The Aucas were feared because they speared all cowodi (foreigners) who came into their territory. More than 60% of the tribe died by homicide, due to revenge killings within their own group. They were slowly annihilating themselves.
On January 6, 1956, the five missionaries landed their plane. For two days they established friendly contact with the Indians on a sand bar nick-named “Palm Beach” by Nate Saint. Many were praying for the success of this venture. But then, on the third day, a lie and a culture of violence turned what had been a growing friendship with the cowodi into martyrdom.
The shock from this event permeated the mission community worldwide.
Miraculously, within several years after the martyrdom of the five, violence within the Waoranis (the name they had always called themselves) dropped 90%! Why? The fact that the young missionaries had not defended themselves with guns, but had willingly laid down their lives, spoke volumes to this tribe.
Also, within two years, Dayuma, a Waorani who had left the group, along with a wife and sister of one of the five, returned in the spirit of love and forgiveness. They brought with them Wangongi’s carvings—God’s Word—a powerful witness.
Gikita, the leader of the spearing party, put it this way: “My heart was black with sin! But Jesus’ blood dripped and dripped and washed my heart clean.”
And Mincaye, another on Palm Beach in 1956, declared, “We lived badly, badly until they brought us God’s carvings. Now, walking His trail, we live happily and in peace.”
Later, as Mincaye grew in his faith, he added, “God does not see it well that we should walk His trail alone. Going first, we must speak God’s name well wherever we go. Then, going to God’s place we will take many others following after us.”
In the fall of 1955, when Nate Saint circled overhead and exchanged gifts with the Auca Indians, neither he nor the world knew the impact that contact would make on the Waoranis—or on the use of airplanes in reaching isolated people groups of the world—or on the thousands of young people who would be challenged to joined the mission endeavor in the 20th century.
On January 8, 2006, at the very spot where they were murdered in Ecuador exactly 50 years prior, a memorial service for Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully and Jim Elliot was held.
The Waorani Indian church leaders planned and led a three-day conferencia that culminated with baptisms and a communion service. Among those leading were two of the men who had participated in the spearing of the five missionaries."
And now you know the rest of the story. Jim Elliot's journal entry for October 28, 1949, expresses his belief that missions work was more important than his life. His famous quote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." has often been the motivational battle cry for many Christians.
But I wonder if those 5 men, if they had known what fate awaited them when they landed on that “Palm Beach” in 1952, would have still made that fateful missionary trip? What about you? What if God called you to a future that was filled with possible pain and suffering, hardship, loneliness, poverty, persecution, and even possibly death? Would you still step out and fulfill God’s call?
In my last post we were in Acts 19-21 where Paul takes a radical new direction and begins a trek back to Jerusalem. First we established the sequence of events that transpired. Then we looked at the possibility that Paul perhaps had made an error in judgment out of arrogance and self-interest. What if I have been wrong in my assessment of Paul? What if the evidence truly reveals Paul as a faithful follower of the will of God, resolved to go to Jerusalem in spite of the hardships, pain and suffering, and ultimately imprisonment that awaits him?
Is the Christian life wide and easy or is it narrow and hard? Or does it have to be such a dichotomy? Listen to my defense of the Resolute Paul.
Announcements:
1. Charity tax receipts are ready for pick up. Those who are not in the Waterloo area, the receipts will be mailed out to you.
2. Next Sunday: (March 6) We will be meeting downstairs in the Chapel instead of MacKirdy Hall.
3. Rev. Lew Worrad will begin a preaching series on the book of Ruth starting this Sunday for 4 weeks. "Being Your Own Worst Enemy". Don't miss it!
Blessings,
PT
