God is working on hearts in the Amazon

After 18 hours of traveling up the Rio Negro river, Tuesday we we were excited to reach our first village. We have been diligently praying for these people and traveled a good distance to love them and tell them of our great Savior, Jesus Christ. We camped outside the village on the boat and started our day with prayer and devotional led by our Brazil pastor, Djard.
As we got off the boat we were met with smiles and some looks of curiosity. Our boat becomes a passing hospital for their village. The guys and I (this is JP), headed for the soccer field. Through the translator we challenged their young men to a game of soccer. That was stupid. Or, at least we had no hope of victory on the soccer field, but it was fun. I got to play goalie, and I may have found my calling.  After playing soccer & developing a relationship with the guys, we circled the guys up and Matt shared his testimony, then Kyle shared the gospel using the evangacube. There was a guy, who told us his name was Max. He was the son-in-law of the President of the village. It was clear he was a leader, on and off the soccer field. Many of the guys checked out, but “Max” (real name Antonio) engaged. He told us he had been to a church in the big city of Manaus before and that he had pursued God, but then he walked away from the faith. As we asked more, it was clear that he was “hiding” in the village from something he had done in the city.

This village had no church in it. Some villages have Catholic churches (which are actually 4 wood walls…think of a poorly built shed). As we talked to Max more, he told us that he had been having dreams that he was preaching to the village. WOW! We shared the gospel every way we knew how. I am not sure Max was ready and/or willing to accept God’s grace, but it was clear God was doing something.
Our day punctuated with a church service where the majority of the village attended. 4 people made a decision to trust Christ. Max was not one of them, but he was wrestling with the idea. Then, I had the privilege and the honor to baptize Ally and Kylea in the Amazon, after they shared their testimony with the village! Before we left, Max gave Matt and I some gifts of necklaces and earrings for our wives.
What a great day! To God be the glory. Today is Wednesday and we are about to jump off in a new village…we already visited a different village this morning. Side note: we went in one of the huts on the water, where a guy had hammocks hanging on his Porch looking over palm trees and the Amazon River (Think Carona commercial…beautiful scene!). In his hut he had one faded poster which was of a house in America. THE IRONY! We hang pics of their “beach” paradise, and they hang pics of our suburban structures!
Story by Jonathan Pokluda
Update from Tim Coblentz- The team is doing great & everyone is healthy. The Amazon sun is at times unbearable & so we will stand in the shade as we talk with the villagers. Our translators are awesome & the boat crew is very helpful. Everyone on the boat is surprised by how good the food is. Lunch & dinner will consist of rice & beans & some kind of meat. Breakfast is always eggs, some kind of spam stuff, cheese & hotdog buns (that’s right, hotdog buns for breakfast).
PRAYER REQUESTS:
• Continued good health
• Safety as we travel on the Amazon
• Unity between the North American team & Brazilian
• Open hearts to the gospel of Jesus Christ