We have always worked on the basis that God allows us to choose to believe the gospel of His Son. The Satere people have not been coerced to accept the gospel. Rather, God’s word has been presented to them and initially when Al and Sue Graham were there at the beginning of their ministry there was strong resistance from most people. But to God’s honor and glory and praise and the way He has empowered missionaries to persist over the years out of a population of around 18,000 to 20,000 people spread over a huge area (approx. 780.000 hectares), on seven to eight different rivers, living in Brazilian cities such as Manaus, Parintins, Barreirinha, Nova Olinda do Norte, etc.
The last time I heard the number of Christians within the Sateré-Mawé people group was around 2,000 or so and growing. There are Satere Pastors and missionaries reaching out to their own people, and a good number of churches and congregations which are not without difficulties. The area is huge, there are many social needs and problems and there are too few missionaries to do all that needs doing; the logistics are very challenging to say the least!
