Ecuador (MNN) — The profound grace of the Gospel means both martyrs and their murderers may praise the Lord together in Heaven someday — if they embrace redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Five widows in Shell, following the return of the search party. (Photo, caption courtesy of Gene Jordan/MAF)
It’s why Christians pray for their persecutors. And it’s why, even after Waorani tribe members killed their loved ones, Elisabeth Elliot and Rachel Saint went to live among the Waorani and share the Gospel.
Yesterday, we covered the 70th anniversary of the martyrdom of Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian, which took place on January 8, 1956. Saint was a pilot with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF).
Now, seven decades later — with the continued ministry of MAF planes, the widows and family members of the martyred missionaries, and discipleship of a Waorani Church — the Waorani people are growing in faith and truth. Something that may never have happened if the five men were not willing to bring the Gospel to this once-violent tribe.
Gene Jordan, a former MAF pilot who served 22 years in Ecuador, says today, “The Waorani Bible has been translated. They have Scripture in their own language.”
Kimo (member of the spearing party) and Gene Jordan. (Photo, caption courtesy of Gene Jordan/MAF)
The Waorani church also has many of the same strengths and struggles as any other church community.
Jordan shares, “There are Waorani that dearly love Jesus and want to follow Him, and their lives have been changed. There are Waorani that don’t want to have anything to do with the church or this new message of a God that loves them, and they turn their backs on it. And then there’s Waorani that play at being Christians. ‘Oh, I’m going to go to church on Sunday, but maybe on Wednesday or Thursday, I’m going to do whatever I want to do.’
“So down inside, they’re no different than we are. But they have had the chance to hear about a God that created them and loves them and sent His Son to provide forgiveness.”
Stories of Waorani Faithfulness
Jordan’s relationship with the Waorani is deeply personal. For more than two decades, he flew into their jungle communities.
“Some of the young church leaders were young school kids when I flew them around,” he says. “It’s just really great to see them taking leadership.”
From left to right: Gilberto Mincaye (Wao pastor/leader), Yowe (member of the spearing party), and Gene. (Photo, caption courtesy of Gene Jordan/MAF)
That leadership includes the family of one of the original attackers. Mincaye was a member of the spearing party that killed the five missionaries. Today, his son, Gilberto Mincaye Jr., is a church leader and a representative for the Waorani people.
“He has totally accepted who God is and what He did through His Son,” Jordan says. “He’s just a delightful person to be with.”
Jordan also recalls Dawa, one of the first Waorani women to fully embrace the Gospel. She also spiritually mentored other women in the tribe. When she became seriously ill, Jordan flew her to a hospital and later brought her home.
“About six months later, I landed in her community. She came up to the airplane and said, ‘Captain, I made you this hammock.’ She made me a hammock like they use to sleep in. She said, ‘I want you to have this so you will have many, many children.’
“That hammock, I have it here in the summer. I put it out on my deck, and it’s a precious thing,” he says.
“It just constantly reminds me that one day we will live together forever in Heaven because of the willingness of these five guys who want nothing else than the Waorani to hear about a God that loves them.”
Gilberto and Mincaye, less than a week before Mincaye died. (Photo, caption courtesy of Gene Jordan/MAF)
Praise God for the way He continues to work through the faithful legacy of these martyrs. Please also pray for the Waorani people that, as they grow in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, future generations will choose to follow Jesus Christ.
“I can only imagine the reunion someday when they meet the five guys in heaven and say, ‘Thank you. Thank you for bringing the Gospel to our community.'”
Header photo: Gilberto, Ompode (Mincaye’s wife), and Mincaye. (Photo, caption courtesy of Gene Jordan/MAF)
