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Bruchko: The Astonishing True Story of a 19-Year-Old American, His Capture by the Motilone Indians and His Adventures in Christianizing the Stone Age Tribe
What happens when a nineteen-year-old boy leaves home and heads into the jungles to evangelize a murderous tribe of South American Indians?
For Bruce Olson, it meant capture, disease, terror, loneliness, and torture. But what he discovered by trial and error has revolutionized then world of missions.
Bruchko, which has sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide, has been called “more fantastic and harrowing than anything Hollywood could concoct.” Living with the Motilone Indians since 1961, Olson has won the friendship of four presidents of Colombia and has made appearances before the United Nations because of his efforts. Bruchko includes the story of his 1988 kidnapping by communist guerrillas and the nine months of captivity that followed. This revised version of Olson’s story will amaze you and remind you that simple faith in Christ can make anything possible.
For Bruce Olson, it meant capture, disease, terror, loneliness, and torture. But what he discovered by trial and error has revolutionized then world of missions.
Bruchko, which has sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide, has been called “more fantastic and harrowing than anything Hollywood could concoct.” Living with the Motilone Indians since 1961, Olson has won the friendship of four presidents of Colombia and has made appearances before the United Nations because of his efforts. Bruchko includes the story of his 1988 kidnapping by communist guerrillas and the nine months of captivity that followed. This revised version of Olson’s story will amaze you and remind you that simple faith in Christ can make anything possible.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
262 people are currently reading
7424 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Olson
23 books18 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Bruce Olson is a Scandinavian American Christian missionary best known for his work in bringing Christianity to the Motilone Indians of Colombia and Venezuela.
Bruce Olson is a Scandinavian American Christian missionary best known for his work in bringing Christianity to the Motilone Indians of Colombia and Venezuela.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 690 reviews
February 17, 2022
Just incredibe.
I love missionary biographies and this one I just can't stop thinking about the power of and love of God. An young blond hair boy, a willing heart, unreached and unicivilized Idians of Columbia, plus one uncovnetional way of doing missions.
No story every will compare this one. And it's still ongoing- having eternal resuls, ,changing lives, changing goverment officials and laws, changing tribes. All because of Jesus and a willing heart. The things and dangers he went through those early years are just incredible.
Excited to find Book 2.
I love missionary biographies and this one I just can't stop thinking about the power of and love of God. An young blond hair boy, a willing heart, unreached and unicivilized Idians of Columbia, plus one uncovnetional way of doing missions.
No story every will compare this one. And it's still ongoing- having eternal resuls, ,changing lives, changing goverment officials and laws, changing tribes. All because of Jesus and a willing heart. The things and dangers he went through those early years are just incredible.
Excited to find Book 2.
November 4, 2025
Imagine Indiana Jones, venturing into the Amazon jungle facing cannibalistic head hunters? If that sounds exciting (i think it sounds exciting.) Then you have to read "Bruchko" (This is the book that we read for S.T.P. introduced by the missions pastor. I would read "Bruchko" 3 times and it's one of my favorite biographies, about cannibalism and missionaries eaten for lunch!)
When Bruce Olsen, was a 19 year old teenager, he left home against his mother's wishes, went into the jungle of cannibals without an Indiana Jones whip, spoke 15 languages and wrote his memoirs. Bruchko, which I believe is better than the reality show "Survivor" or "Into The Wild," about some lonely guy who sadly dies eating roots and shrubbery in the wilderness of Alaska.
Bruce Olsen, in the 1960's, sails along the Orinoco flow. (Great Enya song, which is what I'm listening to as I write this review on my Galaxy phone!)
The young American gets captured and becomes a prisoner of a stone age murderous tribe, he gets diseased, starves in the South American jungle and giant 3 foot worms, that grow inside his intestines, escape because Bruchko is so hungry. (Poor hungry worms!)
In Bruchko's most riveting 15th chapter, "Mistaken for a Cannibal," is the story of Abaratatura, the greatest Motilone warrior and hunter. The chief over all other chiefs.
"Where does this great warrior live?" asked, Bruchko
His Motilone companion answered, "a long way in the mountains."
"Why don't we visit him? I'd like to meet him!"
The Motilone laughed, "you want to get killed? He hates white men... [and] he thinks your the Cannibal with the magic flute that will lead all the Motilones into a trap, and they'll be eaten alive!"
