On the Way Home
After having finished the camp, we went downtown to enjoy the sights and get some much needed food. We slept very well that night, after all the pressure was off, and we didn’t leave on our flight until late that afternoon. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit the PAZ church on the border with Bolivia in Brasileia. Brazilians love to go into Bolivia to do cheap shopping- they don’t have the same steep taxes that Brazil has on imported goods.
Ruth posing with Pastor Walter's family downtown Rio Branco
Pastor Walter is a crack-up! He's got great stories and jokes.
We had another full day layover in Porto Velho, and this time Pastor Naldo of the local PAZ church took us around Porto Velho to see the sights. Porto Velho reminds me much more of a city in the Amazon Basin- it didn’t have the nice highways, road system and parks that there were in Rio Branco. We went to an art display that was, well, less than art. We visited a local train museum and the river front, as well as the main shopping street. We also spent a number of hours-yes men, hours- in the mall shopping for new clothes. We were thrilled and thankful to find great deals on clothes (clothes in Santarém are nearly twice the price: location, location, location). It was nice to see around, but when our flight came, we were anxious to get going back home!
The downtown shopping corridor in Porto Velho
Dead bugs become art.
Taking this train home would have taken a whole lot longer
We had one last layover in Manaus- from 7 PM to 3 AM. The flights that go to Santarém have some of the worst timing! Fortunately, we were picked up one more time by the Bensons and the Cails who took us to a Rodizio de Pizza. For those not familiar with Portuguese, it’s basically an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet where all the pizzas and pastas are brought to your table, and you choose what you want. Oh! It was marvelous! We headed back to the airport so full I was actually glad to have a long layover to digest all that pizza.
This beautiful rainbow shone brightly in the clouds above Porto Velho
The next day (Friday), we arrived home at 4 am, exhausted. Also that day, our church started a 3-day fast of just drinking water. Eating all that pizza the night before was not the ideal way of entering a just-water fast! But it is so good to be back in Santarém- I’m so glad we said “yes” to God and this challenge. Your prayers and support sure are making the difference, and disciples are being made all over the Amazon! And as we always say down here, the best is yet to come! We can’t wait until a plane, car, train or boat takes us close to you!
An inverted rainbow appears under a storm cloud over the Madeira (Wood) River inbetween Porto Velho and Manaus
What a cool trip! I love the pictures!
I had never really understood the story behind Carnaval, but now it’s much more clear why we need to pray against this sort of festival. Thank God for PAZ and all that you guys are doing!
did you sit in the same seat on every plane? lol
Ha! Funny you say that: seat 20F
After reading all of that I’m still just amazed that pineapples don’t grow on trees….that picture really opened my eyes to a whole new reality.
Awesome update and pictures. It must feel amazing to know you are making such a difference in so many people’s lives.
Totally joking of course.
….but seriously….they really don’t grow on trees????
I loved the update and that first picture is so GREAT of RUTH!!!!
Wow! What a great trip – great post – great pictures!!!
Love to you, Nate and Ruth! I am enjoying your update this morning as part of my worship time. I am loving not only seeing the pictures, but your sense of humor, Nate! Aunt Do
Thank you for the beautiful pictures and the trip diary. I can visualize better what your work is like and be better prepared to pray for you. I am praying for you to have God’s strength as you continue to meet the challenges of making more disciples.