| In the middle of the night I go walking in my sleep Through the jungle of doubt To a river so deep I know I’m searching for something Something so undefined That it can only be seen By the eyes of the blind… — Billy Joel, River of Dreams Published April 24, 2026 In the middle of the night I found myself swinging in a hammock on a boat on the Amazon. What was I doing here? Just a few hours earlier I had been in Forest, Virginia, packing and saying goodbye to my family. But this trip was extraordinary — truly. I think though if Billy Joel had been on a trip like this he would have found what he was looking for… The next morning I stood at the edge of the riverboat, one step from the plank leading to shore. I exhaled, said a quick prayer, and walked off the Amor y Esperanza headed to the village beyond…somewhere deep in the Brazilian Amazon. The feeling was akin to what a skydiver feels stepping out of the plane — that combination of terrifying and alive. Our team had traveled over fifty hours to reach this place. Our mission: run a mobile medical clinic (here and in several villages), a dental clinic, an eyeglass clinic and a Christian ministry to the men, women, and children of these villages. Each day we would sweat, pray, prescribe, and do our best to be a blessing (and sweat some more). That morning I had watched the sun rise over one of the most biodiverse and remote places on earth, Bible open on the deck of the boat, mug of Brazilian coffee in hand. I was grateful to the max to be there. That is where I found myself last week — part of a twenty-person team with Amazon Outreach (amazonoutreach.org), a mission organization that has been bringing the gospel and practical care to remote Amazonian villages for years. We landed first in Manaus, the sprawling city at the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Amazon River (population 2.5 million!), then boarded our vessel and headed into the interior. Each night I climbed into my hammock, listened to the sounds of the jungle, and woke to sunrise on the Amazon. We had our devotional Bible reading and time of singing and breakfast — then the day’s work began. Roll up the hammock, plan the route, walk off the plank, and into the village. Our team was amazing — I joined this group on the invitation of my good friend Mike. I had the privilege of working with many excellent people from his church in Texas as well as the Brazilians who joined us. A Brazilian physician named Dr. Jonatas served as our local medical anchor and cultural bridge. We ran dental clinics with the help of our Brazilian dentist, relied on many translators, and were supported by the boat staff who worked tirelessly the entire trip. We also did eyeglass ministry, helping restore sight and the opportunity to read to those that needed help. What we saw medically was a window into a different world. Gastritis was very common, driven not just by stress or H. pylori but by parasitic burden — something I rarely see in Forest, Virginia. We dispensed a great deal of albendazole. We treated respiratory infections and saw tropical diseases that I have only seen in textbooks (e.g. river blindness). One patient came in with a freshwater stingray sting. Another had stepped on a bony fish and developed a significant foot infection, with red streaks already beginning to climb — the unmistakable sign of spreading cellulitis. Together with Dr. Jonatas, we performed a small incision and drainage procedure, cleaned the wound out, and started antibiotics. But medicine, as important as it was, was only part of the story. The spiritual work in those villages was the work of the gospel. While our medical team saw patients, the pastoral team was meeting with village elders and leaders: Women’s ministry, Men’s ministry, Children’s ministry — all trying to bring healing and hope at a deeper level. We shared our weaknesses and struggles, and found that they are common to humankind no matter where you live. In the late evenings, the majority of the village would gather and we would sing songs with gusto, giving thanks to God. One patient I will not forget was a man named Raymondo — around seventy years old, coming in with a healed machete injury to his ankle and some general aches. But there was something different about him. He quoted Scripture freely and carried a deep burden for the youth of his village. He told me his story: wayward in his youth, drinking, going nowhere — until someone handed him a Bible. He could not read. So he prayed, worked hard, and taught himself to read for the first time in his life by working through Scripture, word by word. He was deeply, quietly spiritual. He encouraged us greatly by his quiet faith. We also dedicated a well built for one of the villages — clean, fresh water for families who had gone without. We prayed with patients. We sang together in Portuguese and English, the words blending across a language barrier that somehow did not feel very wide. One night I went with a small group off the main boat in a motorboat to hunt for alligators. At times we had to turn off all lights so as not to scare them away — wow the jungle is dark at night! We would slow the boat way down and use a single light to see the reflection off their eyes and move in closer… we got right into the shallows by the tangle of trees and vines. It was just out of reach. Our guide Jonny stepped out of the boat! He was knee deep in water and determined. But alas it got away (I tried to feign disappointment). Overall I personally was refreshed to get away from the hustle and bustle and simply be present — to help, pray, and work with a team. I came home changed — not dramatically, but in the quiet, recalibrating way that a trip like this tends to produce.Amazon Outreach continues their work year-round. If you ever can I would encourage going with Amazon outreach yourself (or supporting them). amazonoutreach.org… The river is wide. The villages are many. The need is real. What Amazon Outreach accomplished in 2025:24,800 villagers reached with the faith, hope, and love of Jesus6,000 children heard the gospel through VBS6,885 received comfort and healing through medical care1,926 received oral care3,670 given the gift of sight“He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” — Hebrews 6:10 As for me, I will be back in my hammock next time I get the chance.Blessings,Dr. Jeff Ponke, MD |
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