Leap, Jump, Dive ...

Significance of 'this' PASSAGE

Context ... pg. 181
The theory had seemed logical, watertight - yet somewhere in prehistory the ancestors of the Sawi had accomplished what the theory said could not be done. They had found a way to prove sincerity and establish peace even in the dread context of tuwi asonai man and the waness bind! Among the Sawi, every demonstration of friendship was suspect except one. If a man would actually give his own son to his enemies, that man could be trusted! That, and that alone, was a proof of goodwill no shadow of cynicism could discredit.
And everyone who laid his hand on the given son was bound not to work violence against those who gave him, nor to employ the waness bind for their destruction. The little bell clanged again, and this time it caught my attention. I perceived its message and gasped!
This was the key we had been praying for!

'Ring Ring' I also heard the little bell clang in my head.

This passage seemed so realistic to me. Every word of this passage struck my soul like the sound of a drum beating. 'Boom Boom' I know I can't be 100% sure, but I think if I were in Don Richardson's shoes, I would have felt extreme delight in finding the key to all his questions and despairs. There was a sudden flashback in all of the things that had happened throughout the story - especially the scene where Yae was betrayed and slaughtered. The irony that lies within the story is the the concept of PEACE Child that was structured by this viscious people. It is stated that "Peace, however, requires assuarance of sincere good will on both sides." The willingness to give up a child for a problem that is not even personal is extremely difficult. I would never want to give up my child for someone else. Therefore, the idea that peace depends upson the continuing of the peace child involved proved to me that there are still some good will in the hearts of these brutal men.

Reflections and Connections

What reflections and connections can you make with this novel?

Reading through the book, I was able to make a lot of connections with who I am right now. I was even able to reflect my past and see what mistakes and accomplishments I have made.

The most memorable connection from the story was the topic on 'silence'. Don Richardson is somewhat frustrated by the silence of God. He even questions about his 'purpose' for this mission. He firmly believed that it was God who called him to this work, but there was a moment when he didn't know what and how to help this 'seeminglessly' untamable tribe. He asks God to please help him, and therefore he patiently waits.

Right now, I feel as though I'm stuck between a dream and a reality. I know that God has this extraordinary plan for me, yet I have no clue or any sense of knowing what that maybe. Everyday I encounter people who talk about what they want to become in the future. And I've noticed that I've tried to retreat from these conversations because I am uncertain about my goals. In my prayers, I ask a lot of questions to God rather than asking for a vision. I have this 'unpredictable' future right in front of me, but I wonder what would be the best way to face it. It is a tough time right now, and I am going through of phase of uncertainty; however, I will not let go of God's hand. Just as God unlocked the door for Don Richardson, I believe that when my way closes, God will give me the key to open it.

Peace Child's influence

How did Christianity change this culture?
The Sawi people's highest pleasure depended upon the misery and despair of others, which is quoted from the book. This kind of treachery was idealized as a virtue - a goal of life. It was hard to believe the fact that there were still people like this living on this earth. To me, it doesn't make sense logically how killing someone can be considered honorable. This 'action' seems like a total insanity and obsurdity, but I don't blame or detest them for who they are as a person and the same human being.

Throughout the story, the Sawi men only gave me a fearful and negative image until they decided to agree upon a peach child. This concept of "Peace Child" is what changed the Sawi's culture. In the story, Don Richardson had made a statement, "The living peace child was indeed a culturally built-in antidote to the Sawi idealization of violence." The only true and sincere act in this barbaric culture was from the exchange of the peace child. To the Sawi people true peace could never come without a peace child. Don Richardson took this as a key to all his answers, beacuse it was exactly what Jesus did for us on the cross. He took our sins and sacrificed his life so that we can freely communicated between God and men.

As the Sawi men heard the story of Jesus, referred to as the peace child, their culture gradually changed. Good spirits were beginning to enter their village. Their lifestyle and way of social interaction changed. Years later, because of the medical usuage and civilized equipment the population of the Sawi tribe increased. Children began going to schools and almost all of them went to worship Jesus every sunday at the main longhouse. This proves how strongly Christianity had a impact on these people, who were once brutal and harsh.

Is there a big difference?

How different is your modern culture from the Sawi tenents?

The differences between our modern culture and the Sawi tenants seems so dramatic. Perhaps we might be boasting about how our lives are much better and 'great' compared to the the primitive civilization of the Sawi tribe. In some ways, I strongly agree with the fact that we are more civilized, but this is only based on technological, economic, law restrictions, and etc. Most of us are so accustomed to technology, transportation, and other modernized things, it's impossible to think of life without them. It's almost like an 'of course' thing for us to have internet, packaged and sanitary food, and so forth; but all of these seems to be based on the materialistic values - having or having not. So then REALLY, how much difference is there between modern culture and sawi culture?

