In the face of grave danger and heartbreaking personal loss, this woman chose to walk in faith and, in doing so, became one of the most influential Christian women of the 20th century.

Born to American missionaries living in Belgium in 1926, Elisabeth grew up in the United States when her parents moved to Pennsylvania prior to her first birthday. She followed the call to missions by studying Greek at Wheaton College. She hoped to help translate the Bible into remote languages, and this major would give her the foundation for the original language of the New Testament. While at the school, she met Jim Elliot, a student who also had a passion for missions and bringing the Gospel to far away groups. While serving in Ecuador together after graduation, the two decided to marry, but she insisted they learn the Ecuadorian Quichua language before they could be wed. They did and were married in 1953, She gave birth to their daughter and they continued their missionary work in the remote areas of the Ecuadorian jungle.

Inspired to reach those who had not heard about Jesus, Jim and four other men sought the Aucas (also known as Waodoni). After making contact, the men were violently speared to death. This left Elisabeth a young widow and single mother in the jungles of a foreign land near those who had murdered her husband. She remained with the Quichua tribe, along with Rachel Saint, the sister of one of the slain missionaries. It was during that time that two Auca women came to the tribe and lived with Elisabeth. Through this relationship, she understood the reason behind the brutal attack on the missionary men; they had feared a loss of their freedom. Eventually, Elisabeth and Rachel braved their own contact with the Aucas, spending two years with them. They built relationships with the tribe members, who saw the forgiveness these women offered, and many came to trust Jesus as a result of their actions. 

Elisabeth returned to the United States and continued to live her life in a way that inspired those around her to see God. She remarried, but lost her husband Addison just four years later to cancer. She spoke to groups, hosted a radio program, and wrote 24 books. She contributed to the New International Version Bible translation. Her influence and leadership in the Christian community inspired many people, both men and women. She eventually remarried once again and spent the rest of her life with her husband Lars.

Two books about the interaction with the Aucas are included on my bookshelf here. This is an affiliate link; thank you for supporting my work.