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!!!

Rewind to April

Things have been quite busy as of late but I wanted to touch base with everyone before I head out for a ministry trip today to the city of Parintins, an island city on the Amazon River.

RECAP

Encountering Jesus...

The first weekend in April, my new disciple, Aline (17 years old), attended a weekend retreat called the Encounter.  The PAZ church has them almost every weekend and people come back with their lives radically transformed by personal "ENCOUNTERS" with Jesus.  I asked Aline to give a short testimony of what the retreat meant to her. 

She said, "The Encounter was TREMENDOUS!  When I got to camp, I can't deny, I was so tired.  I was not just physically but spiritually as well.  God restored me.  He took away the weight I was feeling.  It was so amazing what God did in that place.  The anointing of God was being poured out over us.  There is nothing more gratifying than feeling closer to God.  It was something unforgettable!"  People who attend the retreat weekend, come back at the conclusion of the 7pm Sunday night service.  When Aline saw me, she hugged me so tight and thanked me for encouraging and helping her to go the Encounter.  She said it was one of the best moments of her life.  Please continue to lift her up and her walk with the Lord, that she will continue strong and steady in His ways.

God so loved the world...

Every Friday night, my ministry team continues to go out to the streets for evangelism to the transvestites, drug users and anyone passing by.  We are building relationships at this point but are believing for a harvest very soon.  One strategy we are using is taking snacks or soup out to serve to the people that walk by.  Most are surprised that it is free and want to know why and there is our open door to talk about Jesus :).  

Jungle Life...

In April, during the Easter holiday, my husband, Lucivan and I were able to go out and visit some of his family in a jungle community.  It was about a 4 hour trip beginning with the ride on the ferry and then as passengers on an hour long motorcycle ride on dirt roads holding our luggage ha.  We had a wonderful time and it was nice to be "away from it all" out in the middle of the jungle.  

College Ministry Team...

Today early afternoon, I set out on a 10 day journey with 10 college students from Oral Roberts University (ORU) to the city of Parintins.  We will travel by line boat for about 16-17 hours on the Amazon River.  Line boats are large ferry boats that serve as the main, and sometimes the only, method of transportation on the rivers in the Amazon.  

Our 10 days will include a little bit of everything.  The team will be serving in construction on a nearby village church, children's ministry, evangelism and by ministering in church services in the city.  I am privileged to lead the team and all that will entail in a foreign country.  Another large part of my duties is serving as the translator on this trip.  Please keep us all in prayer for health and the Lord's protection over each one.  We believe that much will be accomplished for the Kingdom in Parintins.

One Year...

The team and I will be back just in time for me to celebrate my first wedding anniversary with Lu on May 25th.  Please keep him in prayer as well while I am traveling that the Lord will bless and protect him.

Thank you for the prayers and support.  It means so much to us and the work here in the Amazon!  Because of your support, we are able to help people like Aline go to the Encounter, able to further expand the street evangelism ministry and bless so many others.  If you are interested in joining our support team click here --> Donate!  God Bless and if we can be praying for you about anything, please comment here on the blog or send an email!  If you or your group would be interested in information about visiting Project AmaZon, I would love to give you any details.

They will know we are Christians by our LOVE...

