3/28/04: The first Xtreme Team Class graduated tonight! After five months of learning, studying and practicing: church planting, Bible storytelling, world views, church history, river navigation, medicines, shooting bows and arrows, how to ride a motorcycle, rock-climbing, training leaders, ropes and anchors, hiking, camping, Spanish, how to kill and cook a chicken, rescue, water-purification, food-dehydration, GPS locators, and a vast variety of other subjects and skills, we are now on the immediate verge of fully engaging unreached people groups of Western South America.

  I praise God for all the miracles He's done during this time and the innumerable prayers He's answered. I'm so thankful for the opportunities we've had with men like Martin, Franco, Fernando, Alfredo, Felipe, and Freddy and their families. I will continue to ask for them in my prayers, and trust that God will continue to work wonders in their lives.

  In a sort of commissioning service this evening, Pastor Phil (a volunteer here this weekend from California) spoke to us once more out of the book of Luke. In looking at the parables of the lost in chapter 15, he pointed-out that we will soon be literally searching for the lost of the jungle. I can't wait to rejoice with the Angels when the Amarakaeri are found (Luke 15:7,10). Oh how I know that Christ will save them! Jesus will do again what He came to do so long ago; namely, seek and save (Luke 19:10).

  This past weekend of hearing God's word on the cost of discipleship, the boldness we are to have, the purpose of the mission, the suffering that is inevitable, and the manner in which we are to go, has served as the perfect send-off for our team. I truly feel even more prepared and ready to go than before.

  A week from tomorrow we should be on our way back to Pillcopata, then to Shintuya again, then to San Jose on the Colorado River, and then to our knees to worship God for the souls He is sure to soon save!