Report from Dr. Chris Feucht - April 6, 2002

The New Life Amazon medical mission team has returned safe and sound from the beautiful country of Peru. We had an awesome time. What a privilege it was to minister in four separate villages along the mighty Amazon river!

Our team arrived Saturday night, April 6 in Lima from two separate flights without any difficulties. Some of us got a little sleep in the airport as we waited for our 7:00 am flight to Iquitos. Upon arrival in Iquitos we were transported by bus to Nina Rumi where we boarded the Chosen Vessel for our trip up river.

The next 14-15 hours we traveled the Nanay River and one of its tributaries. The beauty of the jungle is breathtaking --- dense greenery lining the river banks with flowers and orchids scattered throughout, taller trees forming a huge canopy beyond the rivers edge and occasional birds flying to and fro. The river in places can look like a mirror reflecting the clouds and the beautiful landscapes passing by. Among all this spectacular scenery are scattered thatch roofed houses on stilts --- some standing by themselves and others bunched together in small villages or peublos. Though all of us were sleepy it was hard to leave the boat's deck until darkness fell around 6:00 pm.

We arrived at a a village called Atalaya in the middle of the night. This was the largest of the four villages we visited and the home of a hub pastor named William. The last time I had visited this village was 3 years ago. There was no church at that time and during our clinic we had ministered to several people who had never heard the name of Jesus. But today there is a newly built church building with a vibrant strong body of believers.

During our medical clinic we were able to see almost 120 people and as we shared the Gospel we had 30 of those people invite Jesus into their heart to be their personal Savior. Monday evening we had a great service where Pastor Sam preached a great message and several responded to his invitation.

Over the next three days we visited three other villages --- Buena Vista, Neuvo Porvenir, and Villa Flores. We received a warm reception at each pueblo and had a great time ministering among them and sharing our faith. Services every evening contained ministry for the children, some drama and worship dance, and a message for the villagers. Several responded to invitations for salvation.

Our visit to Villa Flores was the first time people from North America had come to visit and work among them. They were literally at the rivers end --- the last village on the river. Spring is the only season they can be reached when the river is high enough for the boat to get there. There seemed to be an immediate heart connection between our team and the people of Villa Flores. They were very friendly to us and open to the Gospel. God moved in this village in miraculous ways --- there were 8 healings and 2 deliverances --- and 31 people prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior. Five people were baptized in the river and Pastor Sam had the privilege of marrying one young couple in a beautiful ceremony underneath a parachute canopy.

During the week we treated and ministered to 318 people through the medical clinics, shared and ministered with the village children every day, and preached God's word every evening. God's Holy Spirit came and by His grace 86 received salvation, 8 were healed of their illnesses, and 2 were delivered from the oppression of the enemy. All glory for what was accomplished goes to Him.

By God's grace we made an eternal difference in villages of the Amazon region of Peru.