On the 28th of February 2001, Buck and Luciene moved to the Amazon Basin of Brazil. We lived in Macapá, right on the equator. Why would a web designer give up his career and take his family from their comfortable life in Columbus, Ohio, USA, to live on the Amazon River? We came with a vision to save the Amazon, to tell people about Jesus, and plant a Vineyard church. We have planted a church, and we are turning it over to the national leaders, heading back to the States in Sept. 2009.

 


I was so glad to be able to get back in time to see some of the fall leaves. I love the fall, it is one of the things that I kind of miss living on the Amazon. The kids had fun playing in the leaves.


posted by Eduardo Buck at Wednesday, December 13, 2006

 
This trip back to the United States has been great. We had one scare, when we first got here to the U.S., Raquel had an asthma attack. We took her to the Emergency room in Marysville, and they sent us by ambulance to Children's Hospital. I can't say enough good about everyone, from the emergency staff, the ambulance staff, the children's hospital staff, they were all wonderful to us throughout the whole ordeal, and we sure appreciate everyone that was praying for us and lifting us up. After spending three days in intensive care, and another three in the hospital, we were really glad to get Raquel home.



We just want to say a special thank you to each one that has helped make this trip great, those that have supported us, prayed for us, helped set up the house for us to stay in, those that have given food and encouragement, to each one, I pray God's richest blessing on you!
posted by Eduardo Buck at Tuesday, December 12, 2006

 
Last week was a whirlwind of blessings, thanks to everyone that
prayed. The Lord showed up in awesome ways, touched many, and
really blessed Luciene and me.

The Pastor's Communion lead by Ap. Glaucio Coraiola from Palmas, Tocantins, a time of forgiveness and healing in the body of Macapa.


The pastor's communion went well, many people cried, hugged, and
asked forgiveness. There was a really good message on unity by
Glaucio Coraiola, a pastor from Palmas, Tocantins (in the center of
Brasil) that has become known throughout Brazil as bringing
reconciliation and unity among pastors and churches.






The conference on "Winning Cities" was very good also, and the Lord
showed up. Luciene and I were much encouraged, and God spoke to us
very personally. On one of the nights, with the stadium full of
people at the altar, crying, singing, and pouring out their hearts
before God, Pastor Coraiola started calling people out, and giving
them words from the Lord. He called me (Buck) and started
prophesying over me. Just a small part of what he said was, "The
Lord has given you many dreams. When the Lord gives the dream, no
doors will remain shut. Keep dreaming. Dreams are to be lived.
Dream. Dream big, because it will be God that realizes your dreams."



Then the next day I (Buck) went to a more private meeting for
pastors, and Pastor Coraiola came up and hugged me, and told another
pastor, "Stay close to this guy. God has revealed that he has
business, and that whatever he puts his hand to will prosper." All
the discouragement, all the worries, all the doubts that I had been
carrying around as a heavy load just melted away, and as the worship
started, the Spirit came on me so powerfully that I too just melted
to the ground, and poured out my heart in tearful worship.

Pastor Coraiola anointed the Marco Zero Monument, which marks the Equator passing through Macapa, and we prayed prophetically for the city.


Then this last Sunday, we had invited another pastor to preach,
Pastor Silvio. He has been a friend to us and to our church, and
has many gifts of prophesy. He started prophesying over us, over
the church, and some of the members, and again, God just showed up.
People were weeping and pouring out their hearts before the Lord,
and many were deeply touched. There were many confirmations of
previous prophetic words, some of them given years ago in the
States, things that we knew were coming from God, things that he
could not possibly have known without revelation from God. God is
good!



We just got the news that we have more than half of what we need to
get back to the States for home assignment! Please continue to pray
for us, that we could get back soon. It is so important that we get
back and renew our friendships and partnerships as well as form new
partnerships so that we can increase our regular monthly support,
and/or start business partnerships that can help fund missions. We
know that we are supposed to be here, and God has confirmed His
calling on our lives. Please pray that we would have the resources
and the creativity to make reality out of dreams, and the integrity
and wisdom to lay foundations that will last, bringing the kingdom
of God to the lost for generations to come.



