Mission Trip: The Amazon – From the Nations to the Jungle

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Revelation 7:9-12.

Revelation 7:9-12 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

It reminds us that God has a plan for the nations. His desire is to see people of every tribe, nation, and tongue saved. One day we will all be together worshiping the Lamb together. The church I serve at in Guangzhou, China has people from more than 50 nations. So we already get a glimpse of what heaven will be like. My good friend, Leonei, is from the Amazon in Brazil. He grew up in a small riverside village in the jungle. God saved him and sent him to the nations to share the good news. He has been inviting me to organize a mission trip from our church back to the Amazon. This summer that trip finally came to fruition! I went together with my sixteen year old son and a team of 17 people. God did amazing things on this trip and I want to share with you some of the testimonies so that we can together worship our great God. Throughout the trip, we saw the Holy Spirit orchestrating so many things.

In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas report back to Antioch after they return from their missionary journey. We also want to give a report with the goal that this will motivate you to be involved in missions, see the hand of God in building His church around the world, pray for Brazil, and join us in worship.

August 9th – The Ferry – Belem to Santana

Thursday we entered a ferry. It would take us on a 27 hour ride through the jungle, down many rivers and finally to the Amazon and our destination. It is a beautiful place with calm and relaxing scenery.

As we were talking together on the ship’s deck, a Brazilian man started watching us suspiciously. He just stood behind and watched and listened. Finally, he started talking with Claubert (a member of our team who is guiding us and speaks Portuguese). He wanted to know what we were doing. He was upset because he originally suspected that we were human traffickers.

This man had seen groups of foreigners come before to the region to buy children as slaves. He hated this and was worried another group of foreigners was doing this.

But as he listened and then talked he heard we are on a mission. He heard we came to tell people about Jesus. He heard we are here to share the light. He broke down in tears and said, “Finally a group of foreigners who is coming to do something good.” He was so happy we came all this way to bless the people.

Even before we arrived at our destination, God was already working in the hearts of observers to encourage them and encourage us. Thank you, Jesus.

This was the first of several amazing encounters on the boat as we go from China to the Amazon. More testimonies to come soon. God is working. Please continue to join us in prayer.

August 9th – Holy Forever – Testimony from the Boat

Our team was on the roof of the boat having devotions in Acts, sharing testimonies, and praying. We finished by a spontaneous singing of Holy Forever. Little did we know we were being observed and God was working.

After our meeting, a gentleman came up and told Leonei the following story.

“This afternoon while sleeping, I had a dream of a choir singing Holy Forever. After I woke up, I came up to the roof and observed you talking about the Bible and sharing. I went back downstairs and took a shower. During the shower, the song Holy Forever came to me powerfully and I started singing it.

I was planning to go to bed but God told me ‘Go up again.’

I went up and you were praying together. I was praying with you. Then, you started singing Holy Forever. I then saw a choir of angels singing this song together with you. “

He was in tears and told us “I want you to know ‘God is with you.”

From Leonei: I had something in mind to pray but God led me to start singing Holy Forever.

From Jason: There was a long time gap and I wanted to close in prayer but felt God’s leading “Just wait.”

This testimony is a reminder to us that God is working. The Holy Spirit is the great orchestrator and we are privileged to be members of His team. If He is doing these things on the boat, what does he have ahead?

And that is not all… Stay tuned.

Let’s consider the words of Holy Forever

A thousand generations falling down in worship
To sing the song of ages to the Lamb
And all who’ve gone before us, and all who will believe
Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb

Your name is the highest
Your name is the greatest
Your name stands above them all
All thrones and dominions
All powers and positions
Your name stands above them all

And the angels cry, “Holy”
All Creation cries, “Holy”
You are lifted high, holy
Holy forever

If you’ve been forgiven, if you’ve been redeemed
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
If you walk in freedom, if you bear His name
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
We’ll sing the song forever and amen

