March, 2004

Dear Brethren,

A few days ago I arrived from one of the most exciting mission trips I have ever made. The river is high this time of year, so I was able to go in the bigger boat with 50 HP Honda motor. My 2 traveling buddies had to drop out at the last minute. I was back on the river all by myself like I did for so many years. My first stop was Thaumaturgo. Emerson and wife are doing a great job with the mission there. We had a full house on a Friday night. Although I had been on the river all day dodging logs and sand bars I was not too tired. After a very good service I spent some more quality teaching time with the members. It was after midnight before we finally went to bed.

The next day I continued to Foz do Breu on the Peruvian border to be with the mission there as they celebrated another year of ministry. Again, our missionary Aésio and wife are doing a wonderful job. Most of the village is now saved. The difference in the overall behavior is unbelievable. The contrast with 8 years ago when we first started the work there is a tribute to the power of the gospel of Christ. 

The afternoon that I arrived I was trying to rest a little from the long hard trip. It was about 3 in the afternoon and I had not eaten anything all day, so I was a little on the tired side. Just as I stretched out on the floor a group of some 10 Ashaninka Indians walked in and wanted to talk to me. When I found out the rest of the story I understood why it was so urgent that they talk to me ASAP.

It turns out that this group of Indians is from Peru. Twenty-two members of their tribe were saved when a Peruvian, who had been to Pucalpa, heard the gospel, trusted Christ and then witnessed in Tipisca, where he lives, and Dulce Glória where the tribe lives. Unfortunately he got into politics and did not return to disciple those baby Christians. They heard that I was going to be at Foz do Breu 2 months before my trip. They sent 2 of the younger men down to contact me. That was in January, but I had to cancel because of Bev´s gall bladder surgery. These 2 Indians paddled downstream for 5 days just to find out that I would not be there until March. It took them 10 more days to paddle back home! When March rolled around 14 of the 22 got in 3 canoes and made the 5 day trip down river. They were there to implore me to help them organize their church and help them reach 4 more groups of Ashaninkas on the Vaca Piste tributary of the Juruá River. 

This meeting was fun, challenging and comical. Here we have 10 Indians and me sitting in a circle on the floor trying to communicate in 3 languages. I speak Portuguese, English and little Spanish. A couple of them speak a little Spanish, less Portuguese and their native Ashaninka. Two more speak pretty good Spanish and Ashaninka. We did OK though. 

They have already built a church building in the main village, which has about 300 people. They have the New Testament in their own language. One of the men who can speak Spanish and read in Ashaninka has been pastoring the group. 

The group sang a couple of songs during our services. We had great crowds for all services. The Indians sat in a group with one of them trying to translate my messages to the others. They were all dressed in their homemade clothing, paint, feathers and headdress. They have a tambourine and old beat up guitar all patched together with packaging tape. 

On Sunday morning I baptized 11 more believers. 3 of the Indians wanted to know if they could be baptized. YES! They also asked if they could be baptized in their best “Sunday go to meetin´ “ hand woven robes. YES! The three Indians are a father and his 2 sons of 24 and 32 years of age. The 2 “boys” are the ones who had already made the long 15 day canoe trip in January. 

That afternoon a Brazilian Ashaninka (unsaved chief from the Breu River group) came into the village. Just as I got stretched out to rest after the big meal the ladies had fed us, in marches my tribe with the new arrival. Since he speaks decent Portuguese they wanted to make sure that I understood that they wanted me to help them with their church! These people mean business! For some reason, they just didn't want to paddle 15 days and not be sure that we understood each other! 

Another amusing detail about these 2 meetings was that as soon as they said what they had to say they got up and left as abruptly as they came. They truly behave like a flock!

Well the result of all of this is that I told them that we would have to all pray in the coming weeks and months and I will do what I can to help them with their mission endeavor. I told them that I would visit them in May, Lord willing. They understood that I would have to teach them our doctrinal position and they would be under the care of our church. No promises as to how we would help them in other areas until I can visit them and feel things out. Another condition that I required was that the chief and other leaders welcome my presence there. This they assured me was already settled.

The Peruvian authorities have already given me the go ahead for the trip in May. 

One thing that we are going to help them with right away is a new guitar. One of our members has already donated a brand new one, with case and spare strings. I will take this and surprise them with the gift when I visit them. If it looks like it will help them we want to donate a small tail motor (4 or 5 HP Honda) for them to make their mission trips and a small supply of gasoline each month. This will help them get to those 4 other Ashaninka groups on the Vaca Piste creek. You might even want to help on this one.

