Amazon Holiday Greetings

AMAZON HOLIDAY GREETINGS

The end of this year has come with many new challenges and blessings.  Even though we have not yet raised enough money to build the training center for the Yaguas, I have been able to get all the repairs needed for the boat completed.  We passed the Coast Guard inspection with flying colors.  Alleluia! What a mighty God we serve!

I am doing much better now than when I first returned from the states.  I have been in therapy for the tendons that were damaged and the doctor is now working on building up the strength in my knees.  Since I have been back to Leticia one of the major blessings that I have experienced was the pleasure of having my cousin come to stay with me for a little over a month.  She was a great help in getting me settled and helping me through the difficult parts of the therapy.  I was challenged to just allow her to do things for me while my tendons healed.  I can't wait to have her visit again now that I am much stronger.  I love you Shaunte!

This past week I was able to take my first trip in our boat to a group of Yaguas about an hour up river from where my village is.  What an awesome blessing!!!!!  God did miracles of healing.  One man received healing in his back and some received healing from migraines.  Some received healing in other parts of the body.  The leader of the village came up to me after he had received Christ as his savior and asked why did we not come sooner.  We are now praying for the funds to go to La Libertad once a month.  I am excited about what God is doing there.  Please keep praying for laborers.  The harvest is truly ripe!

This is the season when we celebrate the gift that God gave to mankind.  His own Son came to earth so many centuries ago so that He could experience our life here as we do but, without sin.  Just about a week ago a young lady of 13 years ran away from home because of an abusive situation.  She presented herself to the family social services here and they asked if I would be willing to keep her as her guardian until the situation is resolved.  I have known this girl for many years of her young life and have always loved her.  She is one of the children who received Christ as her savior a number of years ago during a children's program that I conducted.  Since then I have watched her grow in her love and commitment to the Lord.  I agreed to be her guardian.  I can only imagine what Mary would have felt to be receiving a child so special.  I believe that this is of God.  Her mother has noted the danger that her child has been experiencing and is considering the idea of me adopting her.    God has placed this child in my hands as a Christmas blessing.  I do not know as yet how long she will be with me  This is a big step for all involved but, all those who are of my counsel have prayed and are at peace with this.  The family social services seem to also desire that I take care of her for her safety.  Please my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am asking you to pray for me in these areas:

• Wisdom in teaching and training a Yagua girl from the “jungle” for life in the city and the USA
• The transitions for us both in relationship as her guardian “mother” for the next four months
• The decisions to be made for her adoption if God so wills
• That my support would raise a consistent minimum of $200.00 / month for her schooling and care.
• That English would come easy to her.  (She is a good student and has been at the top of her class)
• That the process of getting her documents and passports and visas would go smoothly. (She will have to travel with me when I come to the states in June this coming year.

From the bottom of my heart I thank you all for the prayers and support that you have given to me through out this year.  We are making advances.  I am learning that this is all in God's timing and according to His plans.  What an adventure!!!

Adventuring with Christ,

Min. Orchidy T Boyd

Exec. Dir. AFAMMS

When Bishop David and Sis. Allethia Perrin (pictured with me in the upper left hand corner) encouraged me to step out and go to the Amazon to reach the Yagua Nation for Christ I never imagined the type of Adventure I was to encounter.  These last three months traveling in the states have opened my eyes even more to the greatness of the plan that God has for those who love Him.  I left the Amazon in July  with the purpose of raising $100,000.00 (one hundred thousand dollars) to build a Yagua training center.  But as many of you know, God is about more than money.  His heart has always been on relationships and development of character.  Our responsibility is relating with people in such a way that they catch His vision of all believers one day enjoying His glory with Him.  The rest is logistics - the method in which we are to accomplish this.  That's His part!