In February, a team from YWAM (Youth With A Mission) came to Santarem for their final two weeks of ministry. They contacted me to work with them as their translator. We did several different types of ministry including church services, visits to drug rehab homes and street evangelism. When I first sat down with the team leaders, they mentioned their desire to work with prostitutes in the middle of the night. I couldn't think of anywhere we would find female prostitutes but I knew of a strategic place in the city where transvestites go on a nightly basis to work in prostitution. I have a friend from church who is an ex-transvestite and I took him to meet the team to give his testimony and any ideas about how we should proceed with this ministry idea. We went 5 different times between 11pm and 3am. The whole purpose was to get to know them, their stories and win their trust by seeing that we cared for them. Almost all were very open to talking with us. Some things we found out were that many of them come from a church background but at some point stepped away from The Lord, many are deeply involved in drugs, most were abused as children and all are not truly happy  and would like to get out of this lifestyle. Each time we went with the only intention of showing them that they are important and that we love them and most importantly that Jesus loves them. The team decided to have a little party for them before the end of their time in Santarem. Six of the young men went and we had a dinner for them, a birthday cake for one who was about to have a birthday and a time of presenting the Gospel and a salvation message. Most listened closely and it was noticeable that they were being touched. The guy that was next to me started crying and when asked if we could pray for them almost unanimously they said 'yes'. Only one didn't want prayer but at the end of the party asked for us to take him home (he didn't even want to go back to the streets to "work").  While we were in the car he opened up completely and we prayed with him before he got out of the car.  The team also presented them with Bibles that they had signed. They were so excited to get their Bibles.  All I know, is that the young men that were embarrassed, nervous and wanting to leave in the beginning, at the end didn't even want to leave. God is doing a work! This is a ministry that I never imagined being a part of. My friend Pablo (ex-transvestite), missionary couple Josue and Amanda and myself are now taking the reigns of this ministry that began while the YWAM team was here. Since the team left, we have kept in touch with a few of the young guys and have planned weekly prayer and fasting for this ministry that God is birthing and also weekly visits to the street where they 'work'. I have become close to a couple and I can see how needy they are for affection because of not having relationships with their parents. I have 'adopted' them as my sons. One even calls me 'mamys'. Most aren't even 20 yet. They have been rejected by society and even the church, so now is the time to show them the true love and freedom that comes only through Jesus Christ. Please be praying for this ministry and for all of us involved. Satan is not happy and will be ready to attack and get us down. The last thing he wants to see is these young men free from the chains of sin and death. All of them expressed to us their desire to stop prostituting themselves and using drugs. They said they have tried many times to stop but something always pulls them back to that place. As Christians, we know that it is Satan that has a hold over them. They are slaves to him. But we also know that through Christ, ALL things are possible. So pray, pray, pray. This is only the beginning of great things that God is going to do in Santarem and in the lives of these young men! 

Below are some pictures of the time with the YWAM team and the ministry we did while they were here:

Translating at a center for homeless people, addicts, prostitutes, etc.  Each day Monday through Friday they have a service and then have lunch available for free.

Praying for a young guy at a drug rehab home.  It is an 8 month program run by a Christian man.  They have up to 15 students at any one time. 

 The team with the men from the drug rehab home.  We made many friends.  Great testimonies are coming out of this place! 

One evening out in the streets.  To my right is a young man who calls himself Jade.  Please pray for him.  He has made a decision for the Lord in the past.

 With the team for one of the leader's birthday's.  After the party we went out to the streets to talk to the guys. The one in the blue and white striped dress is Ewerton (calls himself Monique).  Another one in the picture that you can't really see is Sandalo.  He is addicted to drugs.  He comes from a Christian family.  Please pray for them!

 This is Ewerton (the one in the blue dress in the previous picture).  He went to the party dressed as a boy.  He is one that I have 'adopted' as my son and he calls me 'mamys'.  He never had a relationship with his mother.

 Me with Jade and Geovan at the party we had for them.  

 Prayer time at our party.  Break the chains Jesus!  Believing for salvation!

God doing a work in each of their lives.  Seeds have been planted! 

Thank you for your constant prayers and support.  We will need them now more than ever as Satan is going to want to come against us in this new ministry.  Please stand with us for these young men.  Tomorrow night I will be going out to the streets to visit them again.  Pray for our safety as well.  

Pray about joining with us financially and sow into the ministry here in the Amazon.  Follow this link to see the different ways you can join with us: Donate

God Bless and stay tuned for the next update in a couple of weeks!

February Update - Cell Groups, Disciples and YWAM Team

While those of you stateside are having quite a crazy winter, here in the Amazon, we are having a rather “cold” one too.  Our rainy season is in full gear bringing cooler temperatures and torrential downpours almost on a daily basis.  The river has risen quickly and soon the beautiful beaches will be completely under water.  With all that said, God’s work continues no matter the season.  Just a quick update on what is going on here in our lives right now ministerially.  We continue with our two cell groups and praise the Lord they are growing!  Lucivan’s group is especially doing well and a week ago they had around 12 visitors.  Many of them being unsaved and first time visitors to a cell group.  He is currently discipling 5 guys between the ages of early 20s-early 30s and I am discipling 4 in their early 20s.  Please be praying for all of our disciples and cell group members to go deeper in their commitments to the Lord and to His work.