I have been having a struggle with my blood pressure, it has been
high, and I have been having chest pain. I just did a battery of
tests, and the doctor felt that I should have a heart cath, so
another doctor is reviewing the test results to confirm whether a
heart cath should be performed to get a better idea of what is going
on with my heart. Please pray for me in this area, for wisdom for
the doctors, and for good health.
posted by Eduardo Buck at Saturday, October 07, 2006

 
Nicolas is something else. He doesn't talk much, but he carries a big stick.


This girl was preparing a fire to cook lunch. Many people, like those in the next two photos, still use fires and outhouses, and don't have running water. The water they use is often contaminated, and causes problems with parasites and infections.

We just got a mold to make water filters (see the photo below of it coming off of a boat from Santarem), but we lack the funds to get the project up and going. We have a manual brickmaking machine that we bought also with the dream of being able to build low cost housing, as well as low cost churches and community centers. By building community centers, and providing computer training, job training, and life skills, we can help stop the cycle of poverty and crime that leads people to desperation. Many people, to make fast money, cut down vast tracts of jungle to plant soy or raise cattle. By offering hope and a path to employment and a better life, we can help stem the tide of poverty and deforestation, and help preserve the gift of nature that God has given us.

If God is laying it on your heart to help those that are less fortunate, please pray, and ask Him if you are to come help get some of these projects started here in the Amazon.


This man has had a hard life struggling to provide for his kids and grandkids in a brutal cycle of sin and poverty.

posted by Eduardo Buck at Tuesday, October 03, 2006

 
This is a small retreat we had on a Brazilian holiday. To see more photos, be sure to check out the Igreja da Vinha blog, it is in Portuguese, but that doesn't keep you from enjoying the photos.


posted by Eduardo Buck at Tuesday, October 03, 2006

 
What a pretty butterfly, fit for a beautiful girl.


This boy likes watermelon!

posted by Eduardo Buck at Monday, October 02, 2006

 
Hey, some of you may have sent me e-cards, but you may have noticed that I never opened them. I have just made it a matter of habit not to click on any link in an e-mail, and not to go to any e-card sites. I'm sorry if you are dissappointed, as I know that it may have taken some effort to create and send, but I have just decided that the risk isn't worth the cute cards. Check out this story to see how widespread is the mining of data through e-card scams.
posted by Eduardo Buck at Monday, September 25, 2006

 
One of the most exciting thing that has been happening lately is a big push for unity among pastors and churches. I have been taking part in the National Convention of Independant Evangelical Churches and Communities (or Convenção Nacional das Igrejas e Comunidades Evangélicas Independentes (Coniceib) as it is known in Portuguese). There are currently 38 different denominations taking part, and we are pleased to represent the Vineyard Church of Macapa in this push towards unity in the body. It has been a pleasure to get to know other brothers and sisters, to solidify relationships with other pastors, and to see God moving in His body. This week there is a pastors communion on Monday, then a three day conference on unity in the Body and called "Winning Cities", and finally a concert by one of the best (in my opinion) worship leaders in Brazil, David Quinlan. Join me in prayer for Macapa, for reconciliation, for more unity, and for revival! Lord, pour out your Spirit!

Here is one of the meetings of the National Convention of Independant Evangelical Churches and Communities.

posted by Eduardo Buck at Sunday, September 24, 2006

 
Nicolas really liked this moth.




