2018: ENCOURAGING AND BEING ENCOURAGED

December 2018                                                                                                              by Joel McGee

Amy, Carmen, and I were off-site for much of the year, but God was still at work advancing JungleMaster’s ministry of encouragement and support for the jungle pastors and for other missions and missionaries. At the same time, He used others to encourage us.

While we were at language school in Arequipa, Amy, Carmen, and I were able to make one trip back to the jungle together: a trip home to Nauta for Christmas. While we were there, we had the opportunity to receive a team of engineers from George Fox University that had come to help Laura, a missionary from the Baptist Mission School. This team had been developing a water project for the neighborhood where that mission’s training center is located, the same training center where our pastors and leaders attend seminary classes.

Celebrating Christmas in Nauta in 2017

With the Geoge Fox University team

During a trip I made back to Nauta in February, a trusted friend and mentor came down from Bellingham to help build a church in the remote village of Dos de Mayo. JungleMaster tries to make the 16 hour boat ride to this village once a year, during the season when the river is high enough to be passable with our boat. But February’s scheduled trip had to be postponed because the river was too low. What we initially considered a disappointment turned out to be a blessing, as the local pastors of the co-fraternity decided to make the 5-day trip by peque peque boat themselves, fulfilling JungleMaster’s vision of inspiring the local pastors to do the work. These pastors not only encouraged and built up their brothers and sisters in Christ; they also got the church built! In addition to that, the change of plans allowed a chance for me to be encouraged and filled and mentored by my trusted friend. God was at work; He knew what the ministry needed. He knew what I needed. It turned out to be an awesome blessing on all ends.

Building the church in Dos de Mayo

The completed church

Getting to know the language better was a huge and continuing blessing, and our language school experience led to some great connections, as well. These connections have, in turn, led to various ministry opportunities, such as additional training for our pastors and more resources to help them and their villages. For example, we met two accountants from the Netherlands who work in southern Peru. When our pastors recently requested help learning how to handle church and personal finances in a biblical way, JungleMaster invited these accountants to come to Santa Rita to give a two day course on biblical finances. The pastors who attended were very encouraged by this training and asked for follow up classes. We are now in the process of developing training manuals for the pastors. Another connection from language school was a pastor from Texas who is with a ministry that works with and encourages local missionaries throughout the world. Through this man JungleMaster had the opportunity to help a team minister to, and share the gospel with, some village communities upriver.

The biblical finances class in progress

The team from Texas ministering to a village upriver

I also had the chance to provide transportation for a second team, one I had transported the year before. It is very encouraging to assist short term missions that want to work alongside longer term, local, “on-the-ground” missionaries, especially when the goal of these teams is to learn the needs of the local missionaries and what they can do to encourage them.

The work in the jungle has continued to be busy and blessed. We have seen growth in the pastors and have witnessed the amazing work they are doing. The partnerships and relationships JungleMaster has built with other missions and pastors here have continued to help spread the gospel and to provide the education that is so needed. I have partnered with a Peruvian missionary who is working in Nauta, and together we are helping the co-fraternity to become more focused on, and stronger in, their biblical practices. Since I returned to the jungle, we have led several meetings and small trainings with the co-fraternity. 

Joel pastors with Pastor William to train the co-fraternity in biblical practices

Pastors at Joel and Amy's house

This year JungleMaster was able to help take teens from a local church in Nauta upriver to put on a children’s program in another village. Being able to encourage and help the local churches to start doing missions and outreach on their own is such a blessing, as well as a way that JungleMaster can use the gifts that your support has provided.

Amy has started doing purity training for teen girls from the church in Santa Rita using content she learned at a conference two years ago. She is enjoying this ministry and is hoping to continue building strong bonds with the girls in order to help them grow in their understanding of their value and love in the Lord. Amy was invited to attend a second training conference in the Dominican Republic in November in order to continue learning how to teach and encourage the girls to walk in their faith and also to help bring healing to the many who are suffering from their broken pasts.

The team from Nauta interacting with kids in the village of Jose Olayo

We at JungleMaster are encouraged by the progress made in the jungle this year. And we continue to be thankful for your continual support and encouragement to us, through your prayers and financial gifts.

