Keep Breathing and Don't Die

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Cross from Nate Saint house

Some of you have have heard the names of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Roger Youderin and Peter Fleming. These are names that just over 50 years ago rocked the Christian and secular worlds alike. In 1956 these five American men were killed by the very people, the Auca Indians, that they were trying to reach with the gospel of Christ. This group of young men gave thier lives so that the Auca would have the opportunity to know Christ on a personal level. They have become well-known throughout the world, and a few years back, their story was even told in Hollywood through the film End of the Spear. Many people have great respect for these men and their families, and rightly so. For this group of people were used by God in a way that would forever change the mission field and Ecuador its self. Even after the death of their husbands and fathers of their children, the families continued serving God, in Quito, Ed's wife, Marilou McCully set up a school for missionary children. Barbara Youderin went to work with another Missionary, Frank Downs, who worked with the Jivaro Indians of eastern Ecuador. Elisabeth Elliot continued to work with the Aucas with Rachel Saint (Nate's sister) for several years, had a radio program and wrote several books.

It has been stated, "The deaths of these men, a personal tragedy for their families, has become a world-wide testimony of faith in Christ and dedication to the work of God, which is much, much bigger than the conversion of a jungle tribe to Christianity." ---http://www.christianheroes.com/people/christian_heroes_jim_elliot.asp

The Waorani (also known as Auishiri, Huao, Huaorani, Sabela, Waodani) people formerly named Auca Indians, have one of the most dramatic and exstreme changes in their lifestyle as a testement to the impact of the way that Christ's love can transform us. The term Auca is actually the name the Quichua gave to them, which translates roughly into English as "savage!" They have changed their name since people from all around were afraid of them and were known as the tribe that killed people. They felt that since they have changed (been transformed) that they are no longer the "feared Auca Indians". For a more detailed account on how they have changed, follow this link and read the article (http://www.connectionmagazine.org/archives_old/archives/1998/september/amazon.htm.).

Bellow the photos is the history of the cross and story behind it.

Full view, slightly smaller than this picture (6.25"x4").

Itota is the Waoroni word for Jesus

bottom part of front of cross

back of cross, the grandson's signature

Nate Saint's, the pilot, had a house in Shell, Ecuador. Over the years, it had become severely damaged by termites, weather and age, the house needed to be rebuilt. Because of the significance the house played in the area and what it meant to missionarys in the country, they decided to renovate it and actually just finished this summer. It was with the discarded original lumber that the grandson of one of the native Waoroni Indians, Mincaye, who killed the five Missionaries, constructed this cross. He has crafted roughly 200 crosses.The grandsons uses the crosses and other products to sell for funds for jungle mission work and to help maintain the restored house.

A PIECE OF HISTORY THAT KEEPS THE STORY GOING

From the blog, "Musings from Graceland" who had three teenagers go on mission trips this past summer, and I had donated some items to their auction.

In 1956, 5 young missionaries were killed in the jungles of Ecuador as they worked to build a relationship with indigenous people who had long been known for their violent ways and isolated culture. Nate Saint and the other missionaries, including Jim Elliot, "had a burning desire to follow Jesus' command to take the gospel message into all the world. They had prayed for years for this primitive group that had never heard the redemption story of peace with God through the death of Christ."*Because of their deaths, untold numbers of young people were motivated to give their lives to taking the message of Jesus to the unreached across the world. And today, a new generation is growing up and many of them are choosing to turn away from the its-all-about-me Western mentality and live their lives for the sake of the call...the call to take the pace and love of Jesus to dark and hurting places.

The home of Nate Saint still stands. It is still used as a base for mission work in Ecuador. But over the decades, the house began to need work done on it and termite infestation meant that if major restoration was not undertaken, it would fall to bits. The restoration process took place last year and now pieces of the wood and nails are being used to make handcrafts that provide a financial living for area Ecuadorians. The cross we now have is fashioned from wood that was part of the house that Nate Saint and his family called home and that many of the other area missionaries would often gather in for meetings and fellowship.