(This is good stuff. There's no such thing as a good book unless it has 1 or 2 chapters on cannibalism!!)
The missionary Bruchko, learned the native stone age language in the jungle, "that's why Abaratatura hates me? He thinks I'm a cannibal?"
The Motilone confessed to the missionary, "Abarataura was on his way to kill you when you disappeared.. the day after you left, he arrived."
Bruce Olden recounts the night he had suddenly gotten really sick, and he didn't understand, and "disappeared," "Now I could see that God.. saved my life."
But the missionary has a passion (or maybe we should call it a death wish,) to meet the greatest warrior, "I would like to see him."
The Motilone Indian laughs, "You can't go there. He'll kill you."
But the missionary, Bruce Olsen finally finds a way to meet the great Motilone warrior a few weeks later, when they are sent on a mission.
After the 8th day, the missionary again becomes extremely sick. "I couldn't imagine what this sickness could be." But then something strange happened. The missionary's eyes turned yellow.
Bruce Olsen had hepatitis and needed immediate medical attention if he was going to live. The problem was they had traveled 8 days at a near running pace deeper into the jungle with no Doctors or civilisation for hundreds of miles in every direction.
"I wouldn't make it alive," the missionary realized.
Bruce Olsen, was a dead man walking.
"I am going to die. I had promised to lead a God directed life. My life is in God's hands."
The next few days the missionary's skin turned yellow and he began fainting.
The Motilone warriors took turns carrying the unconscious missionary.
Then they reached the territory of Abaratatur. Motilone warriors had come ahead to kill the white man.
Is the missionary going to die by sickness or by cannibal assassins.?
Or maybe both at the same time?
This is why no one should ever want to be a missionary. They have the worst life insurance of any job that's out there.
This is a crazy but good story that reminds me of Elijah and the showdown with the 450 prophets of Baal for a final showdown.
"Answer me, God;" says Elijah, "O answer me and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance.”
Immediately the fire of God fell.
I Kings 18:37-38
Fast forward to the Future and now Bruchko after living decades in the South American jungle has sat down and eaten lunch with the last 5 Columbian presidents, is apart of the Orinco history, accepted by the Indigenous Motilone tribe, wisely became friends with the Witch Doctors and helped them experience the fastest economic growth of any primitive group in the world.
Here is a personal testimony, of Bruce Olsen:
https://youtu.be/2kox54SLxFk
When Bruce Olsen, was a 19 year old teenager, he left home against his mother's wishes, went into the jungle of cannibals without an Indiana Jones whip, spoke 15 languages and wrote his memoirs. Bruchko, which I believe is better than the reality show "Survivor" or "Into The Wild," about some lonely guy who sadly dies eating roots and shrubbery in the wilderness of Alaska.
Bruce Olsen, in the 1960's, sails along the Orinoco flow. (Great Enya song, which is what I'm listening to as I write this review on my Galaxy phone!)
The young American gets captured and becomes a prisoner of a stone age murderous tribe, he gets diseased, starves in the South American jungle and giant 3 foot worms, that grow inside his intestines, escape because Bruchko is so hungry. (Poor hungry worms!)
In Bruchko's most riveting 15th chapter, "Mistaken for a Cannibal," is the story of Abaratatura, the greatest Motilone warrior and hunter. The chief over all other chiefs.
"Where does this great warrior live?" asked, Bruchko
His Motilone companion answered, "a long way in the mountains."
"Why don't we visit him? I'd like to meet him!"
The Motilone laughed, "you want to get killed? He hates white men... [and] he thinks your the Cannibal with the magic flute that will lead all the Motilones into a trap, and they'll be eaten alive!"
(This is good stuff. There's no such thing as a good book unless it has 1 or 2 chapters on cannibalism!!)
The missionary Bruchko, learned the native stone age language in the jungle, "that's why Abaratatura hates me? He thinks I'm a cannibal?"
The Motilone confessed to the missionary, "Abarataura was on his way to kill you when you disappeared.. the day after you left, he arrived."
Bruce Olden recounts the night he had suddenly gotten really sick, and he didn't understand, and "disappeared," "Now I could see that God.. saved my life."
But the missionary has a passion (or maybe we should call it a death wish,) to meet the greatest warrior, "I would like to see him."
