Mission to the Headhunters: How God's Forgiveness Transformed Tribal Enemies

by Frank Drown, Marie Drown

Suspicion, hatred and killing was what marked the Shuar and Atshuar Indians. The first missionaries in the Ecuadorian Rainforest Frank & Marie were committed to bringing about life changes in these tribes by seeking to communicate forgiveness of sin and new life which could be found in Christ. Frank and Marie Drown prepared the way for Jim Elliott, Nate Saint and their colleagues. Frank was the person who discovered their bodies.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, History

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

Reviews

[Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 'missionary' book is an excellent, informative, intriguing, challenging and faith-forming read. To read and see the lasting effects of the gospel in the lives of tribal, jungle Indians is truly breathtaking - and encouraging! If the gospel can take root in the jungles of Ecuador, then it can take root in the urban jungles many of us are called to work in.

This book is the story of honesty, with oneself, others and God, rigorous endeavour, in the face of one step forward and two steps back, and constant hopefulness rewarded by the faithfulness of God.

Three short quotations sum up for me the story of this book ...

"My heart skipped a beat as I listened. Seeing how God had changed these people's lives was better to me than having a great job in the States and earning big money. I didn't need a better pay than what I was seeing and hearing."

"We knew God was still calling Christians to follow Him wherever He would lead. There were still many people groups who had yet to hear the gospel. The mandate of Christ to take His truth to all the world was a continuing challenge to every generation."

"Like the 'sower of good seed' that Jesus talked about, Shuar and Atshuar believers are scattering the Word of God throughout the southeastern jungle of Ecuador as far as the Peruvian border. Their favourite way of spreading any news is still by walking and talking."

It is encouraging to see that these dear fellow-believers are living for and serving Christ in the 'biblical' fashion ... walking for and talking about God!

Very highly recommended!

[Trip Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best missionary bios I’ve ever read! Highly recommend! The Drown’s story is riveting and a great encouragement for anyone who has faith in God. I heard them in person several years ago and was gripped by their story and how they presented it. Very sweet but bold people. Frank helped lead the search party for the 5 missionaries killed by tribal people (Aucas) who were later converted by the widows of the missionaries they killed, including Elizabeth Elliott.

[Svea Goertzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. Drown goes into much detail about missions in Atshua, always attributing to God the glory due His name. I recommend reading this alongside Through Gates of Splendor, about the place where Drown’s name is mentioned. Drown and Eliot were contemporaries and missionaries in the same area.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Drowns were missionaries to the indigenous Shuar people of Ecuador for nearly forty years. This book, their memoir, chronicles their life and ministry from the first time they stepped foot in the jungle to their retirement as Midwestern Representatives for the Gospel Missionary Union in Missouri. Part of this book describes Frank’s friendship with Roger Youderian and Nate Saint, two of five missionaries in Ecuador who were martyred by the Auca (Huaorani). Frank led the search team for the men and spoke at their burial. This book was the most complete story of a missionary’s life that I have ever read. The Drowns describe the early years and struggles they faced, the ways that God proved faithful, and the fruit that came from their years of sharing God’s love, grace, and plan for salvation and eternal life with the Shuar. Ultimately, the Drowns’ vision was to raise up indigenous missionaries that would take the Gospel to their own countrymen. The Shuar have largely revoked their practices of revenge killings, head shrinking, polygamy, and witchcraft. I appreciated learning that the missionaries cared about preserving the cultural identity of the Shuar, encouraging them to apply to the government for land ownership so that they could not be driven off like other tribes. Two of the Drowns’ greatest accomplishments in furthering the Gospel in Ecuador were helping develop a written language so they could translate the Bible into Shuar and launching a radio broadcast to transmit sermons and hymns to the homes of many indigenous Ecuadorians. It was educational and inspirational to read about the Drowns’ life and work. Frank passed away in January 2018 at the age of 95; Marie is still living in Missouri.

[Jeremiah Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a blessing I received from reading this wonderful story of how God used a couple to redeem His people.

I really don't want to give too much details away. The countless times God blessed this mission to save the Shuar people is only believable in the context that there is a God and He is good. From savage, warring tribes, shrinking the heads of their enemies and praising witch doctors and evil spirits. A people that had never heard of the true God or His Son. All of this to a a group of peaceful tribes who gathered together to exclaim "We did not come here to fill our stomachs with the Cumai Shuaras' good pig meat. Since we are 'born-again ones' we have come to feed our minds on God's Word so we can return home better Christians" Praise the Lord!

The impact this couple and other believers made is just amazing. I really encourage you to read this account.

[Naomi]

This book is well written. Good for an easy read, but not a mindless one. Written from a firsthand viewpoint of living, and working in the jungles with completely uncivilized peoples. The truths contained in this book cross many international and cultural barriers! I was surprised how the mentalities and charactaristics of the Godless people of the jungles matched the Godless peoples of other countries even civilized ones! Very thought provoking!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging account of US missionaries in the jungles of Ecuador bringing the gospel to the lost tribes. See how the gospel changes the hearts of these people when they are truly converted.

The account of how God provided constantly in aiding to build the hydroelectric power station will be a huge encouragement!

[Kristin Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book given to me by Carole R. Interesting biography.

[Sarah Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring account of the man who led the search party for the five killed by the Aucas and his journey to bring the gospel to the unreached in Ecuador.

[Lauren Dunn]

The year is young, but I'm confident this will be one of my favorite books I finished in 2026. Frank Drown led the ground search party that found the bodies of the "Auca Five" -- the five missionaries who were killed in 1956 in Ecuador by the Waodani tribe they tried to reach with the Gospel. But that part of Drown's story takes up very little of this book. The rest of it catalogues Frank and Marie's decadeslong efforts in bringing the Gospel to tribes who had never heard it before and who, like the Waodani, lived and died by traditional customs that glorified revenge killings and witchcraft. Frank tells of the difficulties but also the amazing ways God provided even in seemingly little circumstances. He tells the story of how God's truth changed the most hardened warriors. In some ways, it reads simply -- just an Iowa farm boy telling about his experiences. But that's part of the charm. And his material brings enough suspense and shock factor on its own. Also, some may question some of the missionaries' strategies and approaches during this time (1940s-early 1980s) -- either way, this book gives a front-seat look at missions in a pivotal era of U.S. missionary efforts, one that we should learn from.

"My faith in God kept growing stronger. I felt like telling everyone, 'How wonderful God is! If you want to see how great God is, try something bigger than you are. See Him do something you can't do. It is a thrill.'" - Frank Drown

[Elize · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one who says if he can have his life over, he would make the same choices, is worth listening to. Thoroughly enjoyed reading Frank's book, wish there were more such accounts of selfless living. Truly an inspiration.

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

recounts the lives and ministry of missionaries who take the gospel to jungle dwellers and must overcome their deeply entrenched belief systems to share Christ.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great missionary biography about Frank and Marie Drown's ministry to the Shuara and Atshuara peoples of southern Ecuador.
I was encouraged as I read about how God's hand was at work among these people and how he provided for their needs.

[Corey Reynolds]

My wife and I are reading this together before bed.

[Sally Beveridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so great - so inspiring and God filled and just filled with amazing faith

[Pete Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very encouraging autobiographical account of Frank and Marie Drown's efforts to bring the gospel to the Shuar tribe in Ecuador.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love missionary stories and this was a good one.