There I was, sitting in a church service in the middle of Ecuador in a small village known as Sumaco. It was our first time visiting the village, I remember not knowing what to think and since I don’t know the language I really didn’t know what was going on either. Everyone was singing and I was there listening, people were praying and I didn’t know what was being said and all the while I noticed myself being filled with this great joy. Here I was, in this remote village, and everyone around me was praising and worshipping the same God I do.
We left the service and our minds started to work and plan for the kids programs we would hold there for the rest of the month. We were excited to do the programs for the kids in Sumaco but had no idea the kind of children we would be reaching.
Our host, Ivan, told us about the people of Sumaco and how much prayer they need. Almost every family in the village has a shaman which is just another name for a witch doctor. The people use the shaman for good luck and good fortune as well as casting spells on people they don’t like, sometimes to the point of death.
The stories of the people in South America and around the world who live like this always trouble my heart, but there is always hope in the midst of darkness. The Lord will always prevail and He will always bring everything meant for evil and use it for good.
We have had an awesome time this month being able to visit Sumaco a few times a week and ministering to the kids there. God is doing something great there and so I am asking for your prayers for them. Pray that our brothers and sisters who live there will be able to reach everyone in the village; and please pray that the people’s eyes will be opened, their hearts will be softened, their ears will hear and their tongues will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
