Sometimes I wish I had a video camera strapped to my head to document every single thing that I have been through because I have a hard time pinpointing the stories I would like to portray on this blog. With that being said, I have decided to write about my trek down the first half of the Amazon River from Santana to Manaus, Brazil.
Before signing up for the World Race, one of the many descriptions for the South America route that caught my attention, was the physical demand and the phrase “pioneering the entire Amazon River.” Before going on this trip, our squad was required to be able to hike 3 miles with a 30 lb backpack in under an hour. This route stood out to me because I have always loved a challenge and what better way to get rocked by God in 11 months than covering all aspects.
For the past 5 months leading up to this expedition, I have been picturing in my head what pioneering this was actually going to look like. I envisioned my team sleeping in hammocks on a small wooden boat. I saw us stopping in remote villages to learn about the Amerindian culture and way of life. I assumed there would be minimal showers and any washing of clothes or ourselves would be accomplished in the river, as long as pirhanas weren’t around. I was looking forward to what the Amazon had to offer along with the physical demands that came along with it. I was ready for the challenge.
On the 24th of October, the opportunity finally arose to pioneer the worlds largest river. We were dropped off at the port of Santana, by our Airbnb hosts, to buy tickets and stake our claim on the Luan before the other 300 passengers arrived. Yes, that’s right, 300 passengers. We walked up to the Luan, which was a giant open air cruise liner with 3 tiers. Not what I was expecting. The first tier was for cargo and the kitchen, the second tier was for sleeping, and the third tier was an upper deck, which I used for early morning workouts and watching sunsets. Sleeping accommodations were hammocks, which we strapped to the iron rods and poles next to the other 300 passengers, with our bags tied to one another below. Meals were served three times a day and the cuisine was actually quite good. Coffee was even provided, although it definitely took some getting use to. Brazilians tend to put loads of sugar in all drinks and the coffee tastes more like syrup, but it’s better than getting a headache from caffeine withdrawals. During the day, you were either in your hammock, walking around the perimeter of the boat looking at the vastness of the Amazon, talking to strangers, reading, sleeping, or making up silly games. At night, lights were out by 9pm and you fell asleep to heavy winds blowing your hammock into the person next to you, stars were ablaze above with their own luminescence, and piranhas and other creatures were below in the murky waters.
What I enjoyed most about the first part of the Amazon was the experience in itself and continuing to learn how to live this life missionally. I enjoyed talking to Jeff, from Brasilia, who taught me all the ins and outs of the boat. He helped me practice my Portuguese while we helped him with his English. A useful phrase he taught me was ‘Tudo Bem’ which can be used one of two ways. It can be a question of, how is everything? One can also use it as an answer towards the question of, all is well! I also enjoyed early morning sunrises and breathing in fresh crisp air. I enjoyed one afternoon getting my ear talked off by a 4 year old who never realized I didn’t understand a thing she was talking about. She was darling.
I enjoyed stopping in Santarem and meeting a lady named Viktoria, who invited us over for a potluck to meet other missionaries from all over South America. I enjoyed deep conversations with teammates who are willing to go deep with one another and get past the surface material. I enjoyed the late night screaming followed by laughter when we got pelted by giant beetles in the dead of night. I enjoyed catching piranhas, caymans, and seeing pink dolphins. I enjoyed the opportunity to see yet again how amazing God’s creation is. With all the down time, I enjoyed communicating with God because it takes time and effort to hear His voice. I enjoyed meeting Eduardo, who the night before was held up at gunpoint, shot at three times, and the bullets fell down right in front of his face. I enjoyed celebrating that same brother come to Christ.
What God taught me the most about on the first leg of the Amazon was how to seize opportunities. The Amazon River is literally a highway connecting people in a vast majority of ways. Opportunities are in a fingers grasp each and everyday but one has to be willing to put their hand out their and grasp it. God taught me how to cast my net and in doing so, He showed me the possibility in all things.
“He said, Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” (John 21:6) I feel bold saying this but I literally felt like I was able to live out this scripture on the Amazon. All God asks us to do is cast our nets. But how many of us our willing to take that step, or that leap of faith to cast the net? On our journey, God brought so many men and women of peace into our lives and provided our team with the unimaginable. We had places to stay, food on our plates, ministry contacts, relationships built for future racers, and much much more.
On the Amazon, God taught me how cast my net and jump at the opportunities in front of me. I feel like so often you hear the phrase that Satan is casting bait at us and trying to trap us in. But what I am realizing more and more is that God is casting bait at us as well, if not more. And what’s great about God’s bait is that it is so much more tastier than anything you could have ever imagined. In casting our nets on the Amazon, literally and figuratively, we were able to experience some of the best opportunities that I could have never conguered up. It gives me hope for the future because if He has provided for us for our day to day needs I can’t even begin to imagine what He has planned for my future.
Keep casting those nets.
Cheers,
Kels
