Steve Saint

Steve Saint's father was a missionary to the South American tribe known for their violence, the Waodani, also known as the Aucus (savages). He grew up in their village before his father and several other men were brutally stabbed to death by the tribe. Now as a grown man, Steve returns to these people learning to forgive and lead them to Christ.

The story has a lot of detail with indigenous names that I admit I skipped. But always being fascinated by indigenous tribes, the book overall was a show more good read. Eventually about a fourth of the tribe turn back from their savage ways and embrace Christianity.

Steve eventually takes his family (wife, two sons, and a daughter) to live among these people. This is a true story and is told from Steve's point of view. At times, it seemed a bit too easy - not the hardships of travel, food, sanitation, etc, but the acceptance this family received from the people.

Eventually Steve and two of the men return to the United States and basically go on a speaking tour. The book does accurately show the pull of modern civilization and traditional ways. The oil companies, the government of Ecuador, and other outside interests are a constant threat. He also speaks very freely about "doing too much" which makes the tribes even more dependent. Interesting. Might try to watch the movie made from the book. show less

On the importance of not just doing missions but doing missions well. The failure of the Church has been to plant churches that don't grow and aren't self-sustaining. The solution is to give indigenous churches the tools and training to thrive without Western interference.

I love this book because it's the antidote to the anemic world outreach we have going today. Don't just give a man a fish, teach him how to fish so he can live well without constant, expensive patronizing.

Although the writing is sometimes a bit wordy, the message of this book stuck with me for days. The deep, deep, love, faith and commitment of the Saint family is clearly communicated and when I finished this book, I was awestruck and inspired to deepen my faith.

Steve Saint was five years old when his father, missionary pilot Nate Saint, was speared to death by a primitive Ecuadorian tribe. In adulthood, Steve, having left Ecuador for a successful business career in the United States, never imagined making the jungle his home again. But when that same tribe asks him to help them, Steve, his wife, and their teenage children move back to the jungle. There, Steve learns long-buried secrets about his father's murder, confronts difficult choices, and show more finds himself caught between two worlds. show less