It just may be that you are wondering what happened to the Auca Indians after the spearing on Sunday, January 8, 1956. The five missionaries, Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Roger Youderian, were speared to death that fate filled day. A day that many will remember and will be and are inspired into service for our Lord, no matter what the cost. Because, truly, what we have and what we are belongs to our Lord.

There is one word that I will be writing differently. It is the name of the Auca Indians. The Auca Indians is the name used by people outside of that people group. Waodani is the name by which these peoples call themselves. Waodani means “the people”. Hence, that is why we will be going on a “WAO”dani Vision Trip.

Now, back to the story of the Waodani and what happened after the deaths of the five missionary men. It is a glorious story. It is a glorious story of salvation and our Lord’s redeeming grace. It is a story that only our Lord could write in His most infinite wisdom.

Nate Saint’s sister, Rachel Saint, had been working with a Waodani girl and learning the Waodani language. Her name was Dayuma and she had run out of the jungle many years earlier to a Quechua settlement. It is there where Rachel Saint met her and began creating a written language for the Waodani. Prior to Nate being killed, Rachel had told her brother that she was sure that God would use Dayuma as the person to bring her to the Waodani. And, Rachel was sure that she would be the first person from the outside to go to the Waodani village and live with them.

On the Friday before the five missionaries were killed, Nate Saint had taken pictures of the visit with the three Waodani on “Palm Beach”. These pictures would prove to be very useful to Nate’s sister Rachel. Rachel showed those pictures of the Waodani to Dayuma and she actually recognized them as her family members. As Dayuma observed the pictures, she continued to apologize for the killings. However, Rachel ensured her that God was in control, and that one day God would cause good to come from the deaths of the five missionaries. Rachel continued to work with Dayuma and to also show her the ways of our Lord. Dayuma was given the gift of belief from our Lord and she was ready to share her faith with her family members.

On September 2, 1958, Dayuma and two other Waodani walked into the jungle. They were going to find their family to tell them of God’s Carving (the Holy Bible). Dayuma had promised to return on the next full moon, so, on September 25, 1958, Dayuma, her companions and many other Waodani came forth from the jungle. They came to invite Rachel to come back and live with them in their village. On October 6,1958, Rachel Saint, Betty Elizabeth Elliott, Dayuma, and fifteen others set out for Waodani Territory.

After approximately 16 months, other Waodani gave their hearts to our Lord. Since then, many, many of the Waodani people have come to know our Lord, Jesus, as their Savior. This includes the same men who once speared others for revenge killing. And, this includes the men who speared the five missionaries to death – the five men who came to tell them of God’s love. Now, these people have God’s Carvings and are walking God’s Trail.

Rachel Saint continued to live with the Waodani for the next 20 years. Through out all of those years, Rachel continued to work with the Waodani and show them God’s love. And, at the age of 65, Rachel needed to leave the Waodani territory for health reasons. She then began to work tirelessly to translate the New Testament into Waodani tongue. In 1992, Rachel was able to hand to the Waodani a complete New Testament. Rachel stayed with her adopted family, the Waodani, until she died in the year 1994. Rachel Saint was their Nemo. She was their “Star”.

Only our Lord could write such a wonderful story. He is the only One who could orchestrate such mercy and grace. He is our Lord and He reigns throughout all eternity.

Works Cited : Benge, Janet & Geoff, Rachel Saint: A Star in the Jungle. Seattle: YWAM Publishing, 2005. Print.