The Hummingbird Healing Center is a Peruvian family business, owned and operated by Jim and Gina Mosquera de Davis, with support by our son and daughter-in-law Jean Piere and Vanessa. Though Jim married into the family, all other family members were born and raised in Iquitos, Peru. Our family lives at the center, and everyone contributes to its smooth running, including our 10 year old grand daughter Tayra, who is the light of our lives. All of our ceremonies and dietas are led by our curandero Don Manain Amacifen, a Master Ayahuasquero with over 45 years of experience.
Manain Amacifen
Our ayahuasquero, Manain, comes from a family steeped in ayahuasca shamanism and healing, and he’s the fourth generation to carry forward this tradition. Born and raised in Requena, a small town about 12 hours from Iquitos by river, Manain began learning the healing-way from his father when he was 16 years old and spent the next 15 years working at his side in his healing practice. When his father died, Manain moved to the small community of San Herardo, about 6 hours deeper into the jungle, and spent the next 20 years there as a popular and well-respected healer.
In 2014 Manain joined the Hummingbird ayahuasca centre, and we’ve had a steady stream of returning guests and referrals since then. His powerful icaros and prayers bring people the deep healing that theyare looking for.
Manain has a deep and profound faith that God is working through the medicine spirits to heal. In everyday life, he’s a quiet and humble man, committed to helping people live happy and healthy lives. As a healer, his gentleness and humility shine through as he encourages people to be open about their troubles so that he can better understand how to help them.
In the first ayahuasca ceremony of the retreat, Manain does a general scan of the group and walks around to get a feel for all the people present. In all subsequent ceremonies he will do specific healing work on each person, stopping in front of their spot in the maloca and singing an icaro directly for them. As we move through the retreat and cleansing and healing begins, Manain appreciates it when people ask for healing for specific issues that have become clearer.
He often prays for people while doing this healing work and frequently asks them to take his hands while he’s praying. Many guests speak of the powerful energy of his direct prayer and healing work and how they can clearly feel deep blocks and energy leave while he’s working on them.
His powerful singing voice carries and guides you on your journey, calling in the spirits and vibrations of healing. Manain’s presence will have a profound impact on your healing that will remain with you for long after you’ve left the center.
Don Manain playing the flute
Jim Davis
Hummingbird Center Owner
Jim comes from Seattle, Washington in the USA. He’s had an interesting and eclectic career in various occupations, including working as a commercial fisherman in the Bering Sea, as a chemist, and as a software engineer. It was his study of religion and spirituality, as well as his own journey of healing that eventually brought Jim to Peru where he was led to commit to working with ayahuasca healing. Being on the other side of a life-long struggle with depression and alcoholism, Jim truly understands the pain, confusion and negative thought patterns that plague so many of us.
Because he’s lived through it, he’s able to connect with people, figure out where they’re at, and offer compassionate support and guidance to help them let go of false beliefs they harbor about themselves.
Jim has studied many spiritual traditions and was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Krishnamurti, A Course in Miracles and Ernest Holmes, the founder of Science of Mind. While not overtly spiritual in the language he uses, the recognition of our True nature underlies the coaching and guidance he provides. In his time with the Center for Spiritual Living in Seattle, Jim volunteered for two years in their Coming of Age program for teenagers, which was based on Lakota Indian traditions. He brings much of the Lakota wisdom he learned to his work at the Hummingbird Center.
In addition to completing 11 very strict master plant dietas under the guidance of an ayahuasquero, Jim has been through a number of different healing processes and transformative workshops, and has formal training in facilitation and spiritual healing. He brings practical wisdom to his daily work, as well the insight and skill from personally facilitating the ayahuasca process of over 1300 people.
Guiding people through this often difficult journey with ayahuasca has been Jim’s daily work since 2010. His compassionate and supportive presence provides a safe and loving space, allowing people the freedom to face their shadows and release the pain of the past.
Short Interview With Jim
Gina Mosquera Davis
Hummingbird Center Owner
Gina is a native of Iquitos, Peru and delights in ensuring our guests have what they need to enjoy their stay. Affectionately called "Mama Gina", her warm and loving presence is appreciated by all. From her upbringing, Gina has a rich knowledge of medicinal plants and frequently acts as the house nurse, using her knowledge of plants to help people with a variety of health and first aid issues.
Gina’s primary role at the center is managing the workers and facilities. She’s also an excellent cook and the reason the food we serve is so delicious! She loves gardening and has created all the beautiful plant arrangements on our property.
She is the devoted mother of two young men, and grandmother to 11-year-old Tayra, who she absolutely adores!
Jean Piere de Davis
Ceremony Assistant and Facilities Maintenance
Our son Jean Piere is an indispensable part of the Hummingbird family. He is the primary care taker during ayahuasca ceremonies, gently helping people to the toilet and guiding them back to their spot in the moloca. Jean Piere drinks ayahuasca several times per year and knows its benefits and challenges. This allows him to bring patience and compassion to what is sometimes an unsteady walk back and forth!
He other roles are facilities maintenance such as electical, plumbing and generators, and doing the daily shopping for our delicious meals.
Vanessa de Davis & Gabriela Mosonbite
World Class Loretano Cooks
Vanessa and Gabi are our amazing cooks, taking the simple ingredients allowed in the ayahuasca diet and creating surprisingly tasty meals. Each morning they make fresh juice using a variety of fruits only available in the Amazon. Thier love of their work comes through and our clients regularly talk about how good the food is at our center.
Vanessa (on the right) is our daughter-in-law. She and Jean Piere live at the center with us along with their beautiful daughter Tayra.