OUR WITCHDOCTORS ARE TOO WEAK
The rebirth of an Amazon tribe
By Davey and Marie Jank. Monarch. 256 pages. £8.99
ISBN 978-0-85721-008-1
The book is easy to read. It has short chapters detailing different incidents from Davey’s life with the Wilo tribe. This makes it easy to pick up when there are a few minutes to spare.
The descriptions of jungle life will help you to feel and smell a little of jungle life without leaving the comfort of your armchair. The word plays and use of language make this an enjoyable as well as insightful read.
It tells how ‘God’s talk’ in their own language reaches a remote tribe in the Amazon jungle. It is an eye opening insight into the struggles faced by a missionary translator who exposes his vulnerability, and writes in a humorous and open way. It blows away romantic misconceptions about missionary life, and gives a glimpse into the reality and challenges of cross-cultural living. Often our own cultural norms have to be suppressed, which is not easy.
It shows the painstaking, laborious task involved in bringing God’s truth in a culturally appropriate way, and the linguistic challenges to be grappled with.
There were many times I could identify with the issues. For example, using fear to discipline their children, and the stronghold fear had on them. ‘Their spiritual beliefs revolved around the concept of fear; fear of the evil spirits, fear of witchcraft of others, fear of the dead, fear of being helpless in the face of spiritual attack’ (p.196).
This is true of many cultures — and our prayers are needed that people will be set free from their fears. What a joy to see how God prepared the Wilos for his talk, and worked to release them from fear, transforming them into the light of his glorious kingdom. Praise God for the power of his Word.
Rosie Crowter,
UFM missionary in Papua New Guinea
