S. America

In South America I focus on the five missionaries killed by Auca Indians in Ecuador in January 1956. It is well documented in many missionary books and here I simply record that none of the five killed anticipated the Auca Project when they entered that country (J & M Hefley 1996, p 615). Having heard about those feared Indians, they made careful plans to reach them. They had a main base and an advanced base and their plans included flying out to an Auca clearing to make drops of gifts. If the Indians responded favourably, a ground contact would be attempted. This was attempted but on Sunday 8^th no radio contact could be made with the five. Later four bodies were found in the river speared to death.

Subsequently relatives of those killed learned the reason for the murders. "We thought foreigners would kill and eat us" an Auca said. Nine years after the killings, the first published copies of the Gospel of Mark in Auca were dedicated with Kimo, one of the killers – now the Auca pastor leading in prayer. The Christian Aucas felt compelled to reach a long-time enemy clan down river. Tona, one of the killers, now a Christian volunteered to take the Gospel to them. Axed from behind he cried, "I’m not afraid. I’ll die and got to heaven". "We’ll help you go" his attackers shouted. In his dying breath, Tona whispered "I forgive you. I’m dying for your benefit". (J & M Hefley, 1996, p621)

On the tenth anniversary of the death of the five killed, Ecuador issued commemorative postage stamps honouring each man. Other Christian witnesses have been killed in South America. We highlight only these to do with bringing the gospel to the Indians.

Brazil. In 1929 Brazilian visitors brought in a flu virus among the Nhambiquaran Indians; the Christians were blamed and a number of Christians were put to death. The widow of one of those put to death said, "It will be harder to be a living sacrifice than a dying sacrifice, but I must be" (J & M Hefly, 1996, p587).

Bolivia. In Bolivia the Ayore Indians killed five Christians.

Mexico. In Mexico there have been murders of Christians among the Chamula Indians.

SOUTH AMERICA