Through Gates of Splendor

Rating:
Summary: Brimming with Enthusiasm, Inspirational and Poignant
Review: Elisabeth Elliot masterfully journals the account of the 5 young missionaries enthusiastic outreach for Indian tribes in Ecuador, starting with their calling and arrival in Ecuador, working with the Quichas and some more accessible tribes and drawn to the bringing of the Gospel to the Auca, a tribe feared by all of their neighbors as lurking killers whose custom is to spy and ambush all outsiders. The men, with hearts burdened for the Auca, sought to befriend them and give them the Gospel. The account leaves no doubt that these men and their wives were led by the Lord and even though the outcome was not what was hoped for, Mrs. Elliott's book is inspirational in the enthusiasm that these dedicated servants of the Lord went about to reach the Auca, as well as the widows' total reliance on their relationship with Jesus Christ after the men were killed to continue in their ministries to serve and bring the Gospel to the Ecuadorian Indians.

Highly recommended for home-schoolers, teenagers and today's youth in need of heroes.

Rating:
Summary: Memorable
Review: I first read this book when I was just fourteen. I was so touched by these families' total devotion to their missionary work, and their sense of purpose. The stoicism the widows displayed after the tragedy was a life lesson for all of us who have suffered the loss of so vital a loved one. I recalled the book recently (on my beloved mothers' death, and reread it, 37 years after I originally read it, and it again warmed my heart to the beautiful human spirit.

Rating:
Summary: A remarkable testimony of faith and courage .
Review: I read this book twenty years ago when I lived in Ecuador for a short time. I attended a wonderful non-denominational church in Quito and one evening after the service a woman next to me introduced herself to me and we had a wonderful chat after church. Her name was Rachael Saint and she was the sister of Nate Saint. Needless to say I was honored to meet this woman dedicated not only to Christ but also committed to continuing the spreading of Chrisitanity to the Amazon Indians. Within a few days I got my hands on Elizabeth Elliot's book and could not put it down until I was done. It is a compelling account of these five missionaries and their dedication to spreading the gospel to the Amazon Indians. For the last few years I have been trying to find the title of this book and going through old correspondance was elated to find a reference noted "Through the Gates of Splendor". I plan to not only read this again but share with my high school bible class I teach and to also read the book "Jungle Pilot". I strongly encourage everyone to read this book. I think all readers will appreciate not only the courage these young men possessed but their devotion to the Lord and those they chose to bring to Christianiy. It might interest readers of this book that I was told by many, at our church in Quito, that Rachael Saint was one of the few white women that the Amazon tribes would allow into the jungles in the 60's and 70's. I can only assume that she was as committed to spreading the Gospel as her exceptional brother.

Rating:
Summary: Superb! Books like this come along once in a generation.
Review: One of the most noble and challenging biographies you will ever read. The compelling account of a young missionary couple in the 1950's who commit their lives to ministering to the tribal people of Ecuador. What was meant to be a lifetime commitment ended in tragedy when Jim Elliot was killed by the people for whom he was laboring to translate the New Testament. His widow and biographer, incredible as it seems, remained in Ecuador for ten years to carry on his vision of ministry and compassion to the tribes who killed him. For forty years, Mrs. Elliot's life has been a testament to the enobling impact of God's love. She has written extensively, but this is the book for which she will be remembered by generations to come. The Elliots are heroes in the finest sense. Their lives inspire and challenge in a deep and lasting way. Read this book.

Rating:
Summary: For a love of lost souls, they gave their lives...
Review: The accounts of the martyrs on the beach are inspiring to say the least. They will challenge the most stalwart believer to ask, " Am I willing to give everything?"

Often we label books like these as being too graphic and descriptive for children, but I would like to suggest that allowing our young people to read of these accounts will do wonders for the church. Nate Saint, Jim Elliot their compatriots, and family are heroes to modern Christendom, and therefore should be offered to our children as such. Our children will lead the body of Christ in the years to come and they should be inspired by men and women of faith and courage. Give your child a "hero" that cared about nothing more than spreading the truth of Jesus Christ.

The Fate of the Yellow Woodbee may be a suitable introduction for your pre adolescent child. It is written by Dave and Neta Jackson and published by Bethany House. As always read these books to determine whether or not they are appropriate for your child.

"I seek not a long life but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus"- Jim Elliot

I originally reviewd this book January 3, 2001, as Andy. I cannot access the old review to remove it and wanted to add it to our current user name.

Rating:
Summary: "He is no fool..."
Review: The events in this book took place in the 1950's. A group of young men set out as missionaries to reach a previously un-reached savage tribe in South America. This books tells of the lives of the men and some of the events that lead up to their slaying. I did like the book "Shadow of The Almighty", (which is the life story of one of these men, Jim Elliot) better than this one, but only because it gave a more in depth look at what motivated a man to live up to what he said he believed. My favorite quote from that book sums up the whole of "Through Gates of Splendor" as well, and is as follows: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose". I also very strongly recommend the book "The Savage My Kinsman" (also by Elisabeth Elliot) which is a book that picks up where this one leaves off, of how Elisabeth went back to the same tribe of people who killed her husband to carry the message that her husband had set out to give. It's a must read!