Three Weeks in the West, One Faithful God

Written by Anna Townsend, JMI Missionary in the Amazon

Long before we set foot on the far and muddy riverbanks of Tefé, God was already there.

For many years now, God has been tugging at our hearts with a vision to see the Western Amazonas region reached by the Gospel. He has been strengthening our partnerships with pastors to equip, encourage, and serve alongside the river people.

Sarah Rodrigues, our Justice & Mercy Amazon National Director, communicates our call in this way: “The people of the West are praying, and as their prayers sound through the jungle, God is responding…we are a part of this response!”

God was in the prayers of the pastors as they prepared to welcome many American teams they had never met. He was in the homes of people on the riverside, waiting to receive visitors. He was within the smiles and imaginations of kids’ dreams about the fun to come. He was in the exchanges in ways we could not have planned, and moments no itinerary could orchestrate.

Over three weeks in Tefé, we welcomed three different American teams, traveled countless river kilometers, worshiped on boats, in churches, on riverbanks, and witnessed God moving in ways only He could. Though each week looked different, one thing became abundantly clear: God had gone before us.

Week One: Bayou City Fellowship

We had the honor of traveling with Pastor Pedro, a hero of the West, with our Bayou City team. Imagine a strong soldier with the most tender and humble heart and a deep passion for the Gospel. One morning, while many of the team were serving in one village, he and a few team members took our small boat into what seemed like “no man’s land.”

But Pastor Pedro knew of homes that needed to be visited because God had taken him there many years before. As they made their way through narrow river passages, cutting down jungle tree limbs as they went, houses emerged. What was supposed to be one or two house visits turned into an afternoon of going back, working with kids, meeting new friends, meeting physical needs, sharing the Gospel, and even seeing someone come to know Christ!

For this team, it is permanently marked in their memories. It was a true picture of what obedience will do when we give our “Yes” to God! Pastor Pedro chose obedience, and God used that “yes” to build trust, opening the way for the Gospel to be received.

Week Two: Rolling Hills Community Church

As our Rolling Hills team served throughout their week, their hearts were overwhelmed by the privilege of being in these communities, for these God-appointed encounters, and of seeing Jesus transform lives. We had the blessing of traveling with Pastor Luiz, who has been ministering in the communities surrounding Tefé for over 30 years. His heart is bold and devoted to these precious people of the West.

One day, we had the privilege of serving his church and then having lunch in his home. To see the delight on his face as we fellowshipped together is something my mind will never forget.

For this team, one of the most powerful moments happened in an indigenous community. It’s important to note that visitors must be invited into an indigenous community; they can’t just walk in. We were invited into this community because of the hard work Pastor Luiz had been putting in to getting to know these people better prior to our arrival.

Throughout that day, the Lord made us all family in such a strong way that when our boat set sail, tears flowed in our hugs and in our hearts. We stood on the front of the boat, waving and witnessing all the children run along the riverbanks until our boat was out of sight. As our team debriefed this moment, a common thread emerged in our response: it was a holy privilege to serve these people and learn with them.

Week Three: Midtown Fellowship

Our final team was special. Last year, a group from Midtown Fellowship became the first American mission team JMI sent into Western Amazonas. This year, Midtown returned with both familiar faces from that first trip and new team members ready to serve.

Jennifer, one of our team members from the first trip, could not wait to return to Tefé. She is a hairdresser from Alabama, and last year she brought her haircutting tools to cut the hair of those we served. This year, she returned with a deep desire to serve people again through haircuts. What these people were was much more than a haircut. God used her chair as a place of ministry, where people felt noticed, valued, and loved.

One day, we returned to a community we had visited the year before. Jennifer was especially excited to go there because she had kept photos of every haircut she had given and was prayerfully hoping she would see those same people again. That day, she encountered many people she had met the year before and told them she had been praying for them by name since she returned home. We saw tears flow as people knew they were remembered. It seemed as if God told them, “I see you right where you are, I know your name, and I will not forget you.”

Each week of this trip season, God painted a rainbow across the sky for our teams to see. It felt like a clear sign of His promises, His presence, and His deep love for the people of the West.

As our boat sailed away from Tefé, we left with the assurance that God still remains there. He is the God who always stays near. He is always faithful and always moving, even in the most remote corners of the Amazon. His heart doesn’t forget.

Our call is still to go! And to go back and back again until all have heard of His great love for us.