To read more about the life of Nate Saint, go to this website: http://www.atanycost.org/
To read about the house restoration, go to: http://www.outreachmagazine.com/news-and-stories/organizations/3895-Rebuilt-Nate-Saint-House-Dedicated-Ecuador.html
*Quoted from: http://www.atanycost.org/images/DidTheyHaveToDie.pdf

http://www.christianheroes.com/people/christian_heroes_jim_elliot.asp
http://www.bobjordan.net/ministry/catalyst/natesaint.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHPcioYjhmg

Now this simple, wooden cross, is a reminder of the lives that were freely given for the cause of Christ and the life that Christ gave for all of us.

The bidding on this simple yet powerful cross will start at $20.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Auction Information

As most of y'all have noticed, there has been a whole lot of postings and not a lot of information being updated. And I'm sure more than one person has asked what this whole auction thing is about, and I'm more than positive that a couple are wondering about what I am doing down here.

To start off, this is my second year down here in Ecuador (which last year can be read about on the first several posts on here), I work for Jungle Kids for Christ in Pununo, about 30 minutes from Tena. I am currently teaching English 3 days a week and as soon as we get transportation for me, I will be traveling to the isolated community of Pusuno which is deader in the jungle. There I will be teaching English again for another three days a week, traveling back and forth from to teach at both schools. I encourage you to email or facebook me about what I'm doing here in Ecuador and how I got here.

Now to get onto the auction part of it. Before the first year down here in Ecuador, I worked several jobs prior to leaving to pay for about 65-70% of my yearly expenses. I also had family and several very good friends donate money to help make sure that all my bills got paid and expenses were met. The Lord called me back for another year service down here and since the Ecuadorian government wont allow me to get paid down here due to a low amount of jobs, I am having to raise money by other means. While I was in states over the summer, I was able to raise a little bit of money. I have about $500-550/month in expenses (food, cell phone, internet, bus/taxi, school supplies, etc) plus my travel (airfare, visas, etc) to come back to the USA at once/year. I will also have a new expense this year; gas and maintenance on a used ATV that the organization will purchase to get me back and forth to the small village downriver of Pusuno.

Last year, we had some good friends, who are very missions minded, have an auction to help support their trips. I liked the idea, so we stole it and it is one of the ways we are helping to raise funds for me to be here. Also, you get some really neat-o stuff in return for your support. So you can't really go wrong there either.

Since I am in Ecuador, a good 3,000+ miles from all of y'all, my family is helping me out. A TON. All the items are at my house and at the end of the auction they will deliver your items as soon as they can. If you live close by, it will be taken to your house or business. They will mail all items to people that are farther than 30 miles away. There is no additional cost for either delivery fee. We will just ask for confirmation on mailed items.

I (Jake) will receive 100% of the funds that are raised from this auction and they will help support me for the rest of the year.

If you are wanting to bid on this item, please post the amount you would like to bid in the comments. It will be delivered to you after the auction ends (and payment is received). I will have several items from Ecuador to sell and even items from other parts of the world that will be posted later on.

I really encourage to keep coming back since it will take several days to get all the items up. Also, if you wouldn't mind spreading the word about this with other people that would be stupendous.

You can be outbid, you will put the amount you want to bid in the comment section. The person with the highest bid at the end of the auction will be awarded the item. If there is something that you are wanting, make sure that you check back often.

We (myself and my family) will try to describe to the best of our abilities from what we know personally or what we have found off the internet. If the item did not meet your expectations, please let us know and we will refund your money, minus the return shipping. We want you to be pleased with your purchase.

I greatly appreciate you looking at these items and supporting the Lord's ministry has let me be apart of.

Six headbands from Ecuador - bid for your favorite one

Green, blue, black, white stripe Torquoise solid

Blue, black, white stripe Lime solid

Torquoise, blue, green, white stripe Pink solid

one of the ways you could wear it

Look at the previous post to see different poses.

The striped headbands he bought in the town of Banos, where he says are hot springs

and a tourist spot and many natives go there - it means "bath" there ~~~smile~~~.

The solid headbands were bought in Quito.

You are bidding for one headband at a time. You can bid on more than one if you would like. I personally own one and I use it quite frequently. It is breathable and it is does not make you sweat.

ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO JAKE BICKHAM TO HELP FUND HIS SUPPORT AS HE IS LIVING IN ECUADOR AS A MISSIONARY IN THE AMAZON JUNGLE. If you are wanting to bid on this item, please post the amount you would like to bid in the comments. It will be delivered to you after the auction ends (and payment is received). This auction ends at 8am on Wednesday, September 28th. Shipping in included in the auction price.

