Through Gates of Splendor

Over a month ago now, I read "Through Gates of Splendor" by Elisabeth Elliot. This is one incredible book, a definate must read! It is the story of five men: Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Jim Elliot and their journey to reach the Indians in the jungles of Ecuador with the gospel. The goal was to reach the Auca Indians, an isolated tribe known for killing anyone who dared to go near them. Elisabeth Elliot combines excerpts from letters and journals that the five men wrote during their time in Ecuador. It is nothing short of amazing to read the thoughts of these men. I have never in my life seen such love and dedication to Jesus Christ! This book challenged me in a tremendous way.
If you plan to be a missionary, pick up this book. These men were extremely creative in their efforts to reach the unreached. I am convinced more than ever that to be a missionary, you have to be one strong, hard working, intelligent, dedicated person. Praise the Lord for missionaries! These men knew their lives were at risk - and yet they willingly gave their lives - all of five of them - for the cause of Christ. The day Roger left to go meet the Auca's for the first time he wrote:

"There is a seeking of honest love

Drawn from a soul storm-tossed

A seeking for the gain of Christ

To bless the blinded, the beaten, the lost.

Those who sought found Heavenly Love

And were filled with joy divine,

They walk today with Christ above

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."

According to Elliot, "The last line eluded him and, as he put down his pencil, he said: 'Barb, I'll finish it when I get home."

He never came home. He went to be with Christ instead.

What I found extremely challenging was the reaction of the five wives when they heard that their husbands had been martyred. They stayed in Ecuador, they continue to spread the gospel, they remained their as single mothers and missionaries. I don't know that I would have done that. Even as I was reading the book (fifty years after the fact), I felt anger, hate, and resentment toward these Indians for their cruel act of injustice. I'm ashamed at my reaction. I admire those women who have enough character and love for the Lord to continue to minister rather than seek revenge. If your church has a library, I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book. It could change your life.