Through Gates of Splendor

As 1955 neared its end, the members of the mission team talked more frequently about making an attempt to land in Huaorani territory. The men’s wives were all aware of the dangers involved, and the possibly fatal costs for such an attempt were in the forefront of everyone’s mind: “Well, if that’s the way God wants it to be,” Jim Elliot said, “I’m ready to die for the salvation of the Aucas” (172). There were a few flyovers where they noted that some of the Huaorani were impassive or even frightened at their appearance, but on the whole the responses remained positive, including a return gift, which included several items of food, pottery, and a live parrot from the Huaorani. Encouraged by this, the men set a date for a landing: Tuesday, January 3, 1956.

Elisabeth Elliot takes this chapter to outline the motivations that drove the missionaries, which came down to a sense of obedience to God and a love for the Huaorani, such that they were willing to undertake great risks to reach them. Devoted to their faith in Christ and impelled by their sense of obedience to his calling, they felt no further inclination to turn back, regardless of the dangers they might be facing: “The point of decision had been reached.