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Of the Most Significant Events of Modern Missionary History Occurred Mission Aviation Fellowship PO Box 47 Nampa, ID 83653 (800) 359-7623 of the most significant Elisabeth Elliot wrote a letter to my events of modern missionary history mom twenty-one days after her occurred on January 8th, 1956. husband Jim’s death: Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, Ed “… I can think of no way in which Jim McCulley, Jim Elliot, and MAF pilot would rather have died than the way Nate Saint were killed by the “Auca” he did — in the full height of his Indians on a beach along the Curaray manhood, with his dearest friends, River in the eastern Ecuadorian and in the attempt to reach the people Amazon jungles. long so close to his heart. He was consumed with his desire to reach the This story has been the subject of Aucas — could think of nothing else for editorial pieces, magazine articles, months. He went forth, fully documentary films, movies, books, recognizing the dangers, but confident dramatic productions, kids’ in God’s clear direction, and I was with him 100% in this. cartoons, and even a LEGO© stop- motion video. I have shed no tears for Jim’s going — oh, think how happy he is, looking on These five young men had a deep, the face of Him he so passionately driving desire to see a group of loved.” people, who had never before We now look back and are able to experienced a peaceful contact with see more of this story: how God the outside world, come to used these five men to open the understand that their Creator-God door so that Elisabeth, with loved them dearly. Their daughter Valerie, and Rachel, Nate’s commitment to share the Gospel Jack Shalanko, a sister, could live among the Waodani cost them their lives at the end of member of the search (as they are properly known). They long, chonta-palm spears. party, holds two of the spears removed from gained their trust, learned the Why did these men risk their lives? the bodies. These ten- language and laid the groundwork Were they being impetuous, foot lances are lethal when wielded by strong, for the beginning of the Waodani irresponsible, or foolish? Was this young warriors. church and the eventual translation what God would have them do? of the Bible into the Wao language. Gilberto and Menewa are grandsons of Mencaye, who participated in the beach Throughout 2020, massacre in 1956. They have a side hustle of MAF is celebrating fabricating pens out of chonta palm, the 75 years of same wood used for Wao spears. missionary aviation When I ordered some of these pens for service. The same message of love and MAF, Menewa said, “You know, grandpa forgiveness that has changed the Mencaye used to ‘write his story’ with Waodani is the message that is this wood in the form of a spear and blood, being shared through aviation ..but we can now ‘write our story’ with the same around the world among the Moi, wood and no longer have to use blood.” the Shuar, the Lendu, the Wageti, and many other people groups. As I hold my pen I think back on the events of 1956 and their effect to this day. While I have The Joshua Project reports that heard a great deal of the story, I cannot come there are still some 7,000 close to knowing the totality of its influence—all unreached people groups. MAF that has transpired among the Wao, within the remains committed that everyone missionary community around the world, and in —especially those who live in thousands of individual lives as a result of hearing isolation—deserves a chance to about these men’s sacrifice. experience the love of Jesus Christ. Lynn and I count it a privilege to be a small part of God’s work around the world. Many years after she wrote Mom, Elisabeth put this observation to paper: “God will see to it that we are in circumstances best designed by His sovereign love to give us opportunities to bear fruit for Him.” This story continues to have an impact today as young men and women are challenged to serve God through missionary aviation. There are MAF pilots in Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Central Asia still “consumed with the desire” to share the gospel with those who have not heard of a God who loves them. Spiritual fruit is still being harvested because of the commitment of these five young men. May we carry this same fervor. .
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