Tuesday:

Bethany, our missionary partner at Genesis Church was in prayer for the coming team that would arrive in a week. God laid it on her heart that their task was going to be to finish Wyatt’s Place. Wyatt’s Place was a promise of a play area for young children; this past week, that promise has taken strides to becoming a reality so that parents can safely bring their toddlers to play at church without worrying about where they are. We are so grateful for this team’s hard work and for God’s provision during this week. The best is yet to come. The following are the daily unfoldings and updates sent by the Team Leader.

Wednesday:

After morning devotions, we  started converting this area at the church to Wyatt’s Place, a place for children to be safe while their families were at church. We are also assembling wheelchairs today for families who need them. 

Thursday: 

I’ll start today with a praise for yesterday and all the work accomplished by the team. We were like a well-oiled machine, or maybe it was just sweat! 😁 I truly feel like this team was hand picked by God for what needed done. Everyone had gifts and talents that were well used. It was the most productive day I have ever been a part of here.

Today we head back to the church to work again. All 11 wheelchairs were assembled yesterday, so we will be concentrating on the construction of Wyatt’s Place after our devotions. Pray for stamina today as the humidity here is a beast that turns our dry clothes into wringing rags. Well, some of us anyway! We are looking forward to another great day of being a part of the Genesis community!

Friday:

Yesterday was a similar day. Breakfast at 7:30 and leave for the church at 8:15 over the rut-filled roller coaster sand road. The morning before, Nelton had taken the group of his spiritual sons out at 4:30 am with shovels to try to make the road smoother for us. It was much appreciated, but unfortunately doesn’t last long before becoming a roller coaster again. Once at the church, we had devotions from 9 until around 10:30. Always an amazing time as we are blessed with so many insights from the young men and women who share. Then it was back to work.

I separate the crews yesterday to “the blessed ones” who got to work in the air conditioning and “the sweaty ones” who didn’t. You can guess my group by the comment made to me by Katie, the church nurse, when she said “you sure sweat a lot!”. Then she followed that by saying it was healthy. Seemed gross to me, but healthy sounds better!

Anyway, we got a lot of work done again. This team is so well rounded with lots of talents that are shining through. Lots to get done yet, so the final push is on.

Left the church at 5 to get back to camp for supper and sharing time with the Real Love (youth group) leaders and leadership team. That was a couple adults and 18 youth. Great sharing time.

Today we will be distributing the 11 wheelchairs we assembled at church to needy families and then having lunch with them. After that, more work on Wyatt’s Place. Then tonight we have a surprise party to go to for Bowden Webb, son of Dustin and Heather, missionaries from Missouri who work here. He is turning 18 today.

God Bless.

Saturday: 

Whoa, start off by offering up 2 prayers of praise. The wheelchair dispersement was emotional and life-changing for all the people there. Great ministry that we got to be a part of. Secondly, Wyatt’s Place is completed! I didn’t think I would be able to say that. Hoping to send a couple pics later if get time. We are starting out early today, but will have a break later.

This morning we are off to Belen, the poorest area of Iquitos to join in a children’s ministry. Due to safety issues, we will be parking 20 minutes away and walking there. Pray for our safety and our saddened hearts as we witness the poorest area along the river.

This afternoon is the Real Love youth service from 4:00 – 6:00. Today I am giving the message with Bethany as my interpreter, so prayers for that would be appreciated.

Time to grab a quick bite and head out. Have a blessed day!

Sunday: 

Yesterday was another day full of highlights. The trip to Belen went great and we witnessed a wonderful children’s ministry with children that have nothing. With the flooding, we had to boat to the shack on stilts where we met. Such joy in all the children as they sang, danced, heard a message, and then we helped them make some Mother’s Day “paintings”. It was a sad situation but a joy to witness God working.

In the afternoon was Real Love. Pam and Charissa did the games, I did the message, and Sarah got to help lead 2 songs. It was a great time. Then after supper we split into 3 groups and went out to cell groups led by young men for times of sharing and witnessing to other young men. Our group sat around a fire sharing struggles and faith stories. It’s always a highlight.

Today is our last day here already. We have prayer service at church at 9, church from 10 – 12, and then the Radicales church service from 6 – 8. We will go back to camp between services to do some packing and sharing as we will be leaving camp at 3:30 am tomorrow.

Nelton asked me last night if I would share the message I gave at Real Love yesterday at the main service this morning. Yikes. Several hundred people that don’t speak English! With Bethany as my interpreter again, I agreed to do it. Pray it goes well. 🙏🏻 Sarah is singing with the worship team this morning, too, so that will be fun.

It will be sad to leave this place tomorrow. Been an amazing week. We have been blessed beyond measure. God is good. Happy Sunday to all.

Prayers for flights tomorrow would be greatly appreciated! 😁

Sunday: 

Not much to share on the speaking.  It went well (I think) and then Nelton spoke after me.  He had the Real Love leadership team come up front to be blessed by him and then he had David, Katie, and our team come up to be blessed as part of the Wyatt’s Place dedication.  Then a video of our work during the week on Wyatt’s Place that Kyliana put together was shown. We head home tomorrow!