The terrorists stood in front of the roadblock waving their guns at the motorists. “Get out of your car and form a single line,” one of them ordered. Pastor Romulo Sauñe and three
friends — all Christian workers — had been driving back from a church party and were in a festive mood. Now, they quickly obeyed the terrorist’s instructions and stood in line with the
other passengers.
Sauñe quickly sized up the situation. Five buses had been burned and six bodies lay on the ground, murdered by the Senderistas, a Marxist group in Peru. As he stood waiting, he felt the compassion of God for the Senderistas and decided to present the Gospel to them. He boldly told them, “God loves you and I love you. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven. Even now, God is willing to forgive your sins because He loves
you. The blood of the Lord Jesus can clean and purify your souls.”
At first, the Senderistas listened very attentively as the Gospel was presented. Then they were interrupted by another terrorist, who seemed to be the leader of the group. Waving his gun, he told the four Christians, “You are guilty of fooling the
people with your religion. Today, you are being judged.”
Without any more words, the terrorist leader opened fire.
The bodies of the four martyrs fell — first on their knees as if they were praying to God and then to the ground. The witnesses of this massacre testified that Pastor Romulo died saying, “God, I love You! Jesus, I love You!”
Romulo Sauñe was well-known among Christians for his translation of the Holy Bible into Quechua–Ayacucho, the language of his people. For many years, he had labored to complete this massive work, traveling to Lima, Peru, as well as
to the United States.
A short time before the massacre, Pastor Romulo had returned to Chakiqpampa, Peru, his birthplace, to celebrate the anniversary of the church where his grandfather, Pastor Justiniano Quicaña, had been assassinated by the Senderistas in December 1989.
The church anniversary was held with great rejoicing. Pastor Romulo had brought Bibles, New Testaments, food, and a great quantity of clothes to distribute to the needy of the city. As he preached the Word on his last day of life, thirteen men and fifteen women gave their lives to the Lord Jesus.
The day after the massacre, as a procession carried the bodies of the martyrs to the cemetery, other believers fearlessly joined them in a Christian victory march, demonstrating that, as
Christians, they too were ready to give their lives for the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romulo Sauñe knew he had an assignment from God — to translate the Bible into Quechua–Ayacucho, the native tongue of his
people. Many are now able to read the Word of God for themselves — and will come to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus — because of his obedience. His life made a difference!
If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for
me and for the good news, you will save it… Don’t be ashamed of me and my message among these unfaithful and sinful people! If you are, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his father with the holy angels.
Jesus
(MARK 8:34,35,38 CEV)
