Summer News Letter

It is that time of year.  Summer has come and I am once again traveling in the States.  This has been a very busy year for me. It has also been very exciting.  In February, my cousins from Costa Rica came to visit with their pastors of the International Baptist Church of Costa Rica.  What a joyful time we had.  Even though it was a very short visit, they were able to travel on the Amazon River with me and connect with the church that I am working with in Caballo Cocha.  Pastor Paul preached and his wife and my cousins shared with the church.  They were a great help with the baptism of the new converts. Yes, we baptized them in the river.  I think they had more fun with the adventure of traveling on river transportation to and from our various destinations.  I look forward to their next visit to Leticia Amazonas. Pray for the Pastor Maritza of Caballo Cocha she is very sick and needs a complete healing.

After their visit I was very busy with logistics for my home church, Christ Kingdom Church, from Maryland.  They came for a much longer time and were able to visit with all the different ministries with which I am connected in this region.  Two weeks before they came I spent time in Iquitos Peru doing discipleship teaching with the two churches that I have been assigned to by my pastor here in Ministerio de Misiones Church, Pastor Julio Pacheco. It was good that I was able to spend time teaching in both churches. God moved and before I left we baptized eleven persons. I was also able to better set up the logistics for the Christ Kingdom Church (CKC).  WOW! WOW! WOW!  It had been quite a while since my church came to visit. Neivy, my daughter, her husband Junior and my grandsons Elias and Eliseo are staying with me in the apartment downstairs.  They were a great help to me during the CKC Vision Trip. Those that came are my State side leaders and after visiting with and getting to know the people and ministries with which I am connected, They now desire to become more directly involved with the work here in the Amazon.  This makes my heart leap for joy!

Every year I have to do my yearly Humana Health check-ups.  I planned to come to the States at the end of July, but I received a call from a church in Silver Springs, MD which is not far from my home church in District Heights. So... I ended up arriving at the beginning of July and participated in an awesome mission conference entitled Missions by the Book 10.  The focus was on going past our limits and trusting God and serving Him BOUNDLESSLY.  I believe that all those who attended were greatly challenged to let go of the things that keep us from advancing in our service with Jesus whether it is at home or abroad.

The following week placed me with my church, Christ Kingdom Church in District Heights.  There I taught an introductory Spanish class (That will be ongoing until they return to Leticia next year.) and preached on routine. Sometimes it is so easy to fall into routine in our christian lives that we stop listening for God's voice and His direction. We begin to focus on our wants and desires and stop considering God's wants and desires.  He desires so much for us, but we need to be willing to walk according to His plans and not ours.  Many responded to the message and committed to take that leap of faith and step out of routine.

For the first time in a long time I spent a much needed vacation with my family reunion.  I definitely had been out of touch with my family and now I can pray more intelligently for their needs,  God is Good!

While I have been here in the States my family and friends in Colombia have been looking for a property where I will be able to continue to serve the people who God continues to bring to me for classes, music, discipleship, Bible studies and hospitality for pastors and ministry leaders who need a place to stay. The place where I have been renting for the last 10 years is being sold.  Please be in prayer with me as it will cost $100,000. for the property that we are looking at buying. Since I am now a legal resident of Colombia, I just need to apply for the documents that I will need to buy property in Colombia. Pray! Pray! Pray!  Psalm 37 is an encouragement to me to keep trusting and waiting on the Lord because He will bring it to pass.  He will do it! Together we will advance His kingdom in the Amazon.

