Peruvians board a small wooden boat on a river

Tribal Peruvian Trusts Christ in Fierce Conflicts

A tribal man in Peru often fought with his wife, and after his young daughter had to step in to keep him from hitting her, he decided to leave their home.

His children tended to side with his wife in their fierce arguments – adding to his fury – so Manuel* decided he would let them live without him. He was stewing in a mixture of grief and resentment when native Christian workers who did not know him or his troubles paid him a visit.

They asked him why he was upset.

“Immediately he replied that he had fought with his wife, and that his children are always against him,” the leader of a native ministry said. “He opened his heart to share very intimate things about his family. He had resentment, sadness, pain, worry and the determination to leave and not return.”

“Forgiveness is a symbol of weakness among the tribal people, and talking about misunderstandings is unusual.”

The workers helped Manuel to reflect on the entirety of his life, his family conflicts and what the Lord says in Scripture about how to face difficult situations. They also talked about the monstrous effects of sin and how it was defeated on the Cross; Manuel accepted Christ and decided to renew relationships with his family.

“God in His mercy allowed our missionaries to minister to his life,” the leader said. “Since that moment, many changes have been seen in his spiritual life, in his character and attitude. We see in him a man who seeks God and is very sensitive every time we study the Word of God. Manuel is always trying to live by applying the biblical messages.”

His wife also received Christ, telling the workers’ church that they were willing to follow the Lord no matter what opposition it might bring; they eagerly attended Bible studies and other gatherings.

Their faith was soon put to the test when his parents and other relatives accused his wife of using witchcraft to harm one of his sisters. In a tribal culture that discourages talking through problems, Manuel appeared sad and worried as he was at a loss about how to resolve tensions, the ministry leader said.

At a Sunday worship service, he raised the issue with the congregation and asked for prayer; soon he realized the conflict within the families had to be resolved.

“Finally, he went to speak with his relatives, and there was a reconciliation with his parents and with other people who had felt affected by the alleged ‘witchcraft’ that his wife was accused of,” the leader said. “This experience is an event rarely seen within the tribal ethnic group. Forgiveness is a symbol of weakness among them, and talking about misunderstandings is unusual. That is why family quarrels and misunderstandings are passed down from generation to generation. Only God can really change the heart of man.”

Fisher of Men

Many of the native Christian workers are members of the same ethnic groups they’re serving as they share the gospel in remote areas that few others can reach.

“God has allowed us to focus on the evangelization of native communities, including new ones,” the leader said. “Likewise, through WhatsApp, we send daily biblical messages to our contacts who are not yet Christians. Thanks to God, they have started attending the local church with their whole family.”

As sunrise dawned on a recent all-night prayer vigil at a church in one jungle community, a fisherman going to a river entered the service out of curiosity. Hearing the speaker share the gospel made him feel restless, and he wanted to go forward to receive eternal life but could not muster the nerve, the ministry leader said.

“But when the prayer for the people who gave their lives to God was finished, he got up and with a strong voice said, ‘I want to give my life to God,’ and went forward to give his life into the hands of God,” the leader said. “He confessed his sins to the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Today the fisherman faithfully attends worship services, studies the Bible and testifies to others of his faith. Please consider a donation today to equip native Christian workers in Peru to share the gospel with souls thirsty for God’s grace.

*Name changed for security reasons

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