The Marimarituba Project

The Marimarituba Project

| | |

Back to BBC Mission Connection

Our Santarem Missionaries

Acts 16 tells of Paul's vision of the man from Macedonia. The steps of Paul and his companions had obviously been guided by the Spirit of God to where they slept. Then the Bible says, "During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' (Acts 16:9)

Even today, the cry for help comes from all over the earth.

Seeking to be obedient to the Great Commission opens doors to great opportunities. As the Lord leads us we find ourselves going to places beyond our expectations.

The "Marimarituba Project" was born out of a concern for those who have not heard of the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

What is Marimarituba?

Marimarituba (mah-de-mah-de-TU-ba) Costa is one of four villages on the island of Patacho on the Amazon River, about four hours (by boat) west of Santarem, Brazil. There are four small villages located on the island: Vila Amazonias, Marimarituba Costa, Bom Jesus, and Guajara.

The work on this island promises to be a "lighthouse" of opportunity to hundreds of villages that have yet to be reached with the Gospel of Christ.

In the aerial view below, the Island of Patacho is the "triangle" shaped island in the lower right corner.

Marimarituba is located on the Amazon River about 4 hours west of Santarem.

How it all started for BBC

During Vacation Bible School in the summer of 2005 , the children of BBC chose to give their daily offering for a Vacation Bible School for children somewhere in Amazonia, Brazil. In September of that year Pastor Randy went to the Amazon and purchased resources for VBS on the island. It was during that visit that he became aware of the need and prayers for a church on the island. He also witnessed first hand some of the physical and health needs of the people.

The children of BBC reach out the the children of Marimarituba Costa and other villages of Patacho.

Food and clean water are often a problem. Water-born disease can be deadly to the children.

The people of Marimarituba and surrounding areas are boat people. During the rainy season, the island is submerged. Homes are built on stilts and travel is done by boat. Health is a constant concern. It has been reported that in the region, a child under the age of five dies from a water-born disease every 15 minutes. How can we help?

The years that followed proved to be a great testimony to the faithfulness of God and His great love to the people of Marimarituba and all those touched by His grace.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (HCSB)

The Marimarituba Project website is part of The BBC Mission Connection and is intended to keep those interested informed of the ministry activites of the members of Bloomington Baptist Church concerning our work in Brazil and other mission activity.