As many of you know, Tom and I just got back from our trip down the Amazon River. What an adventure to say the least! Where do I start? The Fire Ants in the Commode would be a great place, but I will save that one for later!
We traveled 11 hours by speed boat to a town named Coari, where we spent the night. In the morning we hopped on another speed boat with our small team. The locals called this boat a “Torpedo” because it was faster than the regular speed boat. For two more hours we traveled along the river. Seeing many wonders so magnificent that there are no words to describe.
Every so often, we would spot a house on stilts barely hovering above the water level. Sometimes the water level actually surpassed the floor boards of the home. It’s incredible to me that the Riberinhos have lived in these conditions for generations. Ebbing and flowing with the mighty Amazon River.
Yes! We reached our destination! Whew! Long trip and it’s hot! I am so ready for some AC! We dock the boat along side a walkway made of wooden planks. The planks are leading us to a community of homes which are clustered very closely together. This configuration of homes is not so common along the river. We had reached the Apurinha tribe, and they are a very close knit community unlike any other along the river. 27 families lived in this village of Apurinha. Maria was their chief and she was very much in charge. Maria received us warmly and invited us to stay with them in their homes for the next two days and distribute water filters.
For the next 2 days we distributed the water filters house to house and this gave us the a wonderful opportunity to pray for them individually. The water filters were truly needed here. The water that the Apurinha children drink is completely contaminated. Many of them received filters, healing in their bodies, and most importantly many of them received Christ!
One of many highlights of the trip was watching “The Jesus Film” with the Apurinha people! And many of them received Christ as a result of watching the film! Amazing moment that will reverberate for all eternity!
Ok, so on to the trip bloopers!! Looking back I can laugh at myself, but not so funny when it’s in the moment=D
1. Before the trip even started my plane ticket to Manaus was mysteriously canceled after the purchase had already been charged. Literally the night before my flight we were scrambling around trying to get a new flight. Thank you Juliana from Tropical Travel! I would not have been able to make the trip without your help!
2. While in Manaus, the night before traveling into the Jungle by boat..I fell down a flight of stairs and just about broke my neck! Ok, nothing was broken. Thank you Jesus!! But I felt like my toe was broken.
It hurt!
3. The minute we docked the boat and approached the first river house, I noticed that everyone kicked off their flip flops before entering. I did the same. Only to return 10 minutes later to find everyone elses flip flops, except mine. In the jungle, with no shoes!
Ai ai ai!
4. A team member kindly lent me their flip flops, which I also lost in the river=D For the remainder of the trip I clomped around in a pair of Tom’s shoes. My husband Tom not to be mistaken with the Famous TOMS Shoes.
5. On the wonderful night after we all watched “The Jesus Movie” together, we headed back to our sleeping arrangements. It was very late and very dark. Our only light source was from the reflection of the moon on the water. A few of us decided it would be wise to go potty before bed. The last thing I wanted for sure was to have to use the potty in the middle of the night, in the dark, in the jungle, by myself.
One of the team members with us went in first. Tom and I stood a ways off waiting and talking about the wonderful outcome of the evening. All of a sudden we hear…
“There’s a bug on my bottom!!”, “How rude!” in a British accent.
Followed by screams and mad stomping! “I dropped my torch!”
“Fire ants on my flip’n flops!” And out comes Bridget straightening up her trousers as she makes a mad dash for the river!
You can Imagine the horror of it all. I instantly came to the realization that it could have been me in that fire ant infested bathroom of sorts. I was horrified for Bridget but so glad it wasn’t me! (sorry Bridget)
Oh Wait! The whole area around the bathroom is now covered with fire ants and Tom and I soon joined her in the water! (It was at this point that I lost the pair of borrowed flip flops)
Needless to say, I held my bladder till morning=D
What a wonderful, eventful trip! Made new friends and many received filters for clean safe drinking water!!
A few things I would do different for next time….pack 3 pairs of shoes and some ant spray!=D
Thank you for taking time to stop by! Please leave me a comment on the blog. I really enjoy reading your feedback.
Bernice