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These Strange Ashes
Beloved missionary and author shares about her first year as a missionary in the Ecuadorian jungle as well as deeply personal reflections on the important questions of life and authentic Christian obedience to God.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
49 people are currently reading
3953 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Elliot
177 books2,274 followersFrom 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
April 28, 2007
Although Jim Elliot and the other missionaries' story of martyrdom by the Auca Indians for the cause of Christ is both historic and compelling, the thing that hit me hardest about this read was the epilogue. I happened to get the 10th anniversary edition, and Elliot had added a few extra pages that pierced through my faithlessness. See, although these amazing men died in an attempt to make contact with the Aucas and eventually share the gospel with them, the amazing conclusion to the story is that Elisabeth, still recently widowed and a young mother, returns to the tribe and many are saved as a result of her faithful witness and testimiony of forgiveness. Quite a neat little package for a sermon on God's soveriegnty, huh? Well, in the epilogue, Elliot addresses just this. She pulls out the "What if?" What if none of the natives were ever saved and there were no easy answers for the death of Jim and the other missionaries? Would God be any less good? Would He be any less in control the world? Should we proclaim His goodness any less boldly? This hit me pretty hard because it was something that I simply did not want to ponder. God has brought this message much closer to home since reading this book, but I'm thankful for Elliot's honesty and tranparency in facing tough questions.
January 12, 2019
Although this is only my second Elisabeth Elliot book, I'm fairly certain I couldn't dislike something she has written. I chose Made for the Journey (formerly published under These Strange Ashes) from the review program because, even though memoirs are rarely my thing, I wanted to learn more of Elisabeth Elliot's life story.
And I was not disappointed in the least. The author vulnerably opens up about the struggles and trials she faced during her first year in the jungles of western Ecuador. She speaks boldly of her hurt and confusion when all was falling apart and it seemed God was not blessing their efforts.
This book was an encouragement to me—definitely recommended. <3
Content Warning: Mentions of scantly dressed Indians, talk of three men sharing one woman, a childbirth scene, and a semi-detailed, jungle-version of an autopsy.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell publishing in exchange for my honest review.**
And I was not disappointed in the least. The author vulnerably opens up about the struggles and trials she faced during her first year in the jungles of western Ecuador. She speaks boldly of her hurt and confusion when all was falling apart and it seemed God was not blessing their efforts.
This book was an encouragement to me—definitely recommended. <3
Content Warning: Mentions of scantly dressed Indians, talk of three men sharing one woman, a childbirth scene, and a semi-detailed, jungle-version of an autopsy.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell publishing in exchange for my honest review.**
December 27, 2018
I’m not a huge memoir reader, and honestly, of late, I haven’t been a huge reader in general. When I saw this book up for review, I knew I needed to read it. I feel like everyone is familiar with Elisabeth Elliot, or more predominantly, the earth shattering story of her husband Jim Elliot and his ministry and death. But we have numerous of her books on our shelf and she was always a woman whom I look up to. As a missionary, a christian, and as a wife, mother, and widow. Her story has always inspired me in some way, and this book was no different.
It was super interesting to hear the story of her first missionary placement and honestly, I found her story encouraging. It was special to see a side of Mrs. Elliot that we never got to see before. The rawness, humane-ness and struggles of a new missionary. I look up to this woman so much, and to see her start fresh as a missionary with doubts, confusion, an attitude and insecurities, it was a wonderful thing.
I found myself walking away feeling encouraged. Not because she is a flawed human too, but because I don’t feel the need to be perfect. We see these saints and pray we will be like them. We feel we should be and strive and push to become the mostly saintly that we can. But when push comes to shove, we are human. To use another phrase, rome wasn’t built in a day. A saint with a heart fully yielded to the Lord did not happen over night. Elisabeth Elliot was not born the powerful and mighty woman of God that she was when she passed away at the age of 88. Her life was a journey. Her spiritual path was a rough trek at times, much like the roads she traversed in the Ecuadorian jungle. They were muddy, hard, exhausting, and a constant up and down.
