I just returned from a mission trip on the Amazon River with my wife, Karen, and I had an experience of a life time. It was rich and meaningful on many different levels, and that's what I'd like to share with you over the next four Sundays in my sermons, along with slides, videos, testimonies, and maybe a surprise or two.  

On Sunday, June 20th, fourteen from Malibu Pres went to support a mission team from Manaus Pres (Manaus, Brazil) onboard that church's mission boat -- one of their four boats that travel the Amazon River, visiting remote villages to share the love and compassion and Good News of Jesus Christ.    

We were a diverse bunch.  Our doctor and his dad were from Bolivia, the dentist was from Brazil, Damaris Pietras from MPC is from Germany, Justin Ouwersloot is from the Netherlands, etc.  It was rich!  

Our team provided medical, dental, and nursing care to meet the physical needs of the people.  We invited kids to attend VBS; played soccer with the men, which opened opportunities for a "sideline huddle" to share with them a Christian perspective of male responsibility; conducted women's gatherings for our women to share from their hearts; and invited the villagers to attend our evening worship service where we sang, shared, preached, and praised God.  

We preached the Good News.  We visited homes.  People heard the Gospel, and several came to faith.  One beautiful story is about a 25 year old girl with polio who has lived her entire life lying on the floor with only a pillow for comfort. She has a loving mother.   On prior visits, both had refused to believe in Jesus Christ.  Pastor John (Manaus Pres mission pastor) was not dissuaded.  He visited their humble house once again during our visit.  By the grace of God and the prayers of the saints, both mom and her daughter accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Others during our trip came to saving faith as well.  We had so much to praise God for.  As Jesus taught, "there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  Luke 15:10. 

I hope you'll join us in our sanctuary as we share with you what we've learned and experienced on this most memorable mission trip. 

On behalf of the entire mission team, thank you for helping make this trip possible through your prayers, financial support, and words of encouragement.  You are priceless. 

In His Service,

Pastor Michael Mudgett