“We were way out on the remote Guarujá River, many hours from home. Two men were talking in the middle of the river as we passed. We felt prompted to turn around and offer each of them a cold Coca-Cola from our ice chest.
We did, and that day we became friends. We prayed with them and then continued on our way.”
“In the Bible, the people with less power always have the moral high ground.”
My world stopped mid‑stride. What? For the rest of my Monday-morning 10‑km walk, Bible stories began lining up in my mind:
Abel had no power—Jesus called him the first prophet.
Tamar saved Judah’s family line and entered Jesus’ genealogy.
Joseph rose to greatness from a prison cell.
Moses heard God’s voice as a forgotten shepherd.
David’s most enduring psalms came as a fugitive, refusing to harm Saul.
Daniel entered Babylon in chains, and God lifted him up.
Paul wrote his most lasting work from prison.
And Jesus—He emptied Himself, became a servant, and redeemed the world.
In God’s Kingdom, powerlessness is not failure. It’s where the moral high ground meets His power.
Jesus told His disciples:
“The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them… But it must not be so among you. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25‑27)
The Servant’s Way
A servant of Christ walks where doors seem closed, And slips away only when love implores.
I’ve seen this lived out in my Brazilian friends.
Take Valdinho—he lost his first wife to cancer, nursed her for two years in difficult conditions, and still walks faithfully in dangerous neighborhoods, choosing to serve rather than withdraw.
This is the way of Jesus. It looks like weakness. It is glory.
Deanna’s Journey to Healing
The girls are delighted to be together. The boys would rather be doing stuff.
Deanna, Olivia, Ellis, Val, Paul, Bella, and Lucy
Our friends in a ranching community near Santarém sent a photo of their 5 a.m. prayer meeting. They regularly intercede for Deanna’s complete healing.
Your notes are fuel. Thank you.
The third week of every chemo cycle is always the best—and this time we stayed out of Emerge. Yeah! 🙌
