March 7, 2007

Dear Brethren,

This should be my last letter from the States. Beverly and I are set to return to Brazil on March 31. We have every reason in the world to be anxious to get home, not the least of which is the COLD weather! We have enjoyed our visits to churches and friends, but it is high time we got back to work.

Two weeks ago Andrew conducted the yearly carnaval (Mardi Gras) camp for the youth. They had 52 teens besides the fifteen team members. The theme he chose was “The Countdown”. It was about our lives having a beginning, middle and end. They had a great time. Some of the pranks the boys played on the girls and vice versa were hilarious. The best news, though, is that three teens were saved.

The joint mission project that our churches have planned for 2007 is already underway. This year we will be reaching all the Juruá River downstream as far as the city of Ipixuna in the state of Amazonas. The project includes all the tributaries along that stretch of river. Most of the planning was done without my help and all that has been done so far has been in my absence. I am more than pleased that our churches are already doing the job on their own. I probably won’t retire because of it, but it sure makes me happy to see them become self sufficient. So far they have made two trips to Ipixuna. The first was to gather the necessary stats and make some initial contacts. The second trip was to actually preach in every village and home on the Juruá. I will relay some numbers to you as soon as I have them.

From the time of this writing we have just over three weeks until we return to Brazil. We are still praying that we will be able to get the funding for the motor (35HP short tail shallow drive, $4,500.00) before leaving the States. Naturally by time you read this we will be back on the field, Lord willing. Even so, it is not too late to help us with this and, of course, the added gasoline money we need every month to continue our mission efforts along the rivers. Help as the Lord leads you.

Thanks to everybody for the great hospitality. Thanks for the generous offerings. Thanks to all of you who continue to pray for and support us, even though we have not been to visit you in years. Unfortunately a longer furlough is not possible. Even if it were, we still could not visit all of you. May God bless you for your grace to us and your faith in continuing to support the work.

In Christ,

Mike Creiglow