Ed Mc Cully - Ministry in Ecuador

Ministry in Ecuador

The McCullys went to Ecuador supported by Christian Missions in Many Lands (CMML). Ed, Marilou, and their 8 month old son, Stevie, left for Ecuador by ship on December 10, 1952. They first stayed in Quito to finish their Spanish study, then joined Jim Elliot and Pete Fleming at their mission station in Shandia. Eventually the McCullys took up residence at the Arajuno mission station deep in the jungle. They worked with the Quechua Indians.

In the fall of 1955, McCully, along with Jim Elliot and missionary pilot Nate Saint, began Operation Auca, their plan to reach the previously un-contacted Huaorani Indians. Since the Huaorani had a reputation as a hostile tribe, everything was done to earn their trust. The missionaries began by making gifts drops from Saint's airplane. McCully would often accompany him on these missions.

When the missionaries felt they had built up enough of a rapport with the Huaorani, they decided to land in their territory. By this time, Roger Youderian and Pete Fleming had also joined the effort. Saint was able to land the airplane on a sandbar along the Curaray River. However,after friendly ground contact with three Huaorani, the missionaries were attacked by a party of 6 Huao warriors and 3 women. McCully was speared by a young Huao named Mincaye, and also severely mutilated with a machete after he grabbed and tried to hold back one of his attackers. His role is described in the 2006 film End of the Spear.

Shortly afterwards, a search party was organized to find the men. McCully's body was not found by the search party, but he was presumed to be dead. Some Quechua Indians had later found his body further down stream, and even produced McCully's shoe and wristwatch as evidence.