But as the title indicates, we were made for the journey, not for the end result.
I hope you give this book a read. It will encourage your heart to be thankful and press on in the journey, because even though it’s hard, it isn’t always about the destination.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, and Interviews and Reviews, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
It was super interesting to hear the story of her first missionary placement and honestly, I found her story encouraging. It was special to see a side of Mrs. Elliot that we never got to see before. The rawness, humane-ness and struggles of a new missionary. I look up to this woman so much, and to see her start fresh as a missionary with doubts, confusion, an attitude and insecurities, it was a wonderful thing.
I found myself walking away feeling encouraged. Not because she is a flawed human too, but because I don’t feel the need to be perfect. We see these saints and pray we will be like them. We feel we should be and strive and push to become the mostly saintly that we can. But when push comes to shove, we are human. To use another phrase, rome wasn’t built in a day. A saint with a heart fully yielded to the Lord did not happen over night. Elisabeth Elliot was not born the powerful and mighty woman of God that she was when she passed away at the age of 88. Her life was a journey. Her spiritual path was a rough trek at times, much like the roads she traversed in the Ecuadorian jungle. They were muddy, hard, exhausting, and a constant up and down.
But as the title indicates, we were made for the journey, not for the end result.
I hope you give this book a read. It will encourage your heart to be thankful and press on in the journey, because even though it’s hard, it isn’t always about the destination.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, and Interviews and Reviews, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 27, 2022
I "accidentally" read this right when I needed it. I don't have time to write about why...suffice it to say the Lord pointed me to it with His always impeccable timing.
Didn't love the narrator.
Didn't love the narrator.
October 29, 2011
This is not a Joel Olsten feel good gospel this is a Cross centered Gospel. So it is often is. Faith, prayer and obedience are our requirements, however, we are not offered in exchange immunity and exemption from the world's woes. What we are offered has to do with another world altogether. To be a follower of the crucified means, sooner or later a personal ecounter with the cross. The cross always means loss. The essence of Christianity is sacrifice. I loved how Ms. Elliot always uses simplicty in her message and in her story. She is honest with the struggle of faith and the hardship of following Christ. This is account of her life is much like her novel I just read No Craven Image. She writes about the routine of ministry, her thoughts and what her focus is which is always the Gospel. The disappointments and discouragement along the way. How they ministered to the Indians by not changing them but by introducing Christ. I thought it was interesting how the catholic faith was at odds with her ministry and how they handled it. This account is really about faith and the simplicity of it. How we struggle with distraction and bring into focus the cross. The kind of faith that we can accept God's will and sovereignity in our lives.
February 3, 2020
4.5
While I’ve heard of Elisabeth Elliot and knew a bit of her story, I had not read anything written by her until picking up Made for the Journey: One Missionary’s First Year in the Jungles of Ecuador—and oh, I’m glad I read this one. Elliot details her early missionary experience, and she does not hesitate to show her struggles, doubts, flaws, confusion, etc. It is not easy to remain on a journey when nothing seems to go as anticipated, but through it all, she still gains a better picture of who God is and how He works.
I appreciate Elliot’s honesty (and touches of humor) in Made for the Journey. It helps to bring this iconic Christian woman to life in vivid detail, and I couldn’t help feeling encouraged by her words.
This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.
Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a complimentary copy of Made for the Journey and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
While I’ve heard of Elisabeth Elliot and knew a bit of her story, I had not read anything written by her until picking up Made for the Journey: One Missionary’s First Year in the Jungles of Ecuador—and oh, I’m glad I read this one. Elliot details her early missionary experience, and she does not hesitate to show her struggles, doubts, flaws, confusion, etc. It is not easy to remain on a journey when nothing seems to go as anticipated, but through it all, she still gains a better picture of who God is and how He works.
I appreciate Elliot’s honesty (and touches of humor) in Made for the Journey. It helps to bring this iconic Christian woman to life in vivid detail, and I couldn’t help feeling encouraged by her words.
This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.
Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a complimentary copy of Made for the Journey and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
January 22, 2019
Maybe actually five stars? I'm not sure. But I do really like this. I mean, the only word I can think of is... wow. Elizabeth's story, whenever I've heard pieces of it, never ceases to amaze me. This book is no exception. It's so interesting how differently God uses each person, the different paths he leads us on.
There's a lot to pull out of this little book and I do highly recommend it.
"And so it often is. Faith, prayer, and obedience are our requirements. We are not offered in exchange immunity and exemption from the world's woes. What we are offered has to do with another world altogether."
There's a lot to pull out of this little book and I do highly recommend it.
"And so it often is. Faith, prayer, and obedience are our requirements. We are not offered in exchange immunity and exemption from the world's woes. What we are offered has to do with another world altogether."
July 14, 2024
I soaked this up in audiobook format in only a couple days. This is Elizabeth's autobiography of her time with the Colorado people of Ecuador leading up to her engagement to Jim Elliot. I found her reflections so honest and resonated with many of the questions she explores: What role does home as a refuge play in missionary work? Is living in squalor a fitting type of obedience for Christians? Are we willing to offer our work for the Lord even if we cannot see fruit come from it immediately? Her story struck me as delightfully domestic and feminine, for a missionary biography. Most, especially women, can identify with the experiences she shares: working with odd colleagues, struggling with food safety, longing for a home, wrestling with the problem of evil, and feeling sidetracked from ministry by the mundane task of surviving in a new place.
Some favorite quotes:
"Some things are meant to be cherished and not sacrificed."
"Missionary work of all vocations required a sinewy faith."
"It is hard for a young person with high ideals to learn that people cannot be hustled into the kingdom of God. And it is well to remember Christ's own descriptions of that kingdom: leaven and seed. Things that work slowly and out of sight." (Ch. 20)
Some favorite quotes:
"Some things are meant to be cherished and not sacrificed."
"Missionary work of all vocations required a sinewy faith."
"It is hard for a young person with high ideals to learn that people cannot be hustled into the kingdom of God. And it is well to remember Christ's own descriptions of that kingdom: leaven and seed. Things that work slowly and out of sight." (Ch. 20)
October 24, 2024
This book is a refreshing read. Elisabeth comes off as a real imperfect follower of Christ and it is so nice to have a different perspective of her. The book shed some light on her first year as a missionary and it was a very comprehensive read. Overall the book encourages believers to live for Christ even when the fruits of our labor don’t seem to blossom.
January 4, 2022
Nice, easy, and informative audio. I pretty much enjoy anything on Elisabeth Elliot.
December 17, 2018
This book brings back so much nostalgia for me. I used to read missionary books all. the. time. when I was 9-10, and it pleasantly surprised me by how similar it was to those books! I really enjoyed reading about Elisabeth’s experiences with the Ecuadorians. She’s one of my role models, and it was SO amazing and encouraging to see what God did in her life and CAN do in others’ lives too. What a good memoir. ❤
I didn’t find it as interesting as a typical fiction book, obviously. It definitely dragged at times and was a little boring, but I guess that’s what I should’ve expected, with it being a nonfiction memoir. 4 stars.
*FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.*
I didn’t find it as interesting as a typical fiction book, obviously. It definitely dragged at times and was a little boring, but I guess that’s what I should’ve expected, with it being a nonfiction memoir. 4 stars.
*FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.*
January 7, 2011
I don't think this is the Elisabeth Elliot book to start with. If you are already familiar with some of her story, you appreciate this much more. This is the account of her days among the Colorado Indians before she married Jim Elliot and before the account in "Through Gates of Splendor."
I love how she captures the everyday things in the cultures she lives in. She presents an honest look at life, including some of her frustrations and disappointments. We did this as a family read-aloud and everyone loved it. I recommend it.
I love how she captures the everyday things in the cultures she lives in. She presents an honest look at life, including some of her frustrations and disappointments. We did this as a family read-aloud and everyone loved it. I recommend it.
May 28, 2023
Short, simple and honest book. I am thankful to read it on the field. It felt like hearing a peer share their thoughts. A wiser, more faithful peer. I will read this many more times.
