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curtmize's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible missionary biography. Can't commend it highly enough. It will deepen your faith.
taneilcasey's review against another edition
5.0
Usually when we think of becoming a missionary, or read stories of those who were missionaries, we hear of having to go through the mission board. There's nothing wrong with that, and that is how many missions are supported, but it was amazing to read the story of Bruce Olsen who only had enough money to get him to Venezuela and had no idea what he was going to do once he arrived. The only thing he knew was that God had called him to serve the Indians in South America, and so he went.
Beginning with an unhappy childhood, Bruchko follows young Bruce through his conversion to Christianity, his call to become a missionary, and how he followed that call to serve the Motilone tribe in Columbia. It took time for the Indians to accept him, and then it took time for them to accept the gospel message, but once they did it spread like wildfire, reaching into the souls of many tribes. In many ways, it was the Indians' faith that strengthened Bruce's. Their simple belief would bring him back to the ground time and again with it's brilliant truth.
Another fascinating aspect to Bruce's work is that he never tried to make the Indian's become like North American people. He didn't try to force away their customs or try to get them to wear the clothes that he felt they should wear. He simply introduced the Gospel, medicine, and schools to teach them to read the Gospel.
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It was beautiful to read of God's work in South America and to see a different method to overseas missions. Although this is probably not my favorite missionary story simply due to how brief I felt it was in the telling, it is a very interesting account of what the Lord has done in Columbia. I would definitely recommend Bruchko.
Beginning with an unhappy childhood, Bruchko follows young Bruce through his conversion to Christianity, his call to become a missionary, and how he followed that call to serve the Motilone tribe in Columbia. It took time for the Indians to accept him, and then it took time for them to accept the gospel message, but once they did it spread like wildfire, reaching into the souls of many tribes. In many ways, it was the Indians' faith that strengthened Bruce's. Their simple belief would bring him back to the ground time and again with it's brilliant truth.
Another fascinating aspect to Bruce's work is that he never tried to make the Indian's become like North American people. He didn't try to force away their customs or try to get them to wear the clothes that he felt they should wear. He simply introduced the Gospel, medicine, and schools to teach them to read the Gospel.
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It was beautiful to read of God's work in South America and to see a different method to overseas missions. Although this is probably not my favorite missionary story simply due to how brief I felt it was in the telling, it is a very interesting account of what the Lord has done in Columbia. I would definitely recommend Bruchko.
colormedorie's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful story of God's goodness and a needed reminder for me to pick up my cross.... I think it should be required reading for anyone going into the mission field.
justicepirate's review against another edition
5.0
Bruce Olsen talks about how Jesus transformed his life as a teenager and the tug God gave him to become a missionary despite how crazy/fanatical everyone thought he was (including his own family). Though he didn't have any training, he already taught himself Greek, Hebrew, and Latin so he could understand old Biblical texts on a higher level and set off at the age of 19 to Venezuela, SA (where he learned Spanish). One tribe continually became of interest to him called the Molitone tribe who were known for being brutal, never having contact with any other people at all (without killing them). He threw himself into the jungle, first learning about the Yukon tribe (learning their language as well) who agreed to bring him as far as he could to the Molitones. After some time he was able to learn their language and lived among them as a brother. It took 5 years before he had been able to share his passion of Christ them them. What wonders God had done after the years of patience he had. Instead of doing what most missionaries had done (by trying to Americanize a culture), Bruce Olsen, called "Bruchko" by the Molitone Indians, allowed God to use their culture to bring Christ to their tribe (and let Him transform their lives). It was such an amazing story to read about, and very sad and heartbreaking at times. I really loved it!!!!
rheren's review against another edition
4.0
Very thought-provoking and challenging. Bruce Olson shows great courage and learns a lot about himself and about God in his adventure of reaching out to a Colombian indian tribe. This book is great for challenging our western cultural worldview about things. It was great.
It's written as autobiography, and I would've appreciated a little more reflection on what he did right and what was wrong: I think I came away most with the impression "if even someone like this can make such a difference, then anyone can", because it seems to me that he made a lot of mistakes. Obviously I'm saying this from the sidelines, so I'm not going to act superior to him or anything: he's accomplished something truly remarkable. Still, I would've preferred to know whether he would've done it differently if he had it to do over again, or if he feels that it was all what he was supposed to do.
It's written as autobiography, and I would've appreciated a little more reflection on what he did right and what was wrong: I think I came away most with the impression "if even someone like this can make such a difference, then anyone can", because it seems to me that he made a lot of mistakes. Obviously I'm saying this from the sidelines, so I'm not going to act superior to him or anything: he's accomplished something truly remarkable. Still, I would've preferred to know whether he would've done it differently if he had it to do over again, or if he feels that it was all what he was supposed to do.
taracanread's review against another edition
3.0
Impressive commitment by this missionary to serve this people group.
shicklin's review against another edition
5.0
We are so comfortable.
This book stood out because it is the true story of a young man who had enough faith and love to go where God sent him without money and without a mission agency backing him.
It was remarkable to see God work in their culture in their way. Olsen was just humble enough to back off.
I would like to read this to the kids one day. I am encouraged by God's creativity and amazed to think of all of his children that will one day be called to the wedding feast.
This book stood out because it is the true story of a young man who had enough faith and love to go where God sent him without money and without a mission agency backing him.
It was remarkable to see God work in their culture in their way. Olsen was just humble enough to back off.
I would like to read this to the kids one day. I am encouraged by God's creativity and amazed to think of all of his children that will one day be called to the wedding feast.
knitwgrace's review against another edition
5.0
Great, non-fiction book about a missionary in the jungles of Colombia. Peace Child is another book in the "International Adventures" grouping by this publisher. I enjoyed Peace Child a little more, but this one was still great. I couldn't put it down. A great reminder of what God is doing all over the world!