Sunday, November 12, 2023

November News Letter

Wow!! It is so good to be back in Colombia. Since April 14 th until September the 19th , I was in the USA receiving a total hip replacement and therapy. All went so very well! Some of the problems with the right hip replacement from last year were corrected and now I am just working on strengthening the muscles. God is good! Thank you to all who were praying for me during that whole process.
While in the States, I was able to visit with a number of friends, family and churches who have been an encouragement to me over the years as I have been ministering abroad. Some of the highlights were spending time with my oldest sister and her new missionary friends. Time spent with her allowed me to get reacquainted with old neighborhood friends and family. Thanks Chrys for drawing us
all together. One of the special things of which I became aware was, even though my communication with you all since the pandemic was very sparse do to the lack of good internet signal here in Leticia; your prayers and giving actually increased. I would like to share with you all some of the things that God has been doing through AFAMMS as a result of your prayers and giving since last year. He has done SOOO much! Last year after I returned from the States my desire to minister up river grew strong. I spoke with my pastor in Leticia and he expressed a need to have someone to do discipleship with two of the churches under the covering of Ministerio de Misiones (MDM).  I was very willing and God had already given me the teachings that were to be used from the discipleship manual that I had written during the pandemic.
I stayed for about a month in Caballo Cocha Peru teaching on the 7 fundamentals of the faith as found in the last section of Hebrews chapter 5 and the beginning of Hebrews chapter 6. I also taught basic music with the praise and worship team and those who desired to learn more about music. I believe that God formed a special bond with these pastors in Caballo Cocha. The time spent there was also
a time of encouraging the pastors and developing the vision that God has given to them. As I taught, God was confirming His word with signs and wonders of healing and deliverance as He said He would in Mark 16. WOW! WOW! WOW!  I got back in time to host pastors and to participate with the worship team in the first International Pastor's and Leadership Conference in MDM. Brazil, Colombia, Peru and various Indigenous tribal groups participated, were challenged and refreshed. Through the
offerings we were able to give a boat with motor to one of the pastors who worked in a very remote region. WOW! WOW! WOW!
In January of this year, I traveled to the second church which was in Iquitos Peru. There I taught the 7 fundamentals of the faith and ministered the same as led by the Holy Spirit. The music classes and the time spent with the pastors and youth of this church were awesome. We gave certificates and had a joyous time baptizing those who placed their faith in Jesus. WOW! WOW! WOW!  Just before coming to the States for my left hip replacement Frontier Gospel Ministries asked if I could do a Praise and Worship
Seminar in Caballo Cocha. I said yes. The joy of seeing your students understand that praise and worship is not just something that is performed on a stage but rather an expression to God through an intimate relationship with Him was awesome. Song, dance, instruments, giving of our time, talents, money and obedience to His will in one's life with a willing spirit and spending time with Him brings great joy to our Father. One of the students used his creativity to make a drum set out of tambourines, buckets and kitchen pots. Check out the video and pictures on the web: http://afamms.blogspot.com WOW! WOW! WOW!
I was able to connect with many of you (even if for a brief time) while in the States recuperating from the surgery, Two really neat things happened. One of the 2 girls that AFAMMS sponsored for girl's camp returned with me to Colombia with her mother to better acquaint themselves with the ministry here in the Amazon and to assist in the preparations for the second Pastor's and Leadership
conference. Which, by the way, was off the chain!! This year about 14 different tribes were represented and many of these pastors take the gospel to extremely remote areas of the Amazon. We were able to bless 14 of these pastors with hand made boats and Peki Peki motors. You did this with your giving and prayers. The other neat thing was that one of the churches that have been supporting me for years made a commitment to not only financially support but to come visit for a short-term outreach in 2024. Please pray for them as they take on this endeavor. WOW! WOW! WOW!
 

One more big praise and celebration!! In the month of October MDM baptized over 100 persons in the Takana River. ALELUIA!!


