We're Home! <><

Can't believe it--but we are back home after nine days on our mission trip. We praise God for Peace Church and for the opportunity to serve in Brazil!

Friday night was hard--preparing to leave new friends and getting packed up for the big trip back home. It's amazing how close you can become on a mission trip--and we all became very close to the boat staff. There was a beautiful young boy named "Levi". He is 12 years old and every day just blessed us with his smile and service. From helping us all on the boat with our luggage, to helping us every day in Bible School (Levi read the Bible story/scripture to the children in our class)--he was just a special joy to all of us. Levi was also doing his best to teach me Portageuse. He would even test me with telling me "good afternoon" when it was morning--making me correct him. He was just a joy to spend time with. His dad, "Dayba" worked on the boat and daily served in the duties of keeping the boat in order (the boat was just immaculate!). It was great to see father and son working together. Everyone on the boat was wonderful--and has such a heart for the Lord. What a blessing it was for us to share a week with them!

Late Friday evening, after our last day of work, I went off onto the front of the boat--just looking at the beautiful night sky and the full moon. We had a wonderful week of learning and serving. God has been so faithful to us! I shed some tears as I needed to prepare for our leaving--and our mission team had our last team meeting on the top floor of the boat. It was a beautiful evening of sharing our experiences of the week/day.

Saturday was a great day--we were able to see the "meeting of the waters"--where the Negro and Salimones rivers meet. From Manaus we took a speed boat out to the middle of the rivers to see this phenomina. There is a distinct difference between the black and green waters caused by water temperature, acidity, soil and current. It was amazing to see--really a miracle that God created for us to just admire and awe in wonder. After that adventure we headed back to the church in Manaus (where our luggage was dropped off after being on the boat) and had time to rest before we met one of our guides (Heyde Marques) for dinner. She was taking us to a "Brazillian BBQ". Um--IT WAS AMAZING! The food was incredible. In fact, the entire week's food was incredible. Here we thought we would loose weight from not feeling 100%--when in fact we all felt great and enjoyed the wonderful food prepared every morning, noon and night! Unfortunately, I think we all gained weight from this mission trip! :)

After the BBQ we collected our luggage and headed to the airport. Everything again went smoothly through Customs. And, God had a great surprise for us--we did NOT have to pay and "exit from Brazil" tax! Wahoo! For our group that would have been a $418 cost. God again has proven He is in ALL the details!

Our connection flight to Atlanta and then to O'Hare went perfectly. We traveled through the night and many of us actually slept pretty well! :) I'm home unpacking now while Jim is sleeping--and had to give a quick blog. I am just so excited about the trip and how God was able to use us. We received the following stats from our boat captain, "Hi":

Vessel Name: BHJJ Mesquito: June 29 through July 2, 2009
Construction projects: 3
Haircuts by Anita: 98
VBS children taught: 210
Hygiene kits distributed--
Baby kits: 40
Family kits: 110
Medical Clinic Patients:
Children: 80
Teens: 38
Adults: 120
Decisions for Christ Made: 10

Well, that's all for now (I have to continue to unpack)--thanks for your prayers and support. Praising God this moment for His faithfulness to me and our Team!

Margie and Jim
Psalm 9:2

P.S.: Prayer requests--please pray for Anita--she has a rash on her arms and went to the clinic this afternoon to have it looked at. Also, if you could pray for "Nett" and her 7 month old son, "Lucas". Nett's husband, Frank, has abandoned their family. Can you please pray that God will still in Frank's heart. Thank you.