My challenge was the fact that before leaving the Amazon I pulled a tendon in my right foot and stepped wrong and pulled the tendon in my left knee.  God says in His word that when I am weak He is strong.  The last 3 months was about His strength in my weakness.  I traveled from Florida to Michigan to Maryland to Georgia to South Carolina then back to Michigan by plane, bus, and car.  God gave me the opportunity to share the vision of the Training Center to many old and new friends.  It was exciting to see them catch the vision and realize the importance of discipling unreached people groups.  Many of you who are now reading this news letter have made committments over the past few months to partner with me and AFAMMS to see this project through to completion.  I would like to take this time to thank all those who had an event or invited me to share with your church or group.  God  used you to encourage me and to realize that He is the one responsible for the far reaching results of my obedience to share. 

The second part of the trip took me to Arkansas (by way of skype video conferencing) to Mississippi, California, Oregon and Washington State.  Even though the traveling was exhausting, I was extremely blessed to spend time with family and friends that prayed with me and cared for me.  In Oregon, I came down with an ear infection that is still plagueing me to this day.  But, it was another opportunity to spend time with friends and develop relationships.  I would have left sooner but, could not fly with my ear in such a state (not Oregon but infection :) ) Anyway, God continued to show me his love through his people in spite of all the physical pain and struggle.  Why am I sharing about all the struggle and giving so much thanks to everyone that I met?  Because I saw God knitting hearts with mine and taking intrest in what He is doing among the Yagua Nation.  This was one of the most awesome trips that I have had for deputation.  I did not raise the $100,000.00 dollars that I hoped to raise BUT, God raised more than I ever hoped!  He raised His people to the awareness of the plight of the Yagua Nation and as a result: 

Ø   There are various groups coming down in 2013 for vision trips and to meet the Yaguas.

Ø   There are various persons who desire to see the Yagua Training Center to it's completion.

Ø   There are those who have seen the need for me to have a vehicle (motorcycle scooter $3,000.00) and

               desire to participate in financing this project. If you would like to participate in getting this vehicle, please          send donations to the mailing address or the Paypal address at the top of the page with in the next 2 months.

Ø    There are various prayer groups starting for the Yagua Nation.

Ø    There are those who have committed to monthly support.

Ø    There is a 4H home school group that is making books for the Yagua children's library and,

Ø    There are those who want to provide finances for me to take a vacation in June 2013 with

                some friends (I have not had a vacation for quite a few years.)

My major prayer concern right now is that I need help here in the Amazon.  A partner, a couple or whosoever is willing to commit more that 2 months to the work here in the Amazon.  There are lots of needs and many Yaguas.  I cannot do this alone.  Even with all this blessed support we need to continue to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to be with the people to do discipleship.  We are just beginning the adventure!  Blessings!

Adventuring with Christ,

Orchidy

Adventuring with Christ in the Amazon

    

Orchidy will be in the United States during the months of August and September sharing about her mission work with the Yagua tribe in the Amazon Jungle.  Please be praying for safe travel and open hearts.  Many blessings...  

