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On Friday morning, February 5^th, we took one of the Amazon River’s tributaries and went down in the direction of the municipal district of Prainha. Guided by Pastor Genesio, responsible for the area of Boa Vista do Cuçarí, we traveled by boat in the Portador da Luz (Bearer of Light), for about 8 hours to arrive in the Community of Ribanceira. We held clinics there from the 6^th to the 10^th, coming back to Santarém on February 11^th.

The total volunteers and missionaries on this trip were 9 people, plus the captain of the boat, the boat crew and Pastor Genesio’s family.

In our first contact we met some people from the church and were introduced to each other. All of them were very receptive and they were happy with our presence.

Pastor Genesio took us to see the land that the church bought, showing much enthusiasm the blessings of God. The land is very big, including several properties. One was where the Catholic Church was, abandoned long ago. Since that time no one had used it.

In the dental clinic I attended 105 people, completing 233 procedures, half of which were fillings. One day I asked a boy how many times the government sent dentists and doctors for that community. He said that the few times they did it was during elections, and they worked for just one day. The nearest place where they can find a dentist, or rather, somebody that practices but without the academic formation, is in the Community of Boa Vista do Cuçari. Only one person works there, Maria Eugênia. She is Pastor Genesio’s wife and she is one of the people that Paz has trained in the past to do teeth extraction.

They were not doctors on this trip, but we had 4 nurses: an American, Katie, and 3 Brazilians, Juliana, Isaura and Neucivane. They saw patients within their capacity and gave public health teachings. Vanessa, a nutritionist, gave teachings in her area. Ken and Samuel performed filter supervisions and reinstalled filters compromised with last year’s flooding.

People from several places came to be seen by us from the community as well as the surrounding communities of Mamoal, Bom Futuro, Patauazal, Teixeira and Boa Vista do Cuçari. Many were grateful for the care that we gave on those days. They showed their gratitude by giving us several presents such as, cupuaçu (a native fruit), Brazil nuts, muruci (another fruit) and a lot of fish.

During the evening we showed some films on Jesus. We used a video projector linked to the community’s generator. In spite of having the electricity fall several times, we were able to show the film on a screen large enough to hold the people’s attention. It is quite an effective method for showing the Gospel. Almost always a great crowd of people come to attend the films. On Sunday night we held a church service. There were many lively youths singing and praising God, even before beginning the worship.

It was very encouraging to hear Pastor Genesio and his wife’s testimonies. They were Mission Paz’s first missionaries to the river communities. Until today they continue that work with a lot of love and dedication. If I remember correctly, they had 5 children, one of which died at 4 years of age when he fell in the river, while they traveled doing the work of the Lord. That history shows a couple that overcame, with perseverance, the storms of life, not giving up their purpose of loving Jesus and serving their neighbors.

This trip blessed many people’s lives in a major way, including the team that served. You also have participation in that. Your prayers and your support have been making a great difference in this ministry. Thank you very much!

May the grace and the blessing of God be with all you.

Edson and Kelly

Please, click in this picture to see the album of this trip.

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