Today we said our goodbyes then got off the boat in Manaus. This time we all loaded up on an aluminum boat in several trips to drive up to the shore right in front of our hotel. We also loaded all of our luggage on the boats and that took two trips as well. While we were sad to say goodbye to our friends at Amazon Hope, I think we were feeling very excited about some more space and a hot shower. We then went to church, which was a trip highlight for many of us. We started for about 40 minutes with the youth group “Unlocked”. Their mission is equipping students with English skills so they can go into the world and make an impact for Christ. They partner with Amazon Hope, so any time a group of American teens are in town, they visit the group to have a cultural exchange. We LOVED watching our kids introduce each other in English and Portuguese, tell about the trip so far through student translators, have a time of q&a, and then our favorite part was watching our kids break into small groups with the Brazilians and each learn the same verse in the other’s language. It was really special. After that we toured the church campus and heard of the Lord’s faithfulness in this church, then we got to join part of the service. Even though it was a Baptist church, it was the most charismatic Baptist church we’ve ever seen (they called it Revival Baptist) and some of our girls said they could physically feel the Holy Spirit in the room. So cool. After worshipping together two of our students, Zach and Avery, went up on stage and shared their testimonies. This was so brave of them and both did an incredible job of sharing of what God has brought them through and encouraging the church to keep their trust and hope in Jesus. We then took a 40 minute boat ride to Lake January, a calm part of the river, for lunch at a floating restaurant. This was also an exciting time because we all got two ice cold drinks and we got to go souvenir shopping! We then drove a little bit further to a place where we could “shop with animals”. This may have been one of the sketchiest things I’ve ever experienced, but it was cool for our kids to hold several kinds of animals from the Amazon. On our way back to the hotel we flew through a huge area with hundreds of Egrets, then we were able to see the mixing of the waters. This is a special place where the Rio Negro (Black River), coming from Colombia, and the Solimoes, coming from Peru, mix together to form the Amazon River. It was crazy because the Rio Negro is dark place and very warm, while the Solimoes is light brown and very cold. They let us put our hands in the water and feel the difference as we drive over it! Very cool! These rivers, because of the difference in temperature, density, and acidity, do not mix for several miles, but run side by side for a long time. Finally, we ended our night in Manaus with what Mr. Rugg would call “a very Brazilian experience” at an all you can eat pizza place. All I can say is that it was the most hilarious and overwhelming, but affordable pizza places we’ve been to. Never have I seen better service or more food flung at us in our lives! When we got back from the reataraunt we had our Devos led by Ellie, Abby, and Kinley, then everyone went to their rooms to enjoy some hot showers, space, and wifi! We are looking forward to one more day in Brazil tomorrow!
DISEMBARKING
“We woke up bright and early in the morning to get ready for church and head to the galley for breakfast. Breakfast this morning was my favorite, we basically had ham and cheese paninis with lots of yummy fruit. Then we had a back to our rooms to finish packing before some getting off the boat. We took groups to the sand in a tiny boat, our baggage coming last. Once everyone was on land we took the trek to our rooms. SO MANY STAIRS!! It was very hard I am not going to lie, we all got so sweaty. Then it was off to our rooms to freshen up for 5 minutes. Then back down to the lobby before we headed on buses to the church!” - Allie Livengood
CHURCH
“In the morning, we went to Igreja Getsamene church to meet their youth group. We had a great time with them, and did things like ask each other about the culture of their country and teach each other Bible verse in both English and Portuguese. After that we joined them for a portion of their service, which was a really cool experience. It was similar to how some churches in America work, and the songs well all knew in English so we could still participate in worship. After we left, some of the people at that church accompanied us for the rest of our day.” - Zach
LUNCH & SHOPPING WITH ANIMALS
