The Chicago Eagles led the NCCAA national champion Indiana Wesleyan men’s soccer team to the Brazilian Amazon. During their trip, they traveled by boat up the Amazon, stopping off in several villages along the way. The group participated in several soccer matches, along with soccer clinics for boys and girls, and visits to several schools and a prison. They ran a soccer camp for Project Grow, a program that combines soccer, tutoring, and Christian training for underprivileged children.
Amazon Tour Blog
Wednesday, Feb 25
Less than two days before departing, and many prayers are already being answered! All visas are now accounted for, funds are continuing to come in, and bags are being packed. Already this trip is stretching our faith in ways that we could not have imagined.
We know that God has some great things in store for us, and we invite you to follow along. Chances are that we won't have internet access every day, but we do hope to send updates at least a few times while we are gone. We may even get real creative and include a few pics!
Please pray for us during these final hours before departure.
Friday, Feb 27
We're on our way! We're sitting in the Indy airport ready to board for our flight to Atlanta. We can't promise that every update will be this immediate, though. There is a definite sense of anticipation in the group! As you can see, the guys are already enjoying a little "soccer golf" in the terminal, as well as catching up on some reading.
One prayer request is for our translator, Leo. He was scheduled to depart from Chicago last night, and meet us in Manaus. However, his flight was cancelled (maintenance issues). If he doesn't arrive in Brazil this evening, he will miss the boat in Manaus. Please pray that he will be able to get rebooked out of Chicago.
Thanks to all the parents, friends, and supporters who are making this experience possible!
Friday, Feb. 27
Today is the day we leave for Brazil, so crazy, I can’t even comprehend what’s going on right now. It still hasn’t hit me. Maybe it will when I get there, but I don’t know. Weirdly enough I feel very comfortable and at peace like I’ve done this many, many times before - even though its only my second time out of the country by plane. It’s going to be a great week I just know it, but I just don’t see that right now. I’m having a very hard time seeing past this 10 hours of airplane flying followed by another 20 on a boat. It makes me really nervous, nervous for sickness, nervous for safety, nervous for wild animals, nervous for the team, nervous for myself.
Our first flight went well. it was from Indy to “hot”lanta (Atlanta) and only took around an hour and ten minutes. However during this flight they didn’t have any ginger ale, they gave us one small packet of peanuts, and worst of all during the ride it began to smell terribly like soldering iron smoke which caused the flight attendants to panic. After only a few minutes the smoky smell cleared and everything was fine, but it gave everyone a small scare for a short while. Now as I sit in the Atlanta airport after eating Panda Express the trip is starting to become even more real. I honestly don’t think I will truly understand the impact/importance of this trip until the morning we wake up on the boat on the Amazon river.
Our flight to Brazil was very, very long for only a six and a half hour flight/ It was very hot on the flight for almost the entire trip. Cool enough we had a plethora of movies and touch screen games to choose from. We arrived at 1:30am Brazil time and 12:30 IN time and didn't not feel tired at all. Customs was sooooo slow and took the pretty long - like 30 minutes to get all of our team through, but we made it safely and made it into the main airport where we got to meet Marlon Brito the main pastor for our trip. He seems really cool and a genuine guy and brother in Christ. We then, if we wanted to, got to eat at Bob’s which is like a fast food McDonald’s of Brazil. I had the chance to use some of the Portuguese dialogue and I said thank you which is “obrigado” for female and “obrigada” for male as well as “boa noiche” which means like a bye good night or good evening.
The trip then started to hit me as we left the airport. It became real, but I felt so at home and so at peace with where I was, why we were here, what we were doing, and the means by which we are doing it. The bus ride was a bumpy one, but we got to see a very little of Manaus including what looked like a roman/ greek style soccer stadium. The half hour bus ride got us to our beautiful yet small boat. It definitely was not exactly how I imagined it, but I’m glad it’s not. The boat is designed to hold 40 people and we have a total of 38 on it. There are three levels a bottom deck/cabin with some rooms for the ladies and workers and etc., a middle deck with mattresses to sleep on and the top deck which is where I and a bunch of other guys are sleeping in hammocks. We are packed like sardines in/on this boat but I wouldn't have it any other way.
