Medical Mission on Amazon River to be focus of travel series

Learn about and see images from an amazing Amazon mission trip Wednesday, Sept 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Putnam County Public Library.

In June of 2014, Ken and Jackie Eitel spent 10 days on the Amazon River through Central Brazil Mission (CBM) and its "Project Amazonas: Christ, Life and Health" Amazon Boat Ministry.

The monthly 10-day medical mission trips reach and help people that live in villages along the many tributaries of the Amazon River. The Eitels were joined by other members of Greencastle Christian Church.

"For Ken and I to spend over a week without cell phone or Internet connections was a culture change in itself," said Jackie, a registered nurse. "Yet, the real story is serving the people of the Amazonas region with medical supplies and health services."

Jackie remained on the floating medical clinic for the duration of the trip, while Ken and other members of the team spent five days with a family and construction crew in a village located on one of the Amazon's tributaries.

The Eitels are lifelong residents of Greencastle and were the fourth generation to own Eitel's Florist until 2011.

Jackie is a registered nurse and is employed by the Indiana Health Information Exchange. Both Ken and Jackie Eitel are actively involved in the community, as well as their church.