Training Center

 Letter from the Amazon Jungle

Here is the vision for the Yagua Training Center that God has placed in my heart.  It will be a training center with a main focus on discipleship and the development of self-sustaining communities.  Some of the projects will include fish farming, poultry (eggs, chicken, ducks, etc.) crop rotation, nutrition and cooking, hygiene and health prevention.  The students and participants will learn and work in these various areas while studying the Word of God.  The basic courses will be focused on Literacy, the fundamentals of the faith (Hebrews 6:1-3), Bible Survey course with a covenant perspective, The Mission and reaching the Nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ, The power of praise and worship, Spiritual Warfare, Ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit and Character Develpment (Practical Christian Living).
The training center will have the capacity to hold conferences for pastors and leaders of the various Yagua communities and also serve as a retreat center.
The project we are working on will start off with a three story building. Since we are located in the jungle, the building will have to have a foundation of cement and wood that is more resistant to the termites. Labor will be mostly the men of the community of La Maloca in order to keep the finances within the Community and also so that they will take ownership of the project. We do not want to go with a generator system to eliminate long-term cost. We are looking into solar energy for the training center which will be more cost efficient and low maintenance in the long run but, will have a higher initial cost. The building will support a dorm up to 70 persons, a dining area, kitchen, library, and large meeting room. The offices and reception area will be on the main floor with the kitchen and dining area. The sleeping areas will be on the second floor (less mosquitos) along with the meeting area. The library will be on the third floor along with the solar energy power system. There will be 2 look out outdoor cabanas that lead out from the main building that will be used for small group sessions and devotional times. There will be a laundry area and a separate building for showers and bathrooms.
The idea is not to just put up buildings but to develop a center that is attractive and will add to the raising of self-esteem of the community. It is also being built to last for a long time so the materials used will be more jungle resistent. We will use the most of what we can from the jungle the rest will need to be transported which will be somewhat costly. The teaching, Kitchen, and maintenance equipment will be part of the cost. We have estimated close to $100,000.00 dollars but, it will probablly be more. This is just the basic plan. The development of the center, as God wills, will also include a seperate administrative building but, for the present this will be included as stated above in the basic plan.
I hope this gives you an idea of how we arrived at the estimated cost. The man who has worked on the blue prints is a professional and has done many projects around Leticia and Tabatinga.
This year is a year of much work for me in doing fundraising. I will be leaving for the states in July - September for an intense time of fundraising. The community is making handcrafts for me to take on this trip to take part in the fundraising. I want them to learn that we must work together for this to be a success. You or your church group may choose to do a creative project (i.e. Auction, dinner, fair, A-thon of some sort, etc) to partner with us in raising the funds for this project.  Please take some time to pray about how God would have you participate in this project.  Thank you of reviewing this project.  If you have any questions or comments click here for contact link.....

Adventuring with Christ,

Orchidy

Spring News Letter

 

Was it just in February  that I sent out the last news letter? 

WOW! God has done many great things since then.  Let me share some of the praises and results of your prayers and giving.  First of all God has answered our prayers for more openness in the Yagua community.  Almost three weeks ago, I presented the plan to build a Discipleship Training Center on the Yagua land.  There were a number of persons missing from that meeting that seemed to be in opposition.  It was decided that I would come back when I could present the entire project and they would make sure all the community would be preset to voice their concerns and to take a vote.  God provided a Colombian engineer that has recently become a believer.  He became excited about the opportunity to work on a project that is Kingdom focused.  He has donated much of his time on the blueprints and development of the plans for this Discipleship Training Center as an offering to God and has agreed to see them through to completion.  We presented these plans on Saturday April 14^th.  The Community received the entire project overwhelmingly as a complete majority.  WOW!! Praise God.

Most of the work to be done on this project will be done by the people of the community itself where possible.  This will keep the money in the community and be of great benefit to them.  It will also give them a sense of ownership.  All training or teachings will be from a Biblical perspective and will focus on discipleship and development of self sustaining communities.  This is a big move forward! The projected cost of this project is close to $100,000.00 dollars.  I will be traveling in the states in July through September raising funds for the project.  If you or your church group would like to do a creative fundraiser to help in this project, please click the link to  Send me an email.  More people involved, more prayers sent up, more money received, more lives saved, more glory to God!!! We have the victory!!!!

April 24^th I will be headed up river to Iquitos Peru.  There is a group that are also focused on reaching the Yagua Nation.  They too are working on a Yagua Training Center.  The majority of the Yaguas come from Peru but have traveled east along the Amazon River to Colombia and Brazil.  God has blessed me with a Colombian couple (Herminzo and Rocio) who desire to learn more about the mission and will be traveling with me to Iquitos to serve and companion me.  What a blessing!  Please pray for them as this is their first mission trip.  We will be viewing the project in Urco Miranyo in one of the tributaries off the Amazon.  I will be speaking in their staff meeting.  This will be a good networking opportunity.  Please pray for God's insight on this trip.