My emotions from earlier in the day have up and basically gone away, I feel so at peace on the front of this boat as I write this, with a calming sense that we are supposed to be here. It’s crazy, I learned about the Amazon river in elementary school and now “I am on it!!!” It’s so exciting God put an amazing display of lighting on for whoever wanted to enjoy his splendor and it is just such a fitting ending to a hectic day, chillin on the front of the boat, relaxing, journaling, and witnessing the amazing works of God in my life in Brazil.
Saturday, Feb. 28
My first recollection of Saturday morning began early with shouts of rain and guys scrambling around each other, hopping over scattered luggage, and ducking under Brazilian handmade hammocks trying to shut out an almost nightly Amazon downpour. The adventurous souls who were formerly sleeping on the bow of the boat with nothing between them and the clouds, quickly found a make-shift spot to complete their night of rest, protected from the rain. As I laid there trying to get back to sleep, the boat steadily moving down the Amazon towards the Atlantic, the hammocks began to swing in unison with the rocking of the boat—picking up as the wind began to bring on larger waves. It would be an early morning.
I detest early morning risings, especially on the weekends, and this Saturday came earlier than any has in a long time. However, I was not tired when I got up. There was an energy that comes only from experiencing new things and seeing new sights that picked me up and gave me an excitement for the coming day of travel up one of the largest rivers in the world. We ate a healthy breakfast of rolls with an option of peanut butter, a mystery butter, and mystery meat and cheese. There is also always coffee available (we’re in Brazil baby!) and an assortment of fruit (most of which I don’t recognize). There is a mystery to almost every meal we eat—making meals a more adventurous experience than normal. I have to give our cooks props, because so far we have been fed very well, satisfying the most “picky” of taste buds on this trip.
We had devotions on the upper deck that morning, either sitting around on white plastic chairs you would find in a typical American backyard or lounging on our reserve lifeboats that lay upside down. As devotions were coming to an end, the question was raised by Marlin, our Brazilian pastor leading the trip, “Individually” he asked, “Why are you here in Brazil?” This question really stuck out in my mind. I had never thought about it in that way. Why are we each, as a person, here in Brazil? We had obviously talked about our goals as a group and as a soccer team—but individually what are our goals we will try to accomplish during our short time here? I wrestled with this question for the rest of the day, and later wrote in my journal that, “I think my goal is to just be light for the small amount of time I am here through relationships. Even if I can connect with just one person while I am here, this whole trip would be worthwhile. All the money we raised would be worthwhile.” And that is exactly what we as a group have said from the beginning of planning this trip. If we come down to Brazil, and only one person gets saved during this time it would be worth all of the time and money because you can’t put a price on a soul. Saturday was a wonderful day for me because I got to reflect on questions like these and prepare mentally and spiritually for spending time with the people down here.
As the morning passed into afternoon the sun began to peak out of the clouds and the landscape around us went from scenic to extraordinary. The sun shining down on the water and the Amazon forests makes it all an amazing sight to behold. The entire group spread out all over the boat, each person finding his/her own comfy spot to spend time talking, playing cards, reading, journaling and singing. What an amazing opportunity to be sitting on a boat heading down the Amazon river. I don’t think it has entirely sunk in.
We pulled up to Sao Sebestaio just as the sun was sinking over the horizon. It couldn’t have been more perfect timing. As we cruised up onto the shore we could see children right up on the grass overlooking the river playing soccer. Everyone on the boat was excited and many jumped off as soon as they could to join the kids in their game. I knew this was going to be a great trip. We are here to share Christ, and we get to play soccer while we do it—what could be better? To God be the glory, great things He has done.
Jesse Bassett - #13
Sunday, March 1
We went to church twice today at the local Church of Christ (in San Sebastaio) and it was great both times! They were so accommodating and so friendly. The night service was especially amazing though. We arrived a little late as we were waiting on a truck to pick us up…we’ve been walking a lot, (which is so different from America). When we got there the preacher (Wesley) was knee deep into his sermon. Of course, it was all in Portuguese so we couldn’t understand it but he was soo animated that it still drew me into his message. Once completed, we got up and sang Mighty to Save in Portuguese for the congregation during the offering. They also had communion as well. It is so great to see people celebrate the Lords goodness in any language. After communion, Rick McKinley (our fearless leader from the Chicago Eagles) shared a message that really spoke to the congregation and ultimately gave an altar call where 6 people accepted the Lord as their personal Savior. It was an absolutely amazing experience and such a rewarding practice for us. I know that for many people, including me, we were wondering how God would use us and it was such a great affirmation for why we are here! They love that Americans took the time and the expense to visit their town and we have immersed ourselves into this community in a big way already. Whenever we walk anywhere everyone knows who we are and greets us. Kids are following us all over town! It’s silly and amazing all at the same time and we’re embracing the opportunity that it affords. Praise God for this opportunity and for using us as vessels to spread His light!