Adventuring with Christ,
Min. Orchidy T Boyd
Exec. Dir. AFAMMS

Winter News Letter

 Hello my dear friends and family!
This has definitely been a remarkable year. I know that you all have been waiting for some time to hear how God has used
your prayers and giving throughout the Amazon and during my time in the States. As many of you know that in the
beginning of the year the screw that had been placed in my foot a few years ago moved and began to poke into my flesh.
The very good orthopedic doctor here in Leticia removed it, the plate and the bunion that was giving me quite a bit of pain
on my right foot. God blessed me with two young persons who helped me through the whole process. The 2 and a half
months of recuperation went by quickly and freed me to be able to attend the NAAMC International Missions Conference
in Charlotte NC this past June. The Conference was awesome! I’m looking forward to the next conference that will be held
in 2027. I invite you to pray about attending. Please check out the YouTube videos when you get a chance.
During my time in the States, I was also able to visit and minister with my home church in Maryland and spend time with
some very dear friends and family in Michigan. I was also able to complete my yearly health check-up for my health
insurance. It was good to be able to get around without the pain and discomfort that I experienced the last few years. All I
can say is that my God is the best and only one who could make this possible!!! Even though I am 68 years young I am
only getting better with time.
I returned home to Leticia Amazonas in the beginning of September and found that my house had been robbed and the
mattresses on the first floor had been taken along with a fan. I was to receive the group from Iquitos Peru for the pastor’s
and leadership conference. In spite of the break in, the women stayed with me and the men who normally would stay in the
downstairs room ended up staying with another member of the church. The Conference was AWESOME! It was focused
on the family. Ministry can take time away from the family but it is the responsibility of the parents to keep the priorities in
the right place. God – family – ministry .
After the conference, I finally took that vacation that many of you have demanded that I take. I am glad that I was
obedient. It was the first time in many years that I was not suffering from recovery from surgery and amazingly I even
went on the Zip line whoosh! A beach vacation in Costa Rica was what the doctor ordered. Thank you my family for
enjoying the time with me.
Since I came back from vacation, I have been very busy teaching literacy, music and Sunday school in Caballo Cocha
Peru. God is growing this church and the Spirit of God is moving. Please pray wisdom for me as I teach and minister in
this town. I know that God wants to great things with and in these people.
This next year there are 2 different groups that are planning vision trips to visit with me and to see how to be more
involved. Please pray for them. One group is coming from Costa Rica just for four days at the end of January. The other
group is planning their vision trip towards the end of February and the beginning of March for 14 or 16 days. Please pray
for the logistics to be according to God’s plan..
2026 is a year of evangelism and discipleship. Again, please continue to pray for me to have a hearing heart and God’s
wisdom as I minister with His people. Blessings to you all.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Donations by check or money order: AFAMMS (do not put my name on the check); PO Box 39803; Redford, MI
48239-0803
You may also go to the Web view on the blogspot and press the yellow donate button. Use the PayPal
receipt for your tax deduction http://afamms.blogspot.com
Adventuring with Christ,
Min. Orchidy T Boyd

Spring News Letter

 

🌿 African American Mobilization Services (AFAMMS) Newsletter
From the Desk of Min. Orchidy T. Boyd
Leticia, Amazonas – Colombia, S.A.
May 2025

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💌 Greetings from the Amazon!

Hello my dear family and friends,

As my little brother Lusire says… Whew! The last few months have been quite the challenge! I could sense that God was sharpening my focus, preparing me for the direction He desires for my life and ministry—both now and into the future. Was I ready? Not quite!

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🦶 Health Updates & Renewed Strength

Physically, I needed another surgery on my right foot. The screw and plate placed years ago had shifted out of position—ouch! They were removed, along with a painful bunion. Add in new glasses and a complete physical, and this 67-years-young woman is feeling stronger than she has in years! I’m ready to embrace whatever this next season brings. I am excited!

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🙌 Local Ministry Highlights

God has blessed me with a young lady from Bogotá who is living with me at the mission house. She’s studying Portuguese, serving in the church, and helping at home while my foot heals. Our time together in the Word and fellowship has been such a joy.

I continue discipling Cesar Martinez, a passionate young man eager to reach the unreached in the Amazon. Watching him grow is a gift. I believe every believer should disciple at least one person for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

While recuperating, I’ve also been teaching English classes—a part of my "tent-making" ministry.

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🚤 Upcoming River Ministry

I’m praying about taking a river trip to Caballo Cocha before heading to the States. Pastors Maritza and Fernando have been faithful partners, and I plan to work more closely with them next year to train leaders deeper in the jungle with the gospel message.

“The harvest is plentiful…” and the hunger for God’s Word here is very real.

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🇺🇸 Stateside Itinerary (Summer 2025)

• 📍June 18:
  Attending the NAAMC International Mission Conference in North Carolina.
  ➤ More info: info@naamcmissions.org
  Hope to see you there!

• 📍June 21:
  Visiting Christ Kingdom Church (District Heights, MD) to help plan their upcoming mission trip to Colombia. Please keep this in your prayers.

• 📍Late June–July:
  Heading to Detroit, Michigan for:

  • Mandatory physical exams

  • Board of Directors meeting

  • Planning a mission seminar in Fort Smith, Arkansas

  I’ll be available to meet as the Lord wills. You can reach me on WhatsApp or through my blog:
  👉 http://afamms.blogspot.com

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✈️ Looking Ahead

• August:
  Returning to Colombia, with a visit to churches in Iquitos, Peru before the Pastors & Leadership Conference in Leticia.

