August 2007

Dear Friends and Family,

The second semester brought changes and opportunities to our ministry. I started teaching Portuguese to seminary students, and Tim is now teaching cultural anthropology and church development.  He travels often to teach a module on holistic mission to pastors in many presbyteries and synods. This is part of the continuing education program that is now mandatory for pastors of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPCB).

On August 14, 2007, a group of 20 people left the Amazon capital of Manaus for a medical trip upriver. The group included members of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, missionaries of the IPCB, missionaries of Mission Aviation Fellowship, and volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses, a physical therapist, and also the boat staff. We couldn’t take the IPCB's boat this time, which would not be big enough, so we rented a boat called, appropriately, “The Fisherman.”

Dr. Joy Anderson with a patient in Costa do Curuçá, a village on the banks of the Amazon River.

After several hours, we reached the little village of Costa do Curuçá and anchored the boat that would house us for the week in front of a school. This was a new L-shaped building built of wood, with about 12 rooms, a kitchen, and a patio. It was clean and well kept. We spent the rest of the afternoon setting up a pharmacy and rooms for appointments. The director of the school and the teachers were very supportive and invited the children to participate in the special activities the following days. School was cancelled for the 200 students.

The next morning started with devotionals. While we ate breakfast, small boats arrived, bringing members of the community who lined up to register and fill out the necessary forms. Patients were seen by the health professionals from 8:00 to 5:00. The school provided snacks for the children as well as soup for lunch. The snack bar was also open, selling pastries and candy.

Faces painted courtesy of Joy Anderson, First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The day for the children started with music. Bible stories—with skits by two clowns—face painting, crafts, and many games made the children happy. One of our clowns was Dr. Joy Anderson, who also saw patients. Her specialty is lower limbs, so she saw patients with work- and sports-related injuries, and she also had to remove some calluses and a cyst.  One of her patients was so grateful that he brought the group a very expensive fish (Pirarucu) he had just caught with his net on the last day we were there.

On our last evening in Costa do Curuçá we held a service with much singing and a bold message by Fort Lauderdale’s Tim Dobbins. This service was longer than usual because it was the last opportunity to enjoy these new friends. Afterwards, some Bibles were given to new converts and young people. Community members were very thankful for the tremendous help from the health professionals. Their work of love was to them a clear sign of faith in action.

 “The Royal Banner,” the IPCB's boat, goes out every month and will return to this community. This effort to help them address their health problems will continue in future trips. It was a privilege to be part of this ministry.

Tim and Marta Carriker

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 45