Please pray with us regarding the following things:

• For the local pastors and communities
• For the opportunities God is opening up for JungleMaster
• For Joel to be able to continue to provide the education that is so needed in this area
• For continued partnering with local missions in order to further the gospel.
• For Amy as she is seeks to gain trust and build confidence in the girls she is working with
• For Joel as he juggles the two roles of directing the ministry and doing the missionary work
• For encouragement and blessing for the JungleMaster board as they continue to help encourage and bless JungleMaster
• For encouragement and support for the McGee family as they continue to navigate their family life and the mission life. And, that God would bring others alongside to help mentor and encourage them.

Thank you so much!

STAYING STRONG DURING A YEAR OF SEPARATIONS

December 2018                                                                                                                    by Joel McGee

Amy, Carmen, & Joel McGee having family time in Arequipa

I’ve always hated goodbyes. I’m not sure why. I just don’t like saying them. But, ever since we moved to Peru 4 years ago, our family has experienced a constant series of goodbyes, hello’s, and see-you-soons, and the separations just seem to get harder each time. 2018 was especially full of separations.

Amy, Carmen, and I spent the first five months of 2018 in Arequipa, Peru, attending language school. This gave us some much needed family-focused time and helped us to stay strong during the many times we had to be apart. This was beneficial because during those months of language school the pastors in the jungle still needed to be encouraged, and their relationships with each other and with JungleMaster still needed to be nurtured. This meant I had to make several trips from Arequipa to the jungle. To keep costs down, I usually traveled solo, leaving Amy and Carmen behind in Arequipa. Goodbyes had to be said. Separations had to be endured.

In May I was called home to Bellingham for a month to help take care of my Mom and Dad who were, and are continuing to be, dealing with health issues. Another goodbye to Amy and Carmen. Another separation. Then, in August, Amy and Carmen flew to Arkansas to be with Amy’s family during the time of her stepdad, Pete’s, passing. Amy and Carmen would end up being gone for just over a month, helping Amy’s mom. Yet another goodbye. Yet another lengthy separation. Even so, we felt so blessed to be a part of a mission that understands the importance of family and enabled us to fly home to help in these times of need.

Having to say goodbye is hard. And having to be separated during stressful family times is never easy. But in spite of our struggles on a personal level this year, God continued to advance the ministry of JungleMaster. And God was faithful to provide us with encouragement in our times of need. Amy, Carmen, and I are so grateful for the amazing family and friends He has given us. They have kept us strong and able to continue doing the work God has called us to do here.

Thank you so much!

Lessons learned

Living in a different culture is hard! Some things are done here that I will probably never understand why, and quite honestly might not want to know why or need to know why. I also know that there are cultural things that I do that they will never understand and quite possibly might not ever need to understand about me. I could write about a million cultural things that I struggle with or have seen and not understood. One of these cultural things, or maybe we could call it traditions, that has bothered me since living here that I recently feel I have been able to put to rest is the fact that in the village of Santa Rita they have church services every night of the week except Monday. Why not Monday night, you may ask? Well, I have asked that very same question to the church leaders in Santa Rita, and the response has always been “I’m not sure why we don’t have one on Monday night, but I do know that is the way we have always done it.” It’s not the fact of why they don’t have a service on Monday that bothers me it’s the fact that for six nights a week the poor pastor has to prepare a sermon and deliver a sermon and on and on I could go why I don’t feel this is good. Now, as I said earlier there has been a lot of cultural struggles for me and a lot of these struggles through time have seemed to lessen, but this one, no, it just kept grinding on me until recently. I had taken a small group of missionaries to Santa Rita to put on a small teaching conference. I was explaining to this group how here in Santa Rita they have a full on 1 ½ to 2 hr. Church service every night but Monday. I’m also quite sure I was telling this story in a voice and a way that enforced my righteousness about this situation. It also enforced my position when the people I was telling this story to, agreed wholeheartedly with me. Man, did I feel good about all this, I also felt confirmed that this was probably the right time to address this “wrongdoing” by the church and it was time to fix this situation. This is when I heard this small, faint voice, from God, whispering in my ear. “Joel, isn’t this just like you to come here to tell about my love for these people and now you want to go and tell them that they are worshipping me too much? Who are you to tell them that, just because their style of worship doesn’t fit with the way you think it should be, is wrong? Do you think when I meet them face to face I am going to tell them, good job, but, man, I think you spent way too much time worshipping me, six days a week is a bit much. NOOOO, who are you to judge them on this? If they want to worship 24/7, let them worship.” OOOUUUCH, GOD, THAT HURT! As always, though, God was right, and that is why it hurt me, I knew this. I immediately turned back to the small group of missionaries that I had been talking to and told them how I was wrong in saying what I had said about this. 

