The Sixth Martyr
You’ve heard the story of the five missionary martyrs in Ecuador. They were killed by a hostile jungle tribe in 1956. Well, there was another martyr you’ve probably never heard of: Tonio.
Tonio heard the Good News through two of the martyrs’ relatives: Nate Saint’s sister, Rachel, and Jim Elliot’s widow, Elisabeth. Both women went into the jungle after the killing and brought the Good News to Tonio and his people. But there were other tribes downriver who were still killing people. Tonio had family in them. So he decided to go and take the Good News Gospel to his family.
Well, they did not like the message. So one day, one of them killed Tonio. Still, Tonio had brought the truth to that people. Years later, a missionary couple I know saw one of the young men from the tribe that killed Tonio. He was preaching the Good News, and baptizing people!
God tells us in Isaiah 55, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” We can’t always see how God will work good out of tragedy. Even when it seems you’re at a dead end in your witness, be assured: God is still at work!
