Day 2 - Thursday, July 12, 2007
By Judi Roberts
This day proved to be a hot, swelting day. We didn't have access to a thermometer but it felt like 100 degrees in the shade with the humidity about 90-100%.
After the two teams had been picked up and delivered to the job site, we gathered together to have worship, devotions, prayer and announcements. Janice delivered a meaningful and inspiring message about being out of our comfort zone and how Jesus was out of His comfort zone when He came to this earth to save us. As He fell to His face to pray, Christ said: "Not my will Father, but Thine be done." We, too, are doing the Father's will by serving Him as we minister to others even out of our comfort zone.
After our devotions, we broke up into small teams and began to work. Brick by brick the walls formed higher and higher. Everyone kept busy throughout the day working hard to finish the church. At the end of the day, we had accomplished a lot, but we still have a long way to go.
Later that evening, after going back to our hosts' homes and cleaning up, we headed back to the church job site to have evangelistic meetings. Fifty nine people made commitments to Christ and were baptised. Praise God!
While the baptisms were being completed, Daniela, Judi, Janice, Melissa, Karie, Reba, Bonnie and Simon, including some of the local women, had VBS to over 140 children. It was extremely hot in the small room with no air conditioning or fans, but the children seemed eager to learn and hear about Jesus, and we were excited to tell them.
The only shadow that fell upon us during the day was the illness of one of our own. Pastor Brian Yensho had to go to the hospital because he was not feeling well, and we gathered together to pray for his healing. Fortunately, the staff of the Adventist Hospital in Manaus managed to give him the right treatment and by midnight he was back in his host home and feeling better.
All in all, our day brought great satisfaction and joy knowing we were being the hands and feet of Jesus. We're ready to do it again on Friday.