Salvation in Parintins

SO I am still in Parintins. Man, it is tough here. We are doing prayer walks at 5 AM. Yikes. Yeah, that early morning stuff is not my style. But you have to count the cost right? Change for this city is worth more than sleep. At 5am I may answer differently, but in my right mind I know it is good to sacrifice for the Lord. So we get up, pull ourselves out of bed, march and pray. We walk around the stadium where a big festival happens. Along the walls of the stadium are well done relief sculptures. As an aritist I can say wow and give props, but as a Christian they make me sick. They tell of myths and the old beliefs that are held here. The
pictures I hope to take for you will speak of the intesity.
We hear rummors of how bad it is here and we have had little tastes of it. Here is an example of what is going: We met with a girl last night after a prayer meeting at church. She wanted some advice, she has a discipler who out of town. Also, I'm sure we seem all wise and knowing since we have been preaching and hanging out with the youth here. Anyways, it really opened up my eyes to what girls go through here. I will share bits of her story. She has been "groped" (the word she used) when she was nine by a guy that must have used to been a part of the church. Then I think it happened again rencently by her own brother. Along with other things. She is twelve now. But looks fifteen. It crazy. She was asking us advise on this boy she likes. I was still like, "What the heck, your tweleve. You don' t need to date." He is ninteen. So the three of us definalty gave her many words such as focus on the Lord, you have all the time in the world. Obey your spiritual authority and your parents' authority, you need that covering. I think we definalty had an impact. It was awsome for me to be there, I felt privillaged. My heart gets excited about siutations like that. Not that I want things like this to happen, but I love to talk with people and help them walk in a upright way. Not saying I have all the answers, but the guidence from someone older is always appreicated.

A few more cool things. A guy we prayed over on Friday night was healed! He used to be in a gang and had messed up his ribcage, collar bone, and neck. So Crystal and I prayed for him. Then I asked him, "Does it feel any better?" He said a little. I said, "Well, lets pray agian." So we did I asked againhe said alittle bit better so I said okay again. we pryaed a third time and this time we prayed over his neck. He started bending his head back and forth and said, "Wow! I have not been able to ever do that!" He said the pain in his chect was gone, like his bones moved or something. I was so excited. SO EXCTED. The next night it was youth night. I had the idea to open it up take the chairs out and let the youth have fun with praise and worship time. Then one of us spoke from the team and then we did a very powerful skit. I was the director, I will post it later (but if you are looking for me I am not there, haha). Sorry. They did an awesome job. So this guy was there and he said, "I have never been to church and I am really liking it." So I was praying along with friends throughout the service. Well, at the end he came up to recive salvation and so did another guy. I am so pumped to know we are having an effect in this tough city. The next night another young girl came to Christ.
I felt I needed to share some good stories with you. Well, we have to run.
I have found many new roles to fill and ways to help out while on this trip. Examples: taking care of everyone physically (don't tell them I am not a doc), helping organinze food for the team and just helping remember what is going on. I am actually loveing the fact that I can be a help. :)