Sharing God’s Love in the Jungle

Deep in the jungle of northern Peru, about 100 miles from the closest town, children from the indigenous Chapra tribe gathered under a thatched roof for an Operation Christmas Child outreach event. While the scorching sun beat down on the village, the children’s eyes remained glued to the poster boards displaying images of the Gospel story. Sitting on wooden stools, they leaned forward listening as intently as their mothers, who stood nearby while fellow Chapra shared the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

After the presentation, the girls and boys squealed with excitement as they received a gift-filled shoebox and a copy of The Greatest Gift, a booklet sharing that Jesus is God’s Greatest Gift. It was the first time they had received anything printed in their native language.

“They were handing out gifts, and my heart started to race with excitement because I had never seen those kinds of gift boxes being distributed,” said Piriba, the 78-yearold grandmother of a child who attended the outreach event. She had never seen a boy or girl from the tribe receive a present. Her people are mostly subsistence farmers and have minimal resources. 

The shoebox gifts were transported in handmade canoes to remote Chapra communities on the Amazon River. The process took a month, but the hard work was worthwhile, as Operation Christmas Child has now hosted several outreach events and helped equip local believers to continue spreading the Gospel throughout the jungle.

Even before Operation Christmas Child teams went to the jungle, God had been preparing the hearts of the people to receive His Good News.

REACHING THE CHAPRA WITH THE GOSPEL

To cope with life’s challenges, many Chapra believe they need to appease local spirits by following the practices of their ancestors or abuse alcohol—a combination that has often left them hopeless and afraid.

The Nochomatas, a respected family in the Chapra communities, are familiar with this lifestyle. Although they are now passionate about sharing the Gospel with their people, they did not always feel this way.

“I used to drink as part of the custom. Drinking and drinking until I got drunk,” Moises Nochomata said.

It was not until a missionary visited Moises and his family that his lifestyle changed. Moises accepted the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and the Saviour helped him repent and stop getting drunk.

“I want everyone to know that Jesus is alive,” said Masorashi, Moises’ father. Masorashi, leader of a Chapra community, also came to faith during the missionary’s visit.

“I want people to know that God created the earth and the heavens and the waters. I want them to hear the Word and follow God,” he said.

Although the Nochomatas were excited about their new faith, they knew that taking the Gospel to other Chapra communities would be a daunting task. They were thrilled when Operation Christmas Child offered to come alongside them to help spread the Good News to boys and girls in the jungle. The first step was to translate The Greatest Gift into Chapra.

“God speaks to them in Chapra, and they can respond in Chapra,” said Belen Salazar, an Operation Christmas Child international field representative. “They don’t need to learn a major language like Spanish in order for them to have a personal relationship with God. The Lord created people groups. He created their language, and for them to realise they can speak to Him in that language brings value to their people.”

SPREADING THE WORD

Our regional leadership team in Peru collaborated with Moises and local Christians to translate The Greatest Gift into the Chapra language.

“Through these stories, it helps them understand how God loves us and how we should love others, as if they were our neighbours,” Moises said.

In preparation for the outreach events, Belen helped teach Chapra believers how to share the Gospel. She wants to ensure that the children understand that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are historical events and not a fictional tale.

As a child, Belen received a shoebox gift in Lima, Peru. Having experienced God’s love during the outreach event, she is now passionate about equipping others to share the Gospel through Operation Christmas Child.

“I always had asked God, after I finished school, to be able to be in a ministry that would not only teach children but train teachers how to teach children,” she said. “Operation Christmas Child gave me that opportunity.”

It was important to Belen and the Nochomata family that Chapra girls and boys hear the Gospel from Chapra people in their own language.

Kati, Masorashi’s adopted granddaughter, was among the children who received a shoebox gift. She was abandoned at birth in the jungle and would likely have died if Agustina, Masorashi’s daughter, had not rescued the newborn and become her primary caregiver.

At the outreach event in her village, Kati received a copy of The Greatest Gift. The book has already become a treasured possession, although she is still learning to read.

“Kati has asked me, ‘Mom, please read this book. I want to hear more about Jesus. Please read this book,’” Agustina said.

Operation Christmas Child has hosted several outreach events in other Chapra communities, with more than 1,000 boys and girls receiving a shoebox gift and The Greatest Gift. We praise God that children and families across the Amazon region are hearing about the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

Will you join us in lifting up the following prayer requests?

For the Chapra boys and girls who have heard the Gospel to repent and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

That Masorashi, Moises, and their family will continue boldly proclaiming the Good News among the Chapra people.

That God will use Operation Christmas Child to spread the eternal hope of Christ to more Chapra communities throughout the jungle.

“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” 
 Mark 16:15, ESV
 

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