Eye Opening Effects of Deforestation

This trip was eye-opening to the effects of deforestation on the indigenous tribes native to Paraguay. Basically, commercial farmers clear-cut the forest to farm the land and, by doing so trapped the local tribes. The indigenous now live in little pockets of trees locked in by private landowners and have limited forms of natural resources to provide sustainability. We connected with Peter Ratcliffe, a missionary from England who has been in Paraguay for 8 years with his entire family. He has diligently mapped out these 777 indigenous tribes and is bringing the gospel to them, as well as sustenance. We were able to purchase roughly 1.5 tons of food to distribute among nine different villages, as we preached the gospel in each. Also, we were able to connect with 3 totally “unreached” people groups who had never heard of the name JESUS, bringing the total number of tribes reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ to 146.

Paraguay Needs Missionaries

The biggest take I brought home was the need for missionaries. Paraguay needs missionaries! It’s a sacrifice, but these unreached are worth it to Jesus, as He died for each and every one of them, and there are still over 600 unreached tribes. The problem is there are not enough new missionaries going into the field. Is your church sending missionaries out to the field? Are you willing to go? Are you willing to support those willing to go? These are questions worth asking. Truth is, “we can’t do everything, but we must do SOMETHING,” for this is THE GREAT COMMISSION!”