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.

 


Thank you so much to each of you that has prayed for us, and for the camp. The camp went so well! God’s hand was upon us during the whole weekend. I asked for prayer for four things, and looking back, God answered each and every one.


Photo by Eduardo Buck Schmidt - Mayla and Josely at the 2006 Macapa Vineyard Brazil camp.

First, I had asked for prayer for safety. During the camp, someone called me, and pointed out the doors to the back of the property where we were. I saw large branches and leaves swirling around a funnel, and knew that it was a tornado, and that it was coming right for us. I yelled out that it was a tornado, and we started praying. The tornado got within about 100 yards of us knocking down trees the whole way, and then did a dramatic 90 degree turn breaking other trees, went about another 50 yards, and did another 90 degree turn and went around the house, where it knocked down another tree right in front of the house. After we walked back along the path of the tornado, and saw the destruction that it left in its wake, we realized how the Lord had protected us from a major catastrophe. The news channel even came out and interviewed people from the camp, and it was on the TV various times. I believe that it was even on national TV, as tornados are so rare here in Brazil. They said that it was winds in excess of 160 Kilometers per hour, making it a category 2 tornado. It knocked down walls, ripped up roofs, ripped up trees by the roots, and left hundreds of people without housing. I just want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for praying for our safety. It was so apparent to every person at the camp, that this was a malignant attack, and that God miraculously protected us.


Photo by Steve Dolan The tornado approached the camp, getting within 100 yards.



Photo by Steve Dolan - This is one of the trees that the tornado knocked down on the way to the camp.



Photo by Eduardo Buck Schmidt - John Lieb checks out a tree that was broken by the tornado.


Second, I had asked for prayer for the Holy Spirit to come in a powerful way, and that lives would be transformed. Man, did the Holy Spirit ever show up in a powerful way! People were weeping and crying out to God, and the Lord did a mighty work, especially among the young people. We continue to hear testimonies about how lives have been transformed. We baptized 11 people at the camp, many whom accepted Christ at the camp, and we have another three already that need to be baptized. At least one new small group will be birthed out of this. Please pray that God would continue to raise up leaders, and that we could effectively take care of all the new baby Christians.



Third, we asked for prayer that sin would be confessed and wounds healed. One of the signs that this really was from God were the people confessing sin, asking for forgiveness, and getting touched and healed from God. There were so many people set free of past traumas, set free from bitterness and unforgiveness. There were many things that were divinely revealed.


photo by Eduardo Buck Schmidt - John Lieb, Tony Pfarr and Mike Trengrove at the camp.


I had also asked for prayer for Elba Dolan, John Lieb, and Tony Pfarr, all Vineyard Pastors that had come for the camp, and that God would lead them in their teaching and anoint them and give them wisdom and discernment. Every one of the teachings had a powerful anointing on it; every sermon was something that we as a body needed to hear.


photo by Eduardo Buck Schmidt


Thank you for your prayers, they helped make this camp very special, not just a pleasant diversion, but lives powerfully transformed by the power of the gospel. That only happens through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks to each of you that participated with us through your prayers. May God increase what has been planted until it bears fruit a hundred fold!


Photo by Eduardo Buck Schmidt - John Lieb acts as a lifeguard while reading his book in front of the pool.


There is some other awesome news; we will begin construction again this month Lord willing, and get the house under roof. This is a huge answer to prayer, thanks so much for everyone that has lifted this up. Our friends at the Vineyard just continue to astound us with their service and generosity. This will also open up many possibilities for teams to come down, so if you or your church is interested in sending short term teams, please let us know.


photo by Eduardo Buck Schmidt



photo by Eduardo Buck Schmidt













posted by Eduardo Buck at Wednesday, March 08, 2006