When Curt and I were first married, we served in the youth ministry at Houston’s First Baptist Church. In July of 2003, we were going to help lead a youth mission trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This was going to be the Joneses’ first trip to Honduras and our first mission trip as a married couple. (Curt has been back three more times and is actually there right now.) Our church had strong ties with Larry and Jean Elliott, a missionary couple who had been serving in that area for decades. Every summer HFBC sent a youth team to work with them and their mission churches.
A few months before the trip, the Elliotts were going to be in our city visiting family. They had raised their son and daughter in Honduras and were now grandparents of young children who lived in Houston. We set up a time to meet with them and the other couple leading the trip with us so that we could plan our week. I had never met the Elliotts, nor any other career missionaries, and I honestly had no idea what to expect. In my ignorance and stupidity, I thought the dinner would probably be really boring. I didn’t even want to go, but I knew I should.
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that this precious couple shattered any preconceived notion that I had about missionaries. Larry and Jean were some of the warmest, most joyful, most down to earth people I had ever met. We fell in love with them instantly. One thing that struck me was how much they laughed, and I have to say that it was a treat to hear Larry’s laugh. He had such a good one. Larry and Jean had tons of stories to tell about their experiences in Honduras. It was so interesting to listen to them. God had given this couple an incredible twenty-six-year ministry there. The first church they planted had grown exponentially and had gone on to plant more churches that in turn planted more churches. God had His hand on everything they did. They had a passion for disaster relief, which I believe was birthed out of the devastation that Hurricane Mitch brought to that country in 1998. Only God knows how many lives they were able to touch through evangelism, discipleship, and ministering to folks in the midst of crisis.
After the dinner, I had so much to say to Curt about this wonderful couple. I couldn’t wait for our trip. Before long, we arrived in Tegucigalpa with our youth and got to work. We were able to see first hand what God had done and was doing in that area through seeds the Elliotts, other missionaries like the Torbert family, and local believers had planted.
The Elliotts had our whole team over to their house for dinner one night and served us a great meal. Just being in their home made an impact on me. I remember saying something to Jean about the house and she was quick to say, “Thank you, Lottie Moon!” If you are Southern Baptist, you may know that the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering helps support our 5,193 IMB missionaries on the field.
That night Larry showed us a slideshow and some souvenirs from his recent trip to Iraq. His passion for anyone living in devastation was burning a hole in his heart for the Iraqi people. He wanted to enable hospitals and people to have purified water and, simply put, he could help! I wish I could convey his excitement as he showed us each picture in the slide show. He and Jean were seriously seeking God about ending their ministry in Honduras and beginning a new one in Iraq.
The trip came to an end and I got a big hug and “We love you!” from Jean in the airport. I nearly cried saying goodbye to her. She was just such a dear person.
I came home from Honduras changed in many ways. For one, I had learned that missionaries are regular people – regular people who love the Lord and are willing to serve Him outside their comfort zones. The Elliotts made me realize that being a missionary was not for the highest order of pious, perfect, solemn believers, which is what I had always imagined. Instead, a missionary could actually be someone like me! Or like you! A normal person who loves the Lord, who laughs, who loves their grandkids, and who loves being with friends. Don’t get me wrong. The Elliotts are spiritual giants, but the message of their life said, “You can do this, too. God can use you!”
Just two months later, having gained some confidence that God could use a normal person like me outside my comfort zone, Curt and I began looking into an opportunity to serve teenagers in England. It would only be for five months, but that seemed like a long time to us! We would leave March 9, 2004.
Before we left, Larry and Jean came back to Houston for a visit. Larry needed to borrow a car for a few days, so we got to take him our truck. Later they both came to Tuesday night Bible study. I was so excited to have them there. Jean had been in some of my mom’s Bible studies back in Honduras. I got to send some resources from the office back to the mission field with them and they gave us a bottle of yummy Honduran vanilla, among other things. It was such a blessing to cross paths with them again. Jean told me we might see them in England sometime since that would be sort of a home base for them while they were living in Iraq.
