One river.
Four generations.
A life
of mission.

For John and Cindy Mortimer, the Amazon is part of a family calling. Their interview with Terry and Reneé tells of prayer, a remarkable journey by boat, and generations choosing a life of ministry in Peru.

John grew up in a missionary family in Mexico. When his parents began preparing to work in the Amazon region, the family sought direction about where to go.

Two maps, one direction

John recalled praying separately from his parents and circling a place on a map of South America. When he compared it with his father's map, he said their circles matched. That experience helped direct the family toward Peru and the region around Iquitos.

He also told the story of a distinctive houseboat his father believed he had seen in a vision. The family eventually found a catamaran-style boat and took it from Duluth, Minnesota, to the Amazon.

John and Cindy married during that journey. Their family life and missionary work became closely woven together.

Practical support for a growing family

Terry and Reneé spoke warmly about getting to know the Mortimers, their children, and their grandchildren. They recalled helping with different needs, including household furnishings for a growing missionary family.

That kind of support may seem less dramatic than a long river journey. Yet a home, useful furniture, and care for children are part of what helps families live where they serve.

Serving beyond the familiar roads

The Mortimers' work through Evangelistic Harvest of the Amazon has included using boats to reach communities along the river. In their conversation, John described both the usefulness of those boats and the time it takes to travel such distances.

Four generations formed part of the family story they shared. Through JMICF and Terry Mize Ministries, practical generosity has helped support people whose everyday lives are rooted in that calling.

Mission work is carried by real families. Helping meet their practical needs is one way to stand alongside the work they are doing.

Based on a conversation from the JMICF interview collection. Project details reflect the account shared in that interview.