Jake will have several items (blankets, jewelry, purses, paintings, scarves, hammocks and even items from other parts of the world) going up for auction over several days, please feel free to keep coming back.

THIS IS AN ONLINE AUCTION - WHERE YOU PUT THE AMOUNT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BID AND PEOPLE CAN OUTBID YOU IF THEY CHOOSE. THE HIGHEST BIDDER AT THE CLOSING DATE OF THE AUCTION WILL BE AWARDED THE ITEM.

Starting bid is $3 for the solid, $3.50 for the striped. Make sure you put description by your bid amount

Ecuadorian Headbands modeled

We had our lovely Stephanie model my headband that I chose to keep (and she is much more beautiful) and our beautiful Lizzy who loves GOD. These girls are on fire for GOD and are a huge asset to our youth ministry =D When you bid on the headbands, give us the description. The headband can be worn this way or you could "scrunch" it - I have even used it as a ponytail holder.

THIS IS AN ONLINE AUCTION - WHERE YOU PUT THE AMOUNT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BID AND PEOPLE CAN OUTBID YOU IF THEY CHOOSE. THE HIGHEST BIDDER AT THE CLOSING DATE OF THE AUCTION WILL BE AWARDED THE ITEM.

We will start the bidding at $3. Happy Bidding!!!

small woven Ecuador bracelet

This is a simple bracelet but could be your reminder to pray for Ecuador. It could also be used as a bookmark if you wanted. Jake got his bracelet was in the market in Quito from a little old lady who was very nice to him - I think it was his smile =D

ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO JAKE BICKHAM TO HELP FUND HIS SUPPORT AS HE IS LIVING IN ECUADOR AS A MISSIONARY IN THE AMAZON JUNGLE. If you are wanting to bid on this item, please post the amount you would like to bid in the comments. It will be delivered to you after the auction ends (and payment is received). This auction ends at 8am on Tuesday, September 27th. Shipping in included in the auction price.

Jake will have several items (blankets, jewelry, purses, paintings, scarves, hammocks and even items from other parts of the world) going up for auction over several days, please feel free to keep coming back.

THIS IS AN ONLINE AUCTION - WHERE YOU PUT THE AMOUNT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BID AND PEOPLE CAN OUTBID YOU IF THEY CHOOSE. THE HIGHEST BIDDER AT THE CLOSING DATE OF THE AUCTION WILL BE AWARDED THE ITEM.

Starting bid $1.50

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Tan, larger feathers on wasp stingers

These tan and ivory feathers are attached to a wasp stinger. These are approximately 2" in diameter. These earrings are only made in the jungle. Beautiful earrings. They are the same earrings-different camera.

ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO JAKE BICKHAM TO HELP FUND HIS SUPPORT AS HE IS LIVING IN ECUADOR AS A MISSIONARY IN THE AMAZON JUNGLE. If you are wanting to bid on this item, please post the amount you would like to bid in the comments. It will be delivered to you after the auction ends (and payment is received). This auction ends at 8am on Tuesday, September 27th. Delivery price is included in the auction price (meaning that you will not have to pay to have it delivered, what you bid is the final price).

THIS IS AN ONLINE AUCTION - WHERE YOU PUT THE AMOUNT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BID AND PEOPLE CAN OUTBID YOU IF THEY CHOOSE. THE HIGHEST BIDDER AT THE CLOSING DATE OF THE AUCTION WILL BE AWARDED THE ITEM.

Starting bid is $5.00

wasp stinger and orange feather earrings

These earrings are made from wasp stingers (yes, they are that big) and feathers. These are ONLY made in the jungle. You just put them in your ear and they stay. They are SO COOL!!! The feathers are a beautiful bright orange and approximately 1" in diameter. You can see the size difference in the 2 sets of feather earrings.

ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO JAKE BICKHAM TO HELP FUND HIS SUPPORT AS HE IS LIVING IN ECUADOR AS A MISSIONARY IN THE AMAZON JUNGLE. If you are wanting to bid on this item, please post the amount you would like to bid in the comments. It will be delivered to you after the auction ends (and payment is received). This auction ends at 8am on Tuesday, September 27th. Shipping is included in the auction price.

THIS IS AN ONLINE AUCTION - WHERE YOU PUT THE AMOUNT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BID AND PEOPLE CAN OUTBID YOU IF THEY CHOOSE. THE HIGHEST BIDDER AT THE CLOSING DATE OF THE AUCTION WILL BE AWARDED THE ITEM.

starting bid is $5.00

Jungle Kids for Christ: English for Pusuno

Another blanket in use =D

This is Jake and Steven, crashed out after a hard day of playing this past summer as he was resting, visiting friends and seeking GOD on what His plans were for Jake. He knew he was going back to Ecuador, Jake just was not sure if it was to stay full time at the school where he was previously or go deeper into the jungle to minister to the natives.

It is not so much that I wanted to show you how cute these boys are but wanted you to notice the blue blanket - we are auctioning off several blankets and wanted you to see how big they are. ~~~momma b

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Blue and white striped hammock

This is actually the same colored hammock that Jake has in his room.

This is a Hammock, most homes in Ecuador have one of these. These hammocks are very colorful, if taken care of they should last a long time. Almost 1 in 3 of the locals has one or more of these in their house. Unlike most of the hammock that you will see in the states, these do not have the wooden support bar that keeps it tight, so that you lay “in” these instead of “on” it. They will fit two adults snugly, one comfortably. Great place to take a nap in the heat of the day. Since they are made of cotton, they will stretch in the fist cuoupke of uses, this is normal and is to be expected. The bottom picture is one that Jake has in his room and he uses it regularly (his house actually has 5 - 1 for each intern + 2 more). If you have gone on mission trips south of the USA, then you have probably used then and know how comfortable they are.

The dimensions for the hammock base are approx 42"x84" or 114" with the ends added (the rope part to attach to hooks, tree or a stand)

Here is info that found online and different sites (sited below):

They are typically priced online close to $99 but found on sale for $79.
Much safer and easier to get into than a wide hammock that uses a spreader bar that is unstable and flips easily.
Our solid material Ecuadorian hammocks (canvas style – though these hammocks are actually produced from high quality cotton) have the following benefits

Great if you are in an area with mosquitoes, with a light covering on top in early evening you don’t have to worry about bites and stings through the hammock.

Great if you want to have pets in the hammock with you and are worried claws might damage an open weave.

Great if you have small children and are worries curious little fingers may pull thread out of open weave hammocks

Ecuadorian hammocks are made from solid material as oposed to the open weave of Mexican hammocks. Generally made from 100% cotton these hammocks are amazingly strong and durable.Made around the Otovalo region of Ecuador these hammocks will provide you with the best relaxation available in a solid material style hammock. The workmanship and quality in these hammocks is evident when you look carefully at the weave and especially the finish at the ends of the hammock arms.This solid material style hammock can be a great option for people with small children who may get their fingers into open weave hammocks and pull out threads and damage the hammock. These hammocks are also ideal if you are in an area where mosquitos can be a problem as open weave hammocks can allow mossies to bite you through the hammock.... not a problem with these solid material South American hammocks.
These hammocks have been ethically produced by small communities and artisans.

The Indians of the Otavalo tribe in the Northern Andes of Ecuador have been known as excellent weavers for over 500 years and they are the makers of our hammocks.

The suggested maximum weight is 330lbs (150kg).

gathered info from:http://www.hammockheaven.com; www.nayanayon.com; ebay.com

I have seen pictures of people laying in these hammocks in all directions and ways.ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO JAKE BICKHAM TO HELP FUND HIS SUPPORT AS HE IS LIVING IN ECUADOR AS A MISSIONARY IN THE AMAZON JUNGLE. If you are wanting to bid on this item, please post the amount you would like to bid in the comments. It will be delivered to you after the auction ends (and payment is received). This auction ends at 8am on Monday, September 26th.

THIS IS AN ONLINE AUCTION - WHERE YOU PUT THE AMOUNT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BID AND PEOPLE CAN OUTBID YOU IF THEY CHOOSE. THE HIGHEST BIDDER AT THE CLOSING DATE OF THE AUCTION WILL BE AWARDED THE ITEM.