Back in the Amazon

Here I am sitting in my room looking out at the tropical trees and hearing the sounds of the Amazon Rain Forest as the traffic passes by my window. What a contrast to the climate and culture in which I grew up. For two months, I traveled in the United States visiting family and friends, meeting with pastors and church leaders and speaking at a mission conference. My main desire was to impart vision for the work that God has laid on my heart here in the Amazon. 

Many asked about the Anaconda, mosquitoes, and any kind of strange insect or disease that I may have encountered while living here in the Amazon. For some, the only concept of the life here is what has been portrayed through nature documentaries or movies. Explaining that I live in Leticia Amazonas on the borders of Brazil and Peru

 in an upstairs apartment that has a view of the Amazon River in the distance and that I use a motor scooter to get around town is often a challenge without the wonderful Google Maps. And still some asked “Where in Africa is that?” Some even became confused with _______ .com. Part of imparting vision is educating. 

 The conference that I attended in Silver Spring, MD was great! It was more about me being educated about the Kingdom work going on in various parts of the world (including Africa) and putting some faces to those in need of prayer who are serving in some very sensitive locations. Even though I had opportunities to share about the Amazon, God impressed on me the need for more time spent in prayer. One ministry had people who spent five (5) to ten (10) hours a day just praying allowing God to impart HIS vision.

There comes a time when casting vision to those who will listen that the desire to see results sends me to my knees and the answer that God gives is just wait and trust me.  In the meantime, I had a chance to visit with friends that I have not seen in years and spend time with my earthly father. WOW! I will never forget fishing in Michigan with my dad and brother and catching the biggest fish of the day – 15 inch Bass. And, spending time with my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and cousins while all the time my God given daughter Neivy was calling me and telling me up-to-date reports on her and her boyfriend’s commitment to marry and walk in God's vision for the family. I am over joyed!! Thank you to all who continued to pray for her.

So I waited and I trusted! I saw God move on the hearts of the brothers and sisters in each group that He led me to share the vision. The results were great! Many recommitted to giving to the ministry of AFAMMS, while others made commitments to seeing “The Amazon Initiative Project” (named by one of the Detroit pastors) in Vista Alegre come to fruition, still others committed to become prayer partners. God moved on the hearts of some to come and help build the discipleship training school. Carpenters, plumbers, electricians and garden technicians are all needed in the body of Christ. Thank you my dear family and friends for hearing the vision and being willing to seek God as to your part in seeing it materialize. “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

For those of you who have made a commitments to give on a regular basis, the best method is through the blogspot.  http://afamms.blogspot.com Just click on the yellow donate button and follow the directions for donating through PayPal or you can donate directly through your personal PayPal. Our address is safricanamericanmobilization@yahoo.com. You may also send your donations through the US Postal Service: AFAMMS, PO BOX 39803, Redford, Michigan 48239-0803. Do not put my name on the check or money order. It is tax-deductible payable to AFAMMS.

One of my English students invited me to take a 7 day vacation in Pereira Colombia where the coffee grows. My miles with LATAM were enough that I only had to pay $10.00. God is Good! I will be on vacation Oct. 20 – 26, 2016.

When I return I will go to Bogota to be reviewed for the knee replacement. Please be in prayer for this surgery. I will keep you all posted. Also, be in prayer for Ricardo Elias, Irene and their baby Sofia who are in preparation to come to Leticia to stay with me as we prepare the organization of the Discipleship Training School in Vista Alegre. They will arrive January 19, 2017.  I am preparing the house to receive my new family.  Please keep us all in your prayers as we are adjusting to one another. We will advance in the vision that God has given to us for the Amazon!!

Adventuring with Christ,

Min. Orchidy Boyd

Orchidy T Boyd

July News Letter

My dear family and friends,

What an exciting time to be alive! I am well into the second year of RHEMA and doing well.  I thought it would be more difficult to study in Spanish, but until now it has only been a challenge.  The classes are intriguing and refreshing.  We just completed a session on Leadership and one on Angeles and Demons.  It is good to be a part of the special creation of God, mankind.