Coach Joe
Monday, March 2
Today has been on the most encouraging and uplifting days for many of us in the past few months. We had the opportunity to share Christ with this community in a way that would never be possible in the United States. After eating breakfast during the most beautiful sunrise in the world, we split up into three different groups; one group hosted a soccer camp, one group went to a middle school, and the last group, the group I was in, went to an elementary school and a high school. Although I wish I could share experiences from the other groups, I am only going share the experiences I took part in.
As we arrived at the elementary school, our entire group was shocked to hear that we were going to walk into almost ten classrooms and share a short testimony. This sounded profound to us because in America it would never be allowed for a ministry team to simply walk into a classroom during the middle of a lesson and share about God. The kids were very attentive and very interactive during each testimony; it was a wonderful time of sharing God’s love. After leaving the elementary school, we headed to the high school to speak with the kids in the same way, class by class. However, when the school directors saw we were coming, they decided to bring the entire school, 150-200 students, into their gymnasium for one big gathering. The Lord used three testimonies from our players to grab the hearts of many of the students there. Because we strongly felt the Lords presence, we did something different than at the elementary school, we asked if any of the students wanted to give their lives to Christ. As our group prayed while the translator spoke to the kids, slowly but surely ELEVEN students from the crowd came forward and gave their lives to Christ. PRAISE THE LORD! It was an amazing, amazing time! However, the Lord’s work was not done for the day.
At 10:00, all three groups met at the city jail to experience another once in a lifetime opportunity. The seniors from this past year, the IWU coaches, and the missionary leaders played a 7v7 game against the inmates. Although all the inmates were in their 30’s and older, they were very talented and defeated us 7 to 4. However, at halftime we were able to take part in a win that means much more than a simple soccer game. It was a win for the kingdom of God!
Before coming to Brazil, I was not sure I was supposed to come. I spent many months debating his plan for me and didn’t feel I was supposed to be here until three weeks before leaving. With a lack of financial support and confidence in my purpose of coming here, I boarded the plane and began the journey. However, without much time here, the Lord spoke to me and told me to share my testimony at the prison. So in response to his call, I prepared myself to how He was going to use me. I opened up my heart and my bible and shared my testimony with the inmates. In the same way we felt the Lord’s presence at the high school and reacted with asking people to commit their lives to Christ, our translator did the same thing, and once again the Lord worked in the inmate’s hearts. For the first time in my entire life, the Lord used me to bring THREE people, THREE inmates into His kingdom. PRAISE THE LORD!
As Coach Joe Schulman has been saying, no matter how much money many of us have not been able to raise, you cannot put a price on souls. We have been able to save 14 lives for Christ, and that is PRICELESS. Praise the Lord!
Travis Brady #11
Wednesday, March 4th
For most all of us, it is hard to believe that we have only been here a few days. There is so much that has taken place. Today, we are in Urucara, a town of about 15,000. I (Rick) am at an internet cafe on a sticky keyboard that is painfully slow! Every time I click, I sit and wait. I would love to include some of the hundreds of photos, but they will have to wait. I think we would be home before they would download!
As the director, I could not have asked for a better group than this IWU team. These guys are stepping up at every opportunity. They are loving the kids and sharing their faith often. And I am sure its no surprise to those of you who know them - they are having fun! Seeing that my time is running out (and the keys keep sticking), let me share a few of the past couple of days activities.
Sunday afternoon we played a match against Project Grow´s U17, winning 2-1. We played this very skillful team in front of about 1,000 fans. On Monday, we played a much stronger men´s team, losing 2-0, but showing some tremendous character and perseverence. In temperatures that are 90 degrees-plus most days, you never seem to stop sweating. That evening, we played a futsal match against the same U17 boys. However, this time they showed us how Brazilians love futsal. We lost in front of about 5-600 fans.
Yesterday, we traveled four hours by boat to Bom Jesus, an island with a population of 72. After a pouring rain, the sun broke through, and we defeated the local men´s team 5-2. After the match, we had a service with the fans and other team, before traveling back to Sao Sebastaio for the evening.
