First Day in Nauta - Loreto, Peru

Down by the River Side!

After a wonderful visit to El Faro Church in Lima, we flew to Iquitos and then traveled by road to Nauta for the Leader's Congress.  Before the meetings start we are traveling down the river to visit some villages.   Here is our first report:

Today we walked down the side of a semi steep dirt hill until we came to some thin handmade wooden steps leading down to the bank of the river. We had to walk across a few boats that were on the water to get to the boat that Pastor William built. It was not easy keeping our balance.  A few times I thought for sure I was going to be baptized but I made it safely to the boat!   As we pulled out into the center of the river Pastor William asked us to join in prayer because this was the first time they were trying out the boat on the river. This was great motivation for the team to really reach heaven!  As we travelled away from Nauta there was no doubt that we were in the jungle.  My I-Phone no longer had service. There were no more cars, no electrical wires and no buildings. We were headed for a village that can only be reached by boat.  As the sun beat down heavy on us we passed by fishermen and farmers.  We passed by children swimming in the rivers.  We saw birds flying and butterflies were landing on our shirst!  As the small breeze hit my face I thought of our forefathers who had gone before me to reach villages with the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ and began to thank God that He has counted me worthy to continue such a magnificent calling.  

After two hours in the boat we could feel every muscle in our body.  It was not an easy journey.  It took over four hours of traveling down the river before we saw the entrance way to the village.  We got out of the boat stiff with a few aches and pains but the pains all vanished the minute we saw the people!   The people greeted us with great joy which was a healing to our bodies. The long journey meant nothing compared to the love we felt as the children laughed and hugged us. The pastor showed us his little wooden church that he built for God.  And soon after we got a tour of his village. We were joined by a small host of parakeets that were rather friendly.  We were welcomed to a home for dinner along with the local pastor, a few visiting pastors and a group of people.  They served us little black fish that while they were still alive made little high pitched squeeks and grunts.  I told the ladies that were cooking, that the fish were saying “Please don’t eat me, nice people.”  Everyone laughed!  We had a great fellowship and then headed over to the church where we encouraged the pastor along with some of his congregation.  As we prayed the power of God filled the House and all the people began to gather in the doors of the church. The whole village grew silent as we began to pray. God was visiting that village! Soon it was time for us to say goodbye. We got back in the boat and traveled down the rivers.  As the sun began to set it got dark on that river! Guided by the hand of the Lord and a small flash light we made it back to the banks safely.

Love you all

Rev. Melvin L. Sanchez