I have been receiving exciting responses from Vista Alegre where we had the youth conference in April.  The youth have started meeting in the evenings at the church doing Bible study and working on praise and worship music.  They are impatient for us to begin the indigenous discipleship training school.  In July, I will be returning to the community, Lord willing, to encourage and develop plans for building.  We desire to build a 2 story building near the church for classes and housing for visiting teachers. At one time, I believed that I would teach in the Yagua community alone, but God always thinks bigger and more inclusive of others.  Those who attended the conference in April were Ticuna and Cocama. The Yaguas did not participate, since then I have been told that there are some that want to be a part of the training school.  Hallelujah! Please keep this in your prayers.

We have been given wood and land to start building the 2 story-training center in the Vista Alegre Community. I would like to invite you to be a part of this vision for reaching the youth and tribal communities in this region.  The building will be for housing visiting teachers and students.  It will be used for training classes and dining.  The students will have work projects while attending the training school that will assist in the maintenance of the facilities and cost of room and board. We would like for this to be an ongoing self-sustained discipleship ministry where the students learn the Word of God but also demonstrate their knowledge through integrity and Godly character. We have chosen 2Timothy 2:2 (And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.) to be the model of the discipleship-training program.  Indigenous youth reaching other indigenous youth with the gospel of Jesus Christ so that they can reach others and we can complete the mandate of Jesus and get the job done.

You ask, “How can I become a part of this project?” 1. By first of all, praying for us here in the Amazon: Ricardo Elias, Irene Guzman Charry his wife and me, Orchidy Boyd. Also, Elias’ parents who are pastoring in Vista Alegre and have generously given us the land and wood for building.

2. Secondly, by giving toward the building costs. It will cost approximately $50,000.00 to complete the construction of the buildings needed for the training school. We are asking you or your group to prayerfully begin saving (setting aside monies to sow a seed) for this year until August of 2017. Maybe a special offering once a week that can be presented in August 2017. In August 2017, Elias and I will visit with you or your church group so that you can meet Ricardo Elias (the director) and ask your questions of us and give your donation seed for this great work. (1 Cor. 9)

3. Last but not least, you may plan a trip to help in the construction process.  Many Godly hands make light work.

*Note: We are in the middle of the Amazon Jungle. Those that come to help build next year must be prepared for very rustic camping conditions.

I will be coming to the states to attend a mission conference in Silver Spring, MD July 14^th through the 17^th.  I will then look forward to visiting as many of you as possible during the time that I am in the USA.  If you would like to try to connect with me I can be reached through my email, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or SKYPE. I will be returning to Colombia September 12^th. I will try to call as many as I can,  if I miss you, please feel free to contact me. Donations are best sent to me through PayPal at: safricanamericanmobilization@yahoo.com. You may also go to my Blogspot: http://afamms.blogspot.com for more information or to donate by clicking on the yellow donate button. Donations may also be sent to the above address. 

November 1^st I will be starting the process for a knee replacement.  I will be meeting with the doctors in Bogota. Please keep this in your prayers as I am traveling on this bad knee.  It is by God’s grace that I am made strong! He has kept me and many have been reached because of His faithfulness with me.  Thank you for your prayers and giving. You help make this all possible!

Check out the GREAT motor scooter that your prayers and giving has provided for the ministry.  Let’s just take this time at the end of this letter to Praise our Great God for what He has done, what He is doing and what He will do through us here in the Amazon!

Adventuring with Christ,

Min. Orchidy T, Boyd

Exec. Director AFAMMS

African American Mobilization Services (AFAMMS)

  Min. Orchidy T. Boyd— AFAMMS— PO Box 39803 – Redford, MI   48239-0803

  SKYPE: orchi41 or Call Colombian Cell: 57 312.557.5379

  PayPal address: safricanamericanmobilization@yahoo.com 

                                                                           E-mail: orchi41@gmail.com  Website: http://afamms.blogspot.com

1st Quarter News letter

African American Mobilization Services (AFAMMS)

Min. Orchidy T. Boyd— AFAMMS— PO Box 39803 – Redford, MI   48239-0803

SKYPE: orchi41  or Call Colombian Cell: 57 312.557.5379

PayPal address: safricanamericanmobilization@yahoo.com

E-mail: orchi41@gmail.com  Website: http://afamms.blogspot.com

Hello everybody! Happy Valentine’s Day to you all! I enjoyed a beautiful fall in Michigan.  I left the States just before Thanksgiving and my birthday celebrations and now we are in the New Year.  Many of you who do not follow me on Facebook are waiting to hear of the miracles of God in my life since the last newsletter in September. Well.... Hold onto your seats because... Here we go!

