Pajonal Asheninka in Peru

The Pajonal Asheninka of Peru live on the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains. Having failed to incorporate fully into the Incan Empire, they were often enslaved in the 20th century. More cultural disintegration occurred when the rubber industry trespassed on their traditional lands. They were subject to terrorism in the 1990s and outsiders introduced infections that further stressed their culture. They experience cultural dislocation due to the rubber industry, epidemics, or terrorists. There are four or five churches, and they do have the New Testament in their language. They live in small family units in communities numbering about 100 persons each. They engage in small-scale agriculture of maize and manioc as well as hunting and gathering. Coffee is their only cash crop.

Ministry Obstacles

Rubber barons threaten to collapse Pajonal Asheninka culture and economy.

Outreach Ideas

Continued translation of the Old Testament will be helpful, especially those portions showing power encounters (Moses in Egypt, Elijah and the prophets of Baal, and others).

Scripture Focus

"Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."  John 8:58

Scripture Prayer

Pray for this people group to understand that Jesus is not just another human prophet but is the eternal God.

Prayer Focus

Pray that Christianity would not become blended with their old religion. Pray that animists would see power in the gospel. Pray the people would remain united with minimal disruption.