Bruchko

In Mark 16:15, the Bible records a command Jesus gave to the early Christians: "And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."" - (ESV) That command holds the same weight today as it did when Jesus first proclaimed it, but most Christians are only partially obedient. Not so Bruce Olson, the author of Bruchko. The title comes from the name the Motilone Indians gave him when he joined them in the deep jungles of Columbia, but not before they nearly killed him, twice. Ultimately, Mr. Olson's love of God and calling to share the gospel with the Motilone tribe gave him the perseverance to live among them, learn their ways, understand their language, become accepted by them, and ultimately share show more the gospel with them so that the Holy Spirit could draw them to Jesus. This inspiring story tells of trials most people only read about or see in movies that are so extreme they would shy away from ever even attempting to live through them. This is a truly inspiring and challenging book about a life lived to fully serve Jesus. show less

I think this book came out either when I was still in high school or newly in college. It made waves in the Christian community and really had a message more of grace than anything. The subtitle makes me cringe a bit now - "Christianizing the Stone Age Tribe" - it makes the whole thing sounds like it's all from someone with a huge white savior complex. Maybe could have considered that wording before putting it out there.

Book Description:

布魯斯 愛爾生 (Bruce E. Olson) , 一個十九歲的青年, 在沒有差會支持下, 闖進南美洲原始叢林, 和印第安土人生活了十五年,學會他們的語言、文化和生活方式,也介紹現代化的醫學和農業技術給他們, 改善他們的生活, 最終帶領全族的人認識基督。

Excellent, gripping autobiography of Bruce Olson. His love of the native people of South America shines through in this story. This is an excellent "coming of age" book for youth who are searching for their purpose in life. Olson tells his own story of deciding to do as God directed, even though it was in no way clear how this all would turn out.

Probably my favorite biography I have ever read.

Powerful!!

This is someone who is living the cross (if I may make that statement without irony).

The original title was For This Cross, I'll Kill You. I have been graced with a signed copy. (Woohoo!) One of my heroes.

This was an interesting read about an American missionary seeking to use cultural analogies to share the Gospel with tribal people in Colombia/Venezuela....

Why the low rating? My full review is here;

http://christianmissionaryuk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/contextualising-for-culture-...

The book is free of bad language and sexual content. There is some violence/distressing scenes that may make it unsuitable for some readers. It is worth reading (especially for missionaries) if only for the purposes of personal reflection.

One of my very favorite stories! Incredible adventure as he moves among native people by himself.