I’m sure many have heard of headhunters in the Amazon Rainforest. Headhunting is where the Indians cut off the heads of people and then shrink them to preserve them. The Shuar Indians here in Ecuador are known for this. Many years ago, it was very common, and the shrunken heads were mostly kept as trophies, but others were sold, so it was a way to earn money, also.
With our understanding, this headhunting practice is not so common as in years passed, and we thought the headhunters who still practice now live much further into the jungle in an area where we do not have churches. However, yesterday we learned quite differently!
We had a beautiful, powerful service at Yantana church. This is our youngest church, they are beautiful Shuar Indians, but this one has the most witchcraft and evil spirits that need to be broken. They see visions of the devil often, see him in their homes, feel his spirit touching them, there are many witch spells cast on people in this community, but in our church there, they are learning about Jesus and the Lord is really moving in their lives! Yesterday was wonderful, as the Indians praised and worshipped Jesus and wept in His presence! After service, as we were fellowshipping, one of the teenagers, Sherman, began telling us a story and he mentioned headhunters. We discreetly said, “We were told (by others here in Ecuador) that the Shuar are known for headhunting.” The young boy answered, “Oh yes, it’s true.” And then he began to name about 6 or 8 people in the Yantana community, that he knows who are headhunters!! These people live just houses away from the Yantana church! Some of their relatives come to our church!
We did not know this! We did not know that we are working right amongst headhunters in Yantana! Granted, it would not change anything about us having a church in that community. For Jesus sent us there specifically and ordained that church, and it is evident, they truly need Jesus!
So please, Pray for the headhunters in Yantana! And pray for us as we work to win them to Jesus Christ!
Oh that Jesus would pour out his Spirit upon this church. I am so thankful for the opportunity God gave us to go and work in this community. Little did I know about this but it wouldn’t have changed my mind. These people have spirits of the devil that are warring after the truth of Jesus. But blessed be the Name of Jesus, Greater is he (Jesus) that is in us than he that is in the world! I will return to this little church in the jungle and looking forward to the many souls that will have the power of Jesus in their life and will be able to say, “I was a former headhunter but now I have been delivered and serving Jesus!