The Kuna Revolution
Praise the Lord, all nations; Sing His praises, al peoples! For His mercy toward us is great, And the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!
Psalms 117
The Kuna Revolution
When we read or hear about the history of different countries, cometimes we don't see the whole picture. We don't see what God is doing. Let me share somthing I have been learning about my own history, the Kuna history.
Every year durinth the month of February, we Kunas celebrate the "Kuna Revolution of 1925". THis year was the 100 years celebration! Let me share a quick history explaining why we celebrate. I also want to share what God was doing during that time.
How the Revolution Started
In 1903 Panama separated from Colombia. Then Panama started seeing the Kunas as a problem. The government was trying to force the Kunas to be "civilized" by forcing them to change their culture. Police officers tried to make the women stop wearing thier Kuna dress and beads. The police officers also abused the women, The Kunas, growing tired of abuseand harassment, started planning on how to attack the police men.
In 1925, the Kunas fought back against the police and it is now known as "Kuna Revolution". During the revolution they fought and were victorious! The Kunas then became an autonomous group, living in a part of the Caribbean called the Archipelago of San Blas. It is now calle Kuna Yala, the Land of the Kuna.
1904
While there were lots of change politicly with Kuna and Panama, God was als working during those difficult years for the Kuna people. I would like to share with what God was doing; how He brought the gospel to us. Before I share, I think it is very important to know other facts. In 1904, the Panama Canal was beginning to be built. When the revolution struck, the US became the mediator and helped the Kuna to become autonomous.
1909 Missionary: Anna Coope
Now, what is interesting is that while all of these things were happening God was at work. In 1909, a missionary lady called Anna Coope went to Kuna Yala to teach the Kuna English. She was the one who helped a Kuna boy names Lonnie Iglesias to study in the United States. Lonnie Iglesisas was born in 1904. When the missionary became aware of the revolution, she knew she had to act fast. So she decided to take Lonnie away from his people that year, 1925. She sent him to a Bible school in the States. She knew God had a plan for him.
According to the book, "Beauty is a Ring in my Nose?", Lonnie, who was aso known as Atilio Iglesias, was the first Kuna student to graduate from and outside Bible School, and return as a missionary. The book also adds that he was a "dedicated young evangelist. And handsome, too".
He married Marvel, a lady from the States, Michigan. She was only 23 when she went to Panama to live with her husband in Kuna Yala. They both opened a school in Ailigandi, the island I was born. They translated teh New Testament into Kuna.
There is so much more about thier story and culture. There are two books that maybe you can find to learn more about the Kunas, Lonnie and Marvel: "Beauty is a ring my Nose?" and " Born Primitive".
The Ocean is Big
I want to start by quoting Lonnie Iglesias. "Oh Lord, the ocean is so big-my boat is so small".(Born Primitive, pg. 159). It reminds me of the verse in Matthew 9:3. He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few." Keep praying for us as we try to reach new communities that don't have a church.
Yes, the need is great, yes the ocean is so big. We invite you to come and help us make disciples who make discoples.
