Torches of Joy: International Adventures

by John Dekker, Lois Neely

"On every continent, in every nation, God is at work in and through the lives of believers. From the streets of Amsterdam to remote Pacific islands to the jungles of Ecuador and beyond, each international adventure that emerges is a dramatic episode that could be directed only by the hand of God. In one generation, the Dani people of Irian Jaya took the dangerous leap from the Stone Age into the twentieth century, discovering the gospel of Jesus and their destiny as His helpers.

Genres: Christian, Biography, History, Nonfiction, School, Faith, Memoir

198 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1986

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this first in the ‘80s, but upon the passing of John Dekker I wished to mourn and celebrate his passing by reading this wonderful testimony of God’s amazing grace among the Dani of Irian Jaya.

It took courage and faith to begin ministry among fierce, even life-threatening people, but the Dekkers pushed boldly on with the Gospel. The results were amazing as tribe after tribe came to faith, transforming not only their culture but sparking a missionary impulse resulting in the conversation of thousands in many different tribes.

Although the day of primitive missions has mostly passed, the missiological principles articulated in this book have enduring relevance. Thank God for John and Helen and a race well-run.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It drags in places, but is an amazing biographical account of the Dekkers missionary work with the Dani tribe in PNG.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was great and follows the transformation of the life of John Dekker, how he met his wife Helen (really cute story), and how God led them to become missionaries to the remote Dani tribe that most people stayed away from!

What I really loved about this book is that God is what truly changed the Dani people. The missionaries did not try to change their culture at all, and just wanted to help them learn about Jesus and change their evil ways (such as being war hungry, not really caring for their wives, ad being Animists who were superstitious about many things).

Another cool part of this book is that half of it talks about the Dani people who became missionaries to other tribes surrounding their own and what troubles and joys they had in reaching out to them. The gospel being spread about from tribe to tribe through those who were witnessed to through missionaries continues! It was refreshing to read!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating biographical account of early missionaries to the Dani people of Irian Jaya. Sensitive accounts of the struggles of westerners who had to change their lifestyle drastically, and the gentle ways they reached out to people with very different customs, ensuring that the Gospel message was not tainted with western culture. Well written, if a little slow in places, and some excellent principles as an appendix, such as encouraging locals to run their own congregations, with their own guidelines, and also to send out their own missionaries.

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torches of Joy is a very challenging, encouraging book. It is challenging in that it clearly lays out the responsibility of the believer to spread the Gospel; it is encouraging in that it shows how lives are changed by the Gospel.

In 1960, John and Helen Dekker went to New Guinea to live among the Dani people.

Read my full review here.

[Susan]

This is the real life story of John and Helen Dekker's ministry to the Dani people in the Toli River Valley in Iran Jaya. What a wonderful account of the Dani's first contact with the Gospel of Christ. I was amazed at how the Gospel spread like wildfire from this primitive tribe to others in and outside of the area. God truly transforms our lives when we come to know Him.

[Ambassador116 · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not expertly written and dragging in some parts, torches of Joy is still a good read. The amazement of seeing what God can do in such a remote area over powers any deficiency in the authors style.

[Marris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite missionary books.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are really enjoying this book so far. Missionary biographies are a favorite with my daughter. She likens this book about the Dani's of Iryan Jaya with the story of Bruchko (Bruce Olson).

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing story. So inspiring and encouraging. The power of the gospel is without measure.

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started out well and then seemed to get lost somewhere and didn't flow anymore.

[Ria]

So super duper boring and not at all well written. It was an interesting story, but the author basically has no writing talent whatsoever. No offence.

[Kyrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the unusual cultural insights in this book. Didn't care for the writing style.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is certainly inspiring. It starts up really strongly and then I think it kind of splinters apart.

[Dori Stowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story of reaching the unsaved tribes in the Toli Valley. 25,000 tribespeople were introduced to Christ by the works of John & Helen Dekker, through the Dani new Christians.

[Sarah Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the biography of John and Helen Dekker, missionaries to Irian Jaya during the same time and area as Don Richardson and Stanley Albert Dale (of Peace Child and Lords of the Earth). It wasn’t written as well as those two books, but one thing that I really appreciated was the description of how the local church became self-sustaining. Approximately half the book tells the stories of Dani missionaries who reached other people groups. That alone made it worth a read!

[Charity Dušíková · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent and powerful read. What I especially appreciate is its example of evangelism that focuses on speaking of Jesus and the Bible and not propagating Western culture. The approach focused on training up indigenous leaders, spreading literacy, and indigenous leaders then becoming missionaries to surrounding tribes.

[Jonah Sinclair · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish Goodreads could do half star ratings, I’d bump this to 2.5. But sadly, this collection of INCREDIBLE stories are poorly presented and written.
As Christians we should strive for excellence in all things, and unfortunately this book seems to rest on the hope that the stories will write themselves, and they just don’t.

[Tali Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torches of Joy was an incredible story of what God can do with faithful people and a good plan. How the Dekker’s followed God is the most challenging of situations and taught others how to do the same, is an amazing example of courage and trust. An amazing book detailing the salvation of so many unteaches people that will stick with me for a long time.

[Anna Marten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book suddenly seems more interesting when you realize these are Ted Dekker's parents and he cites his childhood experiences as the reason for why he chooses certain subject matter.

[Nancy Kendall]

no audio

[glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning the culture and bridging lessons to biblical accounts. Having the locals see the need to change for Jesus. Among the things I've learned from this book. An encouraging read!

[Bryan Spahr]

read for school in 5th grade

[Leichty Library]

Copies: 1