When looking at the differences of modern culture and Sawi tenents from the surface level, obviously, things such as prized treachery, waness, and eating humans is significantly contradicting to our modern culture. We have specialized laws that gives punishment after such act as murdering or stealing. Diseases such as small pox can be easily cured in our culture, but it is a fatal disease to the Sawi people. However, when you look at the deeper level of the two cultures, there are many connections. Some of the moralistic values and instincts are from the same human nature. For example, despite our evil and corruputed nature we all have a good nature inside to us. The Sawi people may have seemed extremely violent and brutal, but when the time for giving up the peace child came, there was a soft and tender characterstic to them. Also, we might not literally kill someone for revenge, but we do in a way stab someone behind their back. Therefore, when comaring the humanistic value - being and being not - there isn't a drastic difference between us and Sawi people.

Fascination

What concepts in the Sawi culture intregued you?

The concept of "Tuwi asonai makaerin! We have been fattening you with friendship for the slaughter!" intrigued my thoughts and my soul. The reason this concept drew my thoughts was because of its literal context and sceneray. Imganing the men, including women and children, celebrate the murder of a human scares me to death. Keeping the skull for a prized trophy seems to be a hazardous idea. This concept gives me the picture of heartless men, blood-thirsty for each other, and ravenous for human meat. This idea is controversial to our society - it is out of the norm because we have laws that abide murdering.

However, ultimately, the value of my answers lies within the fact that the Sawi culture intrigued my soul. You're probably wondering what I mean by 'intrigued soul' ... If I am to rephrase this, I am basically saying that it had a strong connections with our modern lives. If we were to look at this perspective from a broader sense, I bet everyone has fattened their friends for sacrifice. Not physically , but spiritually. Manipulating friends for YOUR own benefit is one way of "Tuwi asonai makaerin" in our society. Although this sacrifice may have nothing in relation with blood or gunshots, it does affect the feelings and emotion of a person - not only manipulating, but betrayal and disdain can be both a concept of fattening with frienship in our modern day lives. God applied that hating someone is the same thing as murdering them, and so imagine the how much stronger this concept is to God. From this idea I learned that even though the Sawi and our society have drastic differences based on lifestyle and beliefs, there still can be a profound connection when looking at it from a broader sense. This leads to the theme where all men, no matter what race, gender, age, etc., have a sinful nature.

Message of the World in need.

What does Jesus want us to do for the Sawi?

All of us heard the stories of dying children and people all around the world, but what is it that keeps us so quiet. Every year, millions of people are dying because of droughts, floods, diseases, and shortage of food, but what is it that gives us fear - is it fear of change, fear of culture, or fear of adjustments, or even fear of dying? I believe Jesus is challenging us to do what we know is right thing to do. He wants us to put ourselves aside and be a light to the world.

After reading the cruelness of the Sawi culture, it would probably be considered insane if anyone says, "I want to go visit them! They fatten friends for sacrifice and prize treachery!"

Don Richardson had a good understanding about the inhuman culture of the Sawi tribe; however, he chose to go upon God's calling because he knew it was what God wanted him to do for the Sawi men. He had a vision and desire to go live among them and help improve their primitive lives as well their spiritual lives. This story isn't trying to tell all of us to go do as what Don Richardson did for the Sawi people. However, I believe it has a more deeper message to show us. It is trying to infer the importance of our role in the world. The world is trying to send a message. But since we are so busy and exhausted from our mundane lives, we lack the ability to listen to those callings. People normally chooses to stay with what they are used to because its more comfortable; although there might be some exceptionalists who love new changes. Many of us tend to be lazy, scared, or laid-back to approach a different culture that might distort our beliefs. To be honest, even I would be scared to death if I had to go meet a group of canabalists. However, with Jesus as the ultimate example of ministry and with the anxious callings from the falling world and the people who are struggling everyday, we should take a step into something that may be unfamiliar to us. We should be more willing to serve others rather than waiting for something to just randomly happen.

Now, I want to get down to the point ...
What is it that you think Jesus called YOU to do for the Sawi?
Or, more so, what is it that you think Jesus called YOU to do for the world that is in desperate need?
We know that we have the ability to influence the world, but now it's time to put our thoughts and words into action.

Dealing with other Cultures!

What should we do when we are confronted with other cultures?

Having a set or different belief sometimes creates a barrier between the type of resources, media, and people we encounter. When confronting with different opinions or cultures, there is a part of us that become defensive. Say that someone mocks your religion; what do you think your immediate reaction will be like? Would you want to argue back and defend his opinionated statement? It's important to remember, as a person, that our words or attitude can hurt someone.

Story 1.

The first day of school is always hard. However, it's even more difficult when the environment and the culture has entirely changed from the place you have been customized to for such a long time.

Yes, it was hard to spend at least half of the day NOT at home but at school; however, it was even MORE hardening without the same language and perceptions.

I went through this change in my first year of elementary. I flew all the way from South Korea to Pennsylvania, United States. Soon as I got off the plane, I coudln't imagine what I was seeing. Americau was a giant place for me, and maybe that's because I was 35 cm shorter than right now, but still, I couldn't believe it. My house seemed like a castle compared to the apartment I've been living in for three years in Korea. And also, to get from places to places, the only transportation was by car.