Today, a team arrived from YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Santarem.  The team is made up of 12 people from the US, Canada and Norway.  They have been trained at the YWAM main base in Kona, Hawaii and have been in Brazil for almost 2 months now and their last 2 weeks will be spent ministering and serving here.  I will serve as their main translator and our work begins tomorrow.  We will be doing a lot of evangelism in homes, prison, a rehabilitation home and on the street.  Please be praying for protection over each person that will be involved.  They have a project in mind to evangelize and just love on prostitutes from 11pm – 3am on several nights.  The main idea is to go and take them different treats like soda and cookies and snacks and just talk with them and love on them.  We will also be doing 4 church services on the 2 Sundays that they will be here.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated for the whole team and also for myself.  Pray that the Lord will use all mightily and that many will be touched by His power and come to know Him.  I will write another update after my time with this team to share all the exciting testimonies!

Thank you so much to everyone who remembers to pray for us on a regular basis and also to those who support us financially.  I would like to ask for you to consider becoming a part of our financial support team even if it is a small amount.  We are at less than half of the recommended budget for a married couple with PAZ.  We believe that God is faithful and He will raise up more of you to stand with us as we work to win the Amazon for Jesus.  To donate online please follow this link http://www.projectamazon.org/footer/donate/ and specify Claire Helring as the missionary or you can send in a donation using the address Project AmaZon
P.O. Box 3253
Peoria, IL 61612.

Thank you once again.  You are a part of all that God is doing here in the Amazon of Brazil!

God Bless,

Lu & Claire

5 years and counting...

Today, August 29^th, marks 5 years that I arrived in Santarém, Brazil.  Sometimes it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like forever ago.  I arrived as a newly 23 year old, only a year out of college and ready to take on the world.  Now looking back, as a newly married, 28 year old, I can see how much I have been blessed during these past 5 years.  It hasn’t always been easy.  There have been countless struggles, times of homesickness and times where I wondered if I was even worthy to be a missionary.  One thing I have learned is I probably am not worthy but the one I am working for (Jesus) is more than worthy.  There are times when I have thought about what I am “missing out” on in the US.  But as Becky Hrubik, PAZ co-director, told me, “There is nothing better than working full-time for Jesus.”  I have no doubt that she is right. 

Before getting married and even shortly after, Lucivan and I had thought a lot about what our plans would be after getting married.  What would we do?  Where would we go?  We thought a lot about moving to Southern Brazil and working regular jobs and being involved in a local church.  I thought a lot about having my own job so I could make money and not have to live on donations and rely on other people.  Maybe my faith was too small.  We sat down with the Directors of PAZ to talk through the plans for the future and they challenged us to pray and seek God about jumping on board as a couple full-time with Project AmaZon.  Now we would both be missionaries.  I know we both walked away that day very thoughtful.  What were we supposed to do?  We both felt torn between what our flesh wanted to do and what God was calling to do. 

For those that don’t know, my husband is from a river community along the Amazon River.  6 months before we met, I went to his community on a PAZ trip to help with the construction of the church there and to do children’s ministry.  The trip that I went on really marked my life.  Sometimes we go to so many places that we just don’t remember them all but this community was different.  6 months later I understood why when I met Lucivan.  God is so neat in the way He writes our stories.  I know it was not just by chance that an American missionary and a Brazilian guy from a river community were joined together.  God’s will must be done. 

With all that said, and on the 5^th anniversary of my life in Brazil, we would like to announce that we will be serving full-time as PAZ missionaries.  God is in control and the time tables are in His hands.  What we know for now is that we will be serving in any way we can to further His Kingdom here in the Amazon Basin.  This will include but not be limited to: Guesthouse support, administrative duties, river trips, translating, ministering, leading cell groups and discipling. 