December 14, 2018
In this book by beloved missionary Elisabeth Elliot we get to walk in her shoes as she first experiences Ecuador for the first time, and she makes you feel like we are there with her.
We soon see all we take for granted, from running water to a meal, and not getting dry to living with creepy crawlies. From having a church service to competing with another church, you would never think that would happen.
All the while I’m reading I could see God’s hand on her life, and sweet but hard time, but a real page turner for me.
I received this book through Revel Reads, and was not required to give a positive review.
We soon see all we take for granted, from running water to a meal, and not getting dry to living with creepy crawlies. From having a church service to competing with another church, you would never think that would happen.
All the while I’m reading I could see God’s hand on her life, and sweet but hard time, but a real page turner for me.
I received this book through Revel Reads, and was not required to give a positive review.
August 20, 2025
joshua and i listened to this on a long car ride and came home late at night to an incredibly inconvenient, time-consuming situation that we had to deal with, but as we were, we realized that listening to elizabeth’s journey and perspective during that first year of her missionary life made our burden feel lighter and spurred us on towards resilience and joy in the Lord, which is our strength.
we want to continue to keep the stories of brothers and sisters in Christ fresh on our hearts and minds to continue to be spurred on by them! truly moved by her faith, grit, and deep trust in the Lord.
we want to continue to keep the stories of brothers and sisters in Christ fresh on our hearts and minds to continue to be spurred on by them! truly moved by her faith, grit, and deep trust in the Lord.
June 17, 2025
“Christ is sufficient. We do not need “support groups” for each and every separate tribulation. The most widely divergent sorrows may all be taken to the foot of the same old rugged cross and find there cleansing, joy, and peace.”
This book came at the just the right time for me. What matters most at the end of a journey is not the work we have to show for it, or the happy experiences or connections- but that we are obedient to and rejoicing in Christ.
This book came at the just the right time for me. What matters most at the end of a journey is not the work we have to show for it, or the happy experiences or connections- but that we are obedient to and rejoicing in Christ.
February 22, 2023
Much to think about but I suspect that like the story of Job only God knows why things happen they way they do
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September 20, 2025"And so it often is. Faith, prayer, and obedience are our requirements. We are not offered in exchange immunity and exemption from the world's woes. What we are offered has to do with another world altogether."
January 15, 2019
Written with candid honesty, humour, and a gentle wisdom, "Made for the Journey" offers readers a compelling look at Elliot's first year of serving as a missionary. I knew of Elisabeth Elliot's many successes over the course of her life and of course the fate of her first husband, but I had never before encountered this glimpse of how her missionary journey began. I greatly appreciated her willingness to share her doubts and her struggles, and the painful lessons that God taught her as she sought to be obedient to where he was calling her. I found such encouragement in reading of her journey, because we can all wrestle at times with our calling in life, examining whether we are fulfilling our purpose or really making a difference for Jesus. "Made for the Journey" reminds me that God uses us perhaps because of our imperfections, that it is his power that is made perfect in our weakness and that success from God's perspective often looks so very different than we may expect. Elliot writes very well and in an engaging manner, and I am certain that despite the passage of time since this was written, it will appeal to people just as much as when the book was first released. I am so thankful that God gave her the humility to share of her past with such openness, for there is much to learn between the covers of this book!
Deeply convicting and inspirational, it is clear to me why Elizabeth Elliot's memoir has been republished for a new generation to discover. Her courage and her faith in following where God led her will long remain on my mind. I award this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Deeply convicting and inspirational, it is clear to me why Elizabeth Elliot's memoir has been republished for a new generation to discover. Her courage and her faith in following where God led her will long remain on my mind. I award this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
January 9, 2014
Simple and compelling, These Strange Ashes tells the story of Elisabeth Elliot's first year as a missionary. For many the life of a missionary is something mysterious, but as this book shows it is a life that is abnormal in some ways and yet surprisingly normal in others. Yet just like the normal Christian life it is filled with pain, loss, and unanswered questions that try one's faith. At least that's the way it was for Elisabeth Elliot. And once you let her begin to tell her tale, you won't want to put it down.
