So I'm waiting for my car's oil to be changed reading "Our Witchdoctors Are Too Weak," and I have to force myself to not laugh out loud lest my fellow "waitees" think I need to be committed. I didn't expect that from a missionary biography - one of many expectations upturned by this book.
With a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor, Davey Jank shares his 15 years of trials and tribulations among the Wilo tribe deep in the Amazon. With brief chapters, each recounting a new experience, I was led deeper and deeper into this “astonishing biography.” The pages open with Jank arriving in the jungle and lead us through his journey to learn the Wilo language and culture, and to create a written alphabet to share “God’s Talk” with a tribe for whom the concept of God and the Bible is completely foreign. Along the way, he transforms from an object of Wilo curiosity to friendship and trust, earning the right to share God’s Word with them.
The Wilo are traditionally a timid, nonaggressive people. When a tragic violent attack occurred, the tribe suspected a visitor from another village, the brother of the local medic. By medic, I mean the brothers were sons of witchdoctor. The suspect fled, and the brother and father threatened the Wilo with snake attacks and other “bad things.” Uncharacteristically, the Wilo responded, “We are not afraid.” Prodded by Davey, tribesman Yanako went on to explain, “That witchdoctor didn’t make the earth. He didn’t make the stars in the sky. … God sees everything that witchdoctor does. Only God is all-powerful…. Only God is eternal, and we want to know more about Him.” Hundreds of years of spiritual darkness and fear were being erased as people were transformed by the power of God’s Word.
This book is equally poignant and humorous, a rare delight. Easy reading, yet inspiring and impactful. I highly recommend it, and not just for lovers of missionary biographies.
I received this book free from agent Rachelle Gardner in exchange for a review. So glad I did. I would love to pass it along to you. Please leave a comment below this blogpost to be entered to win the book. You won’t be disappointed.
3 comments:
Sounds like a great book.
I'd love to win it. Thanks for the message.
"equally poignant and humorous..." that is indeed a rare delight! This books sounds like a great read!! I don't know if I can enter from overseas... but I'll give it a try!! Great review Susan, again, you have triggered my interest for a book I haven't heard of...
I just discovered you're a 'fellow reviewer' of this book. It really is a wonderful story of a remarkable life experience, isn't it? I'm so glad God hasn't called me to cope with the things the Janks have had to face (I'm not inclined to eat grubs or deal with spiders), although he strengthens us to follow wherever he leads.
As I already have copies of the book you needn't include me in your draw. I just popped over to say hello. :)
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