The Savage My Kinsman

by Elisabeth Elliot

In January of 1956, the world recoiled in shock with the news. Five American missionaries had been speared to death in the Ecuadorian jungles by Auca Indians-reportedly the most savage tribe on earth. Years later, it became clear that what had seemed to be the tragic ending of those missionaries' dreams was only the first chapter of one of the most breathtaking missionary stories of the twentieth century. "The Savage, My Kinsman" tells the story, in text and pictures, of Elisabeth Elliot's venture into Auca territory three years after the death of her husbnad, Jim Elliot. Elisabeth and her daughter Valerie, then three years old, returned to the jungle along with Rachel Saint, the sister of one of the other slain men. The linguistic work of these women brought Christ's message of slavation to the tribe that thad killed their loved ones.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christian Non Fiction, Biography Memoir, Christianity

152 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1960

About the author

From the Author's Web Site: My parents were missionaries in Belgium where I was born. When I was a few months old, we came to the U.S. and lived in Germantown, not far from Philadelphia, where my father became an editor of the Sunday School Times. Some of my contemporaries may remember the publication which was used by hundreds of churches for their weekly unified Sunday School teaching materials.

Our family continued to live in Philadelphia and then in New Jersey until I left home to attend Wheaton College. By that time, the family had increased to four brothers and one sister. My studies in classical Greek would one day enable me to work in the area of unwritten languages to develop a form of writing.

A year after I went to Ecuador, Jim Elliot, whom I had met at Wheaton, also entered tribal areas with the Quichua Indians. In nineteen fifty three we were married in the city of Quito and continued our work together. Jim had always hoped to have the opportunity to enter the territory of an unreached tribe. The Aucas were in that category -- a fierce group whom no one had succeeded in meeting without being killed. After the discovery of their whereabouts, Jim and four other missionaries entered Auca territory. After a friendly contact with three of the tribe, they were speared to death.

Our daughter Valerie was 10 months old when Jim was killed. I continued working with the Quichua Indians when, through a remarkable providence, I met two Auca women who lived with me for one year. They were the key to my going in to live with the tribe that had killed the five missionaries. I remained there for two years.

After having worked for two years with the Aucas, I returned to the Quichua work and remained there until 1963 when Valerie and I returned to the U.S.

Since then, my life has been one of writing and speaking. It also included, in 1969, a marriage to Addison Leitch, professor of theology at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Massachusetts. He died in 1973. After his death I had two lodgers in my home. One of them married my daughter, the other one, Lars Gren, married me. Since then we have worked together.

Reviews

[Heidi Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read that I will indeed make all my children eventually read as well. The drive Elisabeth had to share the Gospel and the way she was motivated even further by her husband’s death, was truly inspirational.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elisabeth Elliot is one of my heroes in the faith. This book is tied for being my favorite of all of the books she has written. To take her two year old daughter and go and live among the stone age people who had just speared her husband and four other young men to death required great faith in God. To live among people who wore no clothes, who had no walls or doors to their houses is something I can not imagine doing. To work in putting the linguist sounds of the Waorani into a written language was a tremendous effort.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best part of this was Elisabeth Elliot’s personal thoughts about missionary work and what it means to serve. Beautiful in its simplicity. Kind of shocked this isn’t as well known as Through Gates of Splendor.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title might be off-putting to a 2022 reader, but the content is very worthwhile. I enjoyed the photographs and the honest journal-type explanations of Eliot’s mission activities after the death of her husband.

[Rebekah Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. The sequel of “Through Gates of Splendor,” the big question being how does Elisabeth go on? How does she continue in her work as a missionary? She invites you in and demonstrates.

Though this isn’t an open journal about her moving forward after Jim’s death, she is honest as she retells the events that followed and how she was able to live with the Aucas. She provides incredible depth and wisdom that truly only come from such deep pain. My heart goes out to her for what happened yet finds comfort in the Lord as she writes. In getting to know her better through this book, I really got to know God better.

I was expecting more of a “hurrah!” finish of stories of redemption and baptisms at the end, but as she writes in the epilogue, the book is about the first year she lived with them. Those things didn’t happen until later. So it makes sense, but I was slightly disappointed. I’ll just continue the story and seek out other accounts of later years. It really is an interesting study on the Aucas and how they are just like us.