Checkmate! As part of their home schooling, I have been trying to play chess with the kids daily. Hannah and Raquel have both beaten me, and I don't let them win. They have both gotten quite good, and I sure can't hope to win if I don't concentrate and play the best I can. Nicolas just loves to try to imitate us, and acts like he is playing too.


posted by Eduardo Buck at Sunday, September 24, 2006

 
I love this photo. The tension of the hungry lizard, and the beauty of the butterfly. Who will be around tomorrow to tell the story of this encounter, the lizard or the butterfly or both? Is the butterfly even aware that death is stalking him, that there are those whose intention is to kill him? Or is he like many today completely oblivious that there is an enemy stalking him, that wishes him dead?

posted by Eduardo Buck at Saturday, September 23, 2006

 
Check out these fish! They told me they were Dourado when I bought them, though I wouldn't know if it was or not. I know that they were good, and we ate on them for quite a while. One of the fringe benefits of living on the Amazon.

posted by Eduardo Buck at Friday, September 22, 2006

 
Finally, after years of planning and dreaming, our water filter ministry is one step closer to being realized. One of the big problems here is with parasites, worms and ameoba, and all kinds of nasty water borne illnesses. With this mold, we can begin to make concrete biosand filters, which can virtually eliminate these problems. Our friends, the Staubs, helped bless us with this filter mold which came from PAZ in Santarem. What a blessing! We pray that we could soon get it up and operating, that God would be glorified through this filter ministry, and that people would see the love of God through this very practical ministry of providing clean and healthy drinking water. We sure appreciate your prayers, that God would raise up the right person to take this ministry to where it needs to go.

posted by Eduardo Buck at Friday, September 22, 2006

 
We went to the September 7th celebration that was here close to us. September 7th is the Brazilian Independance day. There were the normal amount of politicians trying to get recognition, but the kids really liked seeing the soldiers marching by. Even though I am an American, I felt a certain pride in seeing the military marching by. I have really come to love Brazil, and feel pride in the accomplishments of this, my adopted home. It makes me happy to see free, democratic countries flourishing. Please join me in praying for Brazil, that Brazil would continue to enjoy religious freedom, and that justice would begin to prevail. May God pour out His Spirit on this place, and raise up a people that are Holy and Righteous, people that will reflect the same mercy and grace that we receive from God.




This is Pastor Adernailton Sampaio, or Pastor Ton as they call him, praying for Bukola. He is the national director of Impact World Tour in Brazil.

posted by Eduardo Buck at Friday, September 22, 2006

 
We got to see our good friend, Bukola, who lives in England. It went too quick though. Here they had a going away party for her, and we all prayed for her.


Here is Bukola with Nicolas at our house.

Check out those shades!

posted by Eduardo Buck at Friday, September 22, 2006

 
It is ironic that the cults seem to have sufficient money for their deceit. The mormons bought half of a city block, and within a couple of months, they built a beautiful church, complete with grass and trees, and a white steeple. There are always lots of missionaries walking on the streets in their distinctive white shirts complete with big black name tag badges, witnessing and inviting people to church. So much devotion, and to a lie- young kids expected to give at least two years on the mission field serving a false religion.

Where is the passion, the devotion to truth, to God, that will cause His people to give up or postpone their own plans to dedicate time to the mission field to tell people about the real Jesus? Lord, raise up workers for the harvest!

There is another cult here, the army of redemption, and they have been buying buildings and properties to continue teaching reincarnation and complete subservience to their general, some old dude with a funky uniform that everyone must salute and grovel before. The list goes on, the teachers of voodoo and spiritism have buildings and trainings, and speakers coming in to do conferences.

It is sometimes hard to understand why false prophets prosper, why do they seem to have unlimited funds, when God’s people often have to eek by, praying and fasting, and sharing the vision, and praying some more, and waiting and praying. I know that I am not the first to wonder about this, the Bible is full of the question of why the wicked prosper.

It is not only financial support though. I mean, where are the young men and women of God that are willing to come as short term or long term missionaries, and reach out to the street kids, to the drug addicts and prostitutes, to teach english to young kids, to evangelize and pray and help bring God’s kingdom here to Macapa? Lord, raise men and women, fully Yours, humble servants to come and join us in the work here in Macapa, so that we can plant healthy reproducing churches, and that Your Name would be glorified here on the earth.
posted by Eduardo Buck at Saturday, September 16, 2006

 
We recently took a day off, something we need to do more of. We had a great time.


Raquel is so beautiful in this photo.


Luciene and Nicolas.


Josiah loves to fish. He caught a fish with really big teeth.


