April 17, 2010

Hello Everyone,

Here is a report on the March-April, 2010 trip as promised.

First of all the raw numbers..... A total of over 550 people, adults and children, gave their lives to Jesus. We had almost as many adults give their lives to Jesus as children. We had 40 baptized in water. We have now done hygiene programs in all the villages on the lake and given away over 100 water filters including 6 to schools. We have built a model latrine in each village and taught them why they have diarrhea. We had 25 to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.

But the numbers do not tell the complete story.... not even close. This is by far the most successful program we have run on the Amazon River to date. To God be the glory and the honor and the praise for it all.

The first two weeks on the lake were spent doing basically the same thing that we did in December. We went village to village teaching, providing dental service, giving 330 pairs of eyeglasses, doing the dramas, showing the videos and much more. We played with their children, and gave gifts to them as well as little Bibles and treats. After we had been in all the villages once, we began to go back and revisit. It seemed to me that the second visit was better than the first. We were not new to them on the second visit... we were like returning friends or family. As we rode up and down on the lake in the speed boat we would see them line the banks to wave to "their gringo friends".

I had believed for some time that one of the keys to really establishing Christianity in these areas was to stay long enough to really get acquainted with them and to allow them to know us. The response in each village was overwhelming. Village after village responded in a positive way and in each village we watched as God raised up leaders. That was my greatest hope. We found men and women who wanted to be leaders for God. Some of them had been waiting for someone to come and teach them about the true and living God and help them become ministers. In every village we found one or more who God had been preparing for this position.

Then in the last half week we began our work in the village of San Martin where we would have the congresso or camp meeting as they would call it. This was awesome. It was a miracle. If you look at the group shot of some of the people in front of the "tabernacle", you will see a building that is very flimsy. It had been raining every day.... sometimes more than once up until we built the tabernacle. I looked at it and had little faith that it could withstand the rain and winds that we had been seeing. God must have looked at it too because from the time we built the tabernacle until the time we left not another drop of rain fell. WOW! God even controls the winds and rain when it serves his purpose.

650 people attended the congresso in total. That is about 1/3 of the population of Lake Tipschca.  We fed them using large pots over wood fires (see attached photos). We had about 5 pots like this. They were 50 liters in capacity, I think. Everyone had plenty to eat.

From the very first service it was apparent that the people were hungry for God. We are new at this. We should have had more services and will do so next time. We will have 2 services in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and one at night next time. Pastor Doug Graham brought the first message concerning the family. It was much needed. In fact, in the biggest village we were asked to address the men of the village and teach them not to beat and abuse their wives. Graham picked up on that and did a great job of preaching about the love that should be between a man and his wife. Great job, Doug.

As the hours went by we saw the people wanting more of God. In every service people were coming forward for prayer, salvation, etc. But we weren't preaching to them enough. We just couldn't believe how much they wanted to hear the Word of God. On one Saturday the men of the villages came to the boat to ask Greg Causey to come and preach to them some more. He did. I grabbed my camera and went also. By the time I got there he had already preached and was beginning to lead the people in worship. I put a remote mic in his pocket and began to video the service. Just about the time I got started the power of God fell in that little tabernacle and shook the people. Young men came forward and fell as the power of God filled them with the Holy Spirit. Some received sitting and others received standing. Many were weeping. No one had preached on the Holy Spirit baptism, let alone speaking in tongues. They knew nothing of "falling out in the Spirit". It was just a sovereign move of God unlike anything I had ever seen.

We baptized 40 in water... mostly adults, but a few children too.

But the crowning touch is going on as I type this. Across the river from the lake is the village of Contamana. Pastor Eddie Burge and his wife are there teaching the leaders out of all these villages the School of Christ International. In just a few days we will have a trained, Christian leader in each village. They will also have the Proclaimer Electronic Bible (solar powered) which can read the Bible to them in their language so they can just sit and listen to the Word of God.

I am looking at another trip this summer, but have no details at the moment. If you want to be considered for this trip call or email as soon as possible.

May God bless you as we labor together for Him who called us to this marvelous light.

Bro Joe

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Joe Mercer
423-309-5217 (Cell)
joemercer@bellsouth.net
judithelaine@bellsouth.net
southamericancall@gmail.com
Web address  southamericancall.org