Newsletter of David Wilson
JULY 2025
"You are worthy… because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
Rev. 5:9
Dear Friend,
The above words from Scripture are being sung in heaven to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is worshipped as the Lamb of God whose blood was shed for the sin of the world. This includes our sin, and the sin of every person of every tribe. But all must hear of this great salvation in order to believe. That is why Jesus commanded His followers to proclaim this Good News to the whole world, including every tribe. That is why we exist as a mission. That is why it is a spiritual battle.
BOLIVIA is located in the heart of South America with about half of the population belonging to indigenous Indian tribes. Some of these tribal people are unreached with the gospel, and no one is going to them. Some of them have no access by road, so must be reached by boat on jungle rivers. God has provided us with an 18 foot aluminum boat and trailer, and two wooden canoes, for this purpose. The canoes are for shallow rivers in the north, but never leave the water.
Upon my arrival in Santa Cruz, I found that my two checked bags had not arrived. One contained an electric fence to protect our tents from jaguars. We had to leave without it on our 18 hour drive to a river in the north. Later, we did see a footprint of a jaguar, but God protected us. On our journey, we ran into a road block, backing up cars and trucks for miles. People from a town had blocked the road as they demanded that urgent needs be met by the governing authorities. These blocks can last for many days, so when a man told us about a country road around the block, we followed his advice. Soon, however, the little road became a slippery track, and then a stream. Out truck was put on steep angles opposite to our boat trailer. Finally we got stuck, even using 4x4. After much struggle, we finally made it back to the main road passed the block, but having lost six hours on our journey.
The next day we launched two boats in the river and set sail on a 2 hour journey with our film equipment, generator, food, gas, water, tents, sketch board, etc. Our team consisted of Robson and Rene (2 of our fulltime evangelists), Isabella my interpreter and her newlywed husband Caleb from Ecuador, and 2 Indian guides. Rene works as an evangelist in this northern region. One of the guides told us about his experience with whirlpools in the river. His canoe had a little motor which was not able to stop him from being sucked into the vortex of a whirlpool. He grabbed an empty can for flotation and held his breath as he was sucked under the water. For one long minute he waited. Finally he surfaced downstream. As we sped off, I was thankful that God has provided us with strong motors. Five families have tragically perished recently as their canoes were dragged into whirlpools.
Arriving at a trail to the first village, we tied up our boats and climbed a high and slippery bank with all our equipment. The Indians welcomed us. They now wear used clothing from America, some with English writing on them which they can’t read. They even helped us carry things along the jungle trail. We came to water, where they had a dugout canoe. Climbing in, a lady kindly paddled me across to the other side.
Arriving at their village of thatched roofed huts, we put up
our little tents, and set up the screen for the night film meeting in front of a government school. The only electricity would come from our generator. After announcing the film, the people came. Usually it was the first time they had seen a film like this. We showed the Passion of the Christ video, which had been edited down and put into Spanish. The dramatic and gruesome scenes accurately showed the violence of the crucifixion and the cost of our salvation. They were completely engrossed. Then I preached on Judgment Day with Isabella translating, saying that the Judge will be Christ. In infinite love He had come down from heaven to earth to suffer the eternal punishment for our sins.
Now risen from the dead, we will meet Him at the Judgment. If we have repented and believed in Him, He will be our Savior. If not, He will be our Judge. The difference will be heaven or hell. The
Spirit of the Lord came down on the people with great conviction. Some prayed to trust Christ as Savior. Then, most unusually, one the leaders began to speak, “We want a church.” All agreed. Another said, “We want the Bible to be taught to us.” Another, “There are things in my life that need to change.” And another, “This preaching is what the 130 tribes in this area need so badly.” The chief called for a meeting the next morning to discuss plans to start a church. In the morning they met with Rene, who is now inviting a pastor to come and plant a church. Please pray. They asked for Bibles, so I gave Rene money to buy one for each home, which he will deliver. Then all the school children excitedly learned Bible action songs with Isabella, and Caleb did the Chemical Cross.
After saying goodbye, we went back along the trail to our boats. On the river to the next village, Rene’s canoe hit a sand bar and rolled on its side. The projector stand was lost, but thankfully the PA and screen were saved from the water. We also ran aground in the middle of the river. It is very dangerous to get out and push because of quicksand and huge snakes, but after pushing with the paddle and reversing, we finally broke free. When we came to the trail to the village, it proved to be very difficult with one foot of mud. We had to leave our boots behind and go bare feet, providing a 24 hour feast for big ants and mosquitos. Repellent was useless. After a good film meeting with the villagers, we put up our tents in a school for protection from jaguars and mosquitoes. There was a hole in the school ceiling. Later we discovered the roof was full of bats as some began flying around us. The next morning, when the bats were asleep, we had a good school assembly, and then walked back to the boat with all the equipment.
And so it went on, village after village. Sometimes we had to walk balanced on a long tree trunk placed across a stream. Some jungle trails were one mile long. Conditions were primitive …no stores, no hotels, no pharmacies, no restaurants, nothing… except glorious victory as we saw seeking hearts shown the way to eternal life. Missionary work is a fierce battle with the “enemy”, who doesn’t want us snatching souls from his kingdom. Thankfully, the Lord always overcomes. On arriving back in Santa Cruz, after going around another road block, the electric fence had arrived and will be used on future trips. Also, in one bag was my antibiotic ointment, which finally gave relief to innumerable bites (the Indians are not bitten!).
PLEASE PRAY
We are all so deeply grateful for your prayers and support as we all labor and live totally by faith. Gifts to “Where Most Needed” go to our evangelists with the greatest need. I do not receive a guaranteed salary, or take support from “Where Most Needed” funds, but trust God for everything.
Donations can be made online by clicking here.
Compelled by His Love,
David Wilson