Highly worth the read.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another EE book that leaves me in joyful tears. I wish so badly I could have known her on this side of Heaven. She just speaks straight to my heart. I loved her humility in this book - never making herself seem like the Savior, but instead, someone who is just trying to do what God is leading her to. I love and respect her so much! I loved the Christina Rossetti poem included in the Epilogue:

“I have no wit, no word, no tears;
My heart within me like a stone
Is numbed too much for hopes or fears;
Look right, look left, I dwell alone;
I lift mine eyes, but dimmed with grief
No everlasting Hills I see;
My life is in the falling leaf;
O Jesus, quicken me.

My life is like a faded leaf,
my heart harvest dwindled to a husk;
truly my life is void and brief
and tedious in the barren dusk;
my life is like a frozen thing,
no bud nor greenness can I see:
yet rise it shall - the sap of spring;
O Jesus, rise in me.


My life is like a broken bowl,
a broken bowl that cannot hold
one drop of water for my soul
or cordial in the searching cold;
cast in the fire the perished thing,
melt and re-mold it, till it be
a royal cup for him my king:
O Jesus, drink of me.”

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of the story of Elisabeth Elliot. In this book, we get more information on how she and Valerie ended up living with the Aucas for two years.

Something I never knew if we would know was why on earth the five men were killed in the first place. I can't imagine how Elisabeth felt to know it was because one of the three told a lie. Over and over again, I am amazed at the grace and mercy and peace God strengthened her with.

[Keren R. Mccullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

“And for the work among the Wodani tribe I told the Lord. “I’m available. If you would send me?”

This book is precious. Beautiful simple and confusion thoughts about the life among a missionaries people. Although not a missionary, a witness, a person, a simple woman. With a deep love for all of Gods people.

This book is such an encouraging read. And opens your mind to all aspects of being a “missionary”

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opened up my eyes to what healthy foreign mission work looks like. Also, highlighted the importance of trusting and obeying God.

[Deborah Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a great insight into the people and their customs of those who killed the five missionaries in Ecuador in 1956. It is amazing how these "savages" accepted Elisabeth Elliot and her young daughter living with them. The photos in the book made it real.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fifty five years ago the world was shocked by the news that Auca Indians martyred Jim Elliot and four other American missionaries in the jungles of Ecuador.

That was the first chapter of one of the most breathtaking stories of the twentieth century.
The Savage My Kinsman tells the story in text and pictures of Elisabeth Elliot's venture into Auca territory to live with the same Indians who killed her husband. With her three-year-old daughter and the sister of one of the murdered missionaries, Elisabeth Elliot courageously evangelized the Aucas, introducing her husband's slayers to Christ.

As all of Elisabeth's books that I've read, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd highly recommend it as an introduction to her libary of books because it's an easy read and also familiarizes you with the story of what happened that fateful day of January 8th, 1956.

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading bioagerphys on Nate Saint, Rachel Saint and Jim Elliot hearing a first hand account of what the Aucas where like was amazing.

In this book Elizabeth Elliot gives a in depth account about living with the Auca Indians, Including what there language was like. The book has over twenty black and white photos of the Aucas, Rachel Saint, Elizabeth and her daughter. They did a good job of rely making the people come alive.

My favorite part of the book is when she talked about the language, she said the Aucas had no comprehension of any other language. They couldn't understand why she didn't understand them.

All in all, this was an amazing book. It rely made me thankful for the country I live in.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Elliott's story is truly amazing and inspiring! I loved being able to see what she saw through her pictures as she told her story. However, most of the book is about how the Aucas came to accept her, and her life as she lived among them, learning their language so they could one day hear and understand the gospel. After 2 years living among them, she left. Her second epilogue tells how many years later, the Auca people finally heard the gospel. It seems like a disconnect because it's not clear how that happened after she left. Who continued missionary work there? Who was finally able to share the gospel with them? I would've loved to hear more about that in the second epilogue, which would have provided a bit more closure!

[Leslie Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been much moved by the whole Jim Elliot story and loved this firsthand look at the Auca tribe right after the 5 missionaries were killed on the beach in Ecuador in 1956. This book contains many photographs that Elisabeth took during her 2 year stay with the tribe as well as moving insights into her decision to go into the jungle with a 3 year old and live with the people who had murdered her husband. Her obedience to Christ and her profound trust in his providence is seen on every page of this little book!

The copy I have also has an epilogue that she wrote after going back to visit the tribe in the 1990s.

