Tarapoto, Peru lies in the foothills of the Andes Mountains which rise to its west, and it serves as a departure point for excursions into the wilds of the Amazon Basin to the east. Here’s how, years ago, the Gospel made its way to this remote place, and beyond.
Lydia Soplin traveled from Tarapoto to Lima in search of employment. She learned about Jesus from ELS missionaries there, became a Christian, and then encouraged the missionaries to bring the Gospel to her family back in Tarapoto. Traveling there, they were welcomed by Lydia’s aunt, Nellie. Also found: Ramon and Soccorro, customers at the sidewalk cafe Nellie operated in front of her home where she sold skewers of roasted pork, chicken, and plantains to her neighbors. Ramon’s original home was the Huallaga River town of Pelejo, and in time missionaries carried the Gospel to that thatch-roof village. It became the headquarters for ELS mission work in the rainforest. Eventually Peruvian missionaries began to travel the rainforest rivers in dugout canoes to bring the Gospel to even more remote jungle villages.
Did you note the trail the missionaries followed? Lydia — to Nellie — to Ramon and Socorro — to the river village of Pelejo — then deeper into the rainforest beneath its lush green canopy. The Gospel moves forward and outward on its mission, following the pattern of the early church: In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power (Acts 19). Final results of the Gospel’s advance? Left in God’s hands, and not always as we might wish, but we know many blessings are received by all who learn of Christ, our Savior!
(The ELS relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Peru is conducted by the South America Committee of the Board for World Outreach.)