Bud Simon

On the River

Pastor Antonio and one of his children stand in front of the mission boat used for church planting.  Pastor Antonio is the regional leader for Gurupa. 

On a recent trip down the river, I was able to spend a few days in and around the town of Gurupá.  One of the places where we were able to stop on the trip was near the mouth of the Xingu River.  The work there is relatively new and there is a freshness in the interest of the people. 

Recently there were baptisms for the first time and on this trip we celebrated communion with the new members of the church.  It was great to be able to have the privilege of being there for the simple event that marks a positive turning point in the growth of the church. 

The meeting was amazingly simple.  It was held on the beach, near some trees.  There were about 60 to 70 people. People kept arriving during the entire meeting.

The people expressed a heartfelt desire to hear the Gospel.  The sincerity and simplicity of the people is what opens my eyes.  They want to know and they want to be part of what God is doing at this moment in time.  They open their hearts to His presence, to let Him make a positive difference in their lives and the life of their community. 

It was great to have another one of our missionaries along, Dr Tim Kubacki.  He was able to hold a clinic in a community which has probably never had a doctor visit.  Often the needs are simple, but the positive influence and the practical demonstration of care and concern are powerful.  Dr Tim helps communicate in the minds of the people the love of God through Tim's desire to help in any way.  Tim also takes the time to pray with each and every patient to whom he provides care.  This is a clear way to point to God as the Great Physician.  It was alot of fun to have the company of another missionary along and it was great to see God using him in positive ways!

 The church service on the beach near the mouth of the Xingu River

Riding in the close quarters of the boat.  Dr Tim is on the left and the other members are part of the team along with their families

Dr Tim doing a consultation in a classic setting.  People gather around to hear and to see what is happening.  Tim spent years as an Emergency Room Doctor in Ohio.  The Lord has called Tim to use his talents in an amazing new way. 

Chains and Prayer

The morning sun lights the dawn and illuminates the Maranatha 2, one of the mission's boats

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Gurupá.  Gurupá is one of the oldest towns in the Amazon Basin, first being founded in the 1500's as a Catholic mission and then garrisoned with soldiers to stop other countries from settling in the Amazon region.  It is an area where many of the homes are built on stilts because of the flood season along the Amazon. 

However, it has a history of being a hard town, a town that is not interested in the Gospel.  We started a church there about eight years ago and I have visited there many times over the years.  It has been difficult for the church and the growth has been slow.  On this visit, I was encouraged by the fact that the pastor and his family are doing well.  I had a good time visiting with him.  Here is one incident that stuck out.

As we were walking down the streets of Gurupá, going from the docks (where we left the boat) to the church, we were stopped by a man.  He enthusiastically shook my hand and animatedly conversed with me.  He was glad to see me and it was apparent in his face. 

After we parted ways, (the local pastor) Antonio asked me, "Do you remember him?"

I confessed, "No, I did not recognize him."

Antonio recalled, "He was chained up underneath his family's house.  He used to be uncontrollable and crazy.  You prayed for him on one of your visits and now he is 100%  normal."

I turned around and looked up the street at the man's departing back.  I was both amazed at his transformation (no wonder I did not recognize him) and the power of God to change our lives. 

Do we ask expecting anything to happen when we pray?

Do we ask "big"  Can we ask big and still ask with humility?

Do we believe in the power and the compassion of our God to intersect our lives?

Once again, I was humbled to see God working in mighty ways and that He delights in using us, with all of our weaknesses and fragility.  We truly are vessels of clay. 

Fishermen cast their nets into the Amazon as dusk settles

Photos

I just returned from a river trip on the Xingu and Amazon Rivers.  Here are a few photos from the trip.

A look out the window - a child at one of the homes where I stopped.

A family commute - the man left alone on the canoe and returned 15 minutes later with the family!

Navigational light on the boat

Typical poverty along the river

Pastor Naldo shares the Scriptures with a family during one of our stops during the trip. 

Vacation Time and Incidents

Samuel, looking right at me with those big liquid eyes of his.

We just had a great time as a family, taking some time off to relax and vacation together.  We were able to go to Belem for a few days and also out to the coast of  Brazil.  The kids loved the waves and the experience of playing on the beach and in the waves. 

Samuel was at first scared by the waves.  But, after he figured things out, he was plunging right into the water (no fear). 

There is alot of fun time and relaxing time.  For me, time for reading books as well as being with the kids.  Time away from e-mail and cell phones and the constant pressure of responding to so many overwhelming needs. 

The kids had the delight of some unusual experiences for them.  It is funny to think how growing up in Altamira, removed from so many of the "common" experiences, makes for some delightful  moments.  They were endlessly fascinated by the elevator in the hotel where we stayed.  The younger kids actually fell over the first time or two when the elevator stopped.  Hilarious.  And, we went to a place with an escalator, which was another big hit.  This led to another child of mine "falling" over... more kind of like the escalator spit Anna out.  We looked like a bunch of hillbillies (no offense to my West Virginia friends)! 

The change of pace was delightful and made for a great time for the whole family. 

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

Anna delighting in the unusual experience of riding an elevator in Belem (there are no elevators in Altamira). 

Book Review: Heroic Leadership

 

I had the opportunity this last month to read the book, Heroic Leadership.  It is an excellent and interesting view of how the Jesuit Society of Missionaries has impacted the world over the last 450 years. 

They book describes four transferable concepts that are connected to the success of the Jesuit movement. 

1) Self awareness - understanding your strengths, weaknesses, values, and world view
2) Ingenuity - confidently innovating and adapting to embrace a changing world
3) Love - engaging others with a positive, loving attitude
4) Heroism - energizing yourself and others with outstanding ambitions

I was impressed with two main thoughts communicated in the book.  One, the author unashamedly explains how these concepts can work in the secular market place.  He makes clear that how loving you people (team, employees, etc) works for everyone's benefit, which is impressive.  Two, the author also unashamedly uses relevant examples from the lives of a variety of Jesuits and their varied experiences from around the world.  These examples help clarify how these principles can work, even in extreme situations. 

I recommend this as an excellent leadership book with a different perspective that is worthwhile to read and explore.  Pick up a copy if you have the chance.