“Yacumama” is quetchua for “mother of the water”. This is the term that the jungle people give to a supposed 150 foot long anaconda with bristly hair, big ears and lion-like eyes that have the power to pull you in like a giant magnet. The legend of this “monster” has it's many variations, all of which are quite far-fetched, yet almost everyone that lives here believes it. On my last trip down the Haullaga river I talked with three people from three different villages who claim to have seen Yacumama in the last few weeks. The sightings have made quite a stir in the villages and have put a temporary halt to all swimming and fishing in the area..... Huge anacondas do exist.... But when does “yacumama” become a lie of the devil that enslaves people to fear and spiritual darkness?

Thanks be to God for the truth of Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”