By Ken Smylie
GAINESVILLE, Florida--I participated in a missionary outreach effort to benefit the Huaorani Indians of Ecuador. The goal was to transport a light aircraft kit from Florida to the jungle's edge in Ecuador and there assemble it.
Five were in our party: Steve Saint, missionary and son of Nate Saint who was killed with four other missionaries in 1956 by the Auca Indians (now known as Huaorani); Tim Paulson, businessman and aircraft assembler; Mike Warren, WCG freelance journalist; Les Mieure, WCG businessman; and myself.
The Huaorani asked Steve Saint to purchase with their funds a light aircraft that could be used as an air ambulance between isolated villages. They wanted one of their own to be taught to maintain and fly the plane. Tementa, an evangelical pastor of a village church, volunteered to learn to fly.
We flew from Orlando, Florida, to Quito, Ecuador, and then rented a bus to carry ourselves and the airplane parts to Shell Mera on the jungle's edge. We lodged in a missionary compound guest house and worked on the plane under an open-air hangar next to the airstrip.
God's hand and blessing was evident at many points along the way. One example was the airline allowing us to check the airplane boxes as personal luggage and having them all arrive safely.
The next hurdle was Ecuadorian customs, yet when Steve told them about the project to help the Indians they smiled broadly and waved us through.
We had nine pieces of personal luggage and 12 irregular sized boxes and duffel bags of airplane parts to keep track of and transport. We were blessed to find vehicles to move us from the airport to our lodging, then to the bus terminal, then to Shell Mera. All arrived safely and in good order.
Assembling the craft took about 10 days, with several in the community stopping by to look or help. The project seemed to draw people from diverse backgrounds together in a common endeavor.
Three languages (Spanish, English and Huaorani) and three cultures (Ecuadorian, American and Huaorani) worked together in harmony. We enjoyed a spirit of cooperation and a sense of working on something bigger than ourselves. God's fingerprints were clearly seen upon the project.
Steve flew me 60 miles into the jungle to a village of 30 evangelical Christian Huaorani. He showed me their church: a palm-leaf hut, open at both ends, with seats cut with a chain saw. I was moved to think that even in this remote place God had a people who devoutly worshiped him.
The trip was rewarding in that I was able to serve with Christians of other fellowships on a common missions project. I learned it is best to look on the areas of common ground with other Christians rather than nitpick the differences. We all love and serve Jesus in places and ways that he directs.
Participating in a missionary journey helped me understand the joy of outreach and the value of helping not only those near but those far away as well. I have come to admire those who are called to leave home and live in a far-off mission field serving some of the hidden people of the world.
The Book of Revelation pictures a time when all nations, peoples and tribes will stand together and sing praises to their Maker. Some of the Huaorani will be there thanking God for those who came to share with them the Good News of Jesus.
If you would like to know more about missions and the Huaorani see these Internet websites:
http://members.aol.com/mikew10071/wcg
http://members.aol.com/itecusa
In an attempt to be self-supportive, the Huaorani have authorized Steve Saint to run 10-day Adventure Tours into their villages in the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle. They cost about $1,500 from Miami, Florida.
For any who would like to form a WCG group to take an Introduction to Missions Adventure Tour call me at 1-352-374-6585 or send an e-mail to ken_smylie@wcg.org
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Jan. 27, 1998, WN, page one