Through Gates of Splendor, Elisabeth Elliot

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Did you know those words were written while Jim Elliot was still a college student? It was long before his mission to the Aucas, and long before his life became an example of what that statement means. The subtitle of this book is "The martyrdom of five American missionaries in the Ecuador jungle," but it's not really accurate, because the book isn't about death. The first two-thirds is about the lives of the missionaries, and all the intensive planning that went into the encounter with the Aucas. Their dedication is stunning and humbling. They were determined to fulfill the prophecy that every tribe would be represented in Heaven. They wouldn't rest until the Aucas had at least heard of Jesus. The five men were well aware of the moment when they were possibly writing their last words and singing their last hymn.

The word martyr has an obvious negative connotation, but after reading this, you can't see the men as victims . We like to put the verse "God loveth a cheerful giver" with the idea giving a money offering, but after reading this, I think that verse must mean more than giving money. These men and their wives experienced the peace of God as they faced life-threatening danger, and they truly gave without holding back. Nate Saint wrote a letter explaing thier motives, just nights before leaving home for the last time: "Would that we could comprehend the lot of these stone-age people who live in mortal fear...those who think all men in all the world are killers like themselves. If God would grant us the vision, the word sacrifice would disappear from our lips and thoughts;"

This book was published in the 1950s, just after the martys died, and so the epilogue leaves us with no more knowledge than that Rachel Saint and Elisabeth Elliot were going to try and continue reaching the Aucas, but had not seen results yet. (See my notes on End of the Spear.) It took years and years to see any local good come from this event, although the immediate spiritual impact was worldwide. The Aucas did stop killing, and the mission hasn't ended to this day.

If you haven't read this, or if you just think you've read it, READ IT. It's an awesome reminder of where our treasure should lie.