Carolee (our single coworker), David/Sarah (our new coworkers) and us all sat down this week to evaluate the adolescent program we all have part in leading. It was an encouragement to look back to where the group started and in seeing the growth that has taken place, both spiritually and in numbers.

Greetings from the chilly Amazon Jungle. Yes, you just read that correctly. Yesterday was teeth chattering cold with a low of 63 degrees and a humidity of 82%. Add in a steady breeze, clouds and mist and you need to dig out the warm clothes. Houses here are pretty open. Our windows are screened but they do not have glass to close them.

We wanted to give you an update about the trip to Manaus. Jacob was able to have a head CT done for his ongoing headaches. We are thankful that nothing serious was found. His sinuses are all inflammed so he is on medication for that right now. That could be a possible cause of the headaches. Jessica had lab work done as well as an abdominal ultrasound.

We appreciate your faithful prayer support for the ministry here in the Amazon. I want to use this update to share with you something from my heart and some exciting ministry possibilities.

Last Friday, David Carrel (our new coworker) and I met with the deacons and pastors in Betânia to finish the study on church discipline. We spent time reviewing what we've studied and then broke them into groups for what I thought was a practical exercise. The 4 scenarios we gave them to work through all had to do with believers in sin.

I wanted to write and tell you about my day in Betânia last Tuesday. During the morning class, which is mostly older teens, we got sidetracked from the lesson and talking about evolution.

We have some exciting news to share with you. We trust you will join us in praising God because the permanent visas for Athena and the kids have been granted! This has been a long process. We plan to leave Santo Antônio on May 7th headed to Tabatinga on the slow boat (hammocks). It will take 2 days to get there.

We have not had e-mail access since early February. Lloyd is headed to Tabatinga tomorrow to renew our visas. He is hoping to be able to send/receive e-mail while there. We're not sure when we'll have e-mail access back here in SAI.

Betânia