Adventuring with Christ,

Min, Orchidy T. Boyd

Praise

What an awesome day we had this past Saturday!!! The plans were accepted and even the "opposition" stated a 100% agreement. Thank you for all the prayers. Now we work to raise the money to make those plans a reality!

River Life

What an awesome time we had this past week! The group that came ministered to me and was a great blessing. Even through the physical challenges of river life, I believe that God spoke to them and placed a piece of the Amazon in their hearts. What a mighty God we serve!!

Fire is out

Well, here we are the day after the big fire. 17 businesses burned. The evening storm put out the remaining embers. The great thing was that Tabatinga (Brazilian) and Leticia (Colombian) forces worked together and got everything under control. I like living here in the Amazon! Thank you all for responding in prayer.

Pray for Trip up river

Pray for trip up river this weekend. I have the opportunity to present the gospel to a whole tribe that is not Yagua. They have seen changes in the man that works with me and want to know how I can help them also.... What an open door! Nelson will give his testimony.

January News Letter

Happy New Year to you all!  What a joy it was to bring in the New Year with dear brothers and sisters in Christ in Bogota.  The Lord directed me to participate with the 4 Square Church in the Andes for their 5^th Congress of pastors and leaders.  I had the privileged of serving on the praise and worship team   on my electric violin.  

 I also taught a workshop on changing the focus of the local church from just community to a global perspective. Also, the importance of using the local community as a training ground for preparing and equipping the saints to reach other nations that have not yet been reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Many were very touched and challenged because I was actually living in their country reaching out to their unreached indigenous people.  Please pray that more pastors and church leaders here in Colombia would become more involved with the global heart of God.   The Pastor Guillermo Parra will be sending their youth group to minister to our children in La Maloca.  Glory to God for this decision to come to the Amazon! Pray for them in their preparations to come.

I am excited about the opportunities this year!  

 In the community elections, Nelson
 was voted as the Curaca Segundo (which is like Vice President) and Angel was voted Curaca (President) of the tribe.  These are two Godly men that want to see their community grow in the knowledge of the One True God.  This will give liberty to the body of Christ for the next 2 years (at least)  to flourish without political opposition.  Hallelujah!!

2012 Prayer Points

 - Vision Trip teams that will come in March, April and June and the individuals that have shown interest to come sometime this year.

 - Networking with Yagua Communities and Making a presentation DVD to raise funds for Yagua Training Center.

 - Raising a minimum of $100,00.00 for building the Yagua Training Center. Fundraising trip in July/August/September.

 - Persons committed to the Lord willing to train and then teach in the Yagua Training Center Discipleship Program

 - The continued openness of the Communities Leaders to receive this project.

 

Orchidy's Personal Prayer and Praise

1.  At the end of 2011, I was finally seen by a specialist to find out why my muscles were not healing from the accident of 2007.  The diagnosis was Fibromyalgia.  This is a disease that is similar to arthritis but, instead of affecting the joints it affects the muscles.  This explains why I have constantly been in pain the last few years.  The blessing part is that even though this could be very painful and costly, God has provided me with a physical therapist that has committed to treat me indefinitely at no cost.  It is his way of partnering with me in reaching the Yaguas.

2.  God has been speaking with me a lot these past few weeks.  He keeps reminding me to expect great things and to trust Him for the outcome of placing my hope in Him.  Whether it is giants or entering into the promise land, He has given me the victory before hand because He said He would do it! Praise God with me for this year's great successful victories!

Heading up River

I am heading up the river for the first time this year. I am looking forward to seeing all my children in La Maloca. Keep me in your prayers. Thanks!!!!!!

The mission is not just doing Good deeds, giving money, and visiting Foreign lands.

The mission is bringing the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to persons at home or aboard,Whereby
the Holy Spirit can use it to Transform individuals, families, communities, and nations to reflect the
true nature of God in love, beauty and righteousness through their relationships with one another,
their creativity in art and music, all that involves the industry of their society and the manner in which
they raise each succeeding generation in order to bring the highest Glory Honor, and Praise to God the
Father.