The Motilone Indian laughs, "You can't go there. He'll kill you."
But the missionary, Bruce Olsen finally finds a way to meet the great Motilone warrior a few weeks later, when they are sent on a mission.
After the 8th day, the missionary again becomes extremely sick. "I couldn't imagine what this sickness could be." But then something strange happened. The missionary's eyes turned yellow.
Bruce Olsen had hepatitis and needed immediate medical attention if he was going to live. The problem was they had traveled 8 days at a near running pace deeper into the jungle with no Doctors or civilisation for hundreds of miles in every direction.
"I wouldn't make it alive," the missionary realized.
Bruce Olsen, was a dead man walking.
"I am going to die. I had promised to lead a God directed life. My life is in God's hands."
The next few days the missionary's skin turned yellow and he began fainting.
The Motilone warriors took turns carrying the unconscious missionary.
Then they reached the territory of Abaratatur. Motilone warriors had come ahead to kill the white man.
Is the missionary going to die by sickness or by cannibal assassins.?
Or maybe both at the same time?
This is why no one should ever want to be a missionary. They have the worst life insurance of any job that's out there.
This is a crazy but good story that reminds me of Elijah and the showdown with the 450 prophets of Baal for a final showdown.
"Answer me, God;" says Elijah, "O answer me and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance.”
Immediately the fire of God fell.
I Kings 18:37-38
Fast forward to the Future and now Bruchko after living decades in the South American jungle has sat down and eaten lunch with the last 5 Columbian presidents, is apart of the Orinco history, accepted by the Indigenous Motilone tribe, wisely became friends with the Witch Doctors and helped them experience the fastest economic growth of any primitive group in the world.
Here is a personal testimony, of Bruce Olsen:
https://youtu.be/2kox54SLxFk
January 9, 2016
There was so much to do...so many things that Christ had called me to do. It would take more pain, more loneliness. Maybe death.
Why was it so hard? Why?
Then I saw Jesus. He was struggling up a hill with a great burden. His face was lined with grief, His back bent.
Oh my. This was amazing. This was effectively written much like a fictional book, but factural in its story.
Bruce Olson's commitement to Christ really drew me. So many others would have given up. So many others would have thought, "This is hopeless." But God used this man in a powerful way. You feel the emotions while reading this; the struggle of a man to remember his calling.
It's amazing to me how Bruce was "alone" from the beginning. Having support here in earth should not change how we serve God. Bruce went to reach the Motilone indians with God backing him up...no one else.
Although, I rated this five stars, there was a part where Bruce is translating the Bible for the indians and changes the wording of a verse so that the indians could see it more by their lifestyle. Personally, I didn't feel that a right thing to do. Besides that, I whole-heartedly commend this book.
Definitely plan on reading this again. A book that will convict the heart and make you look at how you can serve God more.
Why was it so hard? Why?
Then I saw Jesus. He was struggling up a hill with a great burden. His face was lined with grief, His back bent.
Oh my. This was amazing. This was effectively written much like a fictional book, but factural in its story.
Bruce Olson's commitement to Christ really drew me. So many others would have given up. So many others would have thought, "This is hopeless." But God used this man in a powerful way. You feel the emotions while reading this; the struggle of a man to remember his calling.
It's amazing to me how Bruce was "alone" from the beginning. Having support here in earth should not change how we serve God. Bruce went to reach the Motilone indians with God backing him up...no one else.
Although, I rated this five stars, there was a part where Bruce is translating the Bible for the indians and changes the wording of a verse so that the indians could see it more by their lifestyle. Personally, I didn't feel that a right thing to do. Besides that, I whole-heartedly commend this book.
Definitely plan on reading this again. A book that will convict the heart and make you look at how you can serve God more.
December 9, 2017
This was a fascinating read of a man who did mission work in a very unconventional way. He went through so much physical discomfort to show people Jesus.
