Four leaders from the Ibarra Church of the Nazarene recently traveled to the Shuar communities of the Ecuadorian jungle to show the JESUS film and share donations.

The team traveled for seven hours from Ibarra to the parish located in Shell, a community of El Puyo, and went on to visit the Acuña community, located about 20 minutes from Shell. The group shared a time of games, praises, and Bible quizzing activities with 25 children.

That evening, people from the surrounding communities were invited to watch the JESUS film, and about 40 people attended. When the film was finished, a message of salvation was shared with participants, and 30 people accepted Jesus in their hearts.

The next morning, after traveling three hours by car and two hours by foot, they arrived in Nanki, a Shuar community. The team walked through treacherous terrain and rivers in the heart of the Amazon jungle. They finally arrived covered in mud and sweat but excited to be able to present the message of our Lord Jesus Christ.

People in the Nanki community gave them a warm welcome. The team led activities for children, and during the evening they showed the JESUS film, despite dealing with some electrical power issues. When they were ready to give up on the plan to show the film, a person in the community offered his personal electric generator, which came as an answer to the team's prayers.

The team continued their trek, making door-to-door visits, sharing the gospel, and delivering donated clothes. During the evening they also screened another movie and had a powerful time of prayer. Many accepted Jesus in their hearts; they cried with joy knowing that they were free and forgiven. The team members experienced a great blessing and were in awe of what God did.

During one of the three days they spent in Nanki, the team shared a meal that consisted of rice and sardines with the whole community. The signs of amazement and happiness were apparent in peoples' faces as many of them normally don't have access to rice or sardines.

The Ibarra church has been ministering to the Shuar communities for two years and is passionate about showing God's love to those who do not yet know Him.

--Church of the Nazarene South America