JungleMaster Ministries

 I don’t think I can express in words the life-changing experiences of Peru and the complete blessings of a great job…but I’ll try. I think that our trip can be summed up with one statement: “God’s plans are bigger than ours and we should not let our expectations come before His glory.” Let me explain. Getting to Peru for me proved to be the biggest challenge of the whole trip! I got incredibly ill on the flight from San Francisco to Miami; it was a terrible stomach pain that made for the most discomfort and agony I have ever had to endure. At one point I spent half an hour in the lavatory freezing and shaking from the pain, and afraid to go back to my seat! During the layover in Miami, I laid in the corner on the ground in pretty bad shape. Two of the ladies, Jan and Karen, were praying for me and discussing between each other whether they should call the ambulance and have me taken to the hospital. I was faced with a terrible decision at this point…to make the “easy” decision and go for the security of a hospital bed in America, or to lock myself in another metal box for five and a half more hours…one that is landing in a third world country. I decided that the Lord’s work in the jungle was more important than my discomfort on an airplane, so I boarded the plane in blind faith, and my life was about to change forever! I cannot claim to know what God’s voice sounds like, or that he has ever talked to me before, but this day was different in many ways. On the airplane, in the midst of an hour-long delay due to hydraulic complications, I felt a sense of peace come over me and the voice of…God, I am assuming... say, “if you stay on this plane until it takes off, I will heal you.” I didn’t think it was my imagination, and that was all the hope I had to hold onto because I was dehydrated, running a high fever, and the pain threshold was a nine out of ten. Two hours into the flight, I ended up in the back of the plane laying over three empty seats and silently crying out for the Lord’s healing! It was in that moment when that peaceful sensation returned and this time I heard, “My people are praying for you, you’re not alone.” I drifted off to sleep again. I was only asleep for an hour, and when I sat up I was just waiting to feel the pain again, but the crazy thing is…it was not there! I twisted and stretched, I even socked myself in the gut just to be sure! Whatever the pain was, it was no more! I thought to myself, this isn’t real…people aren’t just healed anymore are they? Especially not me! After landing in Lima and meeting up with Tom and Lucho, we made our way to a hostel, where we grouped up for a quick briefing on the next few days, then prayed before calling it a night. Tom asked me to tell him about the plane and my adventure, so I told him. Tom looked at me and smiled. He told me that his wife Jan called from Miami and told him I may not make it to Peru and was very ill. Tom had emailed his church in Washington, then called the mission center in the jungle. Tom said that Pastor Javier called during our flight and told him that all the people in the jungle were praying for my healing and safe arrival in Peru. That was day one. The plan was to ship a large drill down a week early and bring it to the JungleMaster mission center in Santa Rita. We found out really fast that God had a different plan for us. Anything that could have gone wrong…pretty much did; my illness on the airplane, almost missing our ferry ride down river, getting stranded in the jungle, flight reservation cancellations, and everything in between. Santa Rita was the location of the mission center, and it was a 24-hour ferry ride up the Amazon from Iquitos. Once there we were given the news that the drill was not going to be released from customs in time, and therefore we would not be able to dig the well. We spent much time with the children and serving around the church. We purchased 30 live chickens and many pounds of rice and eggs and cooked two different meals for the entire village. The second village we went to was San Jose, two hours up river and more rural than Santa Rita, where we were to dig the well had the drill made it to there in time. When we arrived we discovered that sometime within the past year a different mission, most likely YWAM, had come up river and installed a well already. This was part of God’s plan for our team though. Instead of spending our time, money, and resources digging a well there, we were able to pour the life-giving water of Jesus into their lives and the well can be dug for a different village down river that does not have any source for sanitary water. While there we were fed turtle soup made from a 100 year old turtle that was alive and well when we arrived. It was an honor for us and a delicacy for them. As a gift the family that owned the turtles gave me the shell and breast plate of the turtle that we ate! The day we were to leave San Jose to return to Iquitos for our flight, the ferry never came and we were stranded there. Another ferry was to leave very early the next morning from Santa Rita. We were forced to take our canoe with a small outboard motor up river in the dark with our only source of light being a small head lamp to spot logs and trees cruising down river. We made it to Santa Rita that night safely and got some sleep. The ‘ferry’ was a junky cargo boat, and we spent 10 hours sitting on top of corn and rice in the hull of this boat. After coming out of the jungle, we got to spend time in Iquitos, Lima and the mountain regions of Cusco. From there we took a train to Machu Pichu where we got to hike around the Incan ruins and take many pictures. This was the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life. The views just took your breath away! I just marveled at God’s creation. We all returned home safely, with our lives incredibly touched and changed. Being in the jungle with those people I saw the love of Jesus transcend cultural and language differences. Without knowing the language, we expressed Christ’s character through service and loving the people. While in Santa Rita we never saw a single toy, they had no cars and no material possessions to make life easy for them, but what we did see was an incredible passion for Christ and a desire to show His love to other villages deeper in the jungle.  

