I'm spending this week filming for Wardjet. Lynn's cousin Richard started the company in 1995 after discovering the power of water to cut stone. Essentially, water is highly pressurized (up to 87,000 psi), and garnet abrasive is fed into the stream just before impact with the material, and "advanced erosion" occurs. Think "Grand Canyon" only faster.

The machines will cut anything but tempered glass, in thicknesses up to 15", and is used to cut everything from stainless steel to carbon composites to chicken nuggets to disposable diapers. The benefits over laser or saw cutting are many: no heat issues, no need to sand after, low operating costs, and water and garnet are environmentally friendly.

This all makes for pretty interesting video, if you're into tech and engineering stuff!

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I once heard Rob Bell ask the question, "Do I speak because I have something to say, or because I have to say something?" He spoke the position of a frustrated pastor - standing before, in his case, thousands - wondering what he was doing up there. From experience, I know the struggle. Sometimes, even in the blogosphere, I feel the urge to say something before I really have something to say. And it shows. So no, I don't feel guilty for being silent since February 8, or whenever it was I last posted.

Over the last few days I've had the images of Steve Saint, Jim Elliott, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian and Pete Fleming in my mind. Not just their faces, but their words and their lives. Pages from their journals (found on Wikipedia) where in their own writing they express their passion and desire to see the Auca people transformed from savages to Christ-followers. Images of their wives, gathered around the kitchen table, as Art Johnson tells them how their husbands had died. Just a few weeks ago I stood outside the Saint's old house, dilapidated and termite infested, and looked in the window where the radio once sat, where Nate's wife waited for the radio call that never came.

I'm still looking for words, but they are coming. I'm working on a multimedia presentation to retell the story. I can't compete with Steven Curtis Chapman, or the writers and producers that created The End of the Spear. But I don't have to. The story has had it's own impact on me, and I think it has fresh application for those of us who are called to carry the Good News today.

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Sorry, folks! Despite my best efforts, the "video blog" won't come together for this trip. I think I may have reached beyond my poor Powerbooks capabilities. Too bad... the footage has been pretty exciting! For now, we'll have to make due with some still pics of one of the more memorable parts of our trip so far.


Yesterday we flew with MAF into the jungle east of Shell. It was sobering to fly off the same airstrip used by Nate Saint and the four other missionaries just over 50 years ago, and then to fly over the beach where they were murdered by the Aucas. Having read the story many times, and used it as a sermon illustration for years, to actually see the places brought it to life again. As the plane banked over the Curaray River and flew low over Palm Beach, we were a little overwhelmed.

We landed on a rough grassy strip near the Waodani village of Tihuanu, and were met by a dozen or so men, women and children. And a rather excited howler monkey. Dyouie, one of the men who had participated in the killing of the the missionaries, met us at the plane, and immediately burst into prayer in Waodani. Dave, one of our team members, gave him some antibiotics, and a sleeping bag for his nights in the jungle. We were all impressed with the friendliness of the Waodani and their love for God demonstrated in their huge, infectious smiles and their love for us. If you haven't read "Through the Gates of Splendor", you really need to.

After entertaining us with a tribal dance - I would have joined in, but I was filming ;-) -we had another time of prayer in English, Spanish and Waodani. We bought some neat souvenirs, a blow gun and a spear, and then had to be on our way so we could make it home before dark. The Waodani walked us back to the airplane, and after some heartfelt hugs, we were back in the air.














It's hard to describe the impact this had on me, on so many levels. Realizing the sacrifice of Saint and the others to bring the Gospel to the Waodani. The courage of Elizabeth Elliott and Rachel Saint in returning to the jungle to complete the work. The transformation of Mincaye and Dyouie and practically the entire tribe. The willingness of MAF pilots, who fly several times a day into the jungles of Ecuador to bring hope to so many.

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After a smooth flight through the air and through customs, we have arrived at the HCJB Guest House in Quito, Ecuador. This trip has been in the works for a while, and was the reason for my initial contact with HCJB last fall. Canadians have played a huge roll in HCJB in the country, so we want to tell some of that story through video. I'm here with John and Ann Rush and David Findlay, all on staff with HCJB Global Canada.

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. We're having breakfast with Jesse Saint (grandson of martyred missionary Nate Saint), and Mincaye, the man who killed his grandfather, along with four other missionaries, in 1953. They are all like family now, and the entire story is one you really should get to know. You can read about it here.

After breakfast we'll tour the radio station (their primary ministry) and then the hospital, before driving south to Rio Bamba for the night. I think our flight with MAF into the jungle happens on Wednesday. It's all pretty exciting!

I hope to video blog when we get back to Quito in a few days, so be sure to check back.

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