Missional Indians ?

[Miguel Labrador]

I had an interesting talk with a man from Loja, Ecuador yesterday. We were discussing, without him know it, Mdna (Missional DNA). Missional, in this sense is simply living in such a way as to help others, sending the Gospel and ourselves to their turf, and demonstrating a faith that actually does what it preaches. The psychological / social make up of the Ecuadorian’s does not lend it self to helping their own kind easily. Much effort is needed to convince Ecuadorian Christians that it is indeed both biblical and Godly to come to the aid of their countrymen in need. This applies to both economics and information because here, not only is knowledge power, but it often translates directly to financial gain as well.

The man told me of the indigenous peoples that long ago inhabited the land. He spoke of four obligations for these people that were not taught, but ingrained into their everyday lives. These obligations were for any family or individual that “owned” land. They are as follows:

The first and best part of the plants and seeds were to be planted in the first and best part of the land. The percentage of the land used for the first part would be determined by need. The harvest from this percentage of the land was dedicated to widows and orphans. It was your land, and you were to work it as if the harvest was for you and your family, but it was to be given, or made available to those widows and orphans in the community.

A second portion / percentage of the land was to be planted for community at large. At various time during the year, the community would come together as a whole for celebrations or other reasons and this portion of the harvest was set aside for those times. Again not giving your best effort in raising these crops as if they were your own was unthinkable because they considered it a natural obligation.

The third portion, again percentage to be determined, was to be reserved for the King and his family. The King was not a tyrant or despot, but was continually involved in the affairs of his kingdom and didn’t have time to plant his own crops. I am making no conclusions about societal politics here, just explaining how it was.

The last portion of the land is where you planted the crops for you and your own family. It was in all cases the largest part. When the Spaniards came and conquered Ecuador, they completely changed the natural order of these obligations.

What was interesting to me in this story was the built in system these indigenous people had. They showed the work of the law written on their hearts. (Romans 2) They were not Christ followers but demonstrated a missional attitude in their thinking and action. Their first and best energies were dedicated to serve others. I will not draw any conclusions from this, but will let you draw your own.

Peace

Miguel