Today, we are in Urucara. This morning, we kicked off the new Project Grow program here in this city. It will be the only soccer program in this area for kids. Many boys and girls made decisions to follow Christ this morning.
In a couple of hours, we will visit a school, before playing our first night match. More updates in a couple of days. Thanks for all your prayers!
Thursday, March 5th
It's funny how these things work sometimes. Our internet options were almost non-existent over the last couple of days on the trip. I (Rick) am writing these final entries at the end of the tour. I could not remember much of what occurred on Thursday, due to the fact that I awoke that day sick. I spent most of the day in bed. While there were a couple others who had a similar one-day experience, overall we were very blessed with good health throughout the trip.
Heavy rains dampened some of our plans today. Our short trip to Santana and our match had to be cancelled. However, you are never too far from a potential soccer match in Brazil, and we were able to schedule a futsal match here in Sao Sebastaio later in the day.
Prior to the match, the team visited Project Phoenix. Phoenix, which means "rising up from the ashes" has a variety of programs that are designed to assist the people with micro-business, enabling them to improve their situation. The players assisted in that process by purchasing some of the handmade crafts.
Later that evening, the pastor and friends hosted us for a special barbeque and celebration in his home. After eating all the meat we could handle, the evening concluded with a time of celebration and prayer. We then returned to the boat to prepare for our departure to Manaus.
Friday, March 6th
When we awoke on Friday morning, we were already well on our way on our long journey back to Manaus. It's hard to describe the beauty and serenity of slowly cruising up the Amazon. All along the way, homes pop up along the coast line, strategically situated near their life source, the river. While relaxing, many of us spend countless minutes, hoping to spot an alligator or anaconda. Occasionally, we'll catch a glimpse of a few dolphin.
Along the way, the team gathers up on the top deck for team devotions and a challenge from Pastor Marlon. Most of us will never forget Marlon's challenge to serve as a lifestyle, rather than just as a special event.
Finally, just after sunset we spot the "merging of the waters", a famous sight where two rivers run alongside one another for several miles, identified by their varying colors.
Although we have seen the lights of Manaus for over an hour, we continue to cruise around the city, where we will get off and stretch our legs. After a short visit to the street vendors, we return to the boat, and settle down for our final evening there.
Saturday, March 7th
Our final morning in Brazil comes early, with a 7:00am breakfast, and 7:30am departure by bus. For many, they are playing their first morning game of their collegiate career.
Our hosts, Atletas de Cristo have scheduled a 9:00am start. Atletas de Cristo is a large sports ministry here in Brazil. Lucio, the director, is doing a tremendous work in partnering with the local police and reaching out to over 2,000 youth in Manaus, through soccer training and teams. When we arrive at the field, we find Lucio sharing with several of the kids who have been training. Our match was against their U18 team.
It is, by far, the hottest day of our trip. The match itself is a back-and-forth battle. Nearing the end, with the score tied 2-2, a ball is innocently kicked toward our goal. For some reason, the field had not been lined before the game, so Andy, our goalie, was careful not go too far to pick up the ball. However, the assistant referee had a different judgement, and called a handball, outside of the "mystery box"! The resulting free kick (from about the 15 yd. line) was tucked neatly inside the left post, giving the hosts a 3-2 win. Although disappointing, it was a very vivid reminder that we were here for more than wins on the field.
After the match, in the scorching heat, we gathered in the stands to share. First Joel T. and then Mark D., and then Marlon. Following a very clear challenge, several young boys and young men stepped forward to indicate a desire to follow Christ!
What a morning!
Following the time of sharing, we were treated to a dip in the local pool and a poolside lunch. Exhausted from the heat (and I didn't even play!), I inquired of Lucio as to whether this was typical training weather. His reply was a shocking, "no, this is our winter"!
I think few of us had grasped how blessed we had really been with the unusually "cooler" weather. While we were certainly exhausted from a strenuous schedule and warm temperatures, it really could have been much worse. As it was, we were able to maintain a very demanding schedule, and see many, many great things accomplished.
Following a brief time in the open-air market, we returned to the boat to pack up and leave for the airport. After many, many good-byes, we headed to the airport for a 12:20am departure.
The trip itself is over. The impact is far from over. If you have followed us through this journal, we would encourage you to talk with one who was on this trip. There are so many experiences that we have not included, especially those which have touched us deeply.
Thank you, once again, for your part in this experience. We could not have done it without you!