With this change, we need your prayers and support!  To be able to dedicate ourselves 100% to this ministry, we will not be able to work outside jobs so financial support is vital.  Cost of living here is high and we never can be too sure what the dollar is going to do.  Please prayerfully consider joining with us financially on a regular basis.  Also, we will need to travel to the US at the end of the year in an effort to raise support.  If you or your church would like us to come share please get in contact with us.  On that note, the big prayer request right now is for Lucivan’s visa.  He has his interview for a tourist visa in Sao Paulo on September 9^th at 9am EST.  It is essential that he get this visa so we can make our plans for raising support in the US.

Thank you so much to all of you have so graciously supported me over the past 5 years and thank you in advance to those who will now partner with Lucivan and I in the next years as God leads.

God bless,

Lucivan and Claire  

Youth Power Invasion and Congresso

For a week and a half things have been crazy busy around here but it has been a "great" busy!  On the 5th of July there was a team of over 120 people, mostly youth, from many different places in the world that arrived here in Santarem.  They came for a conference called Youth Power Invasion which is an event that happens annually in different places all over the world through Randy Clark's Global Awakening Ministries.  To learn more about this event you can check out the website: http://youthpowerinvasion.com/  Our annual Congresso here in Santarem is the evangelistic event that packs out the local stadium and this years speaker was Pastor Randy Clark.  They combined the 2 events in what was an amazing time and experience for all who were able to participate.  Because of the amount of English speakers, the coordinators were after everyone with ability to translate during ministry time and for the second part of the event people who could translate teachings and sermons from the pulpit.  Due to my time here at the mission, I have experience with translating when our teams come in and we go out on the river, etc.  This would be a new challenge though as it would be here mostly in the city in larger churches.  Anyone who knows me even a little, knows that I do not like being up on stage or in front of people talking but the Lord is the one that enables us to do the work for which He called us to do.  I was so blessed the whole time to be a part of what God was and is doing.  We saw many salvations and physical healings.  One lady that we prayed for had several lumps in her breast that the doctor wanted to remove.  Before she came to the service she felt her breast and could feel the lumps.  After she received prayer we asked her to go check herself in the bathroom and praise the Lord the lumps were no longer there!  Two days they did training and services at one of the local PAZ churches which has around 400 people.  On Saturday, a group of about 60 went to the local youth meeting where there were well over 1000 people.  I translated the service there and it was amazing to see the young people making commitments to be radical disciples.  Making commitments to live God's will for their lives and not their own.  A testimony from the Congresso, is that I was translating during the ministry/prayer time and we prayed for a young woman that is around 7 months pregnant and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  We prayed believing in faith that she would be healed.  She contacted me today and said when she did another exam that it came back totally clear of diabetes!  Praise the Lord!  I just know that the God we serve is the same yesterday, today and forever!  If He did miracles back then He can still do them today!  Let's not limit Him and His power.  He wants to use us in ways we can't even think or imagine!

People coming forward for salvation and prayer for healing at the Congresso

Translating the sermon at the monthly youth meeting

Almost 2 months ago, I got married to Lucivan.  We are getting adjusted to married life, etc.  Please be praying for us as we are going through a time of seeking God's direction for our lives.  We desire to do His will and not our own.  Also, be praying if the Lord leads you to partner with us financially.  You will be sewing into a very ripe harvest.  We are currently working with 2 cell groups and between the 2 of us we have 8 disciples.

Lu and I with my family at our wedding!

Blessings to each of you and please let us know if we can praying for you for anything!

Lu & Claire

Wedding Bells

In just 45 days, I will become Mrs. Ferreira.  Actually, it will probably be Helring-Ferreira because Lucivan wants to actually exchange names.  I never really thought about it but he wants to do that as a way of honoring my family and really becoming one. So we will be the Helring-Ferreira's haha.  That is a mouthful ;)!

Many people have been asking my mom and me how they can send gifts due to the wedding and us being out of the country.  I did some research online and found a great registry site that is a bit different.  If you would like to be a part of the wedding in some way, please check out the following link.  It tells a little of our story, has some details about the wedding and a few pictures.  I will be updating it as time gets a little closer.

lucivanandclaire.mydagsite.com/

We appreciate all of your prayers during this time as we are about to make a huge transition.  Of course, it is a very exciting one as well!

Blessings!

Claire (and Lucivan)