A family in the islands on the Xingu River is on their way to a church meeting. (Painting by Rick Bergen, 2013).

Last summer we were out with some friends doing a special church service among the islands of the Xingu River. As we wait by the church in the mission boat, many small boats carrying families and individuals, just like this one in my painting, arrive for the meeting. They sometimes use umbrellas as shade from the tropical sun. Naldo, who oversees these churches, comes from a violent background involving drugs, knives, and guns. Many people among these islands are now giving their lives to Jesus because of Naldo’s message and testimony, and because of the church he pastors. Naldo himself is helped along by other pastors, friends, and missionaries, who in turn are encouraged and helped by support teams. The Holy Spirit is using us as a team to make an important and eternal difference in people’s lives. How cool is that?