Marañón River visit

Early Saturday morning we began our preparations for departure to the Marañón River. At 7:30 am the engine of our Lake Renegade 250 was fired up and at 7:40 am we were climbing high into the sky until we reached an altitude of 5500 feet. The trip was quiet because the skies were clear, which is rare at this time of year (the rainy season); normally almost every day is cloudy and rainy.

Sandra and Pr. Aholiab, Amy and Chris Borcherding

Pushing the airplane out

After two and a half hours we arrived in the community of San Jose de Parinari, on the Marañón River.  The work here began in 2010. The small group of believers who accepted God's call and committed their lives to Him in October last year were very dedicated and put forth the effort to get the materials for the roof of their church. Peru Projects supplied the corrugated metal sheeting, and under the direction of the missionary who worked there last year, brother Antonio Zatalaya, in January 2011 they began to construct the frame and put the roof on. On this visit we had the pleasure of seeing the completed roof. We had Sabbath School and then worship where the Bible reminded us of the precious promise that our wonderful Jesus Christ will soon return in the clouds with great glory and bring us to His holy city: Jerusalem.

San Jose de Parinari: BW's entered in 2010

Tin roof in middle is chapel: SJ de Parinari

Arriving in the port

 

Arriving at the chapel

Roof just constructed in January

Beginning Sabbath School: BW Antonio leading out

  

Chris and Amy Borcherding

Church service

Brethren of San Jose de Parinari

After fellowshipping with the brethren in Parinari, we began the trip to Santa Rita de Castilla. There David Saboya, the missionary appointed in 2011 to attend the four fledgling churches we have on that river, was waiting for us with the group of believers there. They also had a worship service to praise God, and after strengthening ourselves with His Word we were served a delicious lunch that the believers had so graciously prepared for us.

Santa Rita de Castilla

BW David Saboya's home

  

BW David Saboya

Brethren of Santa Rita de Castilla

Afterward we flew to Leoncio Prado to be with the brethren there for the parting of the Sabbath. We were very happy to find them meeting together in their recently constructed church.  With much effort they had been able to build the frame and put on the thatched roof and Peru Projects had helped them to get the boards for the walls. With the support and direction of the missionary who was there last year, Elvio Manuyama, in January 2011 they were able to complete a beautiful temple for the praise and honor of our God. Here we spent the night, but before going to sleep we set up a television outside the church and watched a video about the Sabbath. Many people came to watch and at the end we shared a message and then we went to bed.

Chapel: Leoncio Prado

Friday night vespers

Friday night program

 

  

Chapel

Wood to make more benches

Morning worship

Early Sunday morning we met in the church for worship and then had breakfast, a delicious "pango" (boiled fish cooked with banana).  Then we said goodbye to the brethren and began the return trip to our base in Pucallpa.

I really thank the Lord very much for this trip; it was a blessing to our brethren on the Marañón River and for us also. 

Breakfast

Saying goodbye

The work here faces many challenges this year; we ask that you join us in praying that God would provide the financial means to continue preaching the gospel in this area of the Peruvian Amazon.

- Pr. Aholiab