1994 Miracle Yearbook

"BridgeofBlood:TakingChrist totheAucas,"writtenbyDr.Robey in 1973, was 1994's winter play performed on February 10-12. Dr.Robey based this play on the true story ofJim Elliot and his co- workers. God called these five men and their families to the mission field of Ecuador in order to reach the primitive Auca Indians of South America. In the early morning of January 8, 1956, these five men werefound in the muddy river of Central Ecuador, murdered. Al- thoughtheirloveandcommitment to reach this tribe had led to their death,thesemenprovidedabridge tothe AucaIndianswhichallowed them to hear about Jesus Christ and,later,accepthim astheir Sav- ior. The world saw these murders asa"purposelessnightmareoftrag- edy," but Christians all over the world finally understood Jim Elliot's favorite quote: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep,to gain whathecannotlose." This quotation also summarized the testimonies of Nate Saint, Ed McCully,PeteFleming,and Roger Youderian. This story has been called the mostpowerfulmissionarystoryof the twentieth century because it has influenced American Chris- tians to dedicate their lives to for- eign missions.Throughthisdrama, the Lord has stirred the hearts of His people to reach a lost world. Hehasalsotaughttheten member cast a valuable lesson. Carol Lee, who played Barb Youderian, commented that she liked how Dr.Robeykeptremind- ing them not to call it a play. He told them to call it"a real"because it wasreal. These werereal people who lived real lives and died real deaths. Lee explained that it was hard to identify with them even though they were playing their roles.Sherealizedthatshecouldn't even begin to understand what theymusthavereallyexperienced. It was a sobering thought when shetriedtocomprehendthemean- ing in the lines she was reciting. Similarly,MarkTottensaid that this wasa realstory,notjustsome character off the tip of someone's pen. Even the cast's lines were the actual excerpts from the mission- aries diaries. He said that the drama helped him understand his part as Jim Elliot. Totten saw just how Elliot headed for a goal, al- lowing nothing to distract him from reaching hisgoal. "He really hit the target," Totten concluded. •Lynda Gavitt Bridge ofBlood: Taking Christ to the Aucas Top: "Wherever I go,I take Christ with me."