Missionaries gear up to reach another unreached tribe in Panama

Panama (MNN) — Another people group is on the verge of hearing the Gospel in Panama. Missionaries with New Tribes Mission are now preparing for this outreach, says NTM’s Nita Zelenac. “The Naso people of Panama at this stage, have not heard the Gospel and the missionary team that’s working with them is just beginning to prepare the lessons this month. They’re in the process of doing that right now and as soon as those lessons are prepared they will begin teaching.”

In the process of getting ready for teaching, the missionaries have been teaching them literacy so they can read and write in their own language. Zelenac says the interest was low before a church group from the United States held an artist workshop. She says, “They taught them how to draw and also to do other types of things. So, they’re now illustrating their own books and they have also used what they’ve learned to make artifacts that they can now sell and it’s becoming a way for them to earn money for themselves.”

Zelenac says this workshop has opened doors for evangelism. “So, the end result of this team coming down has been one of being a blessing to the group in practical ways and building a deeper friendship between the tribal group people and the missionaries.”

New Tribes expects the lessons to begin within the next few months.