April 16, 2017
My 2 favorite thoughts in this book:
1. "It was my first experience in having to bow down before that which I cannot possibly explain. Usually we need not bow down. We can simply ignore the unexplainable because we have other things to occupy our minds... Faith's most severe tests come not when we see nothing, but when we see a stunning array of evidence that seems to prove our faith vain. If God were God, if He were omnipotent, if He cared, would this happen?"
2. "Each separate experience of individual stripping, we may learn a fragment of the suffering Christ bore when He took it all...He had bore our griefs and carried our sorrows.This grief, sorrow and total loss that empties my hands and breaks my heart, I may, if I will accept, and by accepting it, I find my hands then have something to offer.And so I give it all to Him, who in this mysterious exchange gives Himself to me." ❣️
1. "It was my first experience in having to bow down before that which I cannot possibly explain. Usually we need not bow down. We can simply ignore the unexplainable because we have other things to occupy our minds... Faith's most severe tests come not when we see nothing, but when we see a stunning array of evidence that seems to prove our faith vain. If God were God, if He were omnipotent, if He cared, would this happen?"
2. "Each separate experience of individual stripping, we may learn a fragment of the suffering Christ bore when He took it all...He had bore our griefs and carried our sorrows.This grief, sorrow and total loss that empties my hands and breaks my heart, I may, if I will accept, and by accepting it, I find my hands then have something to offer.And so I give it all to Him, who in this mysterious exchange gives Himself to me." ❣️
June 25, 2024
Story of Elisabeth Elliot’s first year on the mission field & how she wrestled with losses that hampered what she thought God had sent her to accomplish.
“To be a follower of the Crucified means, sooner or later, a personal encounter with the Cross. And the Cross always entails loss. The great symbol of Christianity means sacrifice and no one who calls himself a Christian can evade this stark fact.”
But, “to God nothing is finally lost… Loss and death are only the preludes to gain and life… Faith, prayer, obedience are our requirements. We are not offered in exchange immunity and exemption from the world’s woes. What we are offered has to do with another world altogether.”
“To be a follower of the Crucified means, sooner or later, a personal encounter with the Cross. And the Cross always entails loss. The great symbol of Christianity means sacrifice and no one who calls himself a Christian can evade this stark fact.”
But, “to God nothing is finally lost… Loss and death are only the preludes to gain and life… Faith, prayer, obedience are our requirements. We are not offered in exchange immunity and exemption from the world’s woes. What we are offered has to do with another world altogether.”
August 16, 2022
After reading Through the Gates of Splendor, I had to immediately pick up another book from Elisabeth Elliot. This portion of her story takes place before the death of her husband, chronicled in Through the Gates. I hadn't realized she spent time in Ecuador prior to marriage and so enjoyed her raw, vulnerable look at the life of a missionary translator. She didn't shy away from tackling doubt and the selfish desires that motivated her more than her calling. I love her writing style and the way she portrays genuine faith. I will for sure be working my way through all of her work
July 30, 2024
I enjoyed her descriptive but wished that she had drawn out and unraveled some of her mental journeys, as her recounting of formative events was pretty brief. That being said, this novel is a comment on a key thought in her body of work that I only recently discovered (somehow—): the idea that God gives and takes and our acceptance of His giving and taking cannot rely on our power to explain or justify His actions, to “see the good” or guess at a visible result, but rather must rest in our belief that He is lavishly good, even when our circumstances do not seem to evidence this, even (as Elliot points out), when our circumstances seem to evidence the contrary.
January 9, 2024
A quick read but packed with incredible stories. This would be a great book to gift a first time missionary or someone who is being stretched outside of their comfort zone. I wish I had read this before going to Hungary my first time.
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June 12, 2024“It was a long time before I came to the realization that it is in our acceptance of what is given that God gives Himself.”
November 18, 2021
Helpful to see Elizabeth Elliot is a human who had expectations unmet with ministry and God
March 18, 2025
This one was pretty good, as expected, but it was really hard to pick it back up so yeah, not my fav. I definitely enjoyed it when I was reading it though!
