There are literally
hundreds of Christians living in the jungles throughout the world that have a
heart to take Gods word to their brothers and sisters that live in local
villages. These people are not transplanted North Americans with large budgets
and supporters giving financial aid every month. These people have grown up in
Jungle villages, They are members of the Yagua, Shuar, Waodroni and many other
small tribes and they have the same desire as you and I to see their friends and
neighbors come to know the lord.
What they don't have is an
income, The jungle provides their daily nutritional needs. It even provides the
shelter they need. But without money, things like basic transportation to
neighboring villages is a luxury. Sure they could walk, but not all villages are
connected by trails and how far could you really get on foot? Even when they get
to another village they are not always welcome to stay, it takes resources away
from others to put a stranger up and feed them.
This ministry was created to
meet the transportation needs of our Evangelistic brothers in the jungle. It
does not end there though. These people need training on the maintenance and
repair of their evangelistic tools. They need skills that will make them welcome
in other villages
.....Please imagine this; You are a member of the U'wa tribe, and as you sit
by the river wondering what spirit caused your troubles of this day. You notice
a dugout coming near with a native like yourself onboard. When he lands, you
treat him well because it is odd that someone like yourself would have a motor
on a dugout. This stranger must be important to have such things. This stranger
speaks well and you listen because he is like you, he knows the jungle, he knows
your struggles, he thinks like you and he has Good News!!
A North American missionary
will spend years to get to the point of trust that a tribal evangelist can reach
in a few moments. In that time dozens will die of snake bites and disease. In
that time thousands of dollars will be spent for support for North Americans who
may never get used to jungle living. Empowering believers that are in place
is a smart thing to do and is much more effective and lots cheaper!!
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