Eleven years after Robert began to minister in practical ways at the men's Bible training course in Sao Felix do Xingu, he was able this to introduce his wife to the staff and to the men who attended this month! The Lord protected us on the overnight bus trip (only 20 hours this year!) - on the section of newly paved road, on the ferry across the full, swift Fresco River, and on the many iron bridges (better than the wooden ones of years gone by!).
36 men from 16 villages gathered in Sao Felix to study God's Word and share in fellowship.
This year the wells produced plenty of water. Praise God! Toninho kept busy filling raised water tanks every day, for the water supply for the houses, the kitchen and the dorms.
We shared in some of the services, led by Brazilian missionaries or by the Kayapo men themselves, and saw Earl Trapp (CrossWorld) at work - teaching, checking translation of some of Isaiah, and producing materials for the students to take back to their village churches.
It was special to meet some people from the village that suffered the loss of their people in the plane crash in 1999. Brazilian missionary Eunice is now living in that village, teaching and discipling. the man on the right was attending the course; his wife later came to the ladies' congress.
We were able to help JARRS pilot, Paul, during the week when the flights were made to return men to their villages. One day there was room in the plane for us to fly with him - a beautiful flight, landing in two villages, and a safe return, landing just before a storm closed in.
We were able to see the mission station, the wooded block in the centre-left, from the air
as we left.
Robert made many trips to the airport, with people and their luggage, fuel cans, etc.
It was hard to find time to do maintenance when the Toyota was not in use.
There were many other opportunities for using the gift of helps, too.
Gladys helped with food shopping but was not used to having the groceries delivered in this style:
Telma was a great cook; Gladys was able to help some with the food prep and with serving meals.
Women's course:
After the men left, we had a few days to clean, do laundry, shop, etc. before 31 ladies arrived. The missionary ladies hired boats to go in two different directions to villages along the rivers, and a group came by bus rom Redencao. We were only there for their first day of the week-long gathering. At the end, seven ladies were baptized, praise the Lord!
Some notable differences:
Mothers' have to bring children with them.
The ladies and children eat sitting on the floor together.
The ladies were introduced in groups, by villages. Each one quoted a verse that they had memorized and then they sang a song - almost always the songs are verses put to their own music.
It was an interesting experience and an opportunity to serve the Brazilian mission and the Kayapo people. This trip was a dream come true for Robert - he could prove to his Kayapo friends that he also has a wife!
