These Strange Ashes: Is God Still in Charge?

A shortish read detailing Elisabeth Elliot's first year in the jungles of Ecuador as a single. I always enjoy her down-to-earth style of writing. She describes the scenes in vivid detail, warts and all. I also appreciate the thinly veiled humour as she documents procedures and events that from a Western point of view are very strange. She uses creative detail to relay the bizarre happenings to the reader and often tells it from the perspective of the Indians.

However, this book is mainly useful for the spiritual lessons that can be learned. Elisabeth and Jim (her boyfriend) both saw their individual missionary efforts for that year completely destroyed. They were left facing the reality that their work had come to nothing. Looking at the show more situation from a works perspective that was in fact the case. But, that is not how God works--His goal is always to refine us and prepare us for future works where we can glorify Him. Nothing is wasted and the lessons we learn are invaluable. These are lessons that every missionary will learn during their first few years on the field. Elliot concludes that God is faithful and can be trusted.

I would encourage missionaries or prospective missionaries to read this especially if struggling on the field. Losing an entire year of work is not much fun and may help those dealing with trials to persevere. Considering the situations the author faced subsequently it is good that she had already worked through her questions about God and His purposes.

I recommend this book. There are some graphic descriptions of the tribal procedure for dealing with a dead body which may bother those who are squeamish..... show less

This book is a recollection of Elliot's earliest days on the missionary field, before her marriage to the martyr Jim Elliot. It a a great insight both into the the experiences that shaped her, as well into mid 20th century mission work in the jungles in South America.

Elliot is brutally honest as she is in all her books, and her passion and love for God shine through brightly. Although this is more a "memoirs" type of book, it quickly moves to inspiration, as you move with her through the trials of ministering to people who dont want to be ministered to. The title comes from a poem by Amy Carmichael, of which Elliot is a big fan of.

I highly recommend the book to all people as insight into this great woman of God's life.

A personal account of Elizabeth Elliot's first year as a jungle missionary - a year filled with drama, spiritual struggle and decision - preceding her marriage to Jim Elliot. Her first missionary experience as a young single woman. It is an insider's look at why a person becomes a missionary in the first place. Also story of 3 other young women missionaries fr from home in the forest of Ecuador. Seemed impossible to bring the Gospel to a people with no written language & who lived scattered throughout the dark forests.

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