The Cotahuasi Canyon in southern Peru is often described as one of the most rugged landscapes on earth. The change in elevation is staggering, from the riverbed below to the majestic Andean mountains that rise dramatically into the sky. Yet, scattered across this jagged terrain are remote Quechua Indians still living on Inca and pre-Inca terraces.
Brad and Gina Shaw, missionaries with SIM, began serving in this remote region in 2001. Before then, these native Andeans were considered unreached with the gospel. Today, many are still living in spiritual bondage with a syncretism of ancient pagan rituals and works-based religion.
With the help of SonSet Solutions, Brad and Gina began broadcasting gospel programming over FM radio in 2008, reaching villages within the canyon. In 2023, we deployed shortwave radio, allowing broadcasts to reach deep into the rugged mountain landscape.
Brad and Gina distributed solar-powered SonSet® radios to remote canyon villages, placing the gospel into the hands of those once out of reach. But the surrounding mountain communities, where most of the llama and alpaca shepherds live, were much more difficult to access.
Three of us from SonSet Solutions joined the Shaws to help make this trip possible. Brad was given a list of spiritual leaders to find, but none of them knew we were coming. It was a journey of faith – guided not by maps, but by trust in God’s leading.
“God sent you here” was a sentiment heard more than once. They expressed the need for training and were eager to distribute radios in communities where many cannot read. Fixed-tuned to Radio Senda Cristiana, the radios will allow these spiritually-hungry people to receive regular biblical teaching.
We were surprised to find that the groundwork has been laid, yet the work is not done. With every radio placed and every message broadcast, the gospel is echoing across the heights, and truth is reaching into places once thought unreachable.
By Erica Simone, July 2025