School started. Since the percentage of Asians were less than 5%, I was overwhelmed by the thought that I would be a loner. As soon as I entered in the class, all of these girls and boys glanced over at me. Not only did I fear the fact that it was the first day of school, but also I feared that I was the only Asian girl in the class. I wanted to collapse, but I noticed four girls runnig over to greet me. The smiles on their faces were unforgettable, and I felt a sense of relief.

I made friends quickly, and I learned english quicker than anybody else in the classroom. After a few weeks, I didn't feel like I was Asian. Everyone treated me equally, and therefore, I was unaware of what was about to strike me. While I was playing with mye best friend, her sister came up to me. Soon as I looked at her glaring eyes, she turned around and said, "I don't like Koreans, so don't play with her." These words thundered in my head, and I felt betrayed. I tried my best to adjust with my classmates, and they gladly accepted me, but here, I was rejected - rejection is always unpleasant. Nobody wants to be rejected.

As a first grader, it was a shock to hear those words. Rather than fleeing from the situation or crying, I held tight to my anger and confusion. It was my first time encountering a cultural difference.

This leads to the question...

What should I do when I face a different culture?

Should I discredit them for racial factors?

Or is there other ways to confront them?

When we are confronted with a different culture, despite its peculiarity and disagreements, we should be able to respect it. Nobody has the same characteristics, background, and standard; therefore, it's the best to be humble and polite. Aknowleding the differences and values leads to gaining trust. Don Richardson set a perfect example. If he had been belligerant and rude to the Sawi men, he could have gotten his own head chopped off by the cruel nature of those men. However, Richardson's integrity and understanding helped his approach to the Sawi men from an entirely different aspect. Therefore, the Sawi men began to open their hearts to Don Richardson; this could have happened only because Richardson valued the uncommon culture of Sawi men, where treachery was prized. Jesus says in the bible to even love your enemies; loving someone who hates you is not easy. No matter how uncomfortable or unappealing someone's culture might be, you should not judge them negatively. Staying objective is good when conciliating to other cultures, because it will create less conflict.

FAITH

How do I relate to faith?

The meaning of 'faith' varies for everybody. For instance, the way I have faith in God can be extremely different from the way my friend have faith in God. I think in order to have faith, it takes courage and trust. Faith is like believing in the unseen and trusting the untouchable. If there is a pencil in front of me, and I can see it, that is not considered faith; however, it is considered a fact. Faith requires more than seeing, touching, and tasting. It is having the heart to accept and allow something that one cannot see become something 'true' to oneself. In fact, faith asks for feelings and motivation (act) - things that are more from a person's heart, not from the five sense of human. "We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 In order to have faith, the heart needs to be hard like a rock but also soft like a feather. The reason faith insists on stubborness and hardness is because it can easily be manipulated or conquered by other people's thoughts and the worldly things that surround us. Faith is a target and therefore it's important to be be aware of the things that we maybe vulnerable to. However, in contrast, faith also needs to be soft like a feather because it deals with the heart of an individual. In order to be an open-minded and genuine person, one musn't be so hardcore. Faith is something that can be shared with others, so therefore, it needs a tender part to it.

So now, how do 'I' relate to 'my' faith?

Well, it's quite simple. I am a Christian, and though I know that I can't be 100% perfect, through faith I am able to live up to my fullest. I think because of my faith in God, I am able to withstand adversities and lonely nights. About a year ago, I discussed a topic about faith with a college student - he's like my mentor. I was struggling through a lot of things, such as relationships and my walk with Christ. He used many similes to describe faith. One of them, for instance, was a tree. In order to bear many fruits, we must build a strong foundation in faith. He said there will be times when the tree may wither because of a drought or lose its leaves because of the seasonal change; however, if the root is strong, it will grow again when water and nutrition is abundant. I guess this is the closest way in which I relate to faith. Faith is a matter of belief not the degree of belief. Some people simply think that faith refers to a religion This is true in some ways, but faith is more than just being a Christian, Buddhist, OR even an atheist. I believe faith is a belief that comes from deep within the soul of our hearts - believing in something that cannot be seen, listening to something from a total blank space - all of these are hard task, but that's why it is so amazing. Faith, for me, is an essential portion of my life.

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

As I have said, it's not the degree of faith (big or little) that matters to God, but having a truthful faith is what God considers and looks after. A person may look beautifully gorgeous on the outside, but can have a terrible personality. It's the same for faith. A person can try to show the world that he has a STRONG faith in God by going to every Church activities; however, if faith is used to boast in front of others, it's not worth anything. FAITH even small as a mustard seed can grow to become a giant tree. As a Christian, or for any Christians, I think it's really up to how we care for that tree we planted from our faith, such as choosing the right soil, watering it consistently with the words of God, and making sure the root is deep enough to withstand any storm. Taking tender care for it and striving to bear good fruits is why it is important for us to have FAITH in God. Faith, for me, is like the root, soil, and water supply - which are the things that are essential for a plant's life flourish.