This helped us establish open doors to minister in this village and restore their trust that God was sending us to minister to them. We all rejoiced with the conclusion of this well.

Our second stop was no less up-lifting. We returned to the village where our first team, with Lamb of God Fellowship, drilled in August ’08. As soon as we set foot on the ridge of the their village we could see the results of last year’s efforts. The “Tuiçá” (chief) Victor greeted us saying “We reunite in the strength of “Tupana” (God Almighty)”.

I had a conversation with a young man from a neighboring tribe from which several members were visiting the community for a soccer game. He happened to have been one of the participants of the Passage Ritual we witnessed, when the Men-to-be placed their hands in a glove full of poisonous ants called “tucandeiro”. He told me that since our visit, this community hasn’t had anymore traditional rituals. He thinks they lack courage. I explained that I believe they show great courage, to give up spiritual activities that could offend their new found convictions, knowing that the other communities would criticize their decision. I asked him if he agreed… the youth look vaguely up and answered that this is true. I could see that this made him think. I told him not ot worry because we want them to preserve the important cultural traditions, like their community lifestyle (which functions very much like an eldership) and their love for their families. It is also important, I explained, to know how “Tupana” loves us and that He wants to open our eyes to things that are not good for us or hurt us like the ant bites, and that some changes are good.

I left him in deep thought.

It turns out that Tuiçá Victor had been praying for a week for “Tupana” to bring us back to fix their well. It simply needed a valve washer replaced. We replaced it, and established plans for our team to make scheduled visits to the wells we dig for maintenance. We could sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in this village and we enjoyed hearing how God had led them to make changes in their lifestyle, without our “Traditional Evangelical” input. We have worked hard at being sensitive to what God would really want to change and what should be preserved as their culture. Our experience has been that God is faithful to place the right convictions in their hearts as long as we stand against sin and show Christ’s unfailing love for them.

We then returned to Maués and spent a day encouraging and sewing into the lives of our missionaries and local brothers and sisters who have received us into their wonderful fellowship.

Finally, after 15 days of living out of a boat (a few of our team spent three or four of these on land in Maués), and after much labor and success, we headed upriver on the 30 hour boat trip to the capital, Manaus. I was the last to leave for home having accepted invitations to minister in two churches. I was really blessed to see God continue to move.

I arrived home today. We are all well: no sicknesses (other than the occasional cough and cold); no losses; just the Mighty Hand of God, and His manifest presence, reminding us how worthy He always has been of our true devotion and praise.

Give our love to all!
His peace!

Jmes Padley