In 1997 the Peru Projects founders accepted the challenge to provide transportation for the East Peru Mission within its vast territory. They quickly deployed their first missionary couple into Peru’s dense Amazon jungle. The flight program has since established itself as a safe and dependable means of transporting Mission personnel, Bible workers, and volunteers to the remote regions of the jungle, where winding rivers are the only roadways. The airplanes have also become well-known throughout the communities as a means to evacuate in case of medical emergencies and to provide for urgent needs in remote communities.
Peru Projects quickly expanded from one couple into an entire team, and they began operating a medical missionary launch. This boat travels along the Amazon and Ucayali Rivers and their tributaries providing Bible studies, evangelistic meetings, free health education, basic medical care, and dental extractions. Foreign and domestic launch crew, medical personnel, and Bible workers live on the launch while tending to the physical and spiritual needs of villagers, staying as little as a few days or as long as a couple of months in each community.
Nationals who are acquainted with the local culture and language are the most effective evangelists. Native Peruvians, particularly those from the jungle, are able to survive in the rainforest much better than foreigners or Peruvian city dwellers. Whenever possible, local Peruvians are deployed as long-term Bible workers.
In 2002 the Amazon Lay-Missionary Training School began to provide training to prepare native lay people as Bible workers to pioneer evangelism in unentered areas of the jungle. These workers participate in a seminar where they receive materials and instruction to prepare them for gospel work. When they finish the training, they are sent to villages where there is no Adventist presence. Hosting foreign missionary teams is another vital part of Peru Projects.
They have had the privilege of hosting groups from the United States, England, and Norway. While each mission has a specific focus, such as chapel construction or medical services, these teams also bless the local people with inspired evangelism, women’s and children’s ministries, and Bible studies.