August 10 – Youth and Kids ministry update from Paola

Hello from Brazil! Today was our first serving event at Igreja Estrela da Manhã (Morning Star Church) where the leadership training took place. The church gave us a very warm welcome wanting to show their appreciation and support for our mission trip. There was a spontaneous plan to give class to the kids since we weren’t expecting them and quickly formed a team to make activities for them. The kids were hesitant at first but very quickly warmed up to us and were very excited to learn about “The Lost Sheep” and to participate. It was beautiful to see how curious all of the kids and teenagers were to meet us and ask us questions about where we’re from and how we live. They did not let the language barrier stop their curiosity and interest in communicating with us. Many members of our group helped translate and we had a very fun time hanging out with the kids and teens.

August 11 – Leadership Training and Holy Forever!

Above – Holy Forever in Portuguese

Saturday morning we had the opportunity to do leadership training at a church in Macapá. Before it started, there was a time of worship. We were amazed at the very first song. Guess what it was? Holy Forever! The church chose this song without us communicating to them about it. What are the odds! For the significance of this, see Holy Forever testimony above. We took as reminder that the Holy Spirit is active and working to orchestrate the entire process of building the church, a lesson we learned in that mornings team devotion in Acts 2:1-13.

Around 40 people joined. We led an interactive session on Ephesians 4:11-16, Building up the Body. Our goal was that they would see that every believer, not just the pastor, would know they had an important role as a builder in Gods kingdom.

We looked at some Biblical examples of building in Nehemiah and Jesus equipping and sending out the disciples.

Rather than just tell them, we wanted to show them. We had multiple interactive sections with small groups looking at Scripture, answering questions, writing applications, and even making paper airplanes as a team (to learn sth of teamwork and equipping).

At the beginning, they didn’t seem fully used to participating that way. But the more we did, the more eagerly they took part. Soon they quickly raised their hands to share what God had shown them from Scripture. It was an encouraging reminder that God speaks to each of us through His Word, and not just to the leader.

After another session on SMART applications, we closed with reflection, writing a personal application, and a circle time where every person shared one thing they got from the session. It was so touching to hear how God spoke to each person. Finally, we lifted our voices and sang one more time Holy Forever.

Thank you for your prayer support! The Holy Spirit is working and prayer warriors are on the front lines.

August 12 – Evangelistic Crusade

Saturday evening was the first night of an outdoor crusade at the church. Police provided protection and a small street was closed off. A large stage, sound system, and outdoor tent were set up. The mayor and others supported this event and the mayor was there

It started around 8:00PM and ended after midnight. There was worship, testimonies, Anne a message before a guest singer had the second half of the program.

Two of our team shared their testimonies. We were encouraged to hear how God changed their lives and believe seeds were planted.

Jason shared an evangelistic message on the Prodigal Son. That was interesting because Leonei was scheduled to share. One of our team mottos is Be Flexible!

I was asked to share instead and after I chose the Prodigal Son Leonei showed me his notes. He had already written a message on The Prodigal Son. We have seen the Holy Spirit orchestrating like this throughout.

We know the at His Word does not return void and trust that the seed was planted.

Around 300 people joined.

The program ended at midnight and here the custom is supper after church. The last three days we had supper around 12:00PM. Brazilian time has been an adjustment but “Be Flexible” and When in Rome Do as the Romans Do!

After the message we had an invitation and the whole team prayed for people who came forward. Many came forward and we trust that God heard our prayers and will touch lives.

God hears yours too.

The next night, the crusade was continued for another night. The highlight was 80 men from the drug rehab center joining. They marched in each with a Bible and listened to the whole evening. They also sang together a beautiful song about Jesus healing our pain and reaching out to us in our dark situations.

August 13 – The Crusade Continues – Update from Janelle

Hiiiii guys! 😁
Here’s another update from this side of the world (Brazil ).
On Sunday we spent part of the day with some of Leonei’s family. They were very welcoming and provided so much for us during our time with them. It was very heart-warming to see and hear of the love they have for each other and how much they simply enjoy spending time together.