March 9 finally came and we boarded a British Airways flight to the UK. We were really excited, but I was also nervous and worried about being terribly homesick. Just five days later, on March 14, I was checking my email and received devastating news. Jean and Larry Elliott, along with missionaries David McDonnall and Karen Watson, had been killed in Mosul, Iraq. They had been checking out different locations for water purification projects in the city when their truck was targeted and attacked by gunmen. Only newlywed Carrie McDonnall had survived.
My world was spinning and my heart was absolutely broken to pieces. “No, Lord! This can’t be! And we are here – in part – because of them!” I wanted my mother, but she was an ocean away. I wanted to grieve with everyone else and talk about the impact this couple had had on my life, but we would not be able return to the States for their memorial service in Houston.
I don’t understand how anyone could harm, even murder, such precious people – people who had come to help them! And it hurts tremendously to think about the huge loss their families have experienced. But I do know that the Lord, in a way that is hard for my human mind to grasp, honored these servants by allowing them to not only live for Him, but to also die for Him.
Today, on the fourth anniversary of the homegoings of Larry and Jean Elliott, David McDonnall, and Karen Watson, let’s give profuse praise to God for selfless, courageous people who put their lives on the line every day as they work to build up God’s Kingdom. Let’s thank Him for the advancement of Light into darkness and for the souls who will worship before the throne from cultures that are hostile toward the Gospel of Christ. Let’s pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who are enduring persecution, especially in Iraq. Let’s praise God for their perseverance and for the glory they bring to Him. Let’s ask God to bless our sweet friend Carrie McDonnall as she continues to pour out her life for her Savior. Let’s praise Jesus for the victory He has already won and for the day He will do away with death forever!
We may not want to die like these precious saints, but we want to live like them – with courage, selflessness, faithfulness, and love.
“They overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” (Revelation 12:11)
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
*If you’d like to read more about these missionaries, check out these two resources:
Facing Terror by Carrie McDonnall and Kristen Billerbeck
Lives Given, Not Taken by Erich Bridges and Jerry Rankin
Amen and Amen!
Praise be to God for His people serving with love and mercy all over our planet.
Amanda, thank-you for this heartfelt tribute. God used it to re-focus my thoughts as I was flying through this day. What is my priority? Only what is done for Christ will last. Thank-you, Sweet Jesus.
I read that book by Carrie a year or so ago. I cried and cried, in fact tears are welling up now. She is the only person I have ever read a book and then wrote them a note.
The book made a huge impact on me, and it’s good to hear a little of an update on her.
Thanks and Have a great weekend,
Jenny
Oh Amen, Amanda!! Amen. Thank you for this beautiful tribute. I will say I have learned, from your mother no less, that we have NO IDEA what is going on in the heavenlies. We have no idea. When Almighty God allows this, He is up to big things. I can’t help but to think of a dear couple at church who is going through such an incredibly difficult time right now. The wife has been diagnosed with a terrible brain tumor and their world has been turned upside down. But what I know is beyond a shadow of a doubt, in the light of eternity, when they look back one day with perfected vision they will KNOW it had purpose. They will KNOW there was such glory at stake. They will KNOW God was faithfull through every heart breaking second…and they would do it all over again for His purposes. His precious missionaries will feel no differently. Those who were blessed to die for Him, as you said, would do it again in the light of eternity. Oh praise His name. And praise Him for you who wrote such a thought provoking and touching tribute to someone so close to your heart. God brought them into your life and used them for your good, amen? I praise Him with you!
Love,
Lisa
Something Beth said in the foreward of “Facing Terror” has really stuck with me. I have often been comforted by it & shared it with others when faced with the loss of a Believing loved one:
“…Sudden glory! One second … toiling and serving, and the next second … saw the face of the One they poured out their lives to share.
Imagine it … Sudden glory!”