“Coming off of an hour of boat riding from our hotel, we arrived at the floating Amazon restaurant for lunch and shopping. We were offered a variety of options at an all-you-can-eat bar, and we got to try the unique fried fish that tasted like chicken. After lunch, we had a brief shopping session at the same restaurant, where local handcrafts and souvenirs were offered. It was a lot of fun seeing people buying soap, knives, jewelry, and a variety of other items. Hopping off from another boat ride after lunch, we experienced a once in a lifetime shopping experience with the animals. There were a dozen locals each holding unique Amazonian animals, ready to throw the animals on us for pictures. Some of the animals included a python, sloths, owls, macaws, and a 5 foot alligator. It was exciting and funny at the same time seeing the students’ faces, panicking and having fun with the python wrapped around their necks. It was also amazing to witness how some students were able to conquer their fear over certain animals, leaving proudly with photos to prove their bravery. It was honestly an unforgettable experience.” - Sam Gao
THE PIZZA EXPERIENCE
” Driving to our first on land Brazilian dinner, none of us knew what to expect, but we were told we were going to an unlimited pizza place, so we were a bit shocked when we walked in and everything was themed to ancient Egypt. As soon as we got ourselves seated, hoards of the staff piled around the table, holding various flavors of pizza ranging anywhere from a classic pepperoni pizza to banana and cheese to chocolate, sprinkles and m&ms. But pizza wasn’t the only thing they served us, as they came around with a wide range of sushi, pasta, lasagna, and French fries. The waiters were all so fun and friendly and insisted we take more even when we were all full. It was overall, a unique, fun, and silly dinner experience.” - TJ Strubbe
DISEMBARKING
“We woke up bright and early in the morning to get ready for church and head to the galley for breakfast. Breakfast this morning was my favorite, we basically had ham and cheese paninis with lots of yummy fruit. Then we had a back to our rooms to finish packing before some getting off the boat. We took groups to the sand in a tiny boat, our baggage coming last. Once everyone was on land we took the trek to our rooms. SO MANY STAIRS!! It was very hard I am not going to lie, we all got so sweaty. Then it was off to our rooms to freshen up for 5 minutes. Then back down to the lobby before we headed on buses to the church!” - Allie Livengood
CHURCH
“In the morning, we went to Igreja Getsamene church to meet their youth group. We had a great time with them, and did things like ask each other about the culture of their country and teach each other Bible verse in both English and Portuguese. After that we joined them for a portion of their service, which was a really cool experience. It was similar to how some churches in America work, and the songs well all knew in English so we could still participate in worship. After we left, some of the people at that church accompanied us for the rest of our day.” - Zach
LUNCH & SHOPPING WITH ANIMALS
“Coming off of an hour of boat riding from our hotel, we arrived at the floating Amazon restaurant for lunch and shopping. We were offered a variety of options at an all-you-can-eat bar, and we got to try the unique fried fish that tasted like chicken. After lunch, we had a brief shopping session at the same restaurant, where local handcrafts and souvenirs were offered. It was a lot of fun seeing people buying soap, knives, jewelry, and a variety of other items. Hopping off from another boat ride after lunch, we experienced a once in a lifetime shopping experience with the animals. There were a dozen locals each holding unique Amazonian animals, ready to throw the animals on us for pictures. Some of the animals included a python, sloths, owls, macaws, and a 5 foot alligator. It was exciting and funny at the same time seeing the students’ faces, panicking and having fun with the python wrapped around their necks. It was also amazing to witness how some students were able to conquer their fear over certain animals, leaving proudly with photos to prove their bravery. It was honestly an unforgettable experience.” - Sam Gao
THE PIZZA EXPERIENCE
” Driving to our first on land Brazilian dinner, none of us knew what to expect, but we were told we were going to an unlimited pizza place, so we were a bit shocked when we walked in and everything was themed to ancient Egypt. As soon as we got ourselves seated, hoards of the staff piled around the table, holding various flavors of pizza ranging anywhere from a classic pepperoni pizza to banana and cheese to chocolate, sprinkles and m&ms. But pizza wasn’t the only thing they served us, as they came around with a wide range of sushi, pasta, lasagna, and French fries. The waiters were all so fun and friendly and insisted we take more even when we were all full. It was overall, a unique, fun, and silly dinner experience.” - TJ Strubbe