"End of the Spear" recounts the journey of five Christian missionaries who ventured into the Ecuadorian jungle in the 1950s to bring the Gospel to the isolated Huaorani tribe. Their mission initially ended in tragedy, yet their sacrifice led to an extraordinary story of forgiveness, redemption, and transformation. This account is further explored in the documentary Beyond the Gates of Splendor and Elisabeth Elliot’s book, Through Gates of Splendor.
My First Mission Trip: A Battle for Souls
This was my first mission trip, and I entered it with a mix of expectation and uncertainty. I thought it would be a week of structured evangelism—Christian marketing, so to speak. Instead, it became something far greater: a spiritual battleground where we fought for souls.
Our mission was clear: to lead people to salvation.
One defining moment was preaching at Iglesia Cristiana Bautista. Despite feeling unprepared, I stepped forward in faith. Trusting God became a lesson I would carry beyond this trip—one He had been teaching me since October 17, 2021.
"God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." (1 John 4:16)
Another powerful moment came during street evangelism in Shell. We walked from home to home, praying with families, inviting them to church. I wore a sign on my back that read "Jesús Salva" (Jesus Saves) as I walked alongside Pastor Melvin, planting seeds of faith in every conversation. But as the days passed, I felt a deeper longing—I wanted more.
I prayed for greater opportunities to serve, even though evangelizing in the jungle felt daunting. God answered in ways I never expected.
The Abyss: Light in the Darkness
In the jungle, we approached a small shack—more of a frame than a home, its walls incomplete. Inside, smoke curled from a fire where an elderly woman tended embers. Near her, Martina, a young mother, cradled an infant while her three children huddled nearby. Her eyes held not just exhaustion, but a weariness with life itself.
She had never heard the Gospel before.
We shared the message of Jesus with her, and she accepted Christ on the spot. As we prayed for her salvation, a new light filled that dim shack.
Then, Martina asked for prayer for her brother, Henry, who battled suicidal thoughts. I shared my own struggles, and as I spoke, something in her changed. Recognition. Hope. A sense that she was not alone. We prayed for Henry, for her family, and for peace.
As we left, Beth and Sherrie played with Martina’s children, filling the home with laughter. A space that once felt suffocating with despair now carried a sense of joy.
Yet later, doubts crept in. Did I do enough? Did she fully understand salvation? I wrestled with feelings of inadequacy until Bryan, our translator, reminded me:
"It’s not about you. It’s about God’s power."
The Super Bowl: Fighting Resistance
What was supposed to be a cultural festival turned into a spiritual battle. Our roles shifted, translators were reassigned, and the crowd wasn’t what we expected. It felt like the enemy was pushing back.
But Tony reminded us: Resistance often means breakthrough is near.
Instead of the event we envisioned, we shared a simple meal with Celestino’s family—tilapia, yucca, plantains, and chontacuro (a beetle larva delicacy). Wanting to honor their hospitality, I ate it without hesitation, embracing the moment.
Meanwhile, Allie and Mika led a vibrant children’s ministry, teaching the story of Jesus calming the storm. Laughter echoed through the space, breaking barriers in ways that words alone never could.
Then came an impromptu tug-of-war match—an unexpected but powerful moment. Competition turned to connection, and laughter built relationships.
When it was time to speak, I hesitated. The crowd was different than planned, the setting unfamiliar, and doubt crept in.
But our Father reaffirmed my heart, and I stepped forward with Psalm 91, sharing how God had walked with me through struggles and suffering. As I spoke, I felt the atmosphere shift. It wasn’t about my words—it was about God’s presence.
Marlon closed with an invitation to salvation. Nearly every adult raised their hand.
As we left, I looked to the sky. A dark cloud hovered in front of the sun, its edges glowing with light. A reminder that even in the midst of obstacles, God’s presence shines through.
A Defining Chapter in My Life
Ecuador was not just my first mission trip—it was a defining chapter in my faith. It reshaped how I see evangelism, the power of prayer, and what it means to trust God completely.