Date Written: 26 October 2009
Testimonial by: Jeremy Sankwich
jeremy@junglemaster.org

  I had no plans to go to Peru. Actually I wanted to go vacationing in Costa Rica.. It must have had something to do with my bed time prayers, praying for God's will, not mine. I had not heard of Jungle Master Ministries before. God put this opportunity in front of me. I have known Tom Clark for many years. He is one of Bellingham's best and trusted marine technicians. He has strong family values and I have never doubted his integrity or ability. I had heard something about him making small boat motors in South America. I thought maybe it was one of those Internet sales things, I was slightly mistaken, to say the least. I had no idea of Tom’s love for the Lord and his willingness to serve. I did not know how long he had been involved in doing mission work in South America. I had no idea of the scope of Jungle Master Ministries (still don't, God does and it's big). Today I can say I've been blessed to have witnessed and been a small part in Gods work on Amazon, through Tom and Jungle Master Ministries. I'm not trying to sound like an infomercial, but you just don't know until you go. Having been on short term mission trips before, I knew to leave my expectations at home. I did, but was still blown away at how God works in His time, reflecting in others life's as well as mine. We had delays, mishaps, breakdowns, letdowns, tears and sweat. We also had Prayer, Meditation, Joy, Love, Fellowship, Companionship, Understanding and a common bond in our Love for God. The Amazon Jungle is so big, so amazing, it could only be Gods Creation. I saw so much, experienced so much, I’m still in awe. The people are so friendly and happy. They have little but they have so much. This trip strengthened my faith and proved there are good things happening in the world. Maybe I made a difference and I know you could as well. If your reading this, God may have plans for you in South America with Jungle Master. If you are unsure, pray about it, talk to others who have gone. I was fearful on my first mission trip (Mexico) but I found if I am doing Gods work he will take care of mine. Everything works out. Like it's been mentioned in other testimonies I felt secure with Jungle Masters experience, respect and reputation in Peru. But initially I had to take that step (leap) of faith. To sum it up for me it was all about relationships. A relationship with God and the people in Peru and the people on our team. I still vividly see their faces, I will never forget. It’s life changing. I want to go back in a year or so to humbly serve again. My prayer is for God to continue to bless Tom's work in the Jungle. To provide what is needed to assist Jungle Master to spread the Love and the Word of the Lord. To venture further up the river or over the horizon, God knows.Maybe, just maybe this mission is for you? Gratefully Larry Milne 

