Want to wash your hair?

[Sister Alvear]

I am an outdoor person. I am not healthly like I once was. When I was younger I would just take off evangelizing sleep in the the jungles, backlands or whereever in my hammock...

[Sister Alvear]

mangos are super good...they were so yellow and ripe...
Guess what they killed a deer in the backlands and are saving me a peice for tomorrow...the people love it that I love their way of life.

In times past I used to wash my clothes in the rivers...Dear ones I have had a most exciting life...I would never exchange my experiences for boring trips to the malls...

[Sister Alvear]

many of the people not only bath but wash their clothes along with many other things..

[Sister Alvear]

May I share with you Saturday and Sunday experiences?
Saturday evening we finally arrived in Barra do Corda after traveling since Wednesday evening. Arlei (our son) and Caio were waiting for us at the entrance of the city they were afraid we could not remember which street their house is on. We followed them on in and my hugs and tears after 3 months of missionary work away from everyone and all that they have ever known.
We found them so happy with God is doing in spite of the hot steaming weather and thousands of mosquitoes. We really got in just in time to change clothes and head for their Saturday night house meeting. We were dead tired and commented among us hoping that God would give us extra strength…and He did. We had an awesome house meeting and afterwards Sister Carla gave us some cake and something to drink. We sat around after the service and sang almost an hour some of the old songs of the church.
Sunday was a full day. We wanted to spend some time with Sister Carla a new convert. Since water is scarce because of the dry spell we cooked and washed our faces and decided to take advantage and went to the river and ate mangos from the trees by the river and then some of us decided to jump in and get us a bath. Gilene had brought soap and shampoo so we not only got a bath we washed our hair also between having fun eating mangos and fish biting at our feet. The river bed was rocky but other than that all seemed well. I saw no snakes in the water or alligators although my brain told me there were. Sister Carla and her friends that she invited along were amazed that we would take baths in the river as their first thoughts are we are above their way of life…they did not know that we become all things to all to win people to Christ.
After our bathes and watching the fish trying to eat our feet sister Carla told me there were piranhas in the water also but seldom bothered the people…It was really a great day and then we returned visited her and her family and went on to change clothes for the service. The little building was packed beyond measure. Over 100 people that I counted and all were idol worshippers except Sister Carla and us.
We tried to sing some of the most simple songs and I watched their faces as we sang AT the Cross…the most common song in South America among Christians…It is true that in Brazil you can see the southern cross for the sky, radiant and shinning but what do these backland people know about a cross and a real live Savior? Unless we help them they will live and die and know nothing.
Brother Arlei really needs a sound system to hook up and use for services. Brother Alvear went early this morning to see what we could buy a sound system for here. The cheapest one he found was…………
It would be a tremendous help to them and the work here.
Our children moved up here without many promises other than Brother Causey, Brother Robinson…I mean a real faith work. They moved without what we Americans think bare necessities of life…without even a fan in this terrible hot weather. When water does come it is not very clean and of course no hot water for baths. God has blessed by some special offerings and we bought them a tiny refrigerator and a simple table and a small cabinet…No they have no living room furniture but that really doesn’t matter they have no living room! They do need more chairs, they need more plates, glasses and just small things we need for everyday living.
They need a pump so that when water comes they catch into barrels they can send it to a water box we bought them and they can have water to come out of the shower head. The pump cost is 200 dollars. Maybe someone can help them.
Sometimes you may say Sister Alvear I don’t have a lot and my tiny offering would not make a difference. Yes dear friend it will. I can buy them glasses, plates, pans, more chairs. Up to this moment we have bought 16 chairs for this work but they need many more. Some have written me that they want to help. PLEASE DO!
I would like to invite all to join in with us in prayer…Prayer is like the tide it has the strength to pull the tide…Help us pull the souls from the depths of paganism into this marvelous light.
A special thanks to Brother and Sister Coon and Jena church and Brother and Sister Rowley and church for helping us begin this work. It is so true we are workers together in the vineyard and oh how this couple needs your help.
I was talking today about the many people that show up and claim some missionary call and as long as we feed them, give them a place to stay, lights, water all is well but when it gets to where the rubber meets the road we find out it was not a call just a free lunch they were after. BUT others…and it is because of these others that I never tire of helping people that have really been called and have really gone out into the vineyard of the Lord.
Arlei and Gilene talked with us late into the night..sure they the home church…us…BUT their call is real and let us know they never plan to return but give their lives in this far distant land.
I ask you to examine these needs in the light of eternity.
Just an extra tank of gas helps them to make a trip into the regions beyond where the Jesus name message has never been preached…
Our whole lives should revolve around souls and not the meager pleasures of this world. Will you send an offering to help Brother Arlei and Sister Gilene? No matter how big or small they will receive every penny you send with great joy and thanksgiving.


Pray for us tomorrow we go futher inland...

[winklebottom]

what an exciting life you lead! You are doing what most of us dream about.... traveling and all, and spreading the gospel!! What a wonderful bonus!! I would be afraid to get in that river!! I am such a chicken, what if I touched a fish or something! My husband calls me a princess...but I am really just a scardy cat!

[Felicity]

Sis. Alvear .....

I thought I was adventurous but I'm not so sure I'd venture into that river without LOTS of assurance from the locals that I'd be okay although jelly fish never kept me out of the water - most of the time anyhow.

I got used to those little stings.

[revrandy]

I've heard that Piranha is delicious??? Any truth to that??

[Sister Alvear]

Fot those that wanted to know about Acai. This is how it grows.

[Sister Alvear]

[Sister Alvear]