Ecuador | Shell

From Quito, it was about a 5-6 hour drive through the mountains to Shell.

Shell was first established by the Shell Oil Company and later became the ministry base for Mission Aviation Fellowship. Even today, the sight and sound of planes overhead flying to and from the jungle is common.

We really enjoyed Shell; it was a highlight of our time in South America. Uncle Ian was on a medical caravan in the jungle, but we enjoyed spending time with Aunt Lindy, hearing about and seeing their ministry, looking through old photos, drinking fresh juice with every meal, and walking to the markets, around town, and across the swinging bridges.

I loved waking up to the birds outside the window.

Another highlight was visiting the Nate Saint house, the base for the five missionaries trying to reach the hostile Auca tribe in the 1950s (now known as the Wuaroni tribe). In the attempt, all five men, Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, and Roger Youderian were speared to death. At the time, the story made world-wide news and was an awakening for world missions and unreached people groups. To make a long story short, a few of the wives and their children went into the jungle to live with the tribe, and the entire tribe ended up coming to faith in Jesus. 

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

-Jim Elliot

I remember first hearing about these missionaries in class (one of them is an alum) and seeing the movie End of the Spear during my freshman year of college. Seeing this place, the pictures, and reading the stories were such a reminder and encouragement to drive our passion for world missions. If you have not read the story, I would highly encourage reading Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot or watching Beyond the Gates of Splendor or End of the Spear.

"We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God." 

-John Stott

Our time together was so memorable, and before we knew it, it was time to leave for Quito. After an interesting ride back with the driver, it was time to get some sleep at the hostel before our next flight(s).