Freely received, freely given!

This weekend we had a Re-encounter weekend. The last Re-encounter weekend was last December and is a tremendous opportunity for God to remove the stones that have blocked up the wells of living waters from flowing freely bringing life to those around her.
It was tremendous to see how the church is growing and maturing. Pastora Gloria had gone to visit her father (who is in his 90’s) in Belo Horizonte. Pastora Jackcilene is in Manaus with her daughter during the two week school holidays (Brazilian Holidays are January-February months). Missionary Rebeca was looking after our two (Daniel and Betchie) and two other children to let a cell group leader go to be part of the support team and another cell group member to go to receive. Pastor Tinho who went on the Re-encounter weekend was unable to preach due to being completely hoarse. And another Pastor from a local church who ministered last year wasn’t required.
Yet the Re-encounter weekend was a powerful weekend, where God’s power was evident and His word ministered through cell group leaders. Leaders who over the years have not only received the word but with willing hearts learnt how to put into practice His word. Even the task of cooking for everybody, which usually depends on Pastora Jackilene and Gloria was carried out with efficiency and excellence. Where every member lent a hand and an attitude of doing all for His glory was evident. Some young ladies learnt how to make rice (fried in garlic, boiled in water, then diced carrot added before being served), for the first time.
Ephesians 4: 11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
We see that the first duty of the ministers is to equip the saints for ministry. Ministry for the building up of the body of Christ. Please be encouraged not just to use those gifts that God has given you for His Glory but teach others, show them, train them, nurture them and your fruit will bear 30, 60 to 100 fold.
It is with great delight that we see that the church members are being equipped in turn to equip others.
Next year we look forward with excitement to the fact that those who were ministered to will be part of the ministering team!

Something's cooking in the Kitchen

What is it they say ‘al fresco’ ? In the Amazon there are so many differences to the U.K. and after being here several years ‘normal’ changes and you forget to mention the strange and bizarre.
This is the new outside cooking stove for the jungle base. We do have a gas stove but most of the cooking takes place here!
This is a simple mud stove, set at an appropriate height with wooden slabs and several metal rails to provide support for the pots and pans.
Not so long ago Rebeca and I were invited by the youth of the church to supervise their weekend retreat. We made it clear that we would happily supervise but the organisation and administration was up to them. The first night went well and breakfast too then someone came running, “Come quickly, Sharlon is cremating the chicken.” I was greeted by foot high flames engulfing the chicken! Thankfully the BBQ for 60 hungry youth was rescued with just a few burnt wings.
The strange and bizarre range from constant electricity shortages, which means no tap water! A family of 6 passing on a 150cc motorbike to motorbikes pulling little trailers around the city.

Couples Night

With many decisions to receive Jesus as their personal Saviour the new convert becomes a target for the enemy. Unless the new convert or as we often call them ‘babies’ in the Lord (as they need the care and attention that you give to a newborn infant) is taken care of, brought into the fellowship of other believers and friendships established. Many return to their old lifestyles, habits and customs becoming further hardened to the ‘Good News’ of the gospel having in their minds tried and failed.
We use many methods to help establish friendships and relationships within the church body. One of these is the ‘Couples Night’, which is for married couples.......obviously enough!
Once a month we arrange a ‘Couples Night’ at a venue outside of the church premises to provide a less threatening environment for those couples were one or other is not a church goer. The nights are a lot of fun with a mix of food, both spiritual and physical, games and relationship builders.
The photo above shows just one of the games. Here the wife, nominated as ‘not the greatest cook in the world’ by her dear husband gets to practice her egg breaking skills. From the photo you can see that we were able to gain the full support of the husband in his loving encouragement of his wife in her quest for improvement!

It isn't always 'what you see'

What is interesting about this photo is what it doesn’t show. Only those who were there know that all eyes are looking at the guard dog! The guard dog at the jungle base is so protective that he needs to be tied up whilst visitors are present. Even a guard dog tied up knows his limitations. Unfortunately the camera man (me!) had just stepped inside the limitations of the rope securing ‘our’ guard dog and has the whole in the trousers to show it!
This marked the start of an eventful day at the jungle retreat. Several men went on our overnight excursion with the objective of having good fun, fellowship and work! The work being the clearing of the jungle overgrowth under the electric cables leading to the base. If the trees reach the cables it causes a break in the circuit and an ensuing delay in the return of the much needed electricity to the base.
Clearing the jungle is quite the monotonous task but was spiced up by ‘running away’ from attacking hornets, ‘hopping about’ as unsettled ants scaled legs for a bite of lunch and the odd ‘masked shriek’ as the tree being cut down touch the electric cables and gave the hatchet wielder an electrifying tingle to remember!

Thanks

Thanks to the runners above who participated in the Lisburn 10K run to raise funds for Outreach Amazon Ministries.
The money raised will be used to support the work of the Living Word School in Maues. If you are interested in the work or would like to organise an event please feel free to look up the website http://www.outreachamazon.com/ and enter in contact.
Runners in pic from L - R are, Johnny McKinley, William McShane, Steph Prentice, Chris Wing & Phil Uprichard

Faith comes by hearing

God is brilliant! Many people struggle to receive God as their loving ‘Abba’ father. Depending on their own experiences many people have blockages and mindsets about ‘fathers’, which overflows into their relationship with God.
Over the years as my relationship with God has deepened, I am so aware of how little I know Him and with each new discovery comes a desire to know my heavenly dad more and more.
Ignorance is a terrible thing, so often we suffer in our ignorance and when the light switch of revelation is turned to ‘on’, we see that which we had never seen or understood before.
Life can be tough enough, can’t it! But a question begs to be asked, where do you turn to for your encouragement? For that hand up!
After years of running to people and looking for approval and encouragement from people, I have learnt to run to God. Share with Him my feelings, hurts, frustrations and ask for His help and encouragement. ‘Abba’ father has never failed, left or abandoned me, always bringing a word of encouragement at the right time.
In Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)
The Greek word used for the ‘word’ of God is rhema.
Rhema: simply put, means the ‘now’ word of God. What God is saying to you specifically, individually, ‘now’ at this moment.
In layman’s terms we could read Ro 10:17 Then faith comes by hearing and understanding what God is saying to you specifically today.
God has a specific word for you today to cause faith to come into your heart, bringing life and refreshing and the strength to go on. Ask ‘Abba’ father for encouragement today.

Where your treasure is?

The other day we took the children out to the YWAM base for a swim and afterwards put up hammocks to relax in (if that is possible with two livewires). Maues is situated on a river, but we decided to drive out to the base, as, due to it being the rainy season, there is an awful lot more raw pollutants in the river in front of the city.
We had a splashing time! Daniel is a very natural swimmer and Betchie are fearless “stone”, forever sinking.
I have to say I love being a dad and they are so wonderfully precious, what tremendous gifts from God.
Jesus says "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6vs21

Really where your focus is, what you spend most of your time thinking about, investing your time and energy towards.
As you read the gospels you can’t help be overcome that Jesus did what His Father willed. He was always listening to His Father’s direction. His heart was to do His Father’s will each and every day.
There are many demands on our lives in the various positions that we fill, being mum, dad, husband, wife, employee, boss, student.........but are focus needs to remain fixed. Remember to ask God, what He wants you to do for Him today. Be open, be willing....it will completely change your life!
C.S.Lewis summed it up when he said “All that is not eternal is eternally out of date”.

Invasion!

Sometimes you just gotta laugh! Or scream for that matter.
As the children at the Living Word School played happily on the playground, Rebeca stood fixed to the spot screaming; finally words manage to escape her throat as she shouted, “pigs, pigs!”
Several pigs had invaded the school playground bringing great excitement to the children. We have had chickens and hens running about but never pigs. The hens don’t fair to well as they become incorporated into the “catch the pigeon” mentality of the children. Who love the added dynamics of chasing and catching their terrorized feather friends. Unfortunately some never make it pasted the playground!
This week it has been pigs! A neighbour brought several piglets from the “interior” (further into the jungle) where due to the rising water levels “safe” pastures have become a limited commodity. The pigs (really piglets) had managed to break through the fencing and get into the school playground. This was to be the beginning of a week of chasing after pigs as they tested are wooden fencing for weakness and invariably succeeded.
Above is a picture of one of the culprits......my only thoughts were......where the HP sauce is when you need it!

Encounter Weekend

Hi Folks,
It is Monday morning, the day after the encounter weekend. On Friday we took 80 people out to the jungle retreat, 57 people going on their encounter with God weekend and 23 people going to serve in ministering, catering, intercession, baby minding and everything in between.
The 57 people have been participating in one or other of the 23 cell groups dispersed throughout the city. The weekend is given over to intense ministry, where for many God operates on their hearts and minds bringing transformations which act as a launch pad for their Christian walk.
The vision of cell groups is a very dynamic vision which equips old and new converts alike to share what God is doing in their lives, one on one, in small groups and sees the maturing in both character and spiritual gifts of those who embrace God’s desire to fulfil the great commission and live a Kingdom lifestyle.
One young man who was meant to be going on the encounter weekend was arrested, put in jail, with a sentence of 45 days for G.B.H. When his cousin heard this she went home immediately and together with her husband, both newly converts, started to pray that God’s will would be done, that God would make a way if it were His will for her cousin to go on the encounter weekend.
Praise God her cousin was released and was able to go!
Another Lady who was meant to go on the encounter weekend, her son fell to the ground in convulsions moments before she was to leave the house. But Praise God once again, God moved through prayer and this young boy sat up as if nothing had happened and insisted, “mummy, I am o.k. you can go!”
The spiritual battles that rage in the heavenlies seem to reach a crescendo as the hours and minutes approach for the encounter’s to leave the city.
As a church we have been praying three months for this weekend, for these precious lives, for the last week we as a body have been praying and fasting with are focus fixed and hearts determined to pay the price. Do what it takes so that other may have a chance to meet with God, no distractions, just then and their time with God.
Many cell group members open their homes to the children of those who wish to go on the encounter weekend, babysitting for the weekend. Many cell group members who have little themselves sacrifice what they have to take care of family members left behind in the city of those that are on the encounter weekend.
It is wonderful to see how God touches lives in such a real and powerful way. People are healed from past hurts, rejections, delivered from destructive behaviours and oppression and filled with the love of God.
It is difficult to put into words all that God did and explain the background of even a few that went. We had various street gang members and notorious leaders on this encounter, youth involved in drugs, abuse and murders.
There were many victories in the heavenlies this weekend which we see manifested naturally in the deliverance and received revelation and acceptance as Jesus Christ as their personal friend, master and Saviour.

One person can make a difference!

Just recently my sister-in-law got into a taxi in Manaus. The taxi's are route taxi's, so once the taxi is full you are on your way!
A passenger in the taxi turned to her and said, "Wasn't your family on a boat going from Belem to Manaus about 20 years ago?". She replied yes!
It transpired that this man was impacted by the Romao family, it was the simple action of sharing their food with him that got his attention. This opened the door to my father-in-law speaking with him about Jesus and about Kingdom living.
They never knew until the other day, but that young man gave his life to the Lord because he met people that showed him Jesus!
Today I recieved an email from Bec, who ran the Belfast Marathon to fundraise for the Living Word School. Bec heard about Outreach Amazon back in October from two friends giving a small presentation.
It is wonderful to know and a little mind blowing to think that God can use us in such powerful yet very simple ways to impact and change the course of peoples lives.
One person can make a difference! you or I could be the answer to someones prayers! Lets be sensitive to what God has already planned for us this day, lets not miss being a blessing.

Thanks Bec and all those friends, family and church members who sponsored her.

God is never late!

So many times I have experienced God’s wonderful provision, yet so many times I’ve wavered whilst waiting and tried “my way”. Waiting isn’t something I am particularly good at, but it is definitely a quality that needs to be sought after.......patience. Waiting in an assured expectancy of the knowledge that we have a wonderful heavenly Abba Father who knows our needs even before we ask. On Thursday I played on the buttons of the calculator, over £400.00 short. £400.00 short, doesn’t sound too much, but when you haven’t got it and it isn’t growing on trees, it seems like a mountain.
The Living Word School needed £400.00, where was it going to come from?
Since December 2008, Outreach Amazon has been responsible alongside the Living Word Church to meet the financial need of the school.
Each month has seen God send in finance........why should now be different?
Maybe tiredness had crept into my mind...........wasn’t thinking good and noble and trustworthy thoughts......more a deep groan from within!
Praise God! God is never late but always on time......
This morning whilst chatting online to a friend, he informed me that a friend of his had just raised £500.00 for the school, doing the Belfast Marathon!
Once again, God knows the need even before we ask and has or is already preparing the answer.

Support needed

Check out http://www.outreachamazon.com/

Contend with Horses

Sometimes I think we should really walk around with a big sticker on our foreheads saying “under construction”.
It is God’s desire that we become transformed, each day a little more, to reflect Him, his image or better understood his character. Originally man was made in the image of God’s character but this all change when sin entered the world.
Praise God, that He loved us so much even whilst we were still sinners, not to leave us in our pitiful states but make a way through His son to renew our relationship with Him and renew our minds through the power of His word.
In the person of Jesus Christ we can see the outworking manifestation of God’s character, the humanness and power of God’s spirit in perfect harmony, how awesome to imagine that this is what we are being transformed into.
Where am I going with this........many of us Christians get caught up in being busy for God, or just busy doing “good” things, or none of the above, we are struggling along in the currents of life’s river. But God’s desire is relationship with us and that through our relationship with Him we begin to reflect His traits to the world we live in, our neighbours, parents, friends and work colleagues.
We know that Moses spent 40 years in the desert, Joseph 13 years as slave and prisoner and apostle Paul 14 years before going up to Jerusalem again. God used and still uses various situations and circumstances to mould us, to refine us, to prepare us, but many times due to our inability to see that it is God’s gracious hand upon us we don’t accept His correction, direction or teaching.
These days I have been learning more about God’s desire to have His love flow through me to others, where Matthew 5 vs 44 becomes a natural action as I walk with Him.
Matthew 5 vs44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Praise God! That He knows exactly our limitations and won’t destroy us in preparation but lets us run with footmen before we contend with horses, finishing the good work in us that He began.