• October (Vacation!):
  I’ll finally take a much-needed vacation—pain-free for the first time in years! New knees, hips, a reconstructed foot, and weight loss mean I’ll fully enjoy celebrating my sister’s 70th birthday in Costa Rica.

  Pastor Julio reminds us:
  “God is responsible for our healing. We are responsible for our health.”

• November:
  One month of ministry in Montería, Colombia, teaching from my manual “Rudiments of the Faith” (Hebrews 5 and 6:1–3).
  ➤ Please pray for wisdom and discernment as I share.

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✝️ Final Word

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.”
– Proverbs 19:21 (RSV)

Thank you for your continued prayers, giving, and your open invitation to visit. Together, we can reach the unreached for Christ’s Kingdom here in the Amazon.

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Adventuring with Christ,
Min. Orchidy T. Boyd
Executive Director
African American Mobilization Services (AFAMMS)
🌐 http://afamms.blogspot.com

Fall 2024 Newsletter

 

Hi everyone!

 

Here is a brief update on what has happened in the last few months.  The Revised Standard Version of the Bible says in Probverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.”  My last letter had all the summer plans for the trip to the States. In April I made plans for one more trip up river to participate in a celebration with the church in Caballo Cocha.  After arriving in the port in Caballo Cocha, I prepared to disembark from the launch when in the act of sitting on the deck my right hip dislocated.  This was the same hip that dislocated 2 years ago after the total hip replacement in Bogota.  I was rushed back to Leticia and taken to the ER where the orthopedic surgeon popped the hip back in place and gave me the option to be sent to Bogota for a revision or to have the revision done in the States.  I chose the States. To say the least, the next few months were quite challenging.  I made all the appointments to meet with the surgeon that replaced my left hip last year. The day of the appointment the right hip slid out again. To make a long story short, I was taken to emergency in Detroit and was attended to by team members of my surgeon. The hip was popped back in once more and the surgeons office brought me in and set up the date for a revision surgery.  July 2, 2024 the surgery was excellently done and for the next 2 and a half months I focused on healing and therapy.

 

Even though I was not able to visit with the churches or attend the family reunion in Myrtle Beach, God continued to show Himself very caring towards me during the time of convalescence.

The four major blessings that God gave to me (among many little ones) were:

1. To be able to attend my niece's quincinera coming of age party
2. Receive better health care insurance coverage
3. Attend my oldest brother's 70^th birthday celebration
4. Continue with discipleship and Spanish classes with my students on the What'sApp application

God used my baby sister and her husband also, my friend Monifa (who visited with me last year here in the Amazon) to show me great hospitality by providing a place to stay while I was going through all the processes of hip revision surgery.  A special thanks to them and to all that were praying for my speedy recovery.

 

The doctor released me to return home to Colombia 2 and a half months after the surgery.  I arrived in Leticia in time to host the group of leaders from Caballo Cocha for the Pastor's and Leadership Conference.  I was also asked to host a young man from Switzerland as he was getting experience learning about the ministry of the church and disciplining the people here in the Amazpm.  It has been a joy having him visiting.  The seventh of December we will be headed up to Caballo Cocha to help prepare the church for a regional wide crusade with guest speaker Brian Bolt and about 29 persons more from the States.  We will be celebrating the new church building that has been built to accommodate the new members, and baptizing those who have been recently added to the church.  What a joy it is to be apart of what God is doing in Caballo Cocha.  Thanks to the Greater Damascus Church  in Hazelhurst, Mississippi that gave generously to this project and thanks to those of you who have been praying for the discipleship of this church.  I truely believe that God is going to reach many lives through the pastors Maritza and Fernando who are training and equipping their members to reach the unreached in this region of the Amazon.  Your prayers and giving are making this possible.

 

The next few months I will be working very closely with our brothers and sisters teaching the basic fundamentals of the faith as found in Hebrews 5-6:1-3.  Please pray that God will bestow upon me wisdom and anointing as I teach these young babes in Christ.  Alexandre will be going back to Switzerland to complete his civil service obligations.  Pray for him as he will be making some great life decisions in his service with the Lord.  Also, continue to pray for Nataly (the daughter of the Pastors of Caballo Cocha) She has returned home to help out there and continues to seek God's direction for her life.

 

I pray that you all will have a wonderful holiday season and that you prosper as your soul prospers.

 

 

Adventuring with Christ,

Min. Orchidy T Boyd

Exec. Director African American Mobilization Services (AFAMMS)