October 1, 2011
Bruce Olsen talks about how Jesus transformed his life as a teenager and the tug God gave him to become a missionary despite how crazy/fanatical everyone thought he was (including his own family). Though he didn't have any training, he already taught himself Greek, Hebrew, and Latin so he could understand old Biblical texts on a higher level and set off at the age of 19 to Venezuela, SA (where he learned Spanish). One tribe continually became of interest to him called the Molitone tribe who were known for being brutal, never having contact with any other people at all (without killing them). He threw himself into the jungle, first learning about the Yukon tribe (learning their language as well) who agreed to bring him as far as he could to the Molitones. After some time he was able to learn their language and lived among them as a brother. It took 5 years before he had been able to share his passion of Christ them them. What wonders God had done after the years of patience he had. Instead of doing what most missionaries had done (by trying to Americanize a culture), Bruce Olsen, called "Bruchko" by the Molitone Indians, allowed God to use their culture to bring Christ to their tribe (and let Him transform their lives). It was such an amazing story to read about, and very sad and heartbreaking at times. I really loved it!!!!
August 22, 2023
An absorbing account of a young American missionary’s obedience to God’s calling and the love it created for the Motilone people. Bruce Olson embraced hardships and heartaches in order to offer a contextualized rendering of the gospel message to a neglected ethnic group living in the jungle of Columbia and Venezuela. The biography is both staggering and inspiring.
I was deeply challenging by how Olson enmeshed in the Motilone’s rustic culture and discovered key components in their worldview that made the gospel story comprehensible. This kind of sacrificial service to a marginalized people is redemptive and raw. It also is an authentic rendering of such missiological principles as contextualization and incarnational ministry on such a scale that it pushed me to reconsider my own degree of determination in seeing unreached people encounter God’s saving message.
I was deeply challenging by how Olson enmeshed in the Motilone’s rustic culture and discovered key components in their worldview that made the gospel story comprehensible. This kind of sacrificial service to a marginalized people is redemptive and raw. It also is an authentic rendering of such missiological principles as contextualization and incarnational ministry on such a scale that it pushed me to reconsider my own degree of determination in seeing unreached people encounter God’s saving message.
January 26, 2021
QUERIA TER 10 ESTRELAS PRA DAR PRA ESSE LIVRO!
Confesso que não sei se algum outro livro será capaz de me impactar, confrontar e emocionar tanto.
———
“- Você precisa estar suspenso. É assim que se deve estar quando se segue a Jesus, Bobby. Nenhum homem poderá dizer-lhe como você deve andar na trilha de Jesus. Somente ele poderá fazê-lo. Porém, para descobrir isso, você terá que atar as cordas da sua rede nele, e estar suspenso em Deus.”
Confesso que não sei se algum outro livro será capaz de me impactar, confrontar e emocionar tanto.
———
“- Você precisa estar suspenso. É assim que se deve estar quando se segue a Jesus, Bobby. Nenhum homem poderá dizer-lhe como você deve andar na trilha de Jesus. Somente ele poderá fazê-lo. Porém, para descobrir isso, você terá que atar as cordas da sua rede nele, e estar suspenso em Deus.”
July 2, 2024
This was my second time reading this book, and I still couldn’t put it down. I loved the author’s candid, heartfelt style which seemed to fit the story perfectly. It has officially moved up the list of my favorite missionary biographies!
March 20, 2020
This right here is one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITES! And it's a true story! When a teenage boy starts reading the book of Acts and compares it to the modern day church, he leaves "religion" behind and finds God. A few years later, simple obedience leads him to South America for, what I believe, is one of the most profound and most beautiful missionary stories ever.
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**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
February 25, 2015
Bruchko is the amazing true story of single missionary Bruce Olson. It was fascinating to read his approach to ministering to this tribe in Columbia. He took a very non-traditional approach and did not try to Americanize the Indians. Rather, he simply shared with them God's Word. The only point with which I disagree was when he translated God's Word not literally but figuratively in some areas (instead of using the story of the "wise man built his house upon a rock," he changed it to "sand" to go with the culture). But the book was an amazing, thought-provoking read!
February 15, 2024
I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to finally read this book!
What an inspiring and compelling story. If you enjoy mission stories, this is for you.
Bruce Olsen is a name I hadn’t grown up hearing, but the sacrifice and perseverance he displayed in reaching the natives in Columbia (and Venezuela) will make you rethink your priorities and commitment to the Gospel.
What an inspiring and compelling story. If you enjoy mission stories, this is for you.
Bruce Olsen is a name I hadn’t grown up hearing, but the sacrifice and perseverance he displayed in reaching the natives in Columbia (and Venezuela) will make you rethink your priorities and commitment to the Gospel.
