Beyond Imagination
I love this verse and I am always encouraged when I read it. I have dreamt up many different ways of how I think my life should go, but God has a much greater plan for me than I can even imagine! That is exciting!
I had purchased the documentary "Beyond the Gates of Splendor", and finally had the chance to watch it last night. It am still in awe of this story every time I hear it. If you are not familiar with this story, it is about 5 missionary couples who lived in Ecuador and had a burden to minister to the Auca Indians - specifically the Waodani. They had finally found the Waodani camp and the 5 men were able to land their plane nearby and make contact with these people. They were camped on the beach for a few days and had several interactions with the Waodani. One of the men would return to base every night with the plane. One day though, he never returned to base and their wives and family found out that they had been speared to death by the Waodani, and thrown in the river. The men had guns with them, but when asked prior to the trip if they would use the guns, they said they would not use the guns to kill the Waodani if they attacked. Their reason was that they were ready for Heaven, but the Waodani were not.
The wives could have easily returned home to their family in the States, but they stayed to minister in Ecuador and some of them eventually moved into the Waodani village with their children. They were accepted by the people and able to tell them about Jesus, 'the one who was speared, but did not spear back'. The whole village ended up accepting Christ. The children of the men who were slain have even returned there on several occasions. One of the daughters was baptized in the very river where her father was murdered, and the 2 men who helped baptize her were the same men that had killed her father - but she considered them as family now.
I am sure none of these women had planned their lives this way, but looking back they can see how God was in control the whole time. I am sure none of them would change what God allowed to happen.
The wives could have easily returned home to their family in the States, but they stayed to minister in Ecuador and some of them eventually moved into the Waodani village with their children. They were accepted by the people and able to tell them about Jesus, 'the one who was speared, but did not spear back'. The whole village ended up accepting Christ. The children of the men who were slain have even returned there on several occasions. One of the daughters was baptized in the very river where her father was murdered, and the 2 men who helped baptize her were the same men that had killed her father - but she considered them as family now.
I am sure none of these women had planned their lives this way, but looking back they can see how God was in control the whole time. I am sure none of them would change what God allowed to happen.
posted by Jocelyn Pagano at Tuesday, June 13, 2006
3 Comments:
That story never ceases to amaze me and rebuke me. The obeyed the promptings of the Lord, gave up thier lives so that other could gain eternal life! I have read the book, but I have never seen the documentary, but I would like to! Thanks for reminding me of that great story!
7:50 AM
The documentary is great. It brings everything full circle and has all these connections and amazing things in it. I think it is in some video stores - though I am not sure the one in Pembine will carry it! The movie, "The End of the Spear" was good, but it focuses on mainly Nate Saint's story, where this tells all 5 families stories.
8:08 AM
I watched it with Joc and it was so much better than the movie "End of the Spear". I was so touched and humbled by the way each of them allowed God to use these events in their lives for His glory. What amazing forgiveness and love the wives, children, and grandchildren of these men exemplified. We can't always chose the things that happen to us in life, but we can certainly praise God through the storms!
3:52 PM
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