MINCAYE - MAY MEMORIAL

During this Month of May 2020, we want to recognize and honor the first VERITAS MISSION FILMS hero we met over twenty years ago.  His name is Mincaye and he is known to Steve Saint as "grandfather" for his children. Mincaye and five of his friends killed five missionaries in the jungles of Ecuador and his father Nate was one of those five.

It was only a few days ago Mincaye passed into eternity after a long life in the jungles of Ecuador.

​We encourage you to watch BEYOND THE GATES OF SPLENDOR to see Mincaye's powerful story of life and death. His words are true and his voice of love and most importantly forgiveness is invaluable. 

BELIEVED IN THE BIBLE
This man left us with many life lessons I believe are absolutely essential for every day living.  He believed in the Bible. In fact, he waited most of his life for a Bible translation to come into his language, the language of the Waodani in South America.  He saw the truths of the Word of God and after his transformation into a new life of love, he changed.

THE VALUE OF PEOPLE
Mincaye taught us to not sweat the small stuff and realize living simply is best. He did not focus on the material possessions, on the size of his hut or on the small clothes he might wear that day. He felt people were more important than things and because of his lifestyle, he lived his sermon every day.

I will never forget in NYC, Steve Saint talking about when they took him to a really nice restaurant and while others ordered steak, he asked if they had monkey.  When they did not, he just simply ordered some corn. That was it for the whole meal, corn. 

HE LAUGHED A LOT
He laughed a lot and this was a hallmark of his life. He would get tickled and the twinkle in his eyes brought joy to all he met.  The joy he would bring to all when he got to laughing was contagious. He joked, he played and smiled with the most contagious personality anywhere.

HE WAS GENEROUS
Mincaye would give you the shirt off his back, but most of the time he didn't have one. He would share food from the table, even if the culinary experience would not be what you were used to having. He worked hard to be a hunter gatherer and provide for his family, so sharing was part of his nature. He didn't think of possessing, as he was too busy giving.

HE LOVED FAMILY
His family was the most important thing and he wanted to always be near his wife and all those who were close to extended family. He made you feel you were family and I will never forget the way he embraced his family. There was something magical about grandfather and everyone knew this.

HE KNEW HOW TO SAY HELLO & GOODBYE
When you saw Mincaye, he would laugh and smile with a big embrace. He always made you feel like you were the most important person in the world. I saw him last at Hobby Lobby for the anniversary of the films we made. When he hugged us, my heart melted again and I was reminded of the last thing he told me as I was leaving the jungle.

"Cade, if Wangongi (God) sees it well, I will see you again."  In one statement he said something so profound and so wise.  He knew God was in control and was not afraid of whatever God saw best.  The trust and the embodiment of Mincaye's faith was so completely summarized in this moment.

HONORING MINCAYE
We would like to honor our brother who is now with His Heavenly Father. We pray for the family of MIncaye, for the Saint family and also for the Waodani tribe. We have lost an amazing teacher, dentist, hunter gatherer, speaker, evangelist and teacher. He will forever be in our hearts.

I love you Mincaye and I will see you again, because God will see it well,

Dr. Kevin McAfee