Here is what God did with my cares.  (1Pe 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.) (NKJV).  I needed a minimum of $ 8,000.00 dollars to complete all the things that needed to be accomplished in the states. Here are the “cares” that we placed before the Lord and His response.

1. My father's health – He is doing much better and all 6 of us “kids” celebrated his 86^th Birthday on October 4, 2015

2. My rent in Colombia paid – Thanks to a higher exchange rate and your giving, I was able to maintain my rent payments

3. Meals and transportation in the States – To those who cooked dinners, took me out and picked me up and Amy, I thank you!!!!

4. Taxes completed and a payment plan set up (unless God provides all at once) – WOW! That was the most challenging mental thing I have ever done! But, with the help of a very Godly tax preparer and friend, the taxes for AFAMMS and my personal taxes were updated and completed. A plan was set up for my personal taxes and we are still a registered organization

5. Transportation to Maryland round trip – The trip was cancelled and I met with my bishop over SKYPE. Thank God for technology! (Are you still praising Him?)

6. Transportation to Missouri round trip – Didn't need to go... My brother came up from Missouri.  What a blessing it was to see and spend time with him.

7. Motorcar for Colombia (Motorcar $5,000.00 including documents and insurance) – Do I still need a vehicle for Leticia? YES! The health insurance that I was affiliated with went bankrupt and changed its name. Sooo… I won’t be having any surgeries anytime soon and am at a point where a vehicle is extremely necessary. Even though a motorcar is very practical, a motor scooter is more economical ($2,000 dollars).  Please continue to pray for this need. Since the dollar is up, the cost of the scooter may be a little less. Once we change insurance agency, I will let you all know about the surgeries on my knee and foot.

8. Tickets paid for Leticia Colombia to Michigan round trip $676.20 – I went. I completed the taxes. I am back in Leticia, Colombia.  Thanking God that the trip was a success!

So the conclusion is: Even though the $8,000 dollars for the trip was not raised, God provided all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. I will need to pay $200.00 a month to the IRS until the debt is cancelled and I still need a vehicle whether Motorcar or Scooter.  God has blessed me with English students and (for now) a high exchange rate which are helping to pay the bills. I am content! THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL THOSE WHO PRAYED AND GAVE TO MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE. 

How fun! I had an opportunity to play my clarinet for two events this past holiday season. I did a fundraiser playing Christmas Carols on clarinet in a doughnut shop Dec. 23, 2015 raising money for the next Encounter event.  I would like those in the new Home Bible Study that I began in December to be able to attend the next Encounter Retreat without worrying about the cost. I also played for the Miracle Crusade on the 27^th of December. We saw God do many miraculous healing of all kinds during this crusade.  The biggest miracle of all was the lives changed to the glory of God! Halleluiah!

This year has taken off at a very fast exciting pace! I have about 10 English students that are part of the evangelistic outreach that God has given me. I am also teaching a home Bible study with the purpose of discipleship toward multiplying leaders. I never knew how that little Wordless Book that my mother taught me would be such a major evangelistic tool.  Already some of the Bible study members are using it to witness the gospel message to others. Please keep this group that meets every Saturday night in my apartment in your prayers and that it would continue to grow. I am also continuing my studies with the REHMA Bible Institute.

March 31^st I have been asked to be one of the speakers at the first Interchange of Indigenous Youth Conference in the Amazon.  There will be youth representing various different tribes in the region. This is a conference started by the tribes themselves without foreign aid. I am greatly honored to be asked to participate in this conference. Please pray for Godly wisdom to speak what God wants to be said at this time in the Amazon history for all of the conference speakers.

The first week of June Myah J Lane our new board member will be coming down for her first visit. Please pray for all the logistics of her trip. I am sure that God has a great plan for her visit here to Leticia.

If you would like to continue taking part in what AFAMMS is doing here in the Amazon, please put us on your prayer list. You can also send donations on PayPal at safricanamericanmobilization@yahoo.com to send donation for the vehicle you can connect to Go Fund Me on Facebook also, in snail mail at the above post office box in Redford, Michigan. God bless you all and just watch us take the Amazon for Christ J

Adventuring with Christ,

Min. Orchidy T Boyd