September 26, 2013
One of the best books I've ever read!
October 24, 2011
Extraordinary story that would stretch the credibility of many; except that as late as 2007,after 45 years, this genius of a missionary was still living among the tribe that adopted him, and their change and development is easy for all to see; so, presumably, are the records of him speaking on their behalf at the United Nations.
The Motilone/Bari people were the sort who are bulldozed into oblivion or alcoholism: small (2,500 people) and Amazonian. Olson brought the gospel to the people in a way that strengthened, rather than diminished, their local culture, and they thrived and survived the transition into the modern world. Many of their people have become university graduates (and have then gone back to the jungle). Their numbers have grown. Send anthropologists urgently!
The Motilone/Bari people were the sort who are bulldozed into oblivion or alcoholism: small (2,500 people) and Amazonian. Olson brought the gospel to the people in a way that strengthened, rather than diminished, their local culture, and they thrived and survived the transition into the modern world. Many of their people have become university graduates (and have then gone back to the jungle). Their numbers have grown. Send anthropologists urgently!
August 17, 2022
I wished I read this book before I moved to Honduras and started living with people who have a different culture from my own. This book should be used to help people understand how to interact with people from other cultures. It also is just a beautiful written story. I cried.
Bruce went to jungles of Venezuela and Columbia with no money, no language training, little support, not much of a plan because He knew God wanted him there. Then in spite of intense sickness, disease, danger, zero community, tiny amount of progress HE STAYED. He didn’t push his theology or his traditions on anyone. He chose to see the benefits in their culture. God gave him a best friend, allowed him to experience intense grief and somehow by the power of the Holy Spirit the Gospel was known by these people.
Bruce went to jungles of Venezuela and Columbia with no money, no language training, little support, not much of a plan because He knew God wanted him there. Then in spite of intense sickness, disease, danger, zero community, tiny amount of progress HE STAYED. He didn’t push his theology or his traditions on anyone. He chose to see the benefits in their culture. God gave him a best friend, allowed him to experience intense grief and somehow by the power of the Holy Spirit the Gospel was known by these people.
October 23, 2014
Who takes off as a teenager and lives in the jungles of South America without knowing the language, without a support system and without money? Apparently, Bruce Olson. This is the amazing story of God in the life of someone who is sold out to following Jesus.
Need to be reminded what trust looks like? Want to be challenged in your level of comfort and contentment? Willing to have to suspend your credulity for a little while? Read Brushko. You can't help but want to trust God more than you do now.
Already recommending it to those around me.
Need to be reminded what trust looks like? Want to be challenged in your level of comfort and contentment? Willing to have to suspend your credulity for a little while? Read Brushko. You can't help but want to trust God more than you do now.
Already recommending it to those around me.
June 12, 2013
Eye opener. Real hard-core missionary adventure. This book was a significant motivator behind my choice to do missions work myself.
January 16, 2018
Wow! What an amazing story I liked that the 19 year old boy took responsibility and decided to go and do missionary work by himself and then successful in the end!
January 21, 2022
I feel like I don't know enough about either Bruce or the Motilone or his work with them. If this were a first book—if more had followed either from Bruce or from others—it might have been enough, but on its own, it feels very skimming-the-surfacey. That said, I get a sense of God drawing straight with crooked lines from the story. There's undeniable faithfulness and courage and fortitude in the book, which I can see being an especial favorite in the boy department, but there's a thinness not only in the narrative but also in the prose. There were a few places where I should have been moved to tears, but I just wasn't.
Narrator was...adequate.
Narrator was...adequate.
July 18, 2019
Bruce Olson had a crazy missionary experience. He went against about every logical and advisable thing to do in his pursuit to reach the indigenous people of Colombia. Several times throughout the book I cringed at the thought of him not going with a mission agency, support from a church/family/friends, any form of training, or team. However, he did one thing "right" he whole-heartedly relied on God every step of the way. Bruchko was a great read and I would recommend it to everyone, not as a "How to" book ... but as an inspiring story of how God moves to bring the nations into worship of Him.
December 26, 2023
A must read for Christina’s in my opinion, especially if you are called to missions! Wow what a great read!
September 9, 2023
“There was so much to do...so many things that Christ had called me to do. It would take more pain, more loneliness. Maybe death.
Why was it so hard? Why?