August 16, 2015
This is an inspiring book, is is full of so many nuggets of wisdom, as well as an intriguing tale of a year of Elisabeth Elliots life, while she was single and working to form a written language of the Colorado Indians in the Ecuadorian Jungle. I kept a little notebook beside me as I read so I could write down thoughts and quotes.
I found it amazing that Elizabeth had problems so similar to myself, even though she was living in such different circumstances. She writes of how hard it is to know how to spend an individual hour, when there are so many things you could do but none that have to be done. What brings the most glory to God? Elizabeth decides that sometimes we are given gifts, things that we are to cherish and not sacrifice. We are to be joyful.
"We long for visible evidence of our effectiveness, and when it is not forthcoming, we are tempted to conclude that our efforts never had anything to do with the kingdom." Yet she goes on anyway, taking advantage of every opportunity. So should we.
I highly recommend this book, it is probably suited for older readers 16+, I think they would get the most from it, feel the most connection with Elizabeth, especially single young ladies. But younger people could read it to. There is a little gore... a few people die and one person has to have their head cut open to remove a bullet. Also if you do read this book you may want to know that a 'plantain' is a banana shaped fruit/vegetable/herb that is used like a potato, and not a weed that is generally not eaten.... which is what I know a plantain as.
I found it amazing that Elizabeth had problems so similar to myself, even though she was living in such different circumstances. She writes of how hard it is to know how to spend an individual hour, when there are so many things you could do but none that have to be done. What brings the most glory to God? Elizabeth decides that sometimes we are given gifts, things that we are to cherish and not sacrifice. We are to be joyful.
"We long for visible evidence of our effectiveness, and when it is not forthcoming, we are tempted to conclude that our efforts never had anything to do with the kingdom." Yet she goes on anyway, taking advantage of every opportunity. So should we.
I highly recommend this book, it is probably suited for older readers 16+, I think they would get the most from it, feel the most connection with Elizabeth, especially single young ladies. But younger people could read it to. There is a little gore... a few people die and one person has to have their head cut open to remove a bullet. Also if you do read this book you may want to know that a 'plantain' is a banana shaped fruit/vegetable/herb that is used like a potato, and not a weed that is generally not eaten.... which is what I know a plantain as.
January 1, 2019
First sentence: It is unsettling to me now to know that people who are making a tour of South America can take a short, easy side trip and see the Colorados.
This one was originally published as THESE STRANGE ASHES.
Made For the Journey is a memoir written by Elisabeth Elliot. In the book she recounts her first year as a missionary. This was before her marriage to Jim Elliot. Elisabeth worked with several other single women--some trained to be doctors/nurses--in a small jungle in Ecuador. Elisabeth's mission was to learn the language of the Colorados and translate the New Testament.
In the jungle, you might say, Elisabeth Elliot learned to wait. Things certainly weren't working according to her own time table.
In the book she shares the many lessons she learned--often the hard way--in the jungle during her first year.
The book brought to mind one section of Scripture.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10,11
I wish I'd read this book before reading her fiction novel, No Graven Image. If you do read Made for the Journey, it would be worth your time to seek out the other as well. The books complement one another well.
This one was originally published as THESE STRANGE ASHES.
Made For the Journey is a memoir written by Elisabeth Elliot. In the book she recounts her first year as a missionary. This was before her marriage to Jim Elliot. Elisabeth worked with several other single women--some trained to be doctors/nurses--in a small jungle in Ecuador. Elisabeth's mission was to learn the language of the Colorados and translate the New Testament.
In the jungle, you might say, Elisabeth Elliot learned to wait. Things certainly weren't working according to her own time table.
In the book she shares the many lessons she learned--often the hard way--in the jungle during her first year.
The book brought to mind one section of Scripture.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10,11
I wish I'd read this book before reading her fiction novel, No Graven Image. If you do read Made for the Journey, it would be worth your time to seek out the other as well. The books complement one another well.
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