Unlike others, Lives lived for Christ are NEVER in vain!! Thanks for the reminder of the lives of these dear saints!!
I’m praising Him with you today Amanda for lives like these that impact so many, and for the fact that they are now part of the “great cloud of witnesses” cheering you and your family on, and me and my family on toward the finish line of the race Christ has marked out for us. My prayer is to have the resolve to honor Him with my life that your friends did.
aj, thanks for the heartfelt reminder that we need not fear for our very lives because we are only to live/die for HIM, kelli
May I please echo the “thank you Lottie Moon!” I am an MK whose family served in South America. I am sort of getting choked up just thinking about it! Experiences I will NEVER forget. I have never had so many “aunts” and “uncles”! You MK’s know what I’m talking about. Mission family. And you do become family. You have a feeling of family even with those outside of your mission that are serving in other countries.
I remember hearing about this, Amanda. I’m so sorry that you went through the grief, personally. But a beautiful tribute and witness to others has come from you as a result. Who knows where or how this will impact others?
I just need to say thank you, Amanda, for taking the time to share a beautiful story and for giving us a window into the lessons you learned through interaction with these very special people. No service for the Lord is in vain and the fact that we are encouraged and blessed by the lives of these people 4 years after they are gone is more proof of that!
Beautifully written, Amanda. You obviously have the give of writing, like your mother. My hat’s off to all the missionaries who risk their lives so that others might know Him. I pray that I might have that same courage here in my home, much less across the world in such a dangerous place. Thank God for them! To God be the glory!
Light of the World –
We love you. Thank you for the opportunity to show your love to others in many ways; whether being in our own communities or away in a foreign community. Father, we praise You for faithful servants like Larry and Jean, David, Karen, and Carrie. We thank You and praise You for the many others who continue to serve You faithfully as missionaries; especially Carrie. Father, we pray that You protect them from the evil one. Lord, we pray that You continue to burden our hearts to pray for those who faithfully serve and put their lives on the line for the advancement of the gospel. Father, may we be examples wherever we are to boldly proclaim Your gospel. YES, Father, YOU WIN! Praise be to God, our Father.
Amanda,
I can’t describe how it felt to read your post! My sentiments are like the others…thank you for sharing…but also Thank You for making me step outside myself today…for making me think about someone besides myself! And thank you for making me grateful that we have this country where we can worship in relative peace! I am awed by the missionaries (any and all) who hear His call and follow! Maybe not because they want to (at least not right away) but because they know it is His will and will further His kingdom here on earth and the next life!
You don’t know what a blessing this blog is to us all!
Your loving Siesta,
Donna
Oh…I do praise God in Heaven for the work He did through these lives. The Lord encouraged me and challenged me through this post as mother…I have four daughters who are my current mission field. Our third daughter was born on the very day you mentioned leaving for England…March 9, 2004. She is a fire ball of passion…(I often think of the story your mom tells of Melissa, I believe, saying ‘Are you gonna boss me today?!!!) SO, anyway It just made me think that each of our lives are but a mist in a vapor but SO full of PURPOSE!!! Oh how I pray that He would give us each the strengh to step out of our own comfort zones and LOVE as Christ loves! Lord, guide each of us mommies in raising up our sweet little ones into a generation of men and women with the passion and committment this precious couple had!!! OH, Lord we beg you to rise up a generation of world changers!
Thank you for sharing this tribute!!!
Beautiful post, Amanda. I’m learning more and more every day that God uses ordinary people to do the extraordinary. Thanks for sharing your heart.
Blessings,
Patti
Amanda, thank you so much for sharing that. I was crying before I even got to the news of their death because I knew what was coming…
It struck my heart when I read where they died – in Mosul, Iraq. SIESTA’S: PLEASE PRAY!!! A friend’s son (Ian) just left the states and will be in Mosul, Iraq serving in the military. He is only 20 years old.
Praying for the loved ones left behind by these brave warriors of faith… and for all of us to SERVE HIM MORE FERVENTLY.
