The moon and stars pierced the jungle darkness as a group of indigenous students listened to Biblical teaching in the rain forest of Brazil. Sweat-soaked, yet still energized, Russ taught, knowing that these students would travel to areas that no white man could go - their own unreached tribes.

Suddenly a man in the audience stood. In one swift motion, he lifted his spear and threw it with fluid precision toward Russ. The teaching stopped.

About 2 feet away from Russ's foot, a beautiful, red snake writhed, pierced and dying. The group gathered to admire one of nature's most deadly creatures.

"If that snake had bitten me, would it have made me sick?" asked Russ. "No", replied one of the men, "You would be dead". The headlamp and student's quick instincts had saved his mentor's life.

Many are the dangers, but God always goes before us. Yes, there have been accidents: a broken foot from a motorcycle accident, sickness from jungle fevers, illness from contaminated water and food, but God is with us. It is His work, after all.