These Strange Ashes: Is God Still in Charge?

For those who idealize the life of a missionary, Elizabeth Elliot provides a candid, realistic first person account of the realities of missionary life. At times humorous, it is a also a great and terrible reminder that God's ways are not our ways and are, at times, entirely beyond our understanding why He works in our lives as He chooses. So much of what she labored to accomplish among the Colorado Indians was seemingly blown away, wasted.This story ends before Elizabeth's marriage to Jim Elliot, brutally murdered by the Amazonian tribe he hoped to reach with the Gospel [recounted in her best selling book "Through the Gates of Splendor."], His and his companions' martyrdom led to a great increase in missionary candidates and an incredible turnabout in Elizabeth's life and ministry and the extraordinary response of the murderous tribe to the Gospel..Is God in still in charge? Elizabeth, like Job, would no doubt say "absolutely."But why the suffering? The "way of the cross" is loss.

This book is classic Elizabeth Elliott. It is a memoir of her time on the mission field before her marriage to Jim Elliott and a colorful description of the joys and challenges of working with God in the jungle of Central America. The book reveals the excitement, frustration, joy, and sorrow of mission work through her descriptions of her fellow missionaries and the native people they lived and worked with.Mission work seems to me to be exotic and a little frightening, but seen through books such as this one, I begin to realize that it is much more like my life than it is different (other than the living-in-the-jungle-with-no-running-water-miles-from-the-nearest-grocery-store part). Missionaries still struggle with motivation, they still experience relationship difficulties, they still wonder if they have truly understood God's leading.I enjoyed this book very much, as I have EE's other books. It is fun, easy reading, and would make a great gift for someone who is interested in missions, knows someone in the mission field, or just enjoys reading memoirs.

I have so appreciated the life and writings of Elizabeth Elliott through the years - but never managed to get to this book. It is an honest story of her first year as a young single woman missionary in south America, and the string of events/struggles/griefs she endured that year. In the midst of her difficulties - God was faithful and guided her into a deep understanding of God's sovereignty. This is a great book for those who savor memoirs from modern day disciples of Christ as well as if you are in a season of struggle, pain and confusion. Elliott's words give the reader a fuller understanding of God's steady, reliable character in the midst of sorrow, doubt and adversity.

I work at a Christian bookstore and find it hard to believe that this book isn't readily available to all. After rereading "These Strange Ashes" again after a few years of growing in my faith I must say that this is a Christian classic in my humble opinion. Whether you're praying over a call to do missions somewhere in particular or dealing with relationships and where they fit in God's master plan, I feel this quick read will shed some light on areas of your heart you may not even know exist. Elisabeth Elliot is honest and gracious in this amazing telling of her first year in missions before she marries Jim Elliot.

I have always enjoyed Elliot's books, but was unaware of this one until a friend recommended it now that it is back in print. This is a great chronicle of Elizabeth's early years, almost a coming of age on the mission field. She shares the significant things she learned along the way and how she grew in her understanding of God in dealing with life's unexpected trials. A wonderful book for high school/college women.

One of my all time favorite missionary stories. It does not have a happy ending, but its such a genuine raw account of her life and work on the mission field. It really impacted me, maybe because of it raw, messy quality and yet her faith and surrender to God's sovereignty in all of it.

My brother-in-law Bible teacher recommended this for my daughter who is going through a tough time after a relationship failed. It answers some of her questions. Elizabeth Elliot has always been one of the best authors. She writes from experience and from the heart.

One of the best books written by E. Elliot. A helpful story to provide encouragement for those suffering hardship, directing us to trust God in the absence of understanding.

Amazing book! I read a friend's copy and had to buy my own. Great for anyone who is preparing for mission trips.