.: July 2006

Friday, July 28, 2006

Waterfall!

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Boat trip!

Friday, July 21, 2006

I just returned from another boat trip this past week that included building benches for a church about 3 hours from Santarem. The village was Picae, and it is one of the oldest church plants. It was really great to get some new seats in that church. One of the highlights of the trip was that a cool guy named Jilton was able to come with us. We had met Jilton on the last boat trip in the village and he happened to be back in Santarem. Jilton had accepted Christ at a service we held at that village we were at. He is a former gang member and has tattoos and scars to prove it. Anyway, he is a real great guy and has faced alot of flak for accepting Christ. It was really great that he was able to come with us so we could encourage him in his walk with the Lord. We're actually going out with him to dinner tonight before he leaves to go back to the village. Please pray that he would stay strong in the faith and not go back to his old ways.

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

When the Fire Hits the Fan: My Brush with Death in the Amazon

A lifewithstephen.com Exclusive Photo Edition

Do not be alarmed. This is just a reenactment of events that occurred the morning of July 17.
Bizzare? Indeed. Accidental? I think not.

I was sleeping after a long day of work....

and so was Jonathan.....

when he hears a pop!

he rushes to the fan while I awake from my stupor...

and it explodes!

Always the quick-thinker, I unplug the burning fan that was just inches from my head! It still keeps burning though.

And so we rush outside!

We take a moment to reflect...

before Jonathan puts an end to the madness.

Victory!

Sunday, July 16, 2006

A wedding!

I was able to attend the wedding of my good friend Juan's sister. I actually don't have pictures of the bride and groom, so you'll have to pretend. Brazilians sure put on a good wedding.

Boat Trip #3

On the way home we were able to hit a pristine beach

We layed bricks and poured concrete for this church in a village about 7 hours from Santarem.

Kevin

Sunday, July 02, 2006

flying

Jerome, the mission's ultralight pilot

Santarem

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Boat trip #2

I'm afraid I don't have any pictures the last boat trip, but it was a good one. We went to two cell group parties/conferences where we ate and danced. Yes, we danced. Brazilians get a real kick in the head when they see Americans dance. But thanks to the barn dances I have attended I wasn't bad. In fact, I was pretty good. Anyway, we did a bunch of fun stuff like swimming and soccer, which, so they tell me, I'm pretty good at too. Even though I hadn't played since 4th grade. Later Sunday night we went alligator hunting and caught us a big one. We went home the next day.

It was great getting to know the Brazilian villagers on this trip. They have so little, yet they are so eager and zealous for the Lord. I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to be here. God is awesome.

Today I flew in the ultralight, and that was quite a kick. Pics will come soon.