These Indians still hunt and fish with bow and arrow. They don't even own a shotgun or fishing net. They make their own clothing. We will have to be wise in how we help them.

All 10 communities on the Peruvian side of the Juruá River are totally isolated from the rest of Peru since the river flows from into Brazil. Even the border outpost moves the men to and from Pucalpa by helicopter. What little supplies reach these locations from Peru comes in by plane. Most of their goods end up coming from Brazil. Either way it is very expensive.

Thank the Lord and pray with us as we plan this very important trip for the month of May. A door like this doesn't open every day. Our church is excited about this new opportunity to do more foreign and transcultural missions. I wanted to share this with you and want you to get involved, too.

Before I end this very long letter I need to ask your help on a specific project. My 15HP outboard is now over 7 years old. I am replacing it with a 20HP four cycle engine, which will be 50% more fuel efficient. I have an opportunity to get the motor right here in Cruzeiro do Sul for less than what it would cost in the States. I have already put $600.00 of my money toward it, but still need $2,300.00. Help out as the Lord leads you. God has always led you to help us have the best equipment for the job and I thank Him for you always.

Many thanks and blessings to you. 

In Christ, 

Mike Creiglow

(Following is another letter sent by Brother Creiglow. Although very late, he felt it needed to be included in this Mission Sheet.)

October 1st was a very good day for us. My first grandson, Alec Andrew Creiglow was born. We have three granddaughters already. Andrew, Eline and Heloisa spent a few weeks at our house while Eline and baby got in shape to return to their house. Boy did we party!

One Sunday I presented a new baby boy in the 5:00 o'clock service. Then at the 7:30 service I presented two more. One was Chloe, born one week before my grandson. Chloe is the first child of one of our young couples. The other baby was Alec. I had one in each arm. The other three pastors don't like to present babies, but I do. Now if the other three would take over all our problem members, they can leave the babies to me, I'll gladly present newborn babies all Sunday long!

In the month of October we have one of our medical mission trips to the Moa River. During the month of October we had all the summer weather that we didn't have during the summer season. The heat was higher than I had ever seen. I like hot weather, but even I got a little desperate. Also, the river was so low that travel was really tough. We sent the first two boats with fuel, supplies, equipment and part of our team on Sunday morning, October 19th. I took up the rest of the team on Tuesday. One of our doctors did not get in from a seminar in Rio Branco until Monday evening. I had to wait for her. We caught up with the first group on Tuesday afternoon at Sao Salvador. The boat I use for this trip is powered by a 25hp jet drive, so even though the river was only inches deep, we were able to get through. Occasionally, we bounce off a stump or two, but not too bad. Now the dugout canoes have more trouble. By the time we got to Republica, those guys were having to drag the canoes through the shallows.

We worked for two days at Sao Salvador, two at Republica and two more at the mountain villages. We took a day off for rest between Republica and the mountains. We climbed to the top of the ridge, checked out some waterfalls and spent a lot of time just soaking! The time at Republica was really rough this trip. Over 500 people were cared for, which was a real test for the team. The doctors and dentists are working beyond reasonable limits. Then there is all the rest of the team filling out forms, organizing the lines, operating the generator and compressor, hauling supplies, searching for fruit and vegetables to go along with meals, cooking and treating water for all. Top all this off with extreme heat and insects, and after all was finished, not even a "thank you." The team took it as true Christians though. There was not one complaint.

We held seven services, distributed hundreds of Gospels of John and took care of minor health needs of over a 1,000 people in 10 days.

A few months ago I mentioned that we need to replace our tents for these mission trips. Since I have been to the post office every week and no tents have arrived, I thought I might just remind you that we really do need those tents. This would be a great mission project for a Sunday School class. What we need is two-man tents. These can be mailed surface rate from your local P.O. They will reach us in about 3 months. Please consider this need.

It is now time for me to renew my boats and motors. My 15hp is now seven years old. The 50hp is over six years old. One is used when the river is low and the other when there is plenty of water. Both have a lot of mileage. I will sell these to go toward newer equipment, but will need your help to make up the difference. Please pray and consider a one time special offering for this project.

Thank you for all your help and prayers.

Mike Creiglow

A group of Ashaninka Indians on the beach.

Mike Creiglow baptizing in the river.

One of the team members filling out forms for those waiting.

As you can see, we ate very well during the trip upriver.