Then I saw Jesus. He was struggling up a hill with a great burden. His face was lined with grief, His back bent.”
Bruchko tells the story of a 19 year old who decides he wants to share the gospel with a violent tribe in South America.
A few of my favorite things…
-Olson’s emphasis on getting to know the tribe’s culture and not trying to Americanize them
-the way he prayed for a way to share the gospel that would make sense to them
-Olson’s courage in going to a new country and the way he trusted the Lord in that
Know that…
-It’s a true missionary story so there are some tough, sad, and violent things
Perfect for…
Teens and Adults looking for a missionary biography.
Why was it so hard? Why?
Then I saw Jesus. He was struggling up a hill with a great burden. His face was lined with grief, His back bent.”
Bruchko tells the story of a 19 year old who decides he wants to share the gospel with a violent tribe in South America.
A few of my favorite things…
-Olson’s emphasis on getting to know the tribe’s culture and not trying to Americanize them
-the way he prayed for a way to share the gospel that would make sense to them
-Olson’s courage in going to a new country and the way he trusted the Lord in that
Know that…
-It’s a true missionary story so there are some tough, sad, and violent things
Perfect for…
Teens and Adults looking for a missionary biography.
November 23, 2016
Incredible picture of the gospel's reach in other cultures and understandings. This book inspired us to step beyond how we receive the good news and see how a Motilone Indian might process this gift. Olson is unrelenting in his pursuit of this people group. Through sickness and health, he waits on the Lord and trusts that God will make himself real to this people. Would love to read it again.
September 23, 2022
This was really good! The endurance and faith Bruce Olsen showed during his life are amazing. There are several instances in the book when I thought, “Man, if this doesn’t end well he is going to look like an idiot.” 😳 But that’s what faith is—hope in what is unseen; continuing on even when answers are uncertain. Such a wild ride of a story. So glad I got to listen to it.
September 4, 2014
Probably my favorite biography I have ever read.
Powerful!!
This is someone who is living the cross (if I may make that statement without irony).
The original title was For This Cross, I'll Kill You. I have been graced with a signed copy. (Woohoo!) One of my heroes.
Powerful!!
This is someone who is living the cross (if I may make that statement without irony).
The original title was For This Cross, I'll Kill You. I have been graced with a signed copy. (Woohoo!) One of my heroes.
March 17, 2008
Challenging. Exciting. Inspiring. Relevant. Cultural. Communicative. Application to be made. Helpful. Encouraging. Excellent.
April 20, 2018
An extremely moving book.
April 4, 2020
Agh this book was so good. I cried (at least, teared up, because AGH everything). It's a very well-written book (it reads almost like a novel, but it's a true story!!), and incredibly inspiring. It reminds me of The Insanity of Obedience, in that it shows how Americanizing the culture you're trying to evangelize ultimately doesn't work. It was really fascinating to see how Bruce Olson presented the Gospel to the Motilones by giving it to them in terms they understood, and adapting those things to their culture (which was fascinating in itself). I also found Olson's Lutheran upbringing interesting, and the conflict that resulted from his becoming a Christian.
Overall, a gripping read that encouraged me in my walk with Christ.
Overall, a gripping read that encouraged me in my walk with Christ.
October 13, 2021
Real. Raw. Refreshing. Bruchko’s experience with the natives of Colombia is full of real human emotions, raw descriptions of experiences, and the refreshing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is so much intense emotional struggle, physical pain, heart-wrenching tragedy…yet it is all transcended by the glorious light of the Gospel breaking into clouded darkness. Every breakthrough and moment of triumph “for Bruce” was undeniably and unmistakably marked by God’s Spirit. He desired to use Bruce, and did; but GOD built His church.
A lot of interesting experience in cultural context is also packed into this story for consideration.
A lot of interesting experience in cultural context is also packed into this story for consideration.
April 16, 2020
This may not be my favorite Christian biography, but I did really enjoy it. I did not necessarily agree with all the doctrine in it, but his zeal felt genuine and I was moved, as were my kids. I appreciated that the tone of the book was one of a friend telling you their life story. Worth reading! (But only after The Hiding Place, To Cross A River, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, and Born Again.)
October 16, 2024
After my second time reading this story, it is still one of my favorite books on foreign missions. I loved seeing how God worked through Bruce and Bobby!
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