Love,
Linda
I wonder whether Larry Elliot was a relative of Jim Elliot who was also a martyr for the kingdom of God. Thank you for the tribute to these faithful servants. Dee
Amanda,
I loved reading about the Elliott’s. WOW! What neat people. My husband and I are endorsed by NAMB..have a unique ministry. I can tell you that being a missionary is a calling. When we’ve been with IMB missionaries I’ve never heard them say they regretted being a missionary. In fact, most of them can’t wait for their furlow to be over! It’s a passion…a passion for lost souls and reaching them no matter what it takes. Like most people I used to think you had to go overseas to be a missionary. I thought this was the “true” definition of a missionary. (God proved this wrong with what He called us to do). If you’ve got lost neighbors you have a mission field, if you have children you have a mission field, if you have a lost co-worker you have a mission field. We’re all called to spread the gospel and be “on mission”.
Thank you for sharing your heart. I am lifting up their families today. Wow, great post.
What a wonderful tribute to missionaries. As well as a challenge to us to get out of the boat.
Courageously, passionately loving and serving our Lord in the mission field that He would desire. The mission field can be our home, neighborhood, schools, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals etc. We can make an impact for the Kingdom of God any and everywhere we are.
Grace & Peace
Maddy
Thank you for sharing that beautiful story and inviting us to pray. I needed that focus today.
Blessings,
Sister Lynn
Amanda,
Thanks so much for sharing something so heartfelt and personal. I truly appreciate your honesty and am astounded by your tribute. This is a very touching story…one I hope to learn from.
Rebecca
Glory to God. Thanks for painting us a beautiful picture Amanda. God bless the servants in our midst.
That was beautiful. These people give so selflessly on a daily basis.
Today happens to be the 14th anniversary of my brother-in-law’s death also. He was in the Air Force serving in Somalia when he died in a plane crash on his way from Kenya to Somalia for a mission. I know he didn’t die serving as a missionary, but he did die for a greater cause. My husband is in the navy so I understand the daily sacrifices the military make, but it still stings to know how much some people (whether it be military, missionaries, pastors, etc) have given up for us.
It reminds me of that song, “I’m forever grateful, for the cross. I’m forever grateful to You, That You came to seek and save the lost.” Jesus has gone before them.
What beautiful testimonies they have left behind in service for our Lord.
Oh thank you Amanda for this. I all too often take for granted just how good I have it here.
Thank you for the reminder to pray for those God calls to this particular ministry. They are heros of our faith…
Amanda, your post has touched my heart in the deepest of places for reasons too numerous to mention. I am a missionary presently serving in Honduras, about 45 minutes outside of Tegucigalpa and I have heard of the Elliotts many times since being here. They were indeed precious people and they left a legacy in this land in no uncertain terms.
I appreciate so much you sharing how their lives touched you. I grew up thinking that missionaries wore a bun, a long skirt, and had no fun anywhere anyhow. 🙂 I now realize a missionary is just someone that God asked to show up and they couldn’t say no. He uses the most imperfect people and gives them the privilege to serve among the suffering and broken.
I am at a point in my journey here where I have felt so tired and worn and am in the hospital even this week with a precious little girl named Isabel that we found on the side of a mountain starving to death. We are sitting by her bedside praying for a miracle and watching every single little improvement and giving Him praise for it.
I was reminded today that I want to live like “them.” I do. Those that give up self everyday to serve out of a heart full of the love of Christ.
Thank you for the precious reminder.
(By the way I post often on calledandcompelled.blogspot.com about my journey here in Honduras at the children’s home where I am privileged to serve in case you’d like to read about some of them…I’d love to hear more about the projects you all are involved in here as well.)
My church was blessed to hear Carrie speak several years ago. She is a very special person as I’m sure your friends and her husband were. Thanks for the tribute.
Hope you are having a good time at your mom’s. It is beautiful here in Richmond, Va…a true reminder of God’s glory.