I love how God knows us so well, and He knows me so intimately that He has known my thoughts and feelings of this the whole time that I have felt this way, yet God knew me, and He knew when I was ready to receive the correction. Had He corrected me before this, I’m not sure I would have accepted it or, I might have just ignored it. In fact, the thought just popped into my head while writing this. Maybe he has tried to correct me before, and I have ignored it, if that is the case, I’m sorry God, thanks for always loving me the way you do and thanks for continuing to mold me into the person you created me to be.

May update

Whew! Its been a busy two weeks since Carmen and I have returned to the jungle. The initial entry was a bit bumpy due to the water pump check valve going bad and leaving us without water for two days and some shipping mishaps with some things we sent from Arequipa. But, the Lord was among it all and with the help of our amazing church pastor, Pastor William and some helpful and patient customer service people here in Nauta, all is well.
*Except for the SPIDERS!! I am having to try and co-exist with these new roommates that have taken up residence since we have been gone. Please pray for my sanity and fear reflexes as they are getting quite the workout...haha!*

Carmen is now back in school and doing wonderfully. As she and I went to get her registered, Carmen was immediately whisked away by friends during recess and returned excited and happy to get back to school.
The church had a weekend retreat last weekend and Carmen was able to stay overnight with everyone and get back to being involved with the youth group here.
I helped get PowerPoint slides done so that now the church can start putting our worship song lyrics upon the wall. I think it is more to help us gringos learn the songs than for the church itself. But, the idea was that any new visitors or members would be able to learn the songs more quickly. Also, since our church hosts different mission groups from Peru and other countries then it will be helpful there as well.

The first weekend back Pastor Fransisco, President of the Co-Fraternity, visited us. It was a nice time to catch up and hear what has been happening in the jungle. The church in Dos de Mayo has been completed (we will do another post with pictures about that). Pastor Fransisco had attended a pastoral retreat in Nauta where they focused on knowing who Jesus was personally. Abram and the church in Santa Rita are going strong and really focusing on outreach. We have also learned that one of our Co-Fraternity pastors has had to leave his village to find work. We would ask that you would be praying for him and his family as his heart has always been in missions and serving so we know for him to have to find work things must be a struggle for him at this time. Please be praying that God will provide a way for him to return to doing missions and serving.
We have also heard from Pastor Orlando on the Chambira river. Pastor Orlando has attended the seminary training here in Nauta and now has two or three other pastors interested in joining the training in June. So please be praying for these men that God is lifting up.

Joel, who had to return to the US for the last minute trip due to family issues, will be returning to the jungle June 5th. Please be praying for his safe return because we are missing him terribly.

But in the midst of it all, there is God. With love and grace and help and peace. He has provided me the ability to use my newfound language skills and deal with things that Joel normally does. He has given us the help needed. He has given us the community and friendships and relationships that have carried us all through every day. Even a chance to enjoy a restful day with friends at the local pool. He has given Joel the opportunities to help where he is needed. Even in the simple everyday living beyond the mission, He is there with us.

God Bless!!

Language

by Amy McGee

Language- That word has a whole new meaning for me these last few months. Well, years really, if I'm honest. 

My love of language started young. It has been an ever growing and changing relationship; very much like my love for the Lord.

My mom and dad always had friends from different cultures around the world, and they were able to speak another language. I was always so fascinated by the sounds and rhythms of all the different languages. But even in the differences, there was the same core to communicate and understand each other better.

Similarly, as I grew up, I moved a lot. Therefore, we attended many different churches and different denominations, and like language, they each had their own cultures with different sounds and rhythms. However, there was always the same core: the unconditional love and mercy of God and Jesus Christ.

I continued to love language and even studied it a bit in the short time I attended college. I would stop and listen anytime someone was speaking a foreign language. I still do, and I wish I could have them talk to me whether I understand or not. And the words themselves, I mean they have such rich history and purpose, ya know. 

I guess I never really understood just how much until I started trying to learn Spanish. It's the same with other believers; I love to listen to their stories even if they differ slightly from mine; but, their stories have so much purpose and richness of God.

The thing that has impacted me the most is how much more rich and purposeful God’s Word and God’s people are to me now.

I know a lot of people have spent years reading God's word and looking at Hebrew and Latin translations to grasp the true meaning and depth of His word. But, I have never done that much. We have a wonderful man in our church who loves to look up and study the Hebrew words and meanings, and I am always in amazement at his knowledge and love for the language.

