Brazil: July 13-30, 2009

Is the Lord calling you to a mission adventure this summer? The Reformed Episcopal Church is looking for individuals willing to serve on a short-term mission to the Amazon River of Brazil.

Dates: July 13-30, 2009

Estimated cost: $2,000.00*
*not including passport, inoculations, souvenirs, and transportation to JFK airport

Ministry Details:
People? We will work with an indigenous tribe called the Apurina. Missionary Judy King has been working with the Apurina Indians for many years. God has allowed Judy and her partner Cathie to raise up many Christian believers, a church building, and a New Testament translated into the Apurina language. We want to disciple the Apurina, and encourage Judy in whatever way possible.

Where? Some work will take place in Judy King’s house in Manaus, Brazil. Most of the worship and labor will happen with the Apurina people who live near the banks of the Monkey River, a tributary of the Amazon River in Brazil. Judy and Cathie have living quarters for us to stay there as well.

Service? What kind of projects will we be doing? Refurbishing the church building will be the main concern. The present church is half wood that is falling to pieces due to termite infestation. We will tear down the wood and put up bricks. Building a small laboratory is another goal. This would house two microscopes critical for analyzing blood samples and prescribing the correct medication. The group would possibly get involved in sinking a well. Discipling the Apurina Indians, showing the Jesus film, and doing a children’s ministry would be other activities.

Who? Who can go? Pretty much anybody in good shape, over 15 years old, and with good references. Rev. Paul Howden will be team leader: pastorpaul6@verizon.net

Tourism? At the end of trip we will enjoy a couple days of tourism in Manaus, Brazil.

Itinerary:
God willing, we will fly out of JFK airport (New York), stop in Panama, then on to Manaus, Brazil. At Manaus we will stay at Judy’s house for a day or two. Then we will board a boat, loading onto the vessel with us much cargo. Once the ship disembarks we float two and a half days down the Amazon River to the mouth of Monkey River. From there we will transfer our supplies onto canoes for an hour trip to the mission site. Judy will match each person with an Apurina family so they can show us how they fish, farm, and live. We will sleep in mosquito nets, and must be inside them at sunset when the mosquitoes appear. On the return to Manaus we will fly in cargo planes.

Additional Details:
Conditions: You will probably encounter difficult circumstances and primitive conditions. Bring bug spray and a mosquito net.

Vaccinations? Yellow Fever is required for going through Panama. Malaria pills may or may not help.

Contact:
Pastor Paul Howden

pastorpaul6@verizon.net
or call Grace R.E. Church, Scranton, PA
(570) 346-2762

You may send contributions for
Short-term Missions to

Mr. Charles Twining Jr.
Treasurer
2112 Fortune Road
Glenside, PA 19038

Make checks payable to
the REC Board of Foreign Missions and mark for
“Short-term Missions.”

Report from the 2007 trip to Nigeria

Other Mission Opportunities for 2009

Nigeria     July 3-17

Germany  July 14-29