Resurrecting El Camino: Riverboat Ministry in Peru
By Patrick and Gina Cassidy 4/4/03
On April 20, 2001, a Peruvian military jet shot down the ABWE mission float plane in which pilot Kevin Donaldson, and missionaries Jim and Roni Bowers and their two children were traveling. Roni and her seven-month old daughter, Charity, were killed instantly by the bullets penetrating the aircraft. Although wounded, Kevin Donaldson managed to land the plane, and Jim and his son Cory were able to get out of the plane.
Taking up Jim and Roni's Ministry
When we first heard about the shooting, we began to pray for the Bowers and Donaldson families. The tragedy gained momentum around the world as details of the events flooded though the media. As we continued to pray, we became very concerned for the Peruvians who had been left behind. Who would minister to them and continue to teach them about the Lord? Would they be forgotten? Who would take up Jim and Roni's ministry?
God burdened our hearts for the people living along the Amazon River. We notified ABWE's South American administrator, Dave Southwell, of our desire to continue the riverboat ministry which Jim and Roni had loved so dearly. In October 2001, we visited Peru with Jim Bowers, his first trip back since the accident, and confirmed our future ministry in the Amazon.
We will focus on discipleship training among the lay people living along the river. In addition, our ministry will include church planting assistance and medical missions. Patrick was a physician's assistant in the United States and will use his medical skills to reach the lost. We will navigate the river in Jim and Roni's houseboat, the El Camino. We will literally make our home on the Amazon river, just as Jim and Roni did.
The El Camino Project
However, because of damage caused by weather during lack of use, the El Camino requires serious renovations. When we traveled to Iquitos, Peru in January 2003 to assess the condition of the El Camino, we discovered leaks in the hull, destruction of the outside eves, rotting ceilings, and a roof in need of resealing. Most pressingly, the two diesel engines had failed, and the much-needed speedboat no longer had an engine.
Raising the many funds to renovate the El Camino and redesign its structure to incorporate space for medical supplies and a patient-evaluation area presents a major challenge. Because we have four children, we will eventually have to add a second deck to the boat for additional living space. Although these problems seem great, we are confident the Lord will provide the needed resources for the El Camino to be restored and used to reach Peruvians for Christ.
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36 ). We feel greatly privileged to be used by God as we seek to reach the river people for Christ via the El Camino.
The Cassidy family is currently finishing Spanish language training in Costa Rica, Central America and will arrive in Peru in August 2003.
For more information on the El Camino restoration project, visit the Cassidy website. Or contribute to the renovation of the El Camino and help the Cassidy family resume Jim and Roni's ministry.
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