What reflections and connections can you make with this novel?

   Coming from a Christian family, I was constantly expose about the Christian faith.  However, I never realized the capacity of faith until I read the Peace Child.  As I look at the times I lived in China and America, I can see that those experience that made me the person I am today.  Reading the Peace Child made me question the idea of what the Peace Child is to me.
   I believe that faith is a big element when it comes to the Peace Child.  The book describes the hardships that Don Richardson and his wife had to face.  It must have been a major sacrifice to move in such a remote place, with just the faith of "God's Calling."  As a young-ling, I have always heard of God's Calling.  I would hear this from church, my parents, and other ministries.  My father said that he had "God's Calling" through a bus ride, and initially he didn't want to go to China.  But eventually, my family did go to China through this calling.  What I can't  understand is the reason behind this.  Why would you go to America as an immigrant, and waste your life trying to achieve the American Dream?  It seemed foolish to me, but now I see it as a tremendous faith.
    As I look at Don Richardson's testimony on his life journey, I cannot help but see my father the same person.  Like Don Richardson, my father went to a completely new culture, and try to spread the Gospel.  He didn't speak the native tongue; how would even share if he couldn't communicate?




   My life in China wasn't a choice.  It was given to me, I had to be there.  I remember that I made many friends from my school, but never from Chinese native.  I didn't like the Chinese culture.  I always had these stereotypes of these kids, and I'd never thought I continue living like that.  I wanted to be associated in a  western culture, specifically the Korean - American group.  While I was living in China, I didn't even realize that my faith would increase dramatically.  After Nine and a half years in my life in China, my dad wanted me to move to Korea.  I never lived in Korea before, but something made me set aside my worries.  I was sad that I would leave my home, friends, and the culture.  However, I had faith that all was going to be good.
   Reading the Peace Child reminds me of the times I had in China and the culture I had to encounter.  It reminded me of how my father had such big faith, and move to a country were my family couldn't speak.  It reminded me to have faith in the events to come, and how fortunate I was to live in China.

  

How different is your modern culture from the Sawi tenants?

    The difference between the modern culture and the Sawi culture is very evident.   However, there is a great amount of similarities that the modern culture, and the Sawi culture.  At first glance, people may think that we are far more civilized.  It seems like we have medicine, technology, resources, a better culture than general.  But who are we to judge?

    In our modern world, science and technology has lead to a tremendous advance in societies.  Developed nation around the world uses technologies such as phone, cars, computers, etc.  We are in a Global Age where information can be passed around easily, especially with the development of the internet.  Also, modern culture is partly made up with the culture that the media tells us to do.  For example, we see ads everyday that tell us to be skinny.  The media tells us many things that many question our morals.  However, when this media enforces such messages, in time will these things be part of modern culture.
    In the Sawi culture, it is evident that people are happy.  Over thousands of generations, the Sawi culture had little change in their culture.  Even in this time of globalization, the Sawi culture preserves the culture that they have.  The Sawi culture separates job for different people, and everybody works together to make a living.  For the Sawi people, they say that they are civilized; however, developed nations look at them as to seem that the Sawi culture is a uncivilized culture.
    In terms of happiness, and the way things are going, modern culture and the Sawi tenants are not that different.  The only thing that is different in their way of living is the method that is used for their living.  The human nature of these two cultures are definitely the same.  We live in a culture where we say treachery is not a good thing, yet we and our cultures do.  Media promoting sex, drugs, violence and the Sawi culture's "fattening for friendship" is not difference at all.  Through this view point, I believe that our modern culture is not that different from the Sawi's culture.  After all, we are all human.  

What concepts in the Sawi culture intrigued / reviled / saddened / angered / surprised you?

      While studying the Sawi culture, my two initial emotions were anger and being surprised.  Even though I respect the Saw culture deeply, I must question their practice of cannibalistic ways.  There were many emotions that made me ponder the meaning of culture, and what it might mean to those people living it.   I have realized throughout my life experiences that no culture is perfect.  Every culture has their flaws that questions the very essence of our morality.
    This cannibalistic ways that the Sawi culture lived was not right.  Moreover, the way the Sawi's would obtain human meat angered me.  What they would do is befriend somebody from another tribe, and finally strike him dead.  This idea of "fattening for friendship" seem such a cruel idea to me.  How can one kill another person that has befriended them in the first place?  Let alone eat the person....  I wouldn't be able to such a thing.  That would be like me befriending a classmate, and murdering this classmate in the end of the year.  I don't blame Don Richardson for losing hope, and doubting God.  After all, he was dealing with a culture that admire such treachery.  When Don explained the story of Jesus, the Sawi people rejoiced when they find out that Judas betrayed Jesus.  They glorified Judas, and not Jesus.  I was angered with this treachery that was part of this culture.
     Although I respect the Sawi culture, I was angered with the fact that they invited such treachery in their culture.  However, I was surprised with the way the Sawi culture dealt with war.  When war didn't go their way, the Sawi tribe would use the Peace Child to have peace.  The tribe would send the first born child to the other tribe, and as long as the baby lives, there would be peace.  This analogy came to be that Jesus Christ was the Peace Child, and that he lives forever.  I was surprised at how Don Richardson related this to the Peace Child the Sawi culture used, and how the tribe willingly accepted this new belief.  They must have had tremendous faith.
     As we deal with the fact the evolving culture in the present day we live in, I believe that it is important for us to think about the culture we live in.  What part of your culture angers you?  What part of your culture surprises you?  Ayn Rand once said, "A culture is made - or destroyed --by its articulate voices."  When we see our culture emerging in treachery, we need to voice for change and take action.   After all, Don Richardson surprised me by representing God's voice for a cultural that was in turmoil.

