In the Fall of 2024, Bretana and the surrounding Amazon area experienced one of its longest ever periods of time without rain. The river itself dropped to record lows making transportation of certain large vessels very difficult to manage. This created all types of difficulties as supplies to exist are shipped into Bretana from Iquitos, using the river.
Then in early 2025, the rains descended like we have not seen in over 35 years. In the USA, it would be called a 100 years flood. Our large church at Bretana had over 48" of water inside it, and fish were actually swimming around inside the church's walls. Our home, and Pastor Larri's home, being built high on beams, did not encounter much damage, but MANY residences and businesses suffered greatly. We did encounter some loss due to the many supplies we keep on the ground in Larri's backyard work area.
The SOS building also escaped major damage, it too being constructed on concrete piers.
Transportation was almost impossible, for if you did not have access to a dugout canoe, for days you were confined to whatever building you took refuge in. The water would start to recede, then another big rain would appear, making everything even worse. And once again, the needs for supplies was affected as the river itself had not seen such heights in decades, making transportation upon it dangerous.
As the waters finally started to slack off, as you might suspect, we encountered numerous very dangerous snakes, and other creatures, that had to be carefully killed - one sizeable Boa in the school yard just across from Pastor Larri's house; plus the clean-up from the mud is still ongoing even in July of 2025.
But our Faith has never waivered. Our ministry continued to find ways to reach out to those affected, and minister to their needs. We got very creative at holding prayer meetings with our "flock". Through all this we literally FELT the prayers from all our supporters, all over the USA, and other areas. While we continue to seek your prayers for a complete recovery throughout Bretana, and the river villages we minister too, we recognize that God is GREAT and greatly to be praised. HE is in control, at all times. We just have to patiently wait to see what HE has in store for all of us!!!!!
We will keep you posted as our ministry continues to seek, and follow, God's will for our lives as missionaries in this UNIQUE part of Peru!
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