peace child

This week we had the unique and exciting opportunity to hear Don Richardson, a long-term missionary with World Team who as a young man in 1962 traveled with his wife and infant son into the wilds of Papua. They went to share the Gospel with the Sawi tribe, well known to be headhunters and cannibals.

What transpired is unveiled in the amazing book Mr. Richardson authored called Peace Child. He is known as well for his similar books Lords of the Earth and Eternity in Their Hearts. All of Mr. Richardson's books focus on what he calls "redemptive analogy," the idea that every culture is embedded with some story, ritual or tradition which can be used to illustrate and apply the gospel message.

These were among the books we wistfully gave away before leaving for the Philippines. Never did we imagine that we would be blessed not only with hearing these incredible stories straight from the author's mouth, but that we would even have the honor of meeting him!

He shared "redemptive analogies" from several cultures: one that has "scape chickens" instead of scape goats, another that has a traditional "place of refuge," and another that practices a ritual of "new birth" to symbolize peace with a nearby tribe.

If you haven't yet read his books, we highly recommend finding a copy of Peace Child. It will instill you with awe as the story of God's mysterious work in preparing hearts for the gospel unfolds!

Indeed, when Gentiles who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts...
Romans 2:14