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Update from Ecuador
Posted by Brian
on
11:40 PM
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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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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