We weren’t just missionaries. We were warriors on the frontlines of a spiritual battle.
And through it all, God reminded me:
Trust Him. Love boldly. Fight for souls.
My First Mission Trip: A Battle for Souls
This was my first mission trip, and I entered it with a mix of expectation and uncertainty. I thought it would be a week of structured evangelism—Christian marketing, so to speak. Instead, it became something far greater: a spiritual battleground where we fought for souls.
Our mission was clear: to lead people to salvation.
One defining moment was preaching at Iglesia Cristiana Bautista. Despite feeling unprepared, I stepped forward in faith. Trusting God became a lesson I would carry beyond this trip—one He had been teaching me since October 17, 2021.
"God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." (1 John 4:16)
Another powerful moment came during street evangelism in Shell. We walked from home to home, praying with families, inviting them to church. I wore a sign on my back that read "Jesús Salva" (Jesus Saves) as I walked alongside Pastor Melvin, planting seeds of faith in every conversation. But as the days passed, I felt a deeper longing—I wanted more.
I prayed for greater opportunities to serve, even though evangelizing in the jungle felt daunting. God answered in ways I never expected.
The Abyss: Light in the Darkness
In the jungle, we approached a small shack—more of a frame than a home, its walls incomplete. Inside, smoke curled from a fire where an elderly woman tended embers. Near her, Martina, a young mother, cradled an infant while her three children huddled nearby. Her eyes held not just exhaustion, but a weariness with life itself.
She had never heard the Gospel before.
We shared the message of Jesus with her, and she accepted Christ on the spot. As we prayed for her salvation, a new light filled that dim shack.
Then, Martina asked for prayer for her brother, Henry, who battled suicidal thoughts. I shared my own struggles, and as I spoke, something in her changed. Recognition. Hope. A sense that she was not alone. We prayed for Henry, for her family, and for peace.
As we left, Beth and Sherrie played with Martina’s children, filling the home with laughter. A space that once felt suffocating with despair now carried a sense of joy.
Yet later, doubts crept in. Did I do enough? Did she fully understand salvation? I wrestled with feelings of inadequacy until Bryan, our translator, reminded me:
"It’s not about you. It’s about God’s power."
The Super Bowl: Fighting Resistance
What was supposed to be a cultural festival turned into a spiritual battle. Our roles shifted, translators were reassigned, and the crowd wasn’t what we expected. It felt like the enemy was pushing back.
But Tony reminded us: Resistance often means breakthrough is near.
Instead of the event we envisioned, we shared a simple meal with Celestino’s family—tilapia, yucca, plantains, and chontacuro (a beetle larva delicacy). Wanting to honor their hospitality, I ate it without hesitation, embracing the moment.
Meanwhile, Allie and Mika led a vibrant children’s ministry, teaching the story of Jesus calming the storm. Laughter echoed through the space, breaking barriers in ways that words alone never could.
Then came an impromptu tug-of-war match—an unexpected but powerful moment. Competition turned to connection, and laughter built relationships.
When it was time to speak, I hesitated. The crowd was different than planned, the setting unfamiliar, and doubt crept in.
But our Father reaffirmed my heart, and I stepped forward with Psalm 91, sharing how God had walked with me through struggles and suffering. As I spoke, I felt the atmosphere shift. It wasn’t about my words—it was about God’s presence.
Marlon closed with an invitation to salvation. Nearly every adult raised their hand.
As we left, I looked to the sky. A dark cloud hovered in front of the sun, its edges glowing with light. A reminder that even in the midst of obstacles, God’s presence shines through.
A Defining Chapter in My Life
Ecuador was not just my first mission trip—it was a defining chapter in my faith. It reshaped how I see evangelism, the power of prayer, and what it means to trust God completely.
We weren’t just missionaries. We were warriors on the frontlines of a spiritual battle.
And through it all, God reminded me:
Trust Him. Love boldly. Fight for souls.