Category Archives: Ministry

Friends in Brasiléia

For a long time I have wanted to visit Brasiléia. It is a city on the border of Brazil and Bolivia. A pastor who had quite a bit of influence on me in my teenage years has been pastoring a church up there for years. The trip was an eye opener for me. The need for laborers and reapers in the harvest overwhelmed me during my stay.

Here is an overview of the region with Bolivia in the far background.

I spent five days in the city. What a blessing it was to encourage the pastor and his family, meet the people in the church, and have fellowship with several young couples in their homes. I had the opportunity to preach on Sunday morning and evening. The children were very precious.
While in Brasiléia, I was taken across the border into Bolivia. For the most part we were just looking around, but the spiritual need there was great. A church has been established in Cobija, Bolivia which is right across the river from Brasiléia. A missionary from Peru is now pastoring the church. Oh, how wonderful it would be to send out many Brazilians like this into the foreign countries around us where access is very easy.

Between Brasiléia and Rio Branco, the capital of Acre, there are hundreds of farms. By farms, I mean everything from small homes out in the middle of nowhere to cattle ranches with thousands of heads of cattle. There is little to no Gospel representation in any of these areas. Some of these people are 50 to 100 kilometers from the nearest little town and much further from a Gospel preaching church.

Pray for Pr. William and his family as they work to reach people in this area for Christ. He has an excellent ministry with children in the city. He and his wife both teach Bible in the public schools around the city. He also has a radio broadcast and is sending us the recordings for the broadcasts to be posted on our website.

All in all, the Lord was very good to me on this trip. The people were such a blessing and the fellowship with the pastor and his family was a great encouragement and help to me. Below are some pictures from the trip

–Jeremy

Brasiléia - AC 2010

A bridge crossed by church members who live in the colonies around the city. Almost impossible to cross if rain has been falling.


 

Brasiléia - AC 2010

A small home about ten foot by fourteen foot.


 

Brasiléia - AC 2010

The river that runs through Brasiléia separating it from Bolivia.

 


 

 

Brasiléia - AC 2010

The church in Brasiléia


 

Brasiléia - AC 2010

Our trip to Bolivia


 

Brasiléia - AC 2010

The bridge to Bolivia


Brasiléia - AC 2010

Crowded shops of Bolivia


Brasiléia - AC 2010

Teaching Sunday School


 

Brasiléia - AC 2010

Enjoying time with the children


Brasiléia - AC 2010

Maria Luiza a precious little girl whose parents are getting more and more involved in the church


 

Brasiléia - AC 2010

One of the couples that invited me to their home for dinner


 

Brasiléia - AC 2010

Pastor William, his wife Silvia and his two daughters Anne and Elle


 

Brasiléia - AC 2010

Preaching in the Sunday evening service


 

 

My First Impression of Porto Velho

My trip to Porto Velho was not long and I do not have many pictures to show for it. After the first few hours, my camera quit working. So all I have are a few pictures taken from the back seat of a motorcycle.

The trip in itself was very profitable. I learned much about the people, the situation of churches there, I checked on prices of vehicles, housing, and food expenses.

A pastor named Antônio Marques hosted me for the day and a half I was there. He and his wife live on very little. I believe he is over 70 years old and his wife is about the same age. She is an Indian by birth, but has no ties back in the tribes. They have a small house which is quite old. He was given a motorcycle from a church member which is his main mode of transportation.

Here are some pictures of the city for you to see…


The Basic Look

Porto Velho 2010

This gives you the view of what the typical neighborhood is like. There are houses lining the streets on both sides. The nicer houses our painted while most along the outskirts of the city are just bricks and mortar.


The Dirt Streets

Porto Velho 2010

Along the main roads you will find asphalt, but most of the side roads are still dirt.


Basic Housing Along the Outskirts of Town

Porto Velho 2010

This is a view of the housing along the outskirts of the city off of the main roads. Lots of dirt, chickens, and even sewer running through the streets. Porto Velho really is behind the times on development.


My View of Porto Velho

Porto Velho 2010

This is the view I had of all of Porto Velho. As I looked around, I saw a motorcycle helmet which obscured some of the view.


One of the Nicer Roads in Town

Porto Velho 2010

This was one of the nicer roads on the outskirts of town. It took you towards the center of town.


Main Roads – Much Construction

Porto Velho 2010

On this picture you can notice that there are not many markings on the roads. No painted lines, no lanes, no stop signs, etc. On the left you will notice a bridge or overpass being built. They are in the middle of building six major overpasses around town which will greatly improve travel from Porto Velho to other places. One of these bridges will replace the fairy which presently connects two sections of a major international highway.


Small Shops All Over Town

Porto Velho 2010

All over town you will find little stores. After driving around for about six hours I saw very few chain stores. Most were just little shops run by the locals.


Motorcycle Parking

Porto Velho 2010

As you can see, there are motorcycles everywhere. As a matter of fact, most taxis are motorcycles in Porto Velho and all of that region of Brazil.


Typical Means of Family Transportation

Porto Velho 2010

Another typical means of family transportation is the bicycle. Mothers ride with their very small babies in their arms and as you can see here, the bicycles are equipped with several seats.


Nicer House – Closed Condominiums

Porto Velho 2010

Of course, if you are willing to pay the price, you can get nicer housing with more security. These areas are very expensive to live in, yet they provide the security many people want in a city that is known for not being the safest place.

–Jeremy
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