On January 8, 1956, five missionaries gave their lives in a remote part of the Ecuadorian jungle on a beach. These missionaries were trying to reach a hostile tribe with the gospel. They had landed their little plane on a beach area of the Curray River, only to be ambushed and speared a couple of days later.
Today this beach area has become known as ‘Palm Beach’ and together with two remaining brothers of those slain, a mixed group of missionaries and interested individuals, and 200 some Waodani people, the descendants of that hostile Acua tribe. This year was the 50-year anniversary of the missionaries who died; the Waodani people attending the anniversary came from miles around, from various jungle locations, some walked as far as a three-day journey just to attend.
The missionaries who have worked with the Waodani people for the last 30-years to bring God’s word made all this possible.
Some of the men who had killed the missionaries said prayers, shared communion, and nine young Waodani was baptized in the river. Everything from the singing that lasted longer then anyone intended was based on the enthusiastic audience, to the testimonies, to a traditional dance outside on Saturday evening, one service last more then 4 hours.
The first language of the Waodani is Spanish; they had the New Testament translated into their own language so they could read from it. Many of the Waodani leaders would talk about the past. A common phrase was, ‘I cannot explain to you how much of a difference following Jesus has made in my life’. They would often go on to encourage the youth to turn from their ways, and follow Jesus. The elders seem to be concerned with the next generation. The youth seem to be trying to fit into the modern world, rejecting their culture and family. This is much the same as what we see in our culture.
50-years ago five missionaries gave their lives in the service of our Lord. These deaths planned a seed, a seed that has grown and flourished, spreading God’s words of life and the future continues.