In the evening, we returned to Igreja Estrela da Manhã (Morning Star Church) where some members of our team were apart of leading 2 songs in their worship set (Holy Forever 😏 and Goodness of God) .

There were a few *challenges* 😅 but we were reminded to not focus on what may not be going the way we’d prefer but instead to turn our attention to God (the ONE we were there to worship).

By the end of the night, we’d heard of how our time of worship was a blessing to not only the Brazilians we were there to serve but to members of our team as well.

It was so beautiful to see how God could use an otherwise stressful and chaotic experience to be a blessing.

In addition to that, there were members of the Drug Rehabilitation Centre in attendance. We were all so encouraged to see and hear the ways God has been working in and changing their lives for His glory and how enthusiastically they worshipped and were engaged in all parts of the service.

It’s been a pleasure watching God take situations that are not ideal and undesirable (our experience preparing for worship and the experience of the guys going through drug rehabilitation) and seeing how He makes beautiful experiences.

Glória Deus!!

August 13 – A Girl Wants to Become a Missionary – Update from Karen

Hiiiii familyyyy! Good morning over there ☀️
Here comes another update from Brazil 🇧🇷

On Monday, our team gathered for a devotional at the pastoral family’s home.
As we sang and shared, family members began joining us one by one until the room was full. Soon, they were sharing their own stories of how our ministry had blessed their church — a truly moving moment. After the group devotional, we prayed for the pastor and family.

The family then treated us to a delicious homemade Brazilian lunch, a beautiful gesture of love and appreciation .

In the afternoon, we swam in one of the branches of the Amazon River, enjoying rich fellowship with local church members 🥰

Another amazing thing is that a 5yo girl turned to her mom and said,
“Mom, when I grow up, I won’t be here—because I’m going to be a missionary like them, and travel to different places.” 🥹
Also, in the evening, we joined Leonei & Cilane’s former church, where some of our team shared testimonies and Jason brought the message once again 💪🏼.
It was a day overflowing with connection, gratitude, and God’s presence 🙌🏼🙌🏼💖

Deus abençoe todos vocês! 🙏🏼

August 15 – River Evangelism + Rain in the Rainforest

Half of the team went on a boat along the river for river evangelism. We stopped at several family huts. Each place we were able to share the good news and pray for the families. The local evangelist who took us has been to all 2000 homes in his village sharing the good news. He was such an inspiration.

We found that many in the culture know the “right answers” and have a cultural knowledge of Jesus. Yet many have not truly given their lives to Him. Please pray that people will have a relationship with Christ and not just a religion.

August 16 – Rio Preto – A village in the middle of the jungle

We left Mazagao to go to Cilane’s (Leonei’s wife) hometown. On the way we stopped for the day at Rio Preto. It was a small village with a church.

As in every place, they welcomed us with amazing food, including Armadillo and Parka (a large Amazonian rodent). They refused to allow us to help clean. The ladies told us this was their gift and they wanted to use it.

In the afternoon, we taught kids and youth. The kids learned the fruit of the Spirit and the youth learned to be a light.

In the evening, we shared two messages to the church. Some came by boat from four hours away. Jeff shared about making wise decisions and finishing the race from Jehosophat. Jason shared from Deuteronomy 6 about building godly families and having family devotions. When asked how many children they had, we found almost all had at least 4, many had 6 or 7 and one had 11! The Holy Spirit keeps giving the right message to share in the right place. We believe that lives will truly be transformed when families prioritize the Word of God in the home.

While the adults were meeting, we led another kids program. This one was chaotic and some of our teachers were overwhelmed. It was the first main challenge we faced as a team. In our post meeting discussions people shared and we grew as a team in learning how to observe, communicate, and pitch in to serve. It has been not only a time of outreach but growth for us as well. Even as we reach out to others, we are reminded that we haven’t arrived yet.

In between meetings, they took some of us on a short boat ride to a beautiful swimming hole where birds were actively fishing. God has been good to give times of refreshment in between the full schedules.

We trust that the message shared there from the Word will bear fruit that will remain. The pastor said they will treasure the message shared and not forget it.

