A Sunday Inca Quechua greeting in the name of Jesus.

---

 

“Riqsisqam kani.”

 

Dearest friends and family,

 

As a conquered culture wounded in its identity and pride the Quechua Inca culture, descendants of the mighty builders of Machu Picchu, lives defensively as they are heard saying: “Riqsisqam Kani”…That is “I am known.”

 

The Quechua mind treasures the fact that the name of a believer is written on a small stone so that only God knows that name.

 

For the Quechua mind a man who names a child is “Recognizing” that child as his child. “Riqsisqam Kani” is also a way to say I am not a bastard; therefore I have my rights. For the Quechua mind a Birth certificate without seal and signature is just a paper without value. The peace of mind for a Quechua believer comes from the concept or fact that the seal of our salvation is the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus as signer.

 

When it comes to the word “forgiveness” which did not exist in the Quechua culture they have come up with a word that emphasizes making the sin invisible by burial and compacting the surface of the grave as if nothing happened there. “Panpachaykullaway”

 

Those who are rescued by God are under a special dispensation so that should they fall into sin they have the prerogative of running toward Jesus as a child runs behind his mother’s skirt. “Qarkasqam Kani.” That is to say, “I am protected.” Or “I am covered.”

 

For the nonbeliever the Quechua mind qualifies him as one unable to live well because his sins are at the surface for all to see the shame of his bones.

“Mana sutiyuq, mana pampachasqa supaypa apasqan.”

That is to say: “He who is not named by God and with his sins still exposed is being dragged to hell.”

 

The evangelistic emphasis of the Quechua mind is resumed in the words. “Yupaychay taytanchikta.” Literally it would mean, “Take in account the Father.”

But the richer meaning is, “beware of the Father in your memory as treasure.”

“Waqaychay”.

 

Awareness of God at all times is saving faith in the Quechua mind.

 

This was one of the guards at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier on duty.

“Unknown to men but known and named by God.”

 

Gerry Gutierrez.

 

PS. Thanksgiving Pictures in Tacoma.