Happy Spring!
When I first read the 26 Book Challenge list, this item stopped me in my tracks. Ha! A book I didn't read in school, there is no such thing! Something you may not know about me, because being a laid back, hippie type I don't tend to flaunt it, is that I'm a really good student. (Example- I once took 30 credit hours in one semester and got straight A's.) When I say I read everything I was supposed to read in school, you can be confident I did.
So what was I to do? The answer came in an unexpected way. I've begun raising support for my two year move to Africa working with Pioneer Bible Translators, and last week, I spent four days on the campus of my alma mater, St. Louis Christian College, meeting with professors and staff to tell them about my mission and ask them to be a part of it. One of my favorite professors, Prof Lay, listened to my presentation with interest and excitement. At the end, we began to talk about missions in general, and he said he had a book for me to read... So my professor assigned me a book, lol. Five years after graduating SLCC, and my professors are still assigning me work. Probably because they know I'll do it, lol!!! Sooo, this is as close to #19 as I can get. Thanks Prof Lay for saving the day! (Side note- another favorite professor also gave me an assignment. He wants me to write a book about my experiences and period of growth in China. I'm beginning my outline!)
The book Prof Lay pulled from his shelf and handed me is Bruchko by Bruce Olson. It's a missionary autobiography that is truly fascinating!!! Bruce Olson moved to South America when he was nineteen with seventy dollars in his pocket. He didn't have a big mission organization backing him or any real connections. He just got on a plane and went. His faith is amazing. His utter reliance on God's protection and provision is beyond inspiring. He faced sickness and disillusionment. He wasn't often sure how God would use him, but he followed His leading, into the jungle alone. He was shot with arrows and bullets, but he remained faithful to God's calling. He lived with various indigenous tribes for six or seven years before there were any conversions. He worked within their culture and society to improve healthcare. He didn't try to set up "American" style hospitals, schools, or churchs. He worked with the witch doctors, teaching them about germs and disinfectant.
In a sentence- THIS BOOK WRENCHED MY HEART!!!
I truly believe that meeting people where they're at is the most effective way to minister to them. Wearing their clothes, eating their food, speaking their language, becoming part of their communities. This is what Bruce Olson is about. He left in the early 1960's, and as far as I know, He's still living among the Motilone Indians along the border of Venezuela and Colombia. He is an amazing example of what following God wholeheartedly looks like.
Here are two really powerful excerpts...
Stats:
Angie: 4 books
Clare: 2 book
Total: 6 books
#26BOOKSwithBringingUpBurns
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