Brother Jorge kindly drove us to Lethem (2 hours by car) and we were able to cross the border easily and then come back into Brazil the same day and obtain a further 3 month stamp on our passport from the Brazilian federal police at Bonfim.
On the way back down the main road from Guyana to Brazil, the BR174, we suddenly saw a large anteater happily hunting for food by the road. Jorge stopped the car and we quietly got out and took the following photo. It did not seem bothered and I also took a brief video of it when it was only about 10m away. They are an unusual creature with a large tail.
You can watch the video below.
Quality is only basic as it was quickly caught using our mobile phone.
The preaching work continues to reap rewards and our studies have become regular. Although the heat is regularly around 40 degrees, we have found that we can cope on the ministry between 07.45 and about 11.30 in the morning and then again from about 16.00 onwards in the afternoon.
One morning we were working in a poorer part of our territory and a red rescue vehicle passed us on the way to an emergency. A few minutes later, we came around a corner and saw the following:
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| That's right - get those feet wet and muddy! |
One thing we have learnt about North Brazil is that they always find ways to fix things. They will use anything to fix a car or truck when it breaks down. In England we wait for the breakdown service to tow our car to a garage to get fixed. Out here in North Brazil, they do not have that luxury, and it seems that most people are capable of fixing things when they break.
Caracarai
On Wednesday 18th September we visited Caracarai congregation again (we visited there in July to give a talk (see the 'July page'). We spent the morning in the ministry with the special pioneer couple there. In July they were at the 'couples' class and returned at the end of August.
The mid week meeting is on a Wednesday and so that evening we went to the meeting and met once again the families we saw in July. All the children ran up to us and hugged us as though we were long lost friends! We were touched by the instant warmth and love that we were shown.
There is only one elder in the congregation (a special pioneer) and he was explaining the massive need that they have for elders and pioneers.
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| Sam and Lene - Special pioneer couple and elder |
They had just received a new updated list from the Brazil branch of congregations that have a need for pioneers and elders. Caracarai was the only one in the whole state of Roraima. It made us think about moving there. They have territory that has never been worked and also are responsible for extensive river witnessing.
We went travelled back to Boa Vista the next day and prayerfully considered what to do. The needs in the Bela Vista congregation had changed over the months as there were now more elders and pioneers there. Also the branch had confirmed that they needed elders and pioneers in Caracarai.
We knew that we only had until 2nd December in Brazil because our visas would end then. We therefore decided that we would spend the last 2 months of our time in Brazil in Caracarai.
Last 2 weeks in Boa Vista
Back in Bela Vista, Boa Vista, we continued with the Bible studies we had developed and arranged for the brothers to continue with these when we left the congregation. During our 4 months in Boa Vista, we had focused entirely on preaching and helping the congregation and so had not spent any time visiting any places of interest.
On 23rd September we decided to have a day out near the river in Boa Vista. Whilst walking near the river we came across a muscular Iguana lizard which was quite large. We had met a couple on the ministry before that wander around on there own (not pets) but this one was a poser. He was up for a photo shoot so:
On 23rd September we decided to have a day out near the river in Boa Vista. Whilst walking near the river we came across a muscular Iguana lizard which was quite large. We had met a couple on the ministry before that wander around on there own (not pets) but this one was a poser. He was up for a photo shoot so:
Ok thanks. Can we have a front view now:
That's great. We just need one more: a right head pose.
Thanks pal. Well done. You can go now.
Anyway, back to sanity. The river is the Rio Branco which runs south and goes through Caracarai (165Km south) and via the Rio Negro eventually joining the Amazon. It is a wide river with natural sandy beaches and spits. You can see this in the pictures below.
On 26th September, we went to our last meeting in Bela Vista. We had mixed feelings: sad to leave the brothers and sisters who had made us feel welcome on our first visit to Brazil. However, we were also excited at the future assignment in Caracarai.
A group of brothers in the congregation arranged a surprise party for us before we went.
On 29th September we went across the border into Guyana to give a public talk in Lethem. We met the coordinator there who with his wife are also special pioneers. There are also 2 other special pioneer couples in Lethem congregation now.
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| Sandra with Shane and Sonia |
Lethem covers a massive territory and we traveled many miles to reach their studies. However, the congregation are also responsible for covering the territory in most of south Guyana! This includes many tribal areas that can only be reached by boat or very robust off-road vehicles.
On the Monday, we purchased a mountain bike in Lethem as we knew we would need this in Caracarai and they are much cheaper to buy in Guyana than they are in Brazil. Monday afternoon we crossed back over into Brazil and traveled on a coach back to Boa Vista to pack all of our things for our move to Caracarai.
To find out more, read our October post at 'October 2013 - Brazil'
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