Amanda,
Wow. Thank you for sharing what God put on your heart…my husband, 3 kiddos, and I are in the midst of packing our pallet to ship to Guatemala! In one month, we are leaving to be missionaries there! Many, many times lately, I have felt so “unworthy” to be a missionary. I can think of SO many people who would be better at it than me and I sometimes wonder, “God, why did you call us?” It will be for His glory, His power to be on display! Thank you for reminding me that missionaries are real, ordinary people.
Amanda…I remember when this happened as if it were yesterday. Even tho’ I never met these people, I was heartbroken at the loss of their lives and for their families loss. My husband is a Southern Bpbtist minister and our church grieved for them as well. I’m so thankful to be able to play a small part when I give to the Lottie Moon offering each year and thank God daily for those that He calls into this important work as well as NAMB work. I was amazed to know that so many in our own country and Canada are unbelievers. So many who need Him here as well as in other countries! And I ask my self daily why we aren’t more concerned with those in our own neighborhoods! May God place a fire in our souls that cannot be put out for those who need Jesus!
Janice
I remember when the Elliotts went home to be with the Lord. Even though I never met them, their passing greatly affected me. This is why.
My husband is a Southern Baptist missions pastor, we focus more on home missions, however my husband has been over seas many times. I have only been out of the country once. I was blessed to go to Kenya two summers ago. I really didn’t understand the life of a missionary until I actually went to the foreign mission field to minister to them.
They are incredible servants. From my perspective, they sacrifice so much, but when you hear them share it is so obvious they would not want to be anywhere else.
I lift up foreign missionaries every day in prayer because of the way their lives have affected mine. I would ask that you would remember those in Kenya right now because of the unrest there, as well as those in Iraq.
Thank you Amanda for this tribute!
Dear Lord we praise you for these ordinary people who face extraordinary obstacles in order to serve You. May their love and laughter resonate around Your world.
God Bless
Kristi B.
Oh Amanda. My heart has just been so deeply touched by what I’ve just read. May we all be missionaries and servants for Jesus Christ….whatever our capacity. May we live and die for Him.
Praying for you all today. I know the memories are so special today.
Much love~
Fran
I just returned from Honduras last night. The Honduras Baptist Association (270 churches strong) are collecting their national mission offering this Sunday. This mission offering has been called the Larry and Jean Elliott National Mission Offering for 3 years now! Their legacy of love and sacrifice continues. Praise you God for men and women like Larry and Jean who love the Kingdom more than life itself.
John Durham
I don’t know if Beth has a chance to read this but if she does, just know this is a post from a girl who has been truly touched in Israel. I’m an American and a student and in many ways trying to live for Jesus in this context. Can I just tell you that you have really encouraged me through your newest study? It is hard to live in this place. Believe it or not, Christians are definitely a minority. Thanks for your encouragement! You should know that God used you in my life in His perfect timing!
Amanda:
Four years ago I was at a Lifeway event where your mom was speaking on Daniel 9. I believe the Daniel Study came from that event. She mentioned you were in England at the time and how much she missed you. She said if we can settle the matter of dying for Christ, all other issues would fade into perspective. Daniel, she said, became the evening sacrifice much like God asks from us in Rom 12:1-2. At that time God OVERCAME my heart and simply asked, “Are you willing to die for me?” I tell you, my heart was beating out of my chest! I told Him YES, but I was scared (I don’t like pain). In my spirit I heard Him ask me to lay my life on the alter…right then and there. Your mom never gave an alter call, but God sure did! I walked to the stage shaking and without emotion. I was the only one there feeling a bit out on a limb. God MET me there, and we settled the question of dying for Him. The odd thing is, He asks me the same question every day, Are you willing to die for Me? I suspect the Elliots said YES thousands of days before Jesus said, Today you will live with me in Paradise!
“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Phil 1:21
Bless Him! Mary from VA
wow!
Beautiful, Amanda. My heart is enriched and encouraged by faithful and authentic servants of our God. Their families must miss them, but what a hope and legacy they’ve been given!
Such a powerful testimony and their lives will always represent giving their all for Him. We just lost another missionary for the Lord in Afghanistan. Read her story here Thanking Him today for the lives of His Saints, Annette
What a wonderful tribute for some noble servants of God. I’m reading Kay Warren’s Dangerous Surrender. These missionaries remind me of this book. They were willing to surrender all to Christ because He surrendered all for them (and us.)
How inspiring!
Our church sends groups to do missions work in Honduras once or twice each year. I hear that you are risking your life for the sake of the Gospel just by your willingness to fly a plan in to land at the airport in Tegucigalpa. I’ve heard that’s a really dangerous landing.
But, yes, the fields are white unto harvest there! We’ll life Curtis up in prayer as he ministers to the people of Honduras!
What a BEAUTIFUL tribute. Thanks Amanda.
Cindi
Wow, thankyou for sharing this story. That must have been so hard losing people you care about while in a different country. These friends sound like such wonderful people, I thank Him for servants like them who go into the unknown to do His work. Again, thankyou so much for sharing this.
Amanda, thank you so much for sharing this. I had forgotten about this terrible tragedy until now. I can feel the love of God that ran through them into you and the countless lives they touched.
-Amy
Oh, Amanda, what a truly touching testimony of their God-filled and God-obedient lives. I remember reading about their deaths but did not know their background. Thank you.
What a heart felt Tribute.
Recently I prayed over my 15year old daughter who feels she is called to be missionary. The hardest, yet most sincere, words I’ve ever spoken to her were, “Baby, you have my permission to go and do whatever God calls you to go and do.”
Needless to say your post left me in tears but with a tender heart for the call of God on the next generation. In my heart of hearts I KNOW that my child will be truly happy and joyful if she is in the center of God’s will.
Missy
Thank you Amanda for this. Beautifully written. I’m married to an MK and as you probably already know, we are IMB people seving in the UK.
And yes, a big, huge thanks to Lottie!
Living in America, we are so spoiled. We have no idea what struggles these missionaries face on a daily basis. We are not likely to be killed for our faith walking down the streets of rural America, but these precious people live daily with the threat of being killed because they claim the name of Jesus. I look forward to meeting these sweet people in heaven. What a wonderful homecoming they must have had.
Amanda,
Thank you for this special post it was beautiful. What a life!
Missionaries are “special” people and have a true heart for the harvest. Thank you for including the links for the 2 books, I plan on checking those out.
My in-laws are Missionaries in Auru, Uganda and have a heart for seeking the lost. It is amazing to hear the stories of the people over there. They recently moved from Soroti to Arua and are starting a new church and will be starting a orphanage and school here as well as the one in Soroti. They have been meeting under a mango tree and this week they said that their church is going to be called “Mango Baptist Church”. I thought that was very clever and I hope they bear much fruit for Christ!
We just found out that they will start their furlough time in December, Lord willing and we are making plans to get the whole family together before they head out to all the supporting churches. They have seen God do mighty things and its amazing how in love they are with those people.
Thank you again for sharing with us about these special missionaries and may we lift missionaries up all around this world in pray, that God would protect them.
Please pray for my in laws…Marvin and Jewell Wright and also my husbands brother, Nathaniel and wife Sara and 3 children, Andrew 5, Joseph 3, and Susanna 5 months. They are all serving the Lord in Uganda East Africa.
Thank you!
Blessings,
Lori in SW MO
A~ Love this post, thanks for sharing with all of the siestas… I also have a love for Honduras and my husband and I go to Teguce every summer with Torch Missions. I can’t imagine my world without a trip there on a regular basis. I’ve never seen or heard Christ more evidently than when I’m there and life’s every day distractions are not there to… distract.
Blessings to those that love the Lord and choose to serve Him wherever it is they are called to do so,
judy
Amanda,
Thank you for sharing “A Tribute”.
What a sweet story & tribute. Thank you!