Survivor Castaways Duel It Out and Openly Share Their Faith

By Eryn Sun, Christian Post Reporter Monday, March 21, 2011

Two castaways seek salvation this week on Redemption Island, hoping to redeem themselves and determine their fate.

Recently voted off player Krista Klumpp faces reigning champion Matt Elrod of the Ometepe Tribe in a duel – not the typical kind of redemption story you'd imagine.

Elrod, the second player to be exiled to the island, said, "I just have to stay strong and the Lord will be with me."

The 22-year-old and three-time Survivor castaway draws strength from his faith in God and connected with former Miss Alabama contestant Klumpp, who also relied on her personal relationship with the Lord.

"My strong relationship with the Lord is a strength and guidance you can't find anywhere else," expressed Klumpp, 25, while preparing for her duel against Elrod.

"I'm fighting to honor my God," stated Elrod, a pre-med student at a faith-based liberal arts institution in Nashville.

In the preview for this Wednesday's episode, Elrod and Klumpp are seen openly praying before their meal.

"We give this day and this duel to you Lord and we know that whatever the outcome is that it will bring honor to you…" Elrod recited.

"We just thank you so much for letting us be here together here on Redemption Island Lord and help us carry on honoring you Lord. In Jesus name, Amen."

Both castaways admitted to struggling on the island, not for lack of food or proper hygiene, but because there was no faith-based community to lean on or talk with about their beliefs and how they feel.

Though Elrod welcomes his fellow Christian cast mate, he also revealed that it would be a lot more difficult to compete with her for the same reason, feeling anxious about whether or not this week would be his last.

Seen giving Klumpp the last scoop of their food on this week's clip, Elrod told CBS he's always been inspired by people who put others before themselves.

"I think there are so many people worthy of being deemed 'a hero' in everyday life that are overlooked," noted Elrod, who hopes to play the game with honesty and integrity.

While Klumpp, a fierce and driven competitor, knows that "in this game there comes a point when you've got to turn. You know you've got to make some hard decisions, ones that necessarily aren't going to help out your best friend." She also recognized that, "the hardest thing is going to be when I have to make those moves."

Currently in its 22nd season, "Survivor: Redemption Island" brought a new twist to the game with the theme of "redemption."

Castaways, who have been eliminated from the game in a remote location in Nicaragua, for the first time, have an opportunity to seek redemption and return for a chance to win the million-dollar prize.

Each week at Tribal Council when a castaway is voted off, he or she is sent to Redemption Island, where that player will live alone in exile until the next person eliminated at Tribal Council is sent to the island.

To stay on the new island, the castaways must compete in duels where the winner earns the right to continue fighting for an opportunity to eventually return to the game and the chance to compete for the title of Sole Survivor. The loser is sent home.

Elrod has currently won over former players Francesca Hogi, three-time Survivor castaway Russell Hantz and most recently Kristen Kell.

So will it be Elrod or Klumpp who will soon be sent home to rejoin their faith-based community?

"Survivor: Redemption Island" airs Wednesday 8/7 Central.