What do traders and NGO’S do for these cultures?

     People all around the world want to help remote cultures to realize the awakening of the modern world.  Most certainly, NGOs also want to help economically and the psychically well- being of a less fortunate person.  However, we need to realize that the Sawi culture is not an uncivilized culture at all.  For thousands of generation, the Sawi culture passed down their tradition.  Even if we don't see the culture as a "civilized" culture, the culture itself see otherwise.  Who are we to judge other cultures?  Currently, many NGOs are trying to expose the reality of modern culture to these remote cultures.  Obviously, some of them reject such reality and does not want to change.
    However, we cannot deny the positive things that NGOs do for remote cultures.  A lot of cultures like the Sawi cultures lack adequate amount of necessities such as water, food, and medical needs are being met.  For example, such organization like the Doctors without Borders help remote cultures on medical issues.  Most culture like the Sawi culture lack these medical equipment, and statistic shows that many people who live in these culture live up to an age of 30.  
    UNICEF, a well - known organization, helps to ensure humanitarian needs are met.  Many of these cultures lack water, especially in countries where it is dry and humid.  Also, the fact that many children are not meeting the minimum required weight for their age proves that children lack the adequate amount of food for them.  That is why UNICEF tries to target these cultures, and send in supplies for such needs.  

    Another prominent problem for cultures like the Sawi culture is that their culture is being erased.  The increase amount of globalization increases the risk of endangered cultures.  That is why the Cross Cultural Solution  focuses on reserving cultures such as the Sawi culture.  It is important for us to remember and respect a way of living certain people live.  NGOs and traders definitely help cultures in certain needs.   
       

What does God expect us to do for other cultures and faiths?

      Everybody has their own beliefs when it comes to religions, but as a Christian there are certain expectations that should be dealt with.  The Bible calls upon all Christians to spread the Good News to other culture, and as a Christian believer, one is strongly encouraged to do this.  Obviously, the Peace Child shows two great character of willingness to do such a work.  Don Richardson and his wife entered the remote culture of the Sawi tribe, and their goal was to challenge the faith of this culture.  Through the book, the readers can see what this couple has learned, and to expect the unexpected.

    Throughout the Peace Child, Don and his wife are challenged by the very essence of the Sawi culture.  The Sawi culture includes rituals and disturbing circumstances even for the strong hearted.  When Don and his wife encounter a situation where Sawi honors liars, and adores the "fattening for friendship" ideal, all hope seems doomed.  A culture where they regard Judas, betrayer of Jesus, a hero must have been a hard ordeal for the couple.  However, God called upon Don and his wife to continue on even in their times of difficulty.  No doubt, the couple did have their share of doubts.  I would have.  However, Don and his wife did what God expected them to do, and not what they expected to do.  Slowly but surely, God showed something unique of the Sawi culture that would forever change Don and his wife's perception.  The peace child.  It came to them through an unexpected twist to their long term mission.  Jesus was the peace child for their culture, and it was God who gave such a sign to the couple.

        As a Christian, we need to expose God to other cultures.  While these cultures may seem like a barrier to Christianity, if we do what is expected, God will show us something that is unexpected.  Through this Don Richardson figure, I see clearly what his goal was, and what God expected him to do in that ordeal.   God expects us to spread the Word to other culture through a respectful way, and even though it may not be going the right way, God is there.  Can you hold on the pressure?  Can  you stay strong in times of difficulties?  I hope I can.

    Sometimes we may not understand God, but we must do what is expected, and share the gospel for other cultures.  Just because we don't understand him doesn't make him evil.  We need to have faith like Don Richardson had.

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

   When I first arrived to China, I didn't like it.  The distinctive smell, and the surrounding environment came to me as a culture shock.  I would always say to myself, "How could I live in such a culture.  There is no one I can identify with."  I bet Don Richardson must have felt the same way when he entered the Sawi culture.  The readers know; however, in the end of the Peace Child, Don Richardson and his wife is able to confront their culture and challenge their faith.  When we are confronted with other cultures, we don't ask for it.  We are given the situation.  I certainly didn't ask my parents to move to China, but if someone asked me if my life there was regrettable, I would definitely have said no.

