Here We Go Again!! Road Trip to Atlanta and on to Guatemala
I'm not sure it gets any better than this!
The End of the Spear:
Yesterday, Sunday, our morning service drew our attention to a familiar story where five missionaries paid the ultimate price while sharing the gospel in Ecuador.
On January 8, 1956, Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Pete Flemmings, Ed McCauley and Roger Youdrin were killed while trying to bring the gospel to the Auca, later know as the Waodani, a people group that neared extinction because of the warring violence among themselves. This story is depicted in a movie called "The End of the Spear" produced by Steve Saint, Nate's son.
When these young men heard of the Auca and how they had never heard the gospel of Christ they were compelled to go and try to reach them. Though it cost these men their very lives, there is an incredible story of how their families went to Ecuador to fulfill the vision of sharing Christ with the Auca, the very savages that took the lives of their loved ones.
Why am I telling you this story?
Our church was recently blessed with actual artifacts from this incredible event.
The Lord brought Jack and Mary Ella Long to Lawrenceburg a few years back. Jack's dad, a pilot, became involved with the Wycliffe ministry in the late 60's, a ministry that translates the Bible into dialects and languages for those who have no Bible in their own language.
The Long's who lived in Miami, FL opened their home to mission teams going and coming to South America, thus getting to know Rachel Saint, Nate's sister, and many others connected to these men who gave their lives. Even some of those involved in the brutal killings, who later came Christ through the work of Rachel and others, stayed in the Long's home.
On their first visit to the states, as Jack recalls, they had never slept in a bed or seen a TV. It was quite the experience.
For 40 years, the artifacts, actual hand carved spears, a blow gun, the hand made darts along with the "poison pots" used for dipping the dart tips, gifts to Jack's parents, remained in their home in FL. It wasn't until Jack's mother passed away four years ago that he actually learned of the historic value of these items.
After his dad down-sized in home, the artifacts were placed in Jack and Mary Ella's care. Jack had been talking with a museum in Dallas for several months. When they told him that they wanted the artifacts, but they also wanted the option to sell them if they deemed it in their best interest. At that point Jack and Mary Ella felt uncomfortable with that, and believed there had to be a better place for these important bits of history.
Some time later, Jack and Mary Ella dropped by the Church Office to speak to Brother Mickey about something unrelated. When they entered his office, lying on his desk was a book based on the life of Jim Elliot. Mary Ella casually asked Mickey if he was interested in that story and Mickey responded yes. He said he had read the book years ago but had recently pulled it back out to go back through it again.
After talking for a while Jack and Mary Ella felt that Mars Hill Baptist Church was where the artifacts needed to be displayed.
In our services yesterday morning we enjoyed an incredible time of worship. With the artifacts on display, Jack presented an emotional talk letting the congregation know some of the history and how his family was involved. We listened to a prerecorded interview between Mary Ella and Jack's dad. Brother Mickey brought it all together as he does so very well. We enjoyed the presence of the Lord and many lives were changed.
The artifacts will be placed on display, as a memorial, not only for these missionaries who gave their lives for the cause of Christ, but also for those today who continue to go and serve throughout our world today.
In Joshua 4 we find the story of twelve stones being taken from the center of the Jordan River and being placed as a memorial. In the future when their descendants asked their fathers and grandfathers - What do these stones mean? Tell them how Israel crossed the Jordan on dry land."
May these artifacts be a reminder to us and many generations to come of the importance of sharing the love of Christ with our neighbors here at home as well as those around the world who have never had the opportunity to hear.
Church Staff Mission Team:
Eight members of Mars Hill Baptist Church Staff are on our way to Guatemala as we speak. While there we will carry this wonderful gospel, to some remote villages and encourage the pastors and believers who live there. We will also be delivering food to the poor. May God be glorified in this effort.
Thank you once again for your prayers and financial support.
By our Lord's grace and strength we press on.
Lewis
"He is no fool that gives that which he cannot keep to gain that which he can never lose.". Jim Elliot
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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