Date Written: 23 October 2009
Testimonial by: Larry Milne
milnelarry@yahoo.com

 I have been on many mission trips in the U.S. and to Mexico but it had been 10 years since my last mission experience and I felt a strong pull from God on my heart to return to the mission field and serve. I remember that God planted a seed on my heart during a weekend Cornwall church service after an interview with Tom Clark. An ordinary boat mechanic wanted to make a difference in the world and Junglemaster ministry was born. God can use just one to make a difference(he can even use me) if we follow him, and Tom's story planted a seed I would not act on for over a year. I finally decided to step outside my comfort zone and sign up for a mission trip with Junglemaster in April 2009. What happened over the next two weeks was an adventure I will never forget. God works in amazing ways, not in our plan, but His! Plans may have fallen through, but God used the result in other ways. I never felt unsafe. We ate the best food, stayed in safe hotels and at mission churches, and Tom's connection with many of the local people made me realize the contributions Junglemaster has made to the Peruvian people. I must reiterate a feeling many have already mentioned. I felt overwhelming love and an outpouring of blessings from the local village people. Here we were to serve them through outreach ministry with the children and adults, serving food, and washing feet and we were blessed ten-fold by those we came to serve! The Peruvian people greeted us with open arms. They shared God's love with us. More than anything I was struck by the desire of these people to know the Lord. It was the center of thier lives, and reminded me I am too often distracted by less important things. They reminded me of the power of focusing on the Lord in every moment and that everything I have comes from our Heavenly Father, not by any of my works. I also walked away with I clear picture of how "most" of the world lives. We live in such a bubble in the U.S. This trip challenged me to share that discovery with others as I shared pictures and stories. God can be found even in the Jungle. How far reaching are the arms of the God who loves us! 

Date Written: 22 October 2009
Testimonial by: Katrina Van Winkle
none

 My first trip to the Amazon was in February, 2007 and then again in January, 2009. How to put in words those experiences seems impossible. I saw the heart and love of the people and was humbled by their desire to serve us "gringos" when we were there to serve them. I was privileged to be on the team that provided the first meal where the whole village was invited. The impact of that community outreach has some cool stories. Both trips were incredible, painting, working, VBS, playing with the kids, feeding the villages, taking photos, bringing medical supplies, etc. 14 couples got married this February when our team came so that we could participate in this celebration with them. What an honor. We also saw God's provision for us at every turn when things did not go as WE had planned. Being a part of this ministry to the seemingly forgotten people of the Amazon is a huge privilege. I know the people sense our love is genuine. Even though I do not speak a lick of Spanish, I find that love transcends any language barrier. It's an arduous trip, but I have always felt safe and confident with JungleMaster and can't wait to go back. I can promise to any who choose to go, that God will provide wonderful nuggets of joy and faith building experiences, not to mention great adventure!!  

Date Written: 22 October 2009
Testimonial by: Karen Appier
Jungle Master

 I originally signed up for the a trip to the Amazon because it sounded like a fun adventure and as a photographer I knew there would be plenty of beautiful picture opportunities. I was right about all that but it was so much more than I had ever expected. Our goal for the trip was to drill a couple wells in the villages on the amazon. However, God's plan was not the same as ours, the drill never made it through customs in time so we had to improvise. We turned our trip into a community outreach and it worked wonders. We cooked and served 2 full dinners for the entire town of Santa Rita and also cooked a full meal for the town of San Jose. For the kids we ran a week long vacation bible school and had a blast playing soccer in the afternoon torrential downpours! One of the most amazing things for me was the massive wedding that took place. I took the opportunity to improve my wedding photography skills and let me tell you it was a challenge. I also had a photo printer so i could print the couples wedding pictures. For most of them it was one of the very first pictures they had ever seen of themselves. It was amazing to watch their faces as i handed them the framed picture of their wedding. One couple even invited Lucho and I in for dinner which was the highlight of my trip and an honor of a lifetime! I wold recommend anyone to go on this trip it was absolutely amazing!  

Date Written: 21 October 2009
Testimonial by: Gary McCune
www.mccunephotography.com

 There are so many stories about what happened in the jungle! I was a little apprehensive about going on a trip without knowing any of the team, but after meeting every one I was put at ease. I was a little familiar with the South American timing. It is usually a \\\"general\\\" time except for air-flights. And \\\"Peruvian\\\" time did not disappoint. I have come to enjoy it. I fell in love with the people of the jungle. They stole my heart. When two Christian brothers asked me into their humble home I was unsure about what they wanted. We talked in broken Spanish and English about the Church, our connection in Christ, and our homes. They then asked me a question. Would I bring them Bible dictionaries in Spanish? They wanted to did into God\\\'s Word deeper. After squaring it with the Directors of JungleMaster they received their request when the June team went in. I so thoroughly enjoyed the mission trip to Peru that I will return in 2010 and possibly bring others to experience God\\\'s work in the jungle of Peru. Once you take a trip to jungle of Peru you will not be the same. God will change your heart. All for Him, Laurence (Larry) Reynolds 

Date Written: 16 October 2009
Testimonial by: Laurence (Larry) Reynolds
junglemaster.org

 We went with the April 2009 trip. For a couple years we talked about doing a mission trip of some kind then we heard Tom Clark speak at Cornwall Church. As we drove home from church that day we both knew - this is what God was calling us to do. We are not young (somewhere over 50) but we are adventuresome and were looking forward to the challenge and to see how God would use us in the Amazon. The trip there takes some time but the people are just so happy to see you and treated us so well. The well drill and well needed more work than we thought but the lunch we put out on Easter and the foot-washing on Good Friday were definitely highlights of the trip for us. We went expecting to be a blessing - not expecting to be blessed by them, but wow, did they bless us. We both made friends that we grew to love and may or may not see again, before heaven. We never felt unsafe, we loved the people and they loved us back - they just radiate Christ's love. It was hard to leave and we just feel so blessed that we had the opportunity to do this - we are already talking about when we can go back. We guarantee that you will not be the same when you come home! We highly recommend this trip to anyone looking to serve God by serving those that are forgotten in the jungle. Thanks to the JungleMaster organization for all that you have done to set this up, and thanks to God - you are so great! 

Date Written: 15 October 2009
Testimonial by: Rich & Linda Bosman
www.ldbosman@comcast.net

 I grew up in a family that never went camping, boating, hiking or anything that would be considered \"outdoorsy\" I have now been to South America 4 times! To say that these trips have been adventurous is putting it mildly! If I can do it-- anyone can! I want to go back again. It is always evident that God is in control on the trips because we carefully plan an itinerary but when we get there, God usually has a different agenda for the team and it\'s much better! Whether we paint,build,do clean water projects, play and have VBS with the kids or just provide affirmation and encouragement to the jungle churches-- it always challenges me and deepens my faith and trust in Jesus. The heat and humidity, cultural differences and my poor Spanish skills provide a challenge which serves to stretch me for sure. However, the people whom we go to serve are so gracious and generous the few inconveniences are minor compared to what I experience and learn! The brothers and sisters in Christ, in the jungle, will remain in your thoughts and heart forever! The director of JungleMaster is knowledgeable, conscientious and jungle-smart and has a team of Peruvians who work non-stop to keep their American friends healthy and safe. I highly recommend a trip to the jungle!  

Date Written: 14 October 2009
Testimonial by: Janet Clark
www.janetaileclark@gmail.com

 When I felt the pull to go on this trip, I was not sure if it was simply a selfish desire or a true calling from GOD. It was not until I returned from the trip that I was sure it was indeed a calling from GOD. He had been preparing me in the many months prior to even knowing about the trip, for what I would experience and just how to handle it. You see, I had been in a relationship for almost a year with a single mother. As a single guy, with no children of my own, I was not used to \"plans not always working out\", or even very good at putting my ideas and agendas aside, and to let those around me plan and or decide things to do or places to go.Being in this relationship, as well as being in close relationship with GOD, really helped me grow through that sort of self-centeredness and gain a new perspective on life. Once arriving in Peru, I put that new perspective into action. Things in the jungle, are not always \"on schedule\", as I had been used to. It was never a bad or negative thing, but I believe if I had not grown in my relationship with my girlfriend and her children first, they could have seemed very negative and bad. I think our whole team went with the expectation of helping the people in the jungle and bringing them in closer relationship with GOD, when in fact I believe we all came back feeling like we were the ones that had been helped and brought into closer relationship with GOD. I can only hope and pray that the people we met there got half as much as I received by going. GOD IS AMAZING!--Erik Lindquist-  

Date Written: 12 October 2009
Testimonial by: Erik Lindquist
www.eriklindquist1@hotmail.com