Through Gates of Splendor

Tears rolled down my cheek as I closed the book. I left it sitting there on my lap as I wondered. "How did she do that? Was she not sad about what happened to her husband?" I had just finished reading 'Through Gates of Splendor' by Elisabeth Eliott. This is probably one of the most thought provoking and challenging books I have ever read. For those of you who have never read the story or even heard of Jim and Elisabeth Eliott, their story is truly remarkable. Shortly after getting married, Jim and Elisabeth felt called to serve on the mission field. After many months of contact with the Acua Indians (translated exactly: Naked Savages), Jim and 4 other men flew over and met with some of the people. The Acua attacked. All 5 men had guns. All 5 men chose not to use them. All 5 men fell. Word soon spread and the families were contacted. The bodies were found. For Elisabeth, who had just lost her husband, she was now faced with the challenge of raising a child on her own. To share Christ with these savages. Elisabeth felt the call to stay. To continue to live among the people and minister to them. After I finished the book, I sat thinking to myself. "I probably would have left! I would NOT want to stay and live with the people who killed my husband!" But then I also remembered that God had a divine purpose for Elisabeth staying. She knew she was needed and that her husbands' death was no accident.
This is one of the most important books I have ever read. I am truly thankful my mom gave it to me to read. I enjoyed it even through the tears.