Still Adventuring with Christ,
Min. Orchidy T Boyd
Execu. Dir. AFAMMS

Monday, March 27, 2023

March 2023 News letter

Yes I am still here in the Amazon! This past year was full of challenges.  

From the wedding of my daughter Neivy and Junior Santana in February to my return from the States in September, God's care and encouragement for me was evident.

 

After the wedding, I left for Bogota to receive a total hip replacement. The month of march was all about the surgery and recuperation. At the end of the allotted therapy sessions, my brother Lusire called to let me know that my father was in his last days so I decided to go to the States instead of returning to Leticia.  Praise God that I made the right decision to got to the States.  I arrived on March 30th  and had a chance to talk with my Dad.  A few days later on April 4th my new hip slid out of position and I was rushed to emergency.  I praised God that I had come home to Michigan. If I had returned to Leticia I would have died.  There is no technology in that region that could have handled my situation.  God is Good! Then on April 8th my father went home to be with his Father. In the same week that we were burying my father, Benjamin (the boy who helped me raise money for the boat that I had when I lived in the jungle) also went home to be with the Lord at the young age of 17.  His parents who support and counsel me on my Board of Directors and his younger brother along with many who loved him and were ministered to by his life grieve his loss but with joy because we know that we wll see each other soon when the trumpet sounds.

 

The summer months were filled with God's presence as I was ministered to by family and friends.  Even though the recuperation and the emotional losses were challenging, God provided times of refreshing and healing as I got to spend quality time with camp friends and family. A special thanks to Huron Forest Camp CedarRidge for continuing to minister to boys, girls, teens and families. You have blessed me greatly! The National African American Mission Conference was also an encouragement to me as pastors and church leaders met in Virginia to plan and discuss ways to more effectively reach the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ through a network of organizations committed to helping one another in that task and vision that God has given each one. And last but not least, the opportunity to attend the virtual mission conference with the People's Community Baptist Church was a highlight of continual blessing.

 

The summer ended with an opportunity to share AFAMMS with a group of friends and family in the K.C. MO area, a new pastor in the Southwest Detroit, MI area and a celebration of my nephew and new niece Alexander and Felicia Boyd's wedding. AWESOME!!!!!

 

My niece Grace returned to Colombia with me to help me settle in and to get to know my life and ministry here in Leticia, Amazonas Colombia.  We had a great time being tourist and she had an opportunity to minister in music with the Praise and Worship team.  She was a real blessing to me as my body was adjusting anew to the life here in the Amazon.

 

After Grace left, my focus has been on strengthening my muscles for the next hip replacement in May 2023, discipleship of the churches under the covering of Pastor Julio Arley and Jenny Pacheco in Iquitos and Caballo Cocha Peru.  I taught from my first discipleship manual that God placed in my heart to write. Sorry but, I wrote it in Spanish so it will not be available in English until I can get it translated. I will be returning to Caballo Cocha March 30, 2023 to teach a 4 day Praise and Worship Seminar. Please keep me in your prayers so that I may teach what is on God's heart with wisdom and creativity.

 

April 12th I will be returning to Detroit, Michigan in order to have the left hip replacement which is scheduled for May 11, 2023. After my time of recuperation, I pray that I will be able to visit with some of you before I return to Colombia September 19, 2023.  Imagine! It has been a year since I have been able to send out a newsletter because of the almost non-existent internet service here in the Amazon.  In the last month, it has finally improved. Yaaay!!! For those of you who have been able to keep up with my Facebook page, you are mostly up to date.  Remember! Your prayers are making a difference in the Three Frontiers (Colombia, Peru and Brazil).  Thank you!!!

 

 

Adventuring with Christ,

Min. Orchidy T Boyd

AFAMMS Execu. Dir.

