Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas 2019. We wish to bring you greetings from the Patton home here on the island of Cotijuba, located in the middle of the Amazon River. For is this is a season of joy because the Savior was born…
wayne
Modern Day River Pastor
God has blessed us with a great local teammate. Jeu is a modern-day river pastor. He comes from a family that is many generations deep in Christ with an extended family of pastors and church leaders. He has his aluminum…
The Christmas Story
In the Philipines, the story of Jesus’ birth does not end with the Magi but with the couple and their newborn fleeing for their lives to Egypt. Each country we have lived in celebrates Christmas with a different twist. For…
Celebrating 63 Years
Missionary Bill Burk, or better known as Amazon Bill, founded the Monkey Island church 63 years ago. It was one of the early churches planted by missionaries sent from the United States. Yet, after 63 years of ministry, the work…
On The River
Reaching out to the people in one aspect might seem easy. We are white Americans living in a community that is not accustomed to foreigners so we are a curiosity. But with that title comes fear and many river dwellers…
Chocolate Brazil?
One fact you might not know, Brazil is a major producer of chocolate. The Brazilian state we live in is home to this chocolate industry which means we have big names like, Hershey and Nestlé, but many of the chocolate…
A ThanksGiving Story
As it happens every year, Thanksgiving has caught me by surprise, only because there are no Thanksgiving celebrations here in Brazil where I live. It is an American Holiday followed by Black Friday, which is celebrated by the local merchants.…
Bobbing For Apples
Let me just write this up as a cultural exchange. No, Brazilians do not have a fall, go on hayrides, enjoy a cool evening by the campfire and bob for apples. Since we are Americans and we like our culture…
How To Explain Sin
Sin is a concept that is fleeing our society. Here in Brazil, where we live, sin is not understood in the culture. So when you talk to a friend, coworker, or a relative about sin, the eyes roll, heads shake…
The Frog Will Not Leave
What type of animals do you have in your house? Pet cat, dog, or bird. Possibility of some kind of creature living in an aquarium? We have a frog in our house that thinks that our kitchen is part of…