Thank you for your prayers.

August 18 – Little Internet Access

Little internet access in these remote areas but we are we well and pressing on. About to have 11th church service and 8 visited churches on our trip. God is working. Please keep us in your prayers.

We are staying in some beautiful places. We have visited 8 churches, held 11 services, taught 450 kids and around 120 youth. Slept in hammocks, including wildly swinging ones on a boat. Experienced island life with little running water and no AC (it’s OK, you can survive with it). Done river evangelism and door to door prayers and gospel sharing. It has been quite the experience! God is good! This morning we are headed back to the capital of this province on a 12 hour boat ride.

August 22 – The Islands

We visited two remote island villages near the mouth of the Amazon. The only way in or out is by boat. It took 8 hours by boat to Ita Mata Tuba and another 4 to Macedonia. The pastor traveled all the way from Ita Mata Tuba to pick us up.

The boat ride was an adventure with heavy waves and wildly swinging hammocks. We arrived to the boat early to set up our hammocks in the “prime” locations. But a lady boarded right before departure and set her hammock up parallel to the boat direction. Her hammock didn’t rock and she slept soundly. We were reminded that we are very inexperienced in this mode of travel!

We arrived after twelve and were boarded in a school. Like everywhere, the pastor, church, and community were very welcoming. They were touched that we traveled to be with them as few outsiders ever make it there. They and we were encouraged that we worship the same God though in different tongues and that He has taken the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth.

In the morning, they took us into the jungle for a short hike. We saw the mud, trees, birds, and plants up close and heard the sounds. God is an amazing Creator who has made so many varied ecosystems.

The brother who took us scaled a coconut tree and cut us fresh coconuts. Delicious.

At every place, we were so touched because the people gave us the best they had. They served us food so nice that they would seldom eat it. They cooked and would not even let us do the dishes. We went to serve but were served, reminding us that we are all to be building up the body. Let us offer whatever we have to the Lord with an open heart.

We had kids and youth programs in the afternoon. Then we took a boat across the river to go door to door and invite people to the evening service. We met one man who had 14 children. He said every person in the village except one home were related to him. We also prayed for him. Some were so touched at being prayed for they cried. Also a reminder that the smallest acts of kindness can mean much when they reflect the love of Christ.

We were amazed that there were five small churches in the area.

The good – The gospel is there and God is building His church.

The challenge – There seems to be a lack of unity among the churches. Also, religion is widespread. But in some places it seems rules based and cultural. Even unbelievers would often claim belief in Christ and know the “Sunday School Answers.”

Please pray that people will have a genuine personal relationship with Christ and grow through reading His Word on their own.

Many showed up for the evening service and we shared on unity from Ephesians 4 and about witnessing of God’s work in our lives from Mark 5. After the service, almost half the congregation came up for prayer.

The team also led a lesson for the kids outside. After the service, we boarded a night boat for the next island, Macedonia.

Below is a testimony from the Pastors wife at Ita Mata Tuba via Leonei.

“Logbook: Amazon Mission

Above – The village of Itamatatuba near the mouth of the Amazon

The boat’s engine vibrated beneath our feet, the Amazon River pulling us back home. The forest, a dense, green wall, seemed to bid us farewell with its eternal murmur. The return journey always has a hint of melancholy, a silent goodbye to a world that welcomed and transformed us. But today, something different filled the air. It wasn’t the weight of departure, but the lightness of a victory.

It was in this moment of reflection that my phone, which seemed to have lost its usefulness in the middle of the jungle, vibrated in my hand. An audio message from Pastor Wife Cleia, from Itamatatuba. Her voice, which I already knew, was different. There was a renewed passion, a joy that overflowed. She spoke about our team, the team from China, and how our presence had been a beacon of hope.

Her story hit me like a well-aimed arrow. She confessed that the flame of her ministry, which once burned brightly, was almost extinguished. She felt the weight of time, the loneliness of leadership, and the fatigue of a battle with no end. But then, we arrived. And our arrival wasn’t just a visit; it was a spark.

