By Abby Aguilar —
As two missionaries roamed the Amazon jungle searching for unreached people groups, they were invited to share farina (similar to cream of wheat) with an indigenous family.
Initially, they did not realize the family practiced witchcraft.
Devon Faulkner and Rhett Clarke are Project 3000 missionary explorers affiliated with the International Mission Board (IMB).
During their time with this family, Faulkner and Clarke shared the story of Jesus calming the storm. Over the next two and a half weeks, they visited the couple four times, shared Bible stories, and presented the gospel message, according to a report by the IMB.
In their third week together, they discovered the couple’s involvement with witchcraft. While they were stunned initially, it didn’t change their commitment to share. They said they had never seen such “zeal” for hearing the good news.
Faulkner and Clarke stayed dedicated to their mission, traveling from one remote village to another, accompanied by a local translator and another indigenous believer. They only encountered an evangelical presence in one of the villages they visited.
“They traveled by small plane, canoe and on foot. On their trips, they are off the grid with spotty cell service, miles into the rainforest. A venomous snake slid over Clarke’s foot in the canoe ride. When they travel, they sleep in hammocks and primarily eat fish and yuca,” according to the report.
By the end of the trip, Faulkner had improved his Spanish, which led him to do worship and preach in Spanish for 18 days. Clarke expanded his Bible stories from five to 12, memorizing new stories in Spanish.
“In one village they visited, a local missionary excitedly told them they were praying for access to several areas, and because of the explorers’ visit, the chief granted access to the village. The Bible stories they shared were well received and they were permitted to visit a second time,” according to the report.
Clarke reflected on their work in total. “Although they couldn’t locate the groups they’d hoped to find, they were able to practice some of the six steps of the missionary task: entry, evangelism, discipleship, healthy church formation, leadership development and exit. As explorers, entry and evangelism are the primary ways they minister, but on this trip, they were also able to disciple a local missionary and provide support to a local pastor by preaching in his church.”
After they returned to the capital city. Faulkner and Clarke transitioned from their hammocks to beds and prepared their report on the mission’s progress.
“Faulkner said he hopes others can come behind and water the seeds they planted. That hope is already a reality. A local national pastor and a missionary couple are watering seeds in these areas. The IMB is ready to receive more young men and women willing to spend two years as a missionary explorer.”
Those interested are encouraged to visit imb.org/go.
To learn more about a personal relationship with Jesus, click here.
About this writer: Abigail Aguilar studies at the Lighthouse Christian Academy near Central Los Angeles.
