What reflections and connections can you make with this novel?

After reading Peace Child, I found that I had a lot to learn from the Sawi tenants. Looking through my previous blog posts and comments, I discovered that I was JUST as lost, selfish, proud, and needy as the Sawi people.

<6th Post: Are we really THAT different?>

Because the Sawi and the people of the modernized world all live according to their greed, it can be said that the modern culture and Sawi tenants have no significant difference between each other, but have a great resemblance in their flawed, selfish, and sadistic hearts. 

Yes, it is true. I am just as greedy and selfish as the Sawi. Having grown up as an only child, I spent my whole life stubbornly doing the things that I want to do and taking advantage of all the wonderful things that my parents gave me, like a roof over my head, a family that I can depend on, and an opportunity to make my dreams come true through my education. I was utterly disgusted at myself for being so selfish and ungrateful; however, there was nothing I could do about it, because those characteristics that disgusted me were the components of my essence. I knew that greed was always going to remain inside of me, and that there was no earthly power that could help me rectify my selfish human nature.

<7th Post: A passage that deals with God's gift to us>

"...we people confidently flaunt and wave around our 'best' for the whole world to see, when our greatest feats are actually superficial masks that cover up all the ugliness inside of us."

Because we are just so innately greedy and unpure, there is nothing about us that we can declare as our "best". I used to believe that my "best" was my love for my life. This post made me question the reason why I love my life. Was it because I enjoyed nature and every living thing in my world, or was it because I just prefer to live than to die? Although it discouraged me into thinking that I was such a selfish person, I had to admit that my life was important to me because I didn't want to die...I just wanted to live. 'Why am I so flawed?', I pondered in distress. 'Why can't I be as selfless and good as Don Richardson? What do I have to do to get rid of this nasty side of me?'

At that moment, I felt lost. I was confused and helpless like the Sawi were about their faith.I understood that we were confused because of our lack of faith and reliance. Just like the primitive jungle people conceal their insecurities with ominous body paintings and violent wars, I felt myself hiding my pertubation and acting like I was fine off without anybody's help or guidance.

<5th Post: ...but inside, the Sawi have a heart>

Might not the Sawi depend on their ominous body paintings, weapons and spears, and brutal wars because they don't know any better ways to survive and keep strong in their vast and frenzied lives?...Why are the Sawi such brutal cannibals and vengeful murderers, even when they clearly have a good heart for family and life? Could it be that they just need something to believe, like the merciful and understanding God that we have?

This post helped me realize why the Sawi and I tried to appear strong and confident when we really were not. It was because we were missing a great chunk of our lives; it was because we didn't get to know God. 

<Comment on Calvin's Post>

Could it be that God was already working goodness in their lives; it was just that they couldn't see Him because He was working behind the scenes?... He must have really meant it when He declared his unconditional love for ALL the world and ALL his people.

God works goodness for ALL the world and ALL the people in the world. The Sawi people and I were just the ones who failed to realize that God had always been playing a huge role in our lives. Just like Richardson gave the Sawi a chance to accept the 'Ultimate Peace Child', Jesus, the Peace Child provided me a way towards Christianity, something that could solve all of my troubles and answer all of my questions.

Q: What do I have to do to get rid of this nasty side of me? 

    A: I am to find my true self that awaits me in the Son of God.

Q: At times when I am insecure and lost, where am I to go?

    A: I am to find my true self that awaits me in the Son of God.

Q: What am I to do to get as close to my 'best' as I can get?

    A: I am to find my true self that awaits me in the Son of God.

The lesson that Peace Child taught me was simple: I was to approach God. I was to approach Him for the same reason why the Sawi grasped Christianity: to break away from distress and insecurity. As I conclude this blog assignment, I finish it on a good note. My outstretched hand towards faith has been answered, thanks to the help of Don Richardon's book, Peace Child. The Sawi people and God's miraculous work in the New Guinean tribes have led me closer and closer to what I had been missing all along: a little bit of Christ.