Jim Elliot
WASTED LIFE?Five Missionaries Speared To Death In Jungle
Many people thought it was a tragic waste of a life when Jim Elliot and the other four missionaries died trying to contact the unreached Aucas.
Yet, how many Christians would risk their life for an opportunity to share the gospel? Jim Elliot, a young modern martyr, gave what he could not keep and gained what he could not lose.
A ‘missions’ statistic that profoundly challenged Jim was, “There is one Christian worker for every 50,000 people in foreign lands, while there is one to every 500 in the United States.” Early in 1952, Jim Elliot sailed for Ecuador. The plan was to locate in an old oil station that was abandoned because it was considered too dangerous for oil personnel. It was close to the Auca tribe and had a small airstrip. In February 1953, Jim and Elisabeth met in Quito and then on October 8, 1953 they were married. Their daughter, Valerie, was born two years later. Jim and Elisabeth worked together in translating the New Testament into the Quechua Indian language at the new mission station. The Aucas were a violent and murderous tribe and had never had any contact with the outside world. Jim wanted to bring the gospel there so he started a plan which was called Operation Auca. Besides him and his wife, his team consisted of five more missionary couples.
‘NOT A LONG LIFE, BUT A FULL ONE’
The men discovered the first Auca huts with the help of a missionary jungle pilot, Nate Saint. The first attempt to contact them was by airplane. They would fly around the camp shouting friendship words in the Auca language through a loud speaker and dropping down gifts in a basket. Encouraged by this progress, after three to four months of gift dropping, they decided to make a base on the Curray River, ‘Palm Beach’. After they had set up shelter they eventually made contact with the Aucas. After a little persuasion, they were able to convince some to come into their camp. Encouraged by this visit, the men felt that it was time to go in and try to minister to them.
One morning, after numerous songs of praise and considerable prayer, the men radioed their wives saying that they were going to go into the village and would radio them again later. ‘Operation Auca’ was under way. The next day, a group of twenty or thirty Aucas went to Palm Beach. “Guys, the Aucas are coming!” As soon as the others heard that, they flew into action straightening up their camp. Little did these five men know that this would be their last few hours of life. The last radio contact they made was Jim calling his wife saying, “We’ll call you back in three hours.” Jim Elliot’s body was found down stream with three others. Their bodies had been brutally pierced with spears and hacked by machetes.
After Jim’s death, Elisabeth, her daughter and another of the missionaries sister, Rachel, moved to work with the Auca Indians. The love of Christ shown through their forgiveness allowed them to have amazing success with the once murderous Indians. Jim’s life was not a waste, in fact, God used his death to bring life through salvation to many Aucas and encouragement and inspiration to thousands of believers worldwide.
Rose Nyoni
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... I have read 2 books on the auca Indians account and have been so challenged not only by the love and faith of these men but by the gracious acceptance of their wives regarding their husbabds' martyrdom. To top it all The movie The end of the spear shows an amazing story of forgiveness and sacrifice which is veru challenging. |
Gordon Liston
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... I was challenged by the story of Jim Elliot and these men and the testimony of the families. My wife and I went from Ireland to Senegal and we worked with New Tribes Mission for 15 years. I have seen first hand many lives devoted to reaching the unreached. "Our liberty in Christ has come to us through the lives of many we ought to spend it wisely." Gordon Liston. |
lizz hennington
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... I am reading a 195 paged biography about Jim Elliot. I know it's not much ,but it is for school. I will make it thorough,and satisfying. I will try my best also to be a srong witness and testimony forJim Elliot and The Lord Jesus Chist. God Bless to Whoever reads this message. Lizz Hennington |
Laurel Pritchard
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... I love what Jim Elliot did for the Auca indians! I fell drawn to help do what he did! He was a great person! I just cant believe that the wives of those men would go back and tell the Auca Indians about Jesuss! They were true lovers!        |
ozueh
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... The zeal of wives is a Godly zeal and not just Good zeal. God be praise for your lives |
T DAVID JOHN
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... This Book has been a source of inspiration to me,God be praised for such wonderful lives. |
sammi
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... such an inspirational story. this makes me want to go share the gospel with EVERYONE. i willll. |
boppie
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... im researching jim elliot for a bible project...but when i read this..its mcuh more than just an assignment..these men gave their lives to serve our Lord God..i want to be like that..even if im only 15.... |
Patti martinez
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... Our grandson Jack Elliot was named after Jim Elliot i love his name ! It means so much now that I know the great story of Jim Elliot . |
Quinn Kuepfer
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... I have been inspired by this story so i have decided to do a speech on his life. |