Very interesting and very moving as well.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elisabeth Elliot is an incredible writer with an even more incredible true story to tell. I've been absolutely fascinated and inspired by the story of the missionaries in Ecuador who gave their lives for the gospel for a while now. So much so that I'd gladly be willing to sit through sub-par writing to learn anything more about their story. But luckily I really don't have to. Elliot regularly offers tidbits of profound, poetic wisdom that will be preserved on your refrigerator for years and your heart for the rest of your life.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great true account. High schoolers would really enjoy as well! Who goes back into a hostile area to share the gospel, even after those very same people killed your husband? Speaks to her faith in God

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elisabeth, her daughter, and a sister of five slain missionaries return three years later to the people who killed Elizabeth's husband. Story of amazing courage, forgiveness and God's providential guidance.

[Camiwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a fan of Elisabeth Elliot, I was shocked to realize I had not previously read this book! This is a picture-filled book of the time she spent with the Indians after her husband was killed. She had little Valerie with her for two years as she worked on learning the language. Truly amazing!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. The story of the Elliots, and Elisabeth's return to the tribe that killed her husband, is absolutely astounding. It's a story of forgiveness & love that is convicting and challenging.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book I could read over and over. I love EE

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book. I think that the old pictures in the book make the stories she tells come alive. Rich with Spiritual truths and perspectives.

[Cindy]

Inspiring! Amazing story of what God did in the life of Elisabeth Elliot after her husband, Jim, was killed. She went to live with the tribe that killed him, the Auca Indians.

[Maria Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this when it first came out and it made a lasting impression on me because of Elisabeth's strong faith and courage. God's powerful love was very evident.

[Kw · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of her two years among the Auca Indians in Ecuador. If you read this, don't miss the Epilogue. Just wonderful.

[Peyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book!

[Britynn D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives approachable insight into Elisabeth as an individual. So much of her story can seem overshadowed by the gigantic personality of her husband, Jim. It really speaks to her humility and love for him, that she always casts him in such a (deservingly!) heroic light. But this book gives so much more perspective into what the year (after he was murdered) was actually like. Her courage and bravery-going back into the Aucca tribe that killed her husband, is brought to light. Her trademark humility and down to earth perspective is insightful and encouraging. The challenges, doubt, and fear reveal more of what her experience was really like.

I love this line from the last chapter of the book, “ this, helped me to understand a little better, the position of a missionary. My reason for being a missionary, it was one of the few things I had never doubted…. There remained the message which I had to communicate. In a sense, all that we did while living with the Aucas was an attempt at communication. Many times this seemed a naïve hope. Many times I despaired of ever really knowing them, the secrets of their hearts. Then I realized that I did not know my own heart. In this we were one. The Aucas are men. Human beings made in the image of God. MacDonald said, “No matter how his image may have been defaced in me, the thing defaced is his image— an image yet, that can hear his word. We have a common source, common needs, common hopes, a common end. Carl Sandburg observes that we are all “alike in all countries and tribes in trying to read what sky, land, and sea say to us……Alike in the need of love, food, clothing, work, speech, sleep, fun—needs so alike….The lucid recognition of the Auca as my Kingsman was at the same time a new acknowledgment of Jesus Christ, of our common need of Him.”

“one of the signs of health was an increasing interest on their part in Indians who had no opportunities to hear of Jesus Christ. The death of the missionaries had awakened some of them to the seriousness of life, and they were praying more earnestly that God would send his word to others.”

“Unable to communicate, I was forced to reflect.”

(From an interview by Cornell Capa) “I wondered how Betty could reconcile Jim’s death at the hands of the Aucas and the Lords apparent failure to protect him from them. Her answer came back without hesitation: “I prayed for the protection of Jim, that is, physical protection. The answer the Lord gave transcended what I had in mind. He gave protection from disobedience, and through Jim’s death accomplished results, the magnitude of which only eternity can show. It gives me a much more personal desire to reach them. (the Aucas) The fact that Jesus Christ died for all, makes me interested in the salvation of all, but the fact that Jim loved and died for the Aucas intensifies my love for them.” (Pg. 13-14)

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of absolute courage and determination to go where God called her. Go and risk her life (and the life of her young daughter) among her husband's murderers. Wow.
One of the most profound parts was in the Prologue of the story when she is talking about the difficulties, and the seemingly negative results of their efforts to bring Christ to the Aucas. After describing the "inauspicious beginning" of the life of Christ, she says, "A baby was born--a Savior and King--but hundreds of babies were murdered because of Him. His public ministry, surely no tour of triumph, no thundering success story, led not to stardom but to crucifixion. Multitudes followed Him, but most of them wanted what they could get out of Him and in the end all His disciples fled. Yet out of this seeming weakness and failure, out of His very humbling to death, what exaltation and what glory. For the will of God is not a quantitative thing, static and measurable. The Sovereign God moves in mysterious relation to the freedom of man's will. We can demand no instant reversals. Things must be worked out according to a divine design and timetable. Sometimes the light rises excruciatingly slowly. The Kingdom of God is like leaven and seed, things which work silently, secretly, slowly, but here is in them an incalculable transforming power." So profound.

[Cailyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Jesus said, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it abideth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” [John 12:24]. Who of the five men (each a “corn of wheat”) could ever have imagined the long-term effects of their simple act of obedience? They faithfully followed the Master. They paid the ultimate price. Those around the world who have been transformed by their testimony cannot be counted.”

The redemptive arc of “Operation Auca” is a truly astounding story. I was surprised by the contents of Elliot’s “The Savage My Kinsman,” for she was very raw in her recounting of her life with the Auca (Waorani) people. Her testimony of the frustrations and gritty detail of living with the remote tribe were so explicit and eye-opening. I was anticipating more of a white-savior-esque account of the conversion of the Auca people, but Elliot was very candid about the limitations of her mission there and the difficulties to deliver the Gospel. She was authentic in her recognition of the Auca people being just like her: made in the image of God, incapable of making ourselves whole, and in desperate need of a loving savior.

Forever am inspired by the work of the 5 men and their wives. What an incredible demonstration of Christ at work in our hearts.

[Emilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bardzo ciekawa książka. Pokazuje przede wszystkim realia pracy misyjnej wśród plemion, w tym przypadku plemienia Auca w XX wieku, lata 50/60.

Nie jest to łatwa rzecz. Elizabeth nie owija w bawełnę. Jej misja skupiała się na poznaniu Auca, zrozumieniu ich, nauczeniu się żyć wśród nich oraz ich języka.
Choć głównym celem było przekazanie ludziom Auca Ewangelii, to jednak nie jest to takie proste, gdy się nie zna ich języka, i po prostu Ich.

Elizabeth pokazuje że to są ludzie, po prostu; którzy mają swoje zwyczaje, inne od zwyczajów ludzi "cywilizowanych", ale to nie czyni ich "gorszymi", czy "mniej znaczącymi", bądź "bezwartościowymi", czy "dzikusami".

Ciekawe refleksje.
Obecnie istnieje pojęcie takie jak "kraje trzeciego świata", które dotyczy państw "mniej cywilizowanych", ALE warto by się zastanowić czy "cywilizacja" to jest dobra rzecz. I oczywiście są "za" i "przeciw". Dla kogoś kto się urodził i wychował w kraju "cywilizowanym" życie tych ludzi, którzy (nazwijmy to) żyją bliżej natury, może wydawać się "zacofaniem" lub "ciemnotą". Jednak z drugiej strony, czy życie w ciągłym biegu, pod presją, z telefonem "przyklejonym do ręki", konsumpcjonizmem itd., aby na pewno jest dobre. No tak to są minusy, ale plusy też są.
To może jednak kompromis?

Człowiek ma coś w sobie że lgnie do wygody, i łatwo zmienia zwyczaje, bądź nawyki na rzecz czegoś co "ułatwia" życie. Np. kiedyś kobiety prały ręcznie teraz za sprawą "cywilizacji" mamy pralkę. O co mi chodzi? Trzy ostatnie strony książki Elizabeth poświęciła na napisanie o tym jak sytuacja wśród plemienia wyglądała w 1996 roku i cóż jak widać do plemienia Auca "wkradło się trochę cywilizacji".

Pytanie więc brzmi: "Czy cywilizacja wywołuje więcej szkód czy może ulepszenia, poprawy?" (Napisz rozprawkę na 300 słów - żartuje 😁)

[Todd Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up book to “Through Gates of Splendor” by the same author. I was honestly challenged as to my true commitment to humanity as I read this book. Mrs Elliot’s husband, Jim, was speared by the Aucas as he tried to reach them with the Gospel. Three years later, she and her daughter, Valerie, are living in the very tribe that murdered Jim. Talk about faith!!!

This book is challenging and every believer in Jesus ought to read it. I do wish it had spent a notch more time explaining when and why they left the Aucas. Nonetheless, it was a greatly challenging book - and by far one of the grandest stories of true forgiveness ever to be written - and every bit more amazing since it’s true.