    My first year in China was difficult.  My parents always told me of how hard it was for me to adapt to the environment and culture of China.  I'd always had this mindset of Chinese people being dirty and smelly.  I may have even mistreated some of my Chinese neighbors because of this stereotype.  I regret such actions that I had.  Thus, through this experience, I learn an important lesson.  When we are confronted with other cultures, we must learn to respect them.  We may not necessarily concur with different cultures, but who are we to judge?  I should have respected the Chinese community that I lived in, but I was bitter and angry in my circumstances.  I didn't like the culture I lived in.  Thats just my opinion though, and even though I didn't ask to be in this state, I realized that I should have respected their culture.  When I did start to respect the culture, I started to slowly love the culture.     

How does Faith relate to the world in which we live?

      When it comes to Faith, people may have strong views, even dogmatic.  We live in a place where there is a diverse amount of cultures, languages, and beliefs.  Thus it is important for us to remember that respecting other's views are essential.  After all, it is faith that makes us who we are.  Everything we have hoped for, believed, entrusted in, our culture, these are the key essentials that make us.  For the Sawi people, their faith was based on their ancient culture.  They related their faith, and applied it to the world their lived in.  For example, one of their culture was to "fatten their friend", and eat whomever at the end.  However, Don Richardson tested their faith with his religious belief and eventually the Sawi's lives were changed.  The "Peace Child" explains this phenomenal of how faith relates to the world we live in.

     Through my personal experience, I have seen that faith relates to the world we live in.  In my childhood, my parents taught me to relate to the Christian faith, and soon enough I have grown accustom to Christianity.  As I lived my everyday life, I had troubles that associated with my Faith.  For example, whenever my Chinese friends said, "Eat a lot of noodles, and you will live long.", I didn't relate to that faith.  I'am not saying all Chinese people believe in this saying, but for some people with this kind of faith believed that and ate a lot of noodles.  Thats how some of my Chinese friends related their cultural faith into the world they live in.  

   Each person is uniquely differently from each other.  Moreover, individuals with different faith carries out and lives their life according to that faith.  Whether it is in God, a dream, career, family, etc, it does not matter.  This is how faith relates to the world we live in, because it is by our faith that causes actions in the world.  The question is: are we ready to defend our faith when doubts arises?

    

      

Faith: How do I relate to faith? How did Don Richardson relate to Faith? How do the Sawi relate to faith?

     Peace Child is a unique book that forces the readers to think in a in depth way.  Don Richardson and his wife encounters a unique culture that they have never seen before, The Sawi People.  Throughout the Richardson's experience, obstacles were everywhere, and that is where faith took in to place.  Without faith, the Richardson could not have done what they set out to do.  Likewise, faith relates to everybody in the world.  Gail Devers once said, "Keep your dreams alive.  Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, handwork, determination, and dedication.  Remember all things are possible for those who believe."  This quote represents the very essence of what faith means to me.  

     Over my 16 years of my life, I have faced many challenges.  Keeping my hopes alive wasn't an easy task, especially living in a country with 1.3 billion people.  I was culture shocked when I first entered the China.  Living in conditions that didn't seem typical of that of a western standard came as a surprise to me.  Even at a young age of 5, I noticed such details.  As I grew older and adapt to my "new" home, I started to ask questions about my life.  "Why am I in this country?  What kind of culture is this?  Where is my identity?"  After a period of pondering and questioning, I realized that I needed to believe in something.  I had to have faith.  I needed something I could hope for and look forward to.  

     At first, I didn't know what to do.  However, I liked the idea of having faith in someone/something, so I started this objective.  I started to have faith in my friends.  I trusted that they would make me happy, and our relationships would be perfect.  Needless to say, they weren't close to perfect.  Many times they have failed me.  I also had faith in money.  I believed that money can solve everything, and boy was I wrong.  I always had this doubt in my mind, and I had a low self - esteem.  I didn't have much faith at all during my years in China.  

     Then one day, my dad told me that I would move to Korea to start off my freshman year in high school.  Suddenly, I realized that China was a major part of my life.  I felt like this was my home.  I entered this country when I was five years old.  I didn't know anything, and I had no faith in myself.  I didn't think that I would pull it off to live in such a different culture.  But I did.  I look back at the years I lived in China, and I can say that I had faith in myself.  I survived my childhood and early teenage years in China.  Without it, I would have been some emo student with a depressing disorder.  I had to take this belief.  I had to take this faith to Korea.  The moment I entered Korea, I had faith that all was going to be well.  
     Don Richardson must have had a similar feeling when he entered the Sawi culture.  He believed that everything was going to be well, and that God's goal would be accomplished.  However, Don didn't expect a culture that would honor Judas instead of Jesus.  In the peace child, the readers find that Don has experienced doubts and fear among the tribe and God.  However, his faith is a testimony of his accomplishment.  After seeing the peace child from the tribe and the story behind it, Don was able to use that story as God's story.  Without his faith, Don wouldn't have done this as he would have left the culture without accomplishment.

     As for the Sawi people, it must have been difficult to give up their culture and realize that some of it was non - practical.  It must have been hard for them to accept Jesus, and give up the cannibalistic ways of their life.  However, "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Sawi people had strong faith in God.