Day Seven: Dancing with Tribes and Divine Encounters in the Amazon

🌉 A View with a Heavy Cost

We started our morning with a rare treat—riding Motokars up to the top of a large bridge for a breathtaking view of the Amazon River. As beautiful as it was, it came with a somber reflection. This 14-million-dollar bridge leads only to a small island with no cars, just a few Motokars and motorcycles. The cost feels excessive in a country where basic needs remain unmet for so many. Corruption in Peru runs deep—hospitals and clinics are built for show, but remain unopened, unstaffed.

There’s little middle ground here. You’re either wealthy or living in poverty. Our friend Juan, a former military officer, once turned down a high-ranking job because of the corruption he’d have to deal with. He now surrounds us with trusted retired police for protection as we go about humanitarian aid and sharing the love of Jesus. I never felt unsafe—only deeply grateful for our missionary friends who care so well for us and so many others here in Peru.

🛶 To the Bora Tribe – A Gift and a Land

Next, we traveled by river to meet the Bora tribe, an indigenous group displaced by massive floodwaters. Their warm welcome brought us smiles—they danced, sang, gifted us handmade items, and poured out words of gratitude.

Moses, one of their leaders, has a severe kidney infection and had an IV port for continued treatment. We could tell he was not feeling well. We prayed over him and blessed the tribe with food, soccer balls, Bibles, and supplies for their children.

A meaningful conversation with Kim opened the door to something incredible. The Bora currently rent the land where they sell their crafts and meet as a community—but rent means constant building and tearing down. I asked Kim what it would cost for them to own the land. She guessed $3,000, but Juan confirmed it was actually closer to $900. Just $900 to help sixteen families become self-sufficient.

God moved quickly—a few of us agreed to split the cost. Juan will ensure everything is done legally so it can’t be taken from them. Praise God for this opportunity to make lasting impact.

💃 Kukama Tribe & Crossing into the Amazon

We continued our river journey to the Kukama tribe, also hit hard by flooding. Like the Bora, they greeted us with traditional dances, music, and heartfelt gifts. We distributed food bags to every family, hygiene kits, art supplies, and lots of love.

The Kukama are incredibly talented artists, and many of us bought their beautiful handmade pieces. As we left, we officially crossed into the Amazon River. Jose spotted a pink dolphin, and we each dipped our hands into the mighty river—an unforgettable moment!

🎨 Angie the Artist – A Prayer Answered

One unscheduled but deeply desired stop was to visit Angie, a young woman with no arms who paints with her feet. Her artwork has been displayed in our church since last year, and I’ve been praying to meet her ever since.

Some rumors had made things tense between her and Off The Trails Missions, but when contacted, she was eager to see us. I brought half a suitcase of art supplies and spent time encouraging her to worship God through Bible journaling. I told her she never has to share her art—it can simply be her gift to Jesus. Kim said I had planted a much-needed seed in Angie’s heart.

We delivered food for her family and a doll for her little sister. Then we prayed over them before heading back out.

🐛 Grub Worms & Unexpected Encounters

At lunch, Shaun and Jim were brave enough to try grilled grub worms from a market stand—Jim said they tasted like crunchy chicken, Shaun said crunchy bacon. Either way… they’re crunchy most likely not my preference.

That afternoon, we had planned to visit families 14 km out, but heavy rain and two flat tires forced us to turn back. We were disappointed—until God orchestrated something even better.

Some local friends brought one of the ladies we were going to visit to us… and with her came a boy named Dariel who is missing an arm, along with his father. Earlier this week we met Celio and Angie—both born without arms or with partial limbs. And now, another.

We gave Dariel a soccer ball, Bibles, and food bags for both families. Juan is hoping to gather all three of these families together to encourage and support one another. It’s a rare condition, but these divine appointments are anything but coincidence. God is clearly moving.

Tomorrow, we head out in canoes up another river and then fly to Lima’s brand new airport—just opened this week. God’s not finished yet—there are still more amazing stories unfolding.