Through Gates of Splendor Chapters 1-4

Questions and Answers

What is a hindrance?

Resistance, delay.

Who was introduced in chapter 4 and what is his educational and religious background?

Ed McCully went to Wheaton College, was a football and track star, then decided to go to law school before being redirected to mission work.

What was Ed McCully's peculiar prayer when he first meets the Quichuas on a visit to Shandia?

His prayer was for God to spare the Indians' lives so that he and the other missionaries can bring the message of hope to them.

What does Ed want the purpose of his relationship with Marilou to be?

He wanted them to be an influence upon the others for closer fellowship with the Lord. Signup and view all the answers

What disaster struck Shandia and what happened as a result?

A flood came and everything was destroyed. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the life of a missionary called one of infinite adaptability?

Because he has to be able to adapt to everything and be willing to do whatever God calls him to do. Signup and view all the answers

How do the missionaries stay strong spiritually?

They pray, have faith, and read the Bible. Signup and view all the answers

What are baubles?

Trinkets. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pagan?

Someone who is not Christian. Signup and view all the answers

What does ignitable mean?

To burn or passionate. Signup and view all the answers

What does saturate mean?

Thoroughly soaked. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the isolated, unconquered, semi-nomadic remnant of an age-old tribe that Jim and the others have gone to Ecuador to reach?

The Aucus. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the narrator (and author) of the story?

Elisabeth Elliot. Signup and view all the answers

In what sport did Jim participate in college and what college did he attend?

He wrestled in college and went to Wheaton College. Signup and view all the answers

Which group of Indians is known for the ancient practice of headshrinking?

The Jivaros. Signup and view all the answers

What is the capital of Ecuador?

Quito. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the first missionary who entered the Auca territory in 1667?

He was killed with spears. His name was Pedro Suarez. Signup and view all the answers

Why was it understandable that the Aucas had no love for the white man?

Because the rubber hunters had pillaged and tortured them and burned down their houses. Signup and view all the answers

In a letter to his fiancée, how does Pete describe God's calling?

Pete referred to God's calling as nothing more than obedience to the will of God. Signup and view all the answers

What does unpretentious mean?

Not attempting to impress others with appearance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a liana?

A woody, tropical vine. Signup and view all the answers

How do Jim and Pete describe Ecuador?

They call it a land of contrasts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the official language of Ecuador?

Spanish. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jim and Pete have to spend six months in Quito?

They had to gain an understanding of the people and to learn the language. Signup and view all the answers

What is the eastern jungle area of Ecuador called?

Oriente. Signup and view all the answers

What is Shell Mera and who did they meet there?

Shell Mera is the former base of the mission aviation fellowship. They met Dr. Tidmarsh. Signup and view all the answers

After Jim and Pete met Dr. Tidmarsh, where did they go?

They went to Shandia to reopen the station. Signup and view all the answers

What does deft mean?

Neatly skillful. Signup and view all the answers

What does feign mean?

To pretend to be affected. Signup and view all the answers

Why are Jim and Pete reaching out as missionaries to the Quichuas?

They want to gain the Quichuas' confidence and love, and they hope to open their minds to the Christian message. Signup and view all the answers

What observations does one young Quichua boy make of Jim and Pete?

They do everything with paper and even smell like it. Signup and view all the answers

What is a plantain?

A tropical fruit, a 'cousin' of a banana. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Quichua's most valued tool and why?

The machete is the most valued tool because they use it for everything - to hunt, to cut hair, and to clear paths. Signup and view all the answers

What is chicha and how is it made?

It is a drink from manioc. The women peel it, steam it, chew it, spit it out, then ferment it. Signup and view all the answers

To the Quichuas, what does dying mean and what was really happening to the young Quichua woman who was dying?

It means anything from a headache to a snakebite. The woman was having a baby. Signup and view all the answers

What do Jim and Pete do to learn the language of the Quichuas and what happened when they learned more of it?

They would write down everything they heard in a book. They developed a relationship with the Quichuas. Signup and view all the answers

When Jim and Pete could not help the sick baby, who did the Quichuas turn to for help?

A witch doctor. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Quichuas bound to that the learning of scripture could set them free from?

Fear and superstitions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters

Ed McCully, a Wheaton College alumnus and law student redirected to mission work, is introduced in Chapter 4.
Elisabeth Elliot is the narrator and author of the story.

Missionary Life

Missionaries face infinite adaptability, constantly adjusting to new challenges while remaining committed to God's calling.
Spiritual strength comes from prayer, faith, and scripture reading.

Cultural Insights

The Aucas, an isolated tribe, and the Quichuas, another group, are central focuses of the missionaries’ efforts in Ecuador.
The Quichuas place immense value on their machete, viewing it as essential for various daily tasks.
Chicha, a local drink made from manioc, involves a unique preparation process reflecting cultural traditions.

Historical Context

The Jivaros tribe is known for the ancient head-shrinking practice.
First missionary Pedro Suarez was killed in Auca territory in 1667, contributing to the Aucas' distrust of outsiders due to past atrocities committed by rubber hunters.

Language and Communication

Jim and Pete spent six months in Quito to learn Spanish and understand the local culture, speaking only the language to immerse themselves.
They documented their language learning process by writing down what they heard, which led to improved relationships with the Quichuas.

Community Interaction

A young Quichua boy observes that Jim and Pete are unique, often noting their reliance on paper.
The significance of dying in Quichua culture varies, with trivial ailments misinterpreted as severe conditions, illustrated by a woman believed to be dying during childbirth.

Disasters and Challenges

Shandia faced devastation from a flood, destroying much of the area.
The missions aim to communicate hope and spiritual guidance to the tribes while overcoming significant physical and cultural challenges.

Miscellaneous

Quito serves as the capital of Ecuador, while Oriente designates the eastern jungle area.
Ed McCully’s prayer upon meeting the Quichuas emphasizes his intention to spread a message of hope.

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Test your knowledge on the key concepts and characters introduced in the first four chapters of 'Through Gates of Splendor'. This quiz covers important terms and the educational background of Ed McCully. Enhance your understanding of the book's themes and characters with these flashcards.