I had to hold it really tight, and when Josiah saw those teeth, he didn't want to get anywhere near it.


Raquel loves hanging out in trees!


Hannah fishing.


photo by Luciene


Photo by Luciene
posted by Eduardo Buck at Tuesday, July 25, 2006

 
Well, the festive holiday season of the World Cup is over. Brazil lost to France, 1-0. It's bad enough that Brazil lost, but to France? Again? Oh, the pain of it all!
posted by Eduardo Buck at Sunday, July 02, 2006

 
It’s like a national holiday. The banks shut down. The schools close. Brazilian flags are everywhere. The streets are painted. There are balloons. Everyone has a Brazilian shirt on. It is harder to find a store open than it is on Independence Day.

I can’t think of anything like it in the United States. There is nothing that I can think of that brings Americans together like this brings Brazilians together. The Brazilian soccer team played Tuesday in the World Cup, against Ghana. (That is the biggest world event for soccer for you Americans reading this that may not know what it is.) The country shuts down to watch and support their team.

The whole world cup plays on TV here in Brazil. Most Brazilians have strong opinions about the Brazilian team, their favorite player, why so and so on the bench should be starting. But they don’t just know their own team. Most Brazilians can speak intelligently about the other teams and the other players, their strengths, their weaknesses. I would venture to guess that half of Americans don’t even know what the World Cup is.

This is not some simple game of soccer. This is not just a game for Brazilians. It is the game. It is a matter of national pride. Brazilians are the best in the world, and they know it. After winning the World Cup five times, everyone else in the world knows it too.

There is nothing that I can think of that unites Americans in this way. There is no one sport that could bring the nation to a standstill, that could shut down the grocery stores, the banks, all government offices, shut down the schools, and turn the commercial sectors into a virtual ghost town. I have never seen anything like it except here in Brazil- every World Cup is like this. The more games that they win, the more fevered becomes the support, bigger are the fireworks and bombs blowing up at every Brazilian goal, and the more of the city gets painted in yellow and green. Friends and family meet together to scream and yell at the TV screen, and set off enough firecrackers to blow up a small country.

We invited some people over Tuesday to watch the game together. We had a great time. It ended up turning into an improvised worship service. Nice to see God getting more glory than the soccer team.


posted by Eduardo Buck at Thursday, June 29, 2006

 

posted by Eduardo Buck at Thursday, June 29, 2006

 
Some girls show off the Book of Hope that they just got.

Here are some of the young people that got the Book of Hope. Brazilians really take advantage of their school space. Schools are used in three shifts. There is a four hour shift in the morning, another in the afternoon, and then one at night, usually for the older kids. In this school there are older people learning to read too- so we are reaching kids from five years old, up to like fifty year old adults, in the same school building. That is a cool thing!


Josely, Hannah and Raquel get the kids warmed up with John 3:16 and some stretches.




Here we are practicing the skit for the Book of Hope project. This has been great, it has gotten a lot of people involved. Even Hannah and Raquel were in the skit. They love drama- and they are really good at it.


We took advantage of a nice day recently to wash the car. It has been raining a lot.

posted by Eduardo Buck at Wednesday, June 28, 2006

 
On June 17th, we had the pleasure of participating in the Marcha para Jesus.


José Sarney, a former president of Brazil and now a senator of Amapa was there too (the dark suit jacket in the center of the foto).

posted by Eduardo Buck at Wednesday, June 28, 2006

 
Six of us from the Igreja da Vinha Macapa were able to take part in a training for the Book of Hope, or the "Livro da Vida" as it is called here in Brazil. This is Daniel, he is a good trainer for doing dramas, we had a blast learning how to present the gospel in the schools here.


The training took place in the Igreja Batista Memorial. We learned a lot.


Luciene (far right) got together with Nora (far left), the leader of the YWAM base here in Macapa, to do a training for young women. It went really well.


There was a lot of personal ministry, and the Holy Spirit really moved. Lives were being restored.


The food was also good!

posted by Eduardo Buck at Tuesday, June 27, 2006