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- Janis Pok
- Timothy Kwon
- Becca Roberts
- Ryan Park
- Hyonwoo Kang
- Caroline Lee

numberEIGHT.

Choose a representative passage from this novel that holds particular significence to you. Type it in and comment on its significance.


The wilderness of the locale seemed to taunt me. Something in the mood of the place seemed to say mockingly, "I am not like your tame, manageable Canadian homeland. I am tangled. I am too dense to walk through. I am hot and steamy and drenched with rain. I am hip-deep mud and six-inch sago thorns. I am death adders and taipans and leeches and crocodiles. I am malaria and dysentery and filariasis and hepatitis. Your idealism means nothing here. Your Christian gospel has never scrupled the conscience of my children. You think you love them, but wait until you know them, if you can ever know them! You presume you are ready to grapple with me, understand my mysteries and change my nature. But I am easily able to overpower you with my gloom, my remoteness, my heedless brutality, my indolence, my unashamed morbidity, my total otherness! Think again, before you commit yourself to certain disillusionment! Can't you see I am no place for your wife? I am no place for your son. I am no place for you . . " Page 85


Amazement. Pride. Wonder. Role model. Exemplar. Hero. These are the words that filled my head as I read this passage. I chose this particular passage because this passage shows me how Don Richardson is a hero. Without any knowledge of the land, language, or culture, Don Richardson still agreed to go to New Guinea with his wife and son. A place where people practice cannibalism and indulge in the betrayal and slaying of other tribes, Don Richardson still volunteered to go. Neglecting the fact that he was putting his family at risk, Don Richardson chose to live with cannibals to share the Word of God. Amazing. I don't even have the courage to share the Word of God with ordinary people, let alone cannibals. Knowing that the people gaze at you as if you were meat and knowing that you had no way to communicate with them whatsoever, I think that it is suicide. However, through patience and tenacity, Don Richardson succeeded in connecting with the   Sawi tribe and eventually turned them into Christians. He even built a church with the Sawi people where they dedicate it to the glory of God. Don Richardson took a huge leap of faith and relied on God to protect him, and God did. 

numberSEVEN.

What reflections and connections can you make with this novel?

I can personally reflect and connect with this novel through my religious background. Growing up with the label "PK" (Pastors kid) and going to church my whole life, I can connect with this novel through the works of Don Richardson. My whole life I have been taught in church, almost as if I have been brain-washed, to share the message of God and to do the works of God in other people's life. While my mom constantly brought non-believers to church, I never really had the courage to do it. As I read the Peace Child, I felt that a Christian was obligated to share the Word of God with others. I felt ashamed that I didn't have a courage to do so, yet I felt hope. I felt hope feeling that no matter how corrupt or how sinful one is, there is still a chance to change. If it wasn't for Don Richardson or the other missionaries that went to New Guinea, the people of the Sawi tribe and other tribes would have never been saved. Don Richardson saved those people by introducing God into their lives. Like Don Richardson, I want to save others too. Don Richardson, is my new hero.

numberSIX.

How different is your modern culture from the Sawi tenants?


At first glance, it seems that the Sawi tenants are very different from our modern culture. First of all, they practice cannibalism and they indulge in the betrayal of others. I was alarmed of how much pleasure the Sawi people feel when they slay a victim, especially when the women and children also contribute in the killing. It amazes me how such treachery can please and entertain such people into celebrating while even creating decorations out of the victim's jaw bone. However, as you probe deeper and peel back all the external layers, you find that there are not so much differences after all but in fact many similarities between the Sawi tenants and our modern culture.


In our modern-day culture, it is true that we have better technology, food, diet, houses, clothes, lifestyle, etc. The things that satisfy our physical wants may be different, but our psychological wants are the same. Many people would say that the Sawi people are gruesome and disturbed in that they indulge in the betrayal of others. But who are we to judge when we do the same things? Every single person that has lived in this world betrayed someone  in their life, and every single person that has been betrayed had retaliated to take revenge. Husbands cheat on wives, wives cheