The group woke up early this morning to prepare for breakfast and devotion before our last adventure on the river to visit the Warao Indians. Although we are all drained physically and mentally and it was difficult to muster up the energy and the same enthusiasm, we knew that we had been called to put our entire hearts into this trip each day and not just the first 5. Despite a few stomach illnesses and exhausted bodies, we came together as a team, put together the remaining supplies, and hopped on the boat for the last day of doing the work of sharing God’s love to the Warao.

After an almost 2 hour boat ride to get the most remote Warao villages, we docked the boats and quickly began preparing to start our usual duties. But this village was different from the rest: most everyone appeared sick; the children had runny noses, dried up scalps, and yellow skin. Natural instinct would have been for our team to be hesitant to fully engage with the kids and adults like the other places, but without hesitation 3, Katie, and Kathy rounded up a group of children, which grew exponentially as word traveled to the groups that we were there, to begin crafts, coloring, games, and making cross necklaces with kids. Mary Katherine and Alex gathered a group of about 20-25 people to squeeze in close for a picture. Despite the living conditions being nearly one on top of the other, when asked to gather as a group and hug each other we could easily tell that they were clueless as to what we were trying to get them to do. We were very humbled seeing their transition from confused, reserved faces to a hugging, smiling family.

Drew began tending to the medical needs of the children with help from Ed. One infant in particular will stand out in our minds forever: within 20 minutes of our arrival word traveled and a grandfather brought him across the river in a dugout canoe because he knew that the child was in serious need of help. He waited patiently until Drew was able to help. The translators were occupied at the time, but Drew and Alex were able to effectively communicate how to treat the infant. Being more remote than other villages, the language barrier was more of a challenge, but Winn and Jeff did an amazing job explaining the DVD players and Jesus film while Tom preached his heart (through help from a translator) to one of the most captive audiences we have seen this whole trip.

After leaving the village we set off to Charlie’s place (a popular rest stop on the river for local and tourists alike). Knowing that Charlie is a man of strong faith and a powerful figure among the Warao in the area, we left a DVD player and Jesus film for him to share with his friends. When we pulled in to his camp this afternoon there were already children sitting around a picnic table watching the movie we left with him. Not long after we visited a family down the river close to Charlie’s camp. We began spreading the Word of Christ and pulled out the DVD player and they told us that they knew about Jesus already because Charlie told them the story earlier that day! It was amazing to when people hear they are called to act in God’s name and then waste no time spreading His love.

The final family we visited on our way back to camp had nearly 25 people in one place and was made up of probably 4 generations in one family. We tied our two boats up to a tree and started passing out the last little bit of crafts we had left over. Not long after we were there, a man and his son rowed up aside us and he spoke Spanish. Our translators told us he was a teacher so we gave him the rest of our paper, pencils, and a few office supplies we had left. Tom asked Alex to lead us all in prayer so the crowed grew quiet as we bowed our head and when Alex started with “Heavenly Father” the teacher begin a prayer in Warao as he raised his hand and towards the end said “Halleluiah.” Even though we didn’t understand a word of it, we knew he had Christ in his heart and it was a beautiful moment.

We waved goodbye and off we went back to the camp to pack up and get ready to go home. The day ended with a nice downpour but there was something refreshing about it all.

What a wonderful day!

Dear Friends of ROW,

Tom saw them first, and said, “man, we gotta go there.” I quickly looked over and saw two girls out on a dock waving their hearts out with the biggest smiles you could imagine. It was so great! It truly was. We pulled in and immediately set up “shop” right in the sun, not the brightest move on our part, but what do you expect when a bunch of missionaries go village hopping on the Momino River? Per usual, Tom wanted to do what he’s best at, sing and spread the good word. Kathy started coloring with the twenty-five kids swarming kids, and Mary Katherine and Alex started taking and printing pictures for the families. What a wonderful way to end the day!

Today, we started out with a two-hour boat ride. We wanted to go deeper and further into the Venezuelan jungle to touch more people with the word of Christ. And thanks to Jeff and his DVD player tutorials we did just that! We began this trip with eight DVD players all equipped with Finding Nemo, a ROW film, and the Jesus film (which is in there native language). If that’s enough, all the units are solar powered, so they work anywhere!!!! Our first DVD player was left to Charlie, a manager of a camp in the jungle, and he will be influential in showing The Jesus film to more people than we could touch in a month. The second family we left our portable DVD players were a little hesitant of our arrival at first, but soon warmed to our giving of pictures, medicine, toothbrushes, and cross necklaces. Jeff once again, was able to rope the fathers of the families in conversation and teach them how to use the DVD players. After a quick refueling with power bars, we began searching for families that ROW had visited the previous year to give them 12X14 pictures. To see the families faces light up gave me goose bumps. Imagine if you were twenty years old and had never seen yourself before, how would you respond?

The Warao Indians have been so receptive to us. It’s truly amazing because we are a goofy bunch. From doing the Macarena to the Hokey Pokey, they have laughed and understood us more than I ever would have imagined. If you have not been on a ROW trip yet, you need to get your butt signed up!!!

I want to end this letter the same way we part every village - with a prayer.

Dear Lord, thank you for giving us the strength to spread your word and keeping us safe through our travels. We are forever in thanks to the Warao Indians for being so receptive and we wanted to give a special thanks to Martha Zoller of WDUN for hosting us today. Lord, give us the courage and perseverance to continue our work tomorrow.

 

Dear Friends of ROW,

What an incredible day!!!  What do Crayola crayons have in common with the Venezuelan jungle? How about Porter or Glidden paints? Absolutely Nothing!!!!  Hey, Home Depot and Lowes, “Can you match this?”  Absolutely Not!!!!  The various colors painted ever so spectacularly by God can never match anything man made. Such is our view everyday in the jungles of Venezuela where our new friends, the Warao Indians live.

Today we had another great day! We stayed together today with both boats going to the same Indian families/villages In the morning we saw a wonderful family who welcomed us to share with them. They had a gorgeous bright green parrot as a family member. After teaching the children to color with markers which we are all sure they had never seen, we proceeded to make them necklaces with crosses and beads. Every child had one. Tom also led a lesson on the story of Jesus which captured the attention of everyone. Another fun event was Ed pumped up a soccer ball and rolled it to a boy about 10 years old. He really enjoyed the attention as he had a bunch of siblings. Tom taught the family how to brush their teeth after we gave each family member a toothbrush. We left them behind with lots of smiles! New friends we never knew before.

A second family had many, many children and we took pictures of each child and printed them on a portable printer. Can you imagine doing this in the jungle???!!!! Well, we did and the pictures of the children are a huge hit. They just love seeing themselves. After framing the pictures, we gave them stickers to decorate the frames. In addition, we dropped off our first portable DVD player with both the Jesus film and Finding Nemo.  The best of all worlds, we left them The Jesus Film translated into their native language It really did not get any better than that! Well, hang on a second, maybe it did!

Katie and MK taught the children the Macarena. After that, they circled up and taught the children the world famous “Hokey Pokey!” Yes, you too can do the Hokey Pokey in the jungle. Just sign up for the next trip!!! 

Do I sound excited? Well, I certainly am! The Warao Indians are very receptive to us and we have found new friends. As a matter of fact, we have new friends all over the world that we have not yet met. Join with ROW and meet with your new brothers and sisters in Christ.

Your sister in Christ,
Kathy

 

Greetings from the Rainforest of Venezuela!  We had a exciting day on the Monomo River! After splitting into 2 teams, we ventured out to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ whom we have not yet met. 

Team 1 was the medical crew who went out to work with the sick. They met two infants who were both 5 days old! Speaking of seeing Jesus, Drew said “He saw Jesus in the eyes of these newborns” who are so innocent and have their whole lives ahead of them. While ministering to the sick the bulk of the illness were colds, headaches and fevers. Nothing too major, which for us is truly a blessing from God, as He is certainly watching out for the Warao Indians.

Team 2 was the media/Bible School group who ministered to a different set of Indian families. While we did not meet any of the five-day-old infants, we certainly did see our share of children. Many, many children. MK was our photographer and printer specialist. She took individual pictures of all of the children and printed them on a portable printer Imagine that/! Printing in the midst of the jungle! Truly incredible!

Was Jesus present with Group 2???  You’d better believe it! Pastor Tom especially saw Jesus in the eyes of the little girl who was severely burned. Talk about seeing Jesus - this little girl, who couldn’t have been more than 8 years old was extremely happy and wore her scars well. Talk about living the gospel!

An incredible sunset with storm clouds surrounding the sun sent us on our way home. Way too many memories to write about for the first go around, but we appreciate all the thoughts and prayers accompanying us on this mission trip. God is with us!

Amen,
Respectfully submitted,

Kathy

 

9 hours across the country, 2 hours up the river, and our team made it to the lodge and are just getting up to a beautiful morning. Yesterday a heavy rainstorm met us at the river, but the morning is bright and clear.

ROW On The River

Yesterday afternoon we sorted through all of the supplies we brought and also did a small clinic for those who were gathered at the lodge. Today we will set out for the first family groups to spend some time with them and have a clinic for them and give out dvd players with a dvd of the “Jesus Film” in their Warao language and also a copy of “Finding Nemo.”

ROW will be experimenting with solar powered DVD players and using them to share the “Jesus Film” with Warao Indians who live along the river. Please encourage everyone you know to tune in and catch the updates from Venezuela and ask everyone to pray for our work in this remote region.

Please come back for updates and keep us in your prayers!