- a young man works wholeheartedly (alongside fellow missionaries) to share the gospel with an unreached people group
- set in Ecuador in the mid-1900s
- describes struggles and setbacks he and his wife (by God’s grace) overcome
- convo: witch doctor mentioned, vaccines mentioned, deaths described, romance (kept appropriate)
Type: biographical chapter book
Ages: 8-15
Authors: Janet Benge, Geoff Benge
Despite this being an extremely well-documented part of missional history, plus considering my family lived in Ecuador for a few years and so have always had an interest in these stories, I still learned new little tidbits from the Benges’ book.
I particularly enjoyed the subliminal lessons in cross cultural etiquette and other careful thoughtfulness of cultural differences.
Ultimately, Jim Elliot’s death (along with the deaths of the other men with him) paved a way for the gospel to be shared in a more powerful way than otherwise. Though their lives were ended at an early age, the Lord used them for His eternal purpose for myriad people. Many from the tribe that killed them came to know Jesus as their Savior while countless others worldwide have had their lives transformed by the missionaries’ example of faithfulness.
This would make a great read-aloud for your family!