March 2021 Prayer Letter
March 31, 2021
Dear Friends and Family,
“And my Lord will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
I continue to be able to visit my local pastors and their families. I provide them with encouragement and support and they bless me through their fellowship. It never ceases to remind me that God is always at work in our lives and His blessings are daily!
In early February I traveled up the Rio Pastaza. The destination was the village of Barranquillo to participate in a conference. I flew to San Lorenzo the day before we were to travel by boat. We left San Lorenzo on Thursday February 4 at 7:45 A.M. The normal travel time should have been approximately six hours. The weather had a much different plan for this trip. The river level is very high at this time of year due to seasonal rains. Consequently the whirlpools, the rapids and the floating debris created a unique and perilous travel experience. We motored for four hours in the rain without a roof on the boat. We used sheets of plastic to cover ourselves. This provided zero protection from the shivering cold winds and driving rain. Low and behold the rain did stop and the extremely hot sun appeared! Good news….but bad news without a roof on the boat, I suffered heat stroke symptoms.
Total travel time exceeded nine hours and was clearly parallel of the Apostle Paul’s violent storm experience in the Book of Acts. Pastor John’s recent teaching was very fresh in my mind as I stressed about our safety and reaching the destination. The storm was big, our Almighty God is bigger. PRAYER AND MORE PRAYER. I knew my Father was with me and He would keep me anchored. AND HE DID! Praise the Lord, He protected me and the others on board. It is good to give thanks to the Lord and sing praises to Him. Psalm 92:1
I am thankful to say we finally arrived in Barranquillo about 4:30 P.M. and stood on solid ground once again. Although I felt quite sick for several hours I was very thankful for God’s powerful, guiding hand in the storm. Furthermore, I am also thankful to report that the conference was a success. The theme for the three days was “Sin and Repentance”. I taught on the topic of sin. Melec, a pastor of the MEPI church and Julio César, a missionary taught on the repentance topic.
After the conference I met with Pastor’s Jose and Gillermo from San Lorenzo. They were in need of my help to develop a program for the indigenous people of San Lorenzo. Their goal would be to teach much needed skills, encouraging this population to better meet their own needs. Other trade skills would also be taught. They are hoping to facilitate these programs two or three times annually with each session lasting three to four weeks!! WOW, I WAS BLOWN AWAY. This is what I have been praying about. Could His plan for me have been any clearer?? This was a huge confirmation for me.
A week later after returning home I was diagnosed with Covid. Thankfully the symptoms were mild. Unfortunately I was also diagnosed with Dengue Fever (a viral disease of the tropics, transmitted by mosquitoes). This was a double whammy!!! My doctors stressed lots of rest and hopefully a four to six week recovery time. At this writing I’m not back to full speed. So, all your prayers for healing and strength will be greatly received! Thankfully there are people here who check on me and bring me meals.
Love you all!!
Clif
As the Lord leads, pray with us….
*Pray for a my continuing recovery
*Pray for HIS Spirit to lead each step
*Pray for salvation for friends Brian and Mariela
*PRAISE for all my family and friends who faithfully support the work of Avivamiento Amazonica.
~Ways to Partner with the Lord’s work in Peru~