Right now in class we are reading Bible stories, and as I am learning the Spanish words and figuring out what they are in English, well, it adds a different dimension to me; like they are becoming 3D. The word they use might be different from the word I have heard used in English. And I am curious, why would they use that word? Why wouldn't they use the "correct" translated word? Well, maybe the actual Latin word (Because let's face it, Spanish is a Latin language) is closer to this. Or maybe what was being said here was closer to that meaning. But the fact is I am growing in God's word and gaining a more profound understanding of His love through His word here at the language school.

And, also, being out here on the mission field I am gaining a more profound understanding of His people and the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ through His people.

I am so grateful for the chance to study so that I can more clearly and deeply share God’s word and love to those He has called us to serve. You all have greatly impacted the kingdom of heaven with your prayers and support. You all are spreading the message of hope and love, and I am so thankful for each one of you that have supported us through encouragement, loving us, praying for us, and donating to this ministry.

~ Amy :)

February 2018 Newsletter

USED BY GOD   by Joel McGee As I reflected over 2017, I could see so many instances in which God had used JungleMaster and all of its partners to further His kingdom. One story in particular, though, will always remain close to my heart. In February, several representatives from JungleMaster traveled 15 hours in a speed boat to reach the very remote village of Dos Demayo, a community of approximately 100 people. Several of the pastors of the cofraternity also joined us on the trip. On the night we arrived in the village, we had a church service. After that service, Pedro, the local pastor, shared with us how discouraged he had become and how hard it was for him to be located in such a remote place. I took that opportunity to invite him, along with any other interested brothers or sisters from that church, to come to Nauta to take part in the seminary training that JungleMaster had already helped other pastors to attend. Pedro, along with his wife, his son, and three other Christian brothers, came to the first training session in March. They continued to come to all of the remaining one-week training sessions throughout 2017 and graduated from the seminary in December. Every time they would come to Nauta for class, I could see a clear difference in Pedro. After the first week of training, I could see a clear difference in his facial expressions; he just plain looked happier. When he came for his second session, I could see a difference in the way he was standing; he no longer had his head down and his shoulders slumped, but was standing tall, with his head held up. After one of the training sessions, Pedro told me how encouraged he was and that he was ready to go back to Dos Demayo to teach his community the things that he had learned. God could have chosen anyone to encourage and equip Pedro, but what humbles me is that He chose us, JungleMaster, to do so. Thank you, God! We are excited to see how God will continue to use JungleMaster to further His Kingdom as we head into 2018! Joel with Pedro and Pedro's wife and son FINDING HEALING   by Janet Clark In December, my family was privileged to travel to Peru and spend time with wonderful friends Joel, Amy, and Carmen McGee. My children, Kelsey, Eli, Hannah and Tessa, along with daughter-in-law Anna Wüst and son-in-law Jared Bailey, were able to spend time traveling the river, visiting jungle villages, and meeting people who their dad loved. After a year of grief, this trip provided us healing. Walking places where Tom poured his heart into Ministry, worshiping alongside believers in a church that grew out of the support and encouragement of JungleMaster Ministries, and experiencing the wonder of God’s creation as river dolphins leaped and splashed around our boat, are all memories that will be treasured! I’m so grateful for friends of JungleMaster who have supported the work Tom did - work Joel and Amy continue to do, in jungle villages of Peru. From left to right: Jared, Tessa, Hannah, Kelsey, Janet, Anna, and Eli

Joel, Amy, and Carmen have roughly 3 more months left of their 6 month Spanish course in Arequipa, Peru, and they are already making huge strides with the language. The improvement in Joel’s communication skills was evident when he visited the jungle in December. We’re praising God for their progress!





 Prayer Requests:

• For us to stay focused on God's vision for the ministry as we head into 2018
• For Joel to keep his priorities in order: God first, his wife and family second, and the ministry third
• For Joel, Amy, and Carmen to get as much out of language school as possible
• That the benefits of knowing the language better will outweigh any disruption resulting from Joel being temporarily gone from our area of ministry
• That the new class of seminary students in 2018 will be faithful in their attendance and successful in applying what they learn
• For wisdom as we consider future projects in the villages

At JungleMaster we strive to use your financial contributions wisely and with the highest integrity. Your 2017 donations totaled $151,458. To the left is a summary of how expenditures were distributed over the year.