São Judas on the Purus River

Imagine, you're on a boat and it's tied up to a house and that house is on stilts over a river.  There is no dry land in sight.  The only thing close to land are big, grassy masses that float down the river randomly.  It's the end of rainy season in the Amazon and the water has started to go down but the community is still flooded for now.  In a couple of months there will be dry land to walk around but right now all transportation is in canoes and speed boats.  Let's just say that when I got back to dry land, I was rocking like on a boat for several days after the trip.

Me with our fearless boat captain and pastor, Geraldo

The large building is the church and to the left is the house where our boat was docked all week!

In August, I was blessed to be a part of a trip out to the community São Judas on the Purus River.  A wonderful team from Journey Fellowship in Louisiana (with a few others joining them) came down to help with the church construction, make home visits, share testimonies and over all bless the community of São Judas and even some other communities close by.  São Judas has between 50-60 families and most families have at least 4-6 kids, so it is a fairly large community.  A couple of years ago, PAZ's work in this community started with a visit from a health team.  Many people were saved at the first church service.  On this trip, we were able to see the fruit of that first trip.  Many more people accepted Jesus since then.  Now São Judas has a good and growing group of believers.  During the 6 days we were there, I was able to do many evangelistic home visits with some of our American guests and our Brazilian team.  The Journey team brought so many wonderful things to bless the community with and we were able to use them as an open door into many homes.  In one particular home, a young man rededicated his life to the Lord and his wife gave her heart to Jesus.  We rejoice with them knowing there isn't a better decision one can make in this life.  We also were given the opportunity to go to the local school and have some time with the children singing songs, talking about taking care of our teeth with the mission's dentist and a time of talking about Jesus and His love and plans for their lives.  On Wednesday night, we were able to have a church service and many people we invited during the home visits came to hear a wonderful message about the love of God!

This is how we roll...off to do some house visits :)

On most river trips, my favorite part are the children.  They are so adorable and loving.  One little boy in particular fell in love with me and I fell in love with him.  His name is Thalles and he is 3 years old.  When we were about to leave to come back home, he wouldn't let go of me.  He cried and grabbed on to me even harder.  It broke my heart to see him like that but I told him I will go back to visit him sometime.

At the local school with the kids!

Thalles and me.  He didn't want to say good-bye!

No complaints here :)

Ana Lu and her mom

Please continue to pray for the community of São Judas and all who live there and still need Jesus.

Here are some specific prayer requests for us and our ministry:

• Street Evangelism ministry, chains of addiction to be broken over the lives of these people.  Sometimes it feels like we are making progress and then it feels like we are back at square one again.  Pray for us to persevere in prayer and in ministry in the lives of these people.
• Cell group and discipleship ministry. Perseverance in taking care of the people God has placed in our hands even when it seems difficult.
• Lucivan's tourist visa.  We are going to São Paulo in November for two wedding and to try for Lucivan's visa again.  Please be praying this through.  We really want to be able to visit my family and friends and supporters soon!
• River trip next week.  I will be heading out for 5 days next week with a team from Canada.  Pray for God's hand to be over us and with us as we go and minister to the people of São Pedro.
• Finances.  We are relying on God here.  Your support is essential to the ministry here.  If you feel led to join our ministry team please go to Project Amazon's website and click on *Paz Missionary and specify your donation for Claire Helring.

We love and appreciate all of you!!!