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Nate Saint was raised in a strong Christian family that was devoted to living for Christ. Bible reading, prayer, and stories of missionaries were plentiful in the Saint household. Nate developed a strong sense of purpose and conviction to serve the Lord because the early foundation created by these daily practices. Nate took a plane ride at age of seven, Nate was hung up on airplanes. His mechanical handiness was clear early on as he undertook large projects such as building an eight-foot-long sailboat or taking apart the family's car motor and putting it back together. Nate signed up for the US Army when he was 19 with the goal of flying and eventually becoming a commercial pilot. World War II had started, but Nate was told we couldn't fly because he had to a recurring infection in his leg. He served in the Army for three years, and during this time became aware of the need for missionary aviators. Soon after, Nate committed his life to missionary work and transferred his skills to missionary work. In 1948, he married his sweetheart, Marjorie Farris, and together they set out with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) to open the base in Shell Mera, Ecuador. Their children—Kathy, Stephen and Phil—were born there. Nate always dreamt up new ways to do things. Nate invented a lots of devices that are still in use by missionary pilots today, such as the dual injection engine and the "bucket drop" they used Ultimately, though, Nate was driven by his desire to reach the lost for Christ. Even the Aucas—a tribe known for their unprovoked killing sprees—had a place in his heart. After a few successful air drops to deliver gifts to this tribe, Nate and four other people (Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming and Roger Youderian) decided to attempt contact with the tribe. On January 8, 1956, they flew to an area near the Auca village and landed at Palm Beach. Despite some encouraging initial meetings, they were all martyred at that beach when the tribesmen attacked with spears a few days later. But evangelism to the Aucas did not stop because of this; in fact. Many in the village came to accept Christ because two of the wives ministered to them, including seven of the nine killers.