A Great First Day of Servin' and Lovin'

Boa tarde (good afternoon)!

Today the team arrived in their first village and had a great day of serving and loving on the villagers. The village was large, about 100 families, and it was the first time they've had a Christian team visit.

All of the ministry teams were able to work today. The children's team had VBS for the kiddos, the medical team had patients to see, the women's team helped educate the women on healthy living and the sports team (I'm sure) got beat a few times playing soccer. Typically after the guys play soccer for a while, a couple of the guys will engage in a conversation with a few guys they played with the intention of sharing Christ. About 12 guys prayed to accept Christ today.

After the team serves in each village, a church service will be held with the locals. While the teams are engaged with kids, patients, women and men they are inviting them to attend church that afternoon or evening. The service can be held in a church, if the village has one, outside in an open area or just under a few trees in the shade. Really, it's just whatever place is available.

The service is usually opened up with singing and followed by one of our Brazilian team members introducing the North American team and maybe giving a short message. Typically, one of the N. American team members will share their testimony and the service is closed with more singing. It's such a beautiful thing to hear the Brazilians singing the same songs we do, but in a different language. And, such a moving experience to see God transcending languages.

How can you pray for the team tonight?

-Thank the Lord for his provision for each of our N. Americans to have this opportunity.

- Thank the Lord for the translators. Without them, the team would not be able to share the Gospel. Thank God for their hearts. They are an amazing group of people, with huge hearts to serve the villagers of the Amazon Jungle.

- Pray for the Lord to work in the hearts of those individuals that prayed to accept Christ today. We aren't sure where their hearts or intentions are in that prayer, but our God does. Pray that they would be transformed by the Holy Spirit.

- Pray for continued boldness of our team to share the Good News.

- Safe travel tonight on the boat.

- Pray for sustained energy. It is very hot and humid there and it's easy to get tired and worn down very quickly.

Thanks for checking in and thank you for your prayers!

Blessings,

Kelli Coblentz

I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;I will sing of you among the peoples.For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;your faithfulness reaches to the skies.Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 57: 9-11