A spark that found the nearly dead ember and reignited it into an overwhelming fire.

Pastor Wife Cleia wasn’t the only one impacted. She said that the revival that began in her heart had spread throughout the entire village. The seed we planted sprouted and blossomed in a place that desperately needed hope. The echo of our mission was no longer in the roar of the boat’s engine, but in the voice of a leader who had found her calling again.

On this boat, amidst the immensity of the river, I realized the true dimension of our journey. We didn’t just bring resources or words; we brought presence. And that presence, in a world of uncertainties, can be the spark that ignites a revival. If one of our sparks could reignite such a powerful flame, what else are we capable of? The adventure continues. My heart burns. And the forest, which once seemed to be saying goodbye, is now giving us a new ‘see you later.’

After Macedonia, we were a bit late to catch the boat back to the capital so had to do a boat to boat river transfer depicted in the video below.

August 23 – Leadership Training and a Powerful Testimony

In a last minute invite, we had the opportunity to do leadership training at a local church in Macapa. We focused on building up the body from Ephesians 4:11-16, a reminder that every believer is to use their gift to be involved in building the kingdom. We are all on a team and are to work together in unity toward the common goal of reaching the lost.

The pastor’s wife shared afterward that the training was a direct answer to pray. They had been having regular leadership training for a long time, but were struggling to find a direction and to know what to do next. She said that in this training they saw the path forward and discovered a new way of interacting, training, and engaging with disciples. 

The head pastor there supervises 12 churches. He shared a similar vision with us, wanting to see relationship with Christ be the focus rather than rules-based religion. We believe this cluster of churches can spark a change in that area and be a catalyst for revival. Pleases join us in praying for them as they seek to influence other churches and pastors to be more focused on discipleship and life transformation.

August 24 – Growth within the team

From the beginning, as we prepared to go on this mission trip, we believed that God would use this time in our lives to help us grow. As we serve, we grow. We experience God in a different way, as a participant instead of a spectator.

Each day we had team time. We had devotions together on select stories in the book of Acts. We shared testimonies of how God was working, observations on what was going well, and suggestions on how to improve in our serving as a team in the coming days.

We took turns facilitating devotions so every person (almost) had the chance to prepare and facilitate once. This pushed some out of their comfort zone, but it was a chance to rely on the Lord and grow. I was so encouraged to see each one on our team preparing thoughts, questions, and worship time.

The lessons we were learning in Acts were often coming alive as we witnessed the mission Jesus began continuing. We saw the Holy Spirit working to orchestrate things in many ways. Here are a few examples.

1. Our trip to the remotest island, Sucuriju, was canceled due to the pastor’s family issue. But we received 3-4 last minute invites to share at other churches instead. We saw exciting things happening at some of these churches and we could not have gone there unless the Holy Spirit prevented us from going to Sucuriju.

2. We had many surprise opportunities on the boats, sharing or praying with other passengers.

3. We often went in to a new place a bit blind as to the needs there or as to what message/testimony would be best to share. In those cases, we saw that the message and testimonies was often just what they needed. For example, Caleb’s testimony was best suited for youth. And it “happened” that the time he shared all of the youth stayed in that service. This was unplanned by us but planned by Him.

4. Many team members struggled with various stomach ailments. But these faded when we needed to go on stage. God gave the grace we needed to carry on.

Almost every team member also had the opportunity to share their testimony in a service.

As the team worked together, it wasn’t always tension free. We have different personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and giftings. So we also needed to work to diligently maintain unity, sometimes asking forgiveness and seeking reconciliation. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Team is not about perfection but about growing together and building each other up.

We would encourage each of you to serve the Lord on a team. If you do, expect to be challenged. But also expect God to grow you through the process.

Please join us in prayer

Please pray for revival in Brazil and for God’s kingdom to go to the ends of the earth.

Habakkuk 2:14 – For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

God is also calling you to join the battle and become a worker in the great harvest.

Matthew 9:37-38 – Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”