8

What reflections and connections can you make with this novel?

While I was reading the adventure of Don Richardson in the Sawi tribe, I was amazed of Don's faiths and trust in God. I knew how hard it would be for me to live with babaric people in the jungle without any technologies or luxurious lifestyle. But as soon as Don was determined to live among the Sawi tirbe in a different country called Irian Jaya, God made a path for him with blessings and protection. It was a miracle that the Sawi didn't attack Don's family or saved them each time from danger. But the most significant miracle was that Don was able to convert savage tribes into Christ followers with the help of God. Don was able to successfully fulfill his mission of what God wanted him to do for the uncivilized tribe and give full glory to God. His faith was strong enough to make a change in the Sawi tribe that God wanted for such a long time.

These happenings of the Sawi seem impossible for one man of his own reliance to make. Even though I am confused of what I want to pursue in the future but now, I can see that God would show me the vision if I focus on Him. In our society, it is hard for us to hear God's voice because we are so caught up in our worldly desires and messages. God contiuously wanted to speak to me but I had been wandering to possess what is good only on the outside. In order to live a life that is most suitable to me, I should always accompany God wherever I go and build strong faith in Him. I also learned that God does not look at my ability but my availability to serve Him.

7

How does Faith relate to the world in which we live?

I believe there is no one that lives this world without faith. Faith lended a helping hand to the people to create their world with what they believe or know. I know that this is how I simply define complexity of faith in relation to the world in which we live through acquaintance of bizarre behaviors or characteristics of other people. Now as a TOK student, I can say that I know that there is no one that lives this world without faith because I experienced unusual acuqaitances. Frankly speaking, I am very confused even by what I just claimed about 'knowing' and 'believing'. TOK class lead me to think about our perceptions, knowledge, and belief or faith for the first time in my life.

"Faith, by its very nature, requires belief outside of known fact." I believe that faith is a higher state than knowledge since faith requires more than what we know or percieve or experience. So faith is a powerful tool that can change other people and the world. The religious conflicts are caused by different faith of groups. Faith is what gives man a motivation and the will to carry out his task believing that it would bring pleasurable outcome or a secure future. This directly applies for Don Richardson and I, as a true follower of Christ. As a Christian, I believe that it is my duty to spread the gospel and to portray Christ in every actions and words that I speak to the world. Since I know and believe that Jesus Christ is the Truth and the only way to eternal life, I base my thoughts and actions on my faith.

6

What should society do for “uncivilized cultures” like the Sawi?

Don Richardson is a perfect example of what our society should do for 'uncivilized cultures' of the Sawi tribe. First, it is important to embrace their culture and love them as our brother and sister in Christ. As Tolstoy states that men live by love, love is the only foundation of our care and support for the uncivilized cultures. Our society should also recognize different cultures, cause of uncivilization, and the conditions they are faced with.

The society should offer truth in terms of Chrisitianity like Don introduced Jesus Christ as the peace child. Even society without its belief in Christianity, its duty is to bring them education like Don made the Sawi alphabets, translated the entire New Testament in Sawi language, and started schools. Another duty is to bring aid for survival as Don brought shelter, medication, sanitation, food, and clothing.

At least the people who believe in Christ should be an example of this society that truly helps the 'uncivilized culture.' Our society should step out to reach out our hands to them first. It is difficult for us to live among the 'uncivilized culture' like the Sawi and help them but as a student, we can be trained to carry out changes in mission trips to build habitat for the homeless or support in other kinds of means.

5

How did Christianity change this culture?

Before Christianity had become the basis of the Sawi culture, they have been living in society with a mindset that evil is the key to honor, survival, success, and happiness. They were always cautious of other tribe's deception or attack but even the betrayal of one's family or friends.
Their customs of waness, gefam ason, and tuwi asonai makaerin portrays how evil had originated this tribe. But the only resolution to these malignant practices was 'peace child.'

As Don brought Christianity to the Sawi tribe, he had also brought the perfect 'peace child' who is willing to establish peace among the tribes for once and all. Peace and standards of living were the most important changes that took place in the tribe by Christianity. Christianity also taught them to have forgiveness, love, joy, and compassion in their hearts and gave new meaning in their lives. Sawi had been given a new life through salvation.

Chrisitianity also influenced the Sawi tribe with advanced tools and medicaiton. Don Richardson helped the Sawi men to build large dome for church services and meetings. It portrays a strong elemental of Chrisitianity and a sense of development from primitive tribe. Carol saved many lives from diseases and provided sanitary conditions. Chrisitianity not only gave the Sawi peace and security, but also acceptable aspects of our culture and preparation to face the outside world.

4

How different is your modern culture from the sawi tenants?

Is our modern culture different from the Sawi tenants? The answer to this question may be evident in terms of modernization, customs and culture. Our culture and the environment we live in may seem much more advanced and necessary in order for survival. A disease may be easily cured in our civilization with medical care but it may be a threat to their lives. However, can the sinful nature existing in both our modern culture and the Sawi tenants be healed by a special remedy? Two different cultures are in need of hope and the Light of this world- Jesus.

Even though the two cultures may be different in cosmetic ways, but our human characteristics that are deep inside are any different. As the Sawi practiced cannibalism and killing of each other, don't we murder our own people or even kill ourselves in committing suicides? Even though their actions of praised treachery upset our culture, we hold the same kind of thoughts; its just that most of us do not attempt to carry them in actions. Cannibalism and murder, savagery and hurtful sayings, treachery and revenge, and polygamy and prostitution are equally sinful in God's sight. Sawi had been longing for the 'Peace Child' to heal them as much as our modern culture did and therefore, it doesn't leave a huge gap between the Sawi and us.

3

Choose a representative passage from this novel that holds particular significence to you. Type it in and comment on its significance.

"Tuan, you've been urging us to make peace- don't you know it's impossible to have peace without a peace child?"
I must have seemed very ignorant as I shook my head.
Ari was astounded. "Do you mean," he queried, "that you Tuans are able to make peace without...?"
He pasued a moment in deep thought, and then suddenly his face brightened with insight. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "I understand now. You Tuans never war with each other, so of course you don't need a peace child."
When Ari said that, a tiny bell started tinkling somewhere deep inside me. But it was very indistinct. I hardly paid any attention to it.
I was still reeling mentaly under the shock of what I had witnessed.

First of all, as soons as I read this passage, I was suprised to know that exchanging of peace child was somewhat similar to our Christian culture. The peace child was the only part of the culture that was similar to my culture. I was facinated how God had given the bridge for Don Richardson to approach Christianity to those savagery people.

I realized that I hadn't really thought of having peace only through peace child because I have never questioned peace in my comfort zone. I was ignorant of some people in this world who risked their sacrifice for peace and how prvileaged I am. I am thankful that God had shown me peace in a easy way unlike how the Sawi made peace.

2

What does God want us to do for other cultures and faiths?

As Don Richarson bravely stepped into the Sawi culture to accomplish what God had wanted him to do for the tribe, he was able to interact and fill the needs of the people. But most important of all, Don was able to show God's love through his own compassion and true love for them. Because he knew that God loved the Sawi people, he also loved them and shared the gospel through ademptive analogy.

There are cultures that cannot be accepted in a Christian perspective, but God still wants us to love the differentiating culture and the people unconditionally as He loved us. Jesus tells us to "love your neighbor as yourself"-neighbors which are the diverse cultures that live among us in this world.

Because Jesus Christ wanted each culture turning back to Him, he had died and paid for all sins of men in this world. So He wants us to share the gospel through love and our own faith. To tell other cultures about God, we should be Christ-like and be an example to them; "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," (1 Peter 3:15)