Leticia, Amazonas Colombia


Tuesday, March 15, 2022

March 2022 Update

I don't know the date of Jesus' birthday and I definitely do not celebrate Santa Claus but, I do know that if it wasn't for Christ coming to the Earth to make it possible for us to be reconciled to the Father through His death on the cross, burial and resurrection, I would not have had reason to come to Leticia Colombia in the Amazon.  I would not have become a single mother when child services asked me to become the guardian of a 13-year-old girl. She would not have been taught the Word of God to recognize the lies of the enemy in her life.  And, there would not have been a seed of love placed in her heart that would germinate when she went to The Encounter Retreat Weekend for Women this past July.  But, because Christ did come to earth and was born in Bethlehem, as was foretold, the little Yagua girl that God gave to me has committed her heart and life to serving Him. The exciting news for me was that her boyfriend also went to The Encounter Weekend for Men and was completely changed by the Holy Spirit.  Many of you gave extra to help me during the time that she was living with me and many of you continued to pray for her even after she left to live with her boyfriend.  THANK YOU!!

 

Because of your prayers and giving, the two of them decided to put their lives in order before the Lord and for their two little boys. They got married in September 2021 before a judge and got married in the church where we attend on February 5, 2022.  They moved to Bogota where Junior, Neivy's husband, has been given a job offer and an opportunity to finish his schooling.  Neivy is also completing her schooling and desires to take the REHMA Bible School training. Discipleship is not just a class taken for a few weeks. No, it is a long-term process that requires much prayer, sacrifice of time and a commitment to love unconditionally.  It is being an example in such a way that your faith may be seen and your love may be experienced. Thank you again for all your prayers and encouragement for her and me during these past few years.

 

Now, what about me? Well besides having just planned a wedding (Check it out on my Facebook), I am still teaching English and music classes. I am also practicing the violin and clarinet a lot.  I am playing with the praise and worship team. The music for the 15th anniversary of the Mission Ministries Church where I attend ministered to many. I have had the opportunity to serve teaching the youth and various other discipleship classes.  The women who attend the House of Faith (Casa de Fe) are a real joy. We are going through the Bible focused on our covenant relationship with God.  The challenge for them is to read the Bible from beginning to end in order to better understand the heart of God towards us. They were so excited about Neivy's wedding that they had dresses made to go with the wedding theme and greatly helped me in serving during the wedding.  Awesome!

 

Physically this year is challenging for me because on March 6, 2022 I received a total hip replacement.  I praise God for the Colombian health insurance that is covering most of the expenses involved in this process. Please pray for a quick recovery.  Here is a BIG praise! In May 2021 I was diagnosed with diabetes and in December I went forward for prayer against Diabetes AND GOD IS HEALING ME!   Trusting God's word and with the consent of the doctor over my case, I am no longer taking pills and insulin!! Yeah God!!

 

God has opened doors for me to do more teaching in Peru and here in Leticia, Colombia.  Please pray for wisdom as I follow the Lord's leading.  Pastor Julio and his wife Jenny Pacheco of Mission Ministries Church has stepped in to be like a bishop to a church in Caballo Cocha and for a church in Iquitos Peru.  As I am healing, I will be working with Pastors Julio and Jenny as we train and equip the church in these (among other) discipleship ministries.

 

Speaking of the challenges and blessings that God has placed before me in this year 2022.  I have finally decided to accept the challenge that many of you have asked of me and have begun to write “my story” Yaaaay! And boy do I feel challenged!! I guess this too is part of the adventure.  This year of 2022 is a great time to be alive! We will go forward and we will get the job done! Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (KJV)

 

Adventuring with Christ,

Min. Orchidy T Boyd

Exec. Dir. AFAMMS


Friday, May 14, 2021

2021 Update

 

Happy New Year! This is a year of  change and growth.  It is a time when what we have believed would be has and is being challenged.  As the song says, “I know whom I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day!”  Someone asked me “What can a missionary do in these pandemic times?” Like many countries we were commanded to stay in our homes.  There is a running message on the cell phone that says, “Quedate en casa”  (Stay in your house).  So what has this missionary been doing this past year?  Accepting the challenge to ask God what is His purpose for me in my life and, who will I be on the other side of this pandemic.  Will I be ready to do His will His way or will I keep  on doing what seems good to me my way?  Sooo.... I have spent a lot of time talking with God to see how He would have me serve Him as we enter the “New Norm.”  Here is what you and I have been doing during this past year.

