God at Work in the Amazon

Written by: Emiley Jones, Northland PR Intern on July 2, 2010

The J. J. Mesquita-Mackenzie was "home" for Northland's Brazil team on the Black River.

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to go on a Distributed Journey to Brazil with 25 other Northland participants. The friendships and relationships that developed were enough to inspire me to want to return and encourage others to experience God at work in the Amazon.

I grew up watching my older brother and sister travel to various countries on Northland mission trips, always eager to experience my own journeys. I dreamed of going to Germany like they had, and starting right when I reached high school. Once I was finally old enough, though, and summers repeatedly presented me with DJ opportunities, I felt no pull to sign up for an international trip. It may have been because Germany was no longer an option or because I doubted my fundraising capabilities, but regardless of my reasoning, I made tepid excuses.

At the end of the summer last year, my dad announced that he thought our family should go on the “Amazon boat trip,” but we laughed the idea off, saying it would be too rustic. As a result, it was quite ironic when I was invited to attend a Brazil DJ meeting the following summer. What was even more surprising was the irresistible pull I felt towards the trip. Even as I heard things like “at least four shots” and “raise over $2,000,” I trusted that God would come through. And He certainly did – I received a scholarship that helped pay for the trip, and I did not entirely pass out from the shots!

The soccer team and my boat team flew from Miami, Fla., to Manaus, Brazil, on June 12. We stayed in Manaus until Sunday evening, when we boarded our new home, the J. J. Mesquita - Mackenzie. Throughout the week, our team visited five different villages along the Black River – an acidic, tea-colored tributary of the Amazon. Every day began with breakfast at 7 a.m., kitchen duty, worship and devotions. Then we would split up into multiple groups to evangelize, paint, and run a beauty parlor and VBS. While the American team worked in the village of the day with designated translators, villagers were able to board the boat for medical and dental attention. After returning to the boat for lunch, we would work a few more hours, occasionally watch the World Cup, and play a game of soccer with the local Brazilians. Every night following dinner on the boat we attended a worship service in the village’s local church.

I went on this trip mainly expecting to be humbled by our village visits. I did not anticipate, however, to be most impacted by the Brazilian crew members. Many of them live in Manaus and spend all of their vacation time serving on the boat; some even attend college, as well. It is incredible how genuine and caring they are in everything they do. Whether it was in worship, sharing their testimonies, or translating for us, they exemplified patience, compassion, sincerity, and love that encouraged our team immensely. I was told that extraordinary relationships would be built, with both my team and the Brazilians, and I had not been misinformed. The marvel of Facebook allows us to continue to communicate with our Northland and Brazilian teammates. Even the language barrier did not keep friendships from forming. Deba is the enthusiastic captain of the boat and only speaks Portuguese, but he still made an effort to converse with our team. One morning I heard him teaching one of the Americans Portuguese names for various objects. Another day I was feeling ill, and he moved my chair in front of the fan. On the last morning, as we were leaving the boat, Deba grinned and took off the necklace he always wore and gave it to one of the girls on our team. The entire Brazilian team showed this natural kind of thoughtfulness, and I strive to follow their selfless examples.

While I did not experience an eye opening “spiritual high” as many people do on mission trips, I realized many practical things to integrate into my life and relationships. By being out of my comfortable, scheduled, and far too busy life I learned how to be flexible and spontaneous, share my testimony after only a few minutes of preparation, and even drink my coffee black! I am grateful that God blessed me with the opportunity to serve with others in Brazil, and I look forward to future Distributed Journeys.