Prayer Warriors,
Here are a few journal entries from our last trip that show some of the happenings and some of my thoughts during our last days with the church in the Amarakaeri village, Masenawa:

7/15/05: Although in retrospect, this season of my life will, at the end of my days, be but a small marking on my timeline, I'm convinced that there will be countless memories that will prove everlasting. A good grip of those will most assuredly come from my time spent with the family in Masenawa. We descended the steep hill of the village for our last time this morning, and as we navigated the incredibly low river on our way up to Barraca, I reminisced of such times, reflecting on all I will miss from Masenawa.   

  I will not forget the friendship with Danielle that God blessed me with, or Danielle's desire to see their church firmly founded and his passion to proclaim God's story to others. I'll remember Juan's sense of humor, Clemente's enthusiasm in praising Jesus through music, our first fishing trip with the family in which we caught more than 200 fish, and the way Lucrecia would always greet us upon our arrival by saying, "I didn't die while you were gone." I'll miss the fresh mountain spring, the breathtaking view, and all the sweet, Spirit-led times of worship we shared with the Hut Church of Masenawa.

 7/12/05: Succeeding a little delay, our trip continued today as we disembarked from Colorado and drove the short drive upriver to Masenawa. For, most likely, the last time of our lives, we climbed the tiring hill to the village where we dropped our heavy packs and caught our breath in the shade. The whole family was out working, so we built a fire, cooked and ate lunch while we waited.

  Once they all arrived, we were greeted with the same excited, friendly welcome as was extended to us the first time we ever visited Masenawa. We tied our mosquito nets up under Juan's roof, and then later this afternoon, we gathered with the church outside.

  One ministry, with which, I believe the Lord has entrusted us during this last trip?along with edifying the church with the Word and encouraging them with love?is to exhort the Disciples to obey?specifically concerning their faithfulness to continue to meet, pray, and worship together as well as proclaim the Gospel to all whom they meet. It is in this spirit that we spoke to and praised with the fellowship here this evening.

-Jonathan