 

It started off with a major surgery on the last day that Colombia declared no more surgeries because of the pandemic.  The surgery went well and I was released 3 days later to recover in my home.  15 days later the nurses were sent to my home to do follow-up and take out the stitches.  Praise God all went well! God blessed me with my downstairs neighbors who made sure my needs were met and my bills were paid. We became family.

 

From March through July, I was in recovery and like all of Colombia in quarantine.  I was allowed to be out on the streets 2 days of the week according to the last number of my Government issued I.D. Card and gender.  One always says, “If I had more time I would....” So, I took advantage of the time in house to pray, attend Zoom meetings and 2 mission conferences (NAAMC in Maryland with Christ Kingdom Church and The Peoples Community Baptist Church). Both of these really blessed me. I also taught myself piano and spent time worshiping on violin and clarinet.  I focused on getting out of debt since I did not need to spend money on gas for my motor scooter, my electric bill was much lower, and I found that I could do without many of the daily cost that tend to attract our attention when we are “out and about.”

 

In July, the National African American Mission Conference (NAAMC) had a special surprise for me.   Many people here in Leticia Colombia lost jobs and were without food. They would put out a red cloth outside their home if they were in need, and people would respond to their needs.  I desired to be a part but could not go out because of the government restrictions on my age and quarantine rules.  BUT GOD!!!  As a last minute decision, I filled out an application for the George Liele Scholarship given out by the Ambassador Fellowship Mission Agency through the NAAMC Mission Conference for long-term missionaries. I WON!!!!  God allowed me to use the $2000.00 dollars awarded to me to pay on the debt accrued by travel expenses while in the States visiting churches, groceries for the families in need and the radio broadcast that has been an encouragement all over this region of the Amazon during this pandemic.  Because the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Colombian Peso has been over 3.000/1.00 USD, through your prayers and giving we have been able to help many.  HALLELUIAH!!!

 

At the end of the year I became sick with COVID19.  But, God's plans and purposes for me here in the Amazon are not yet done.  I experienced a “bad cold” and a small lung infection that God healed and 3 weeks later I was back to teaching my discipleship and music classes.  The airports and borders have been closed down here in Leticia.  Everyone has to receive the vaccine in order to travel.  It does not look like I will be coming to the States until 2022 Lord willing.  Please keep me in your prayers.

 

LOOKING AHEAD

God is moving in the Yagua community! He is resurrecting the vision that He gave me from the beginning.  More to come about this in the next newsletter.  Please be in prayer for me as I seek His will in this re-connection. 

I have accepted a position at the church where I am serving as the Music Coordinator.  I will be working under a wonderfully anointed music director who is also helping me to improve on the piano and still worshiping with the clarinet and violin.  I am challenged but blessed! This is also the year to renew my visa and become a permanent resident of Colombia.  I do not know how the process will go but,  I am praying for a smooth transition.

 

Thank you for all the prayers and financial support of the ministry here in Leticia.  We (meaning you and I) have been able to do so much good during this pandemic.  Sad things happen because we live in a fallen world but, I am very confident that God is still in control and His will will be done on this earth as it is in heaven.

 

Adventuring with Christ,

Min. Orchidy T Boyd

Exec. Dir. AFAMMS

PS: If you are friends with me on Facebook, feel free to check out some of the recent events and videos.

 

 

African American Mobilization Services

Min. Orchidy T. Boyd— AFAMMS— PO Box 39803 – Redford, MI   48239-0803

PayPal address: safricanamericanmobilization@yahoo.com

E-mail: orchi41@gmail.com  Website: http://afamms.blogspot.com