As you may know, today marks the 89th birthday of Elvis Presley (or what would have been his 89th birthday). But few know that today is also the anniversary of the martyring of five missionaries to Ecuador, namely Jim Elliott, Roger Youdarian, Pete Fleming, and Nate Saint. Even though such news made the headlines back when it happened in 1956, such things go largely unnoticed and unremembered by most.

But not in heaven. In heaven, they have received their reward. They have heard the words of Jesus, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”

There are inhabitants in heaven from the Huaorani people because these men had the strong conviction to take the gospel where it had not gone before and to reach out to those who were formerly unreached. Because of their obedience (and the later obedience of Jim’s wife Elisabeth and Nate’s sister, Rachel), many of the Huaorani came to saving faith in Jesus.

While you may not hear much (if anything) about this particular anniversary today, it is a milestone in eternity. I can’t wait to one day meet them and thank them. I can’t wait to meet these tribal leaders who went from murderers to leaders in the faith. I know I will bow my knee and worship the Jesus who made it all possible.