus by 1:00 PM on Friday, after the groups’ arrival at 10:00 AM – we shall see.

My spirit is calm. My expectations are in check. It will all be what it is, as God unfolds the days. The results of our following His path, as He shows it, will determine the results of our time with the Mundurucu. I just ask and follow these days – seems to work better that way.

Boyd Walker

Hey, Everybody! Just a reminder...

Daily postings "From the Helm" will begin on Friday, February 1st, 2008.  To check for entries, go to the website and click on the "blog" link.

Boyd Walker

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