Summary: Personal Reflection and Team Summary

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Personal Reflection:

2008 is gone and 2009 is already here . Personally, there is no better way than ending my 2008 and beginning my 2009 on a mission field in Peru Amazon. The getaway from the bombardment of the electronic gadgets and technology, such as TV/Internet/Cell phone, has in some way refreshed me in a very different way.  This trip reaffirmed my belief that our happiness is independent of the advancement of the technology. The simplicity of life enabled me to be more focused on what is essential in life. The recollection of the daily devotion at the deck of Chosen Vessel with sunrise as the backdrop still warms my heart now.

With the invasion of the stimulating electronic gadgets, our children seem to have lost the skill of self-entertaining...

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On this side of heaven, neither can I measure how we, the medical team, have touched the lives of those jungle people nor how they have touched ours. One thing I know for sure, I am honored to have the chance to experience God in a different context, in a much primitive environment where lifestyles still evolve around the sunrises and sunsets. Basic medical care is a non-existence to them. Some of these jungle people may never visit a doctor in their entire life. According to our translators, these people, if lucky, may have two meals a day else mostly one meal. And yet life goes on… One can’t help but think how much do we really need in order to be happy?

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Children are the most precious of all. They look puzzled and yet innocent whenever a camera was zooming into their cute faces. They were utterly hilarious when they saw themselves on the LCD screen of the digital camera. Unlike their counterpart in more developed countries, these children know how to entertain themselves with nature and with their peers. I literally observed a kid playing in the mud by himself for 30 minutes from the deck. Another kid, we called him “Shorty”, climbed up a 15-feet tall tree as nimbly as a monkey just within a few seconds. Furthermore, they were able to sit in the pew for a long time  without whining “I am bored!” With the invasion of the visual stimulating electronic gadgets, our children seem to have lost the skill of self-entertaining, solitude, as well as the sense of wonder toward God's nature.

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In spite of the BIG materialism contrast between our abundance and their impoverishment, I am JUST NOT convinced we are happier.

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Dear Supporter of the Amazon Missions Team:

Now that we’re back from the Amazon, we wish to thank all who participated in this effort by your prayers and financial support. During this missions trip we provided medical care to 627 persons and dispensed eyeglasses to 94 persons. A Peruvian dentist who accompanied our team provided dental care to 174 persons. 7 villages were reached with the gospel message. Almost all of the children responded positively to the good news while most adults participated in worship and some came forward. The local church was encouraged and supported. 6 of the villages had never been visited before by our boat, the Chosen Vessel, which is virtually the only such medical boat this part of the Amazon. Hundreds of gospel tracts were passed out and 120 Bibles were distributed. Hundreds of small goodwill gifts passed out, appropriate for the men, women and children.

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We also visited Iquitos, a port city on the Amazon with the intention to make an initial contact with the sizable Chinese population. We were able to have a limited conversation with the head of the Chinese benevolent association. We found the Chinese to be socially isolated from their Hispanic neighbors and spiritually isolated from the Peruvian church. If the Lord is willing we would like to be able to follow-up on this initial contact with strategy for a future extended visit.

Although only 2 persons in our team were fluent in Spanish, we were able to do our work through 4 very good translators, who were also outstanding in helping with music and worship. Video taped messages by our Spanish speaking friends in Chicago were a very important part of our effort.

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We thank God that the logistics of this trip worked well. Working with a local Peruvian support team, our medical/evangelism team from North America was able to transport ourselves to isolated villages 50 miles down the Amazon River and back without any accidents and in good health.

Thank you once again for your prayers and financial support. We are grateful for your partnership in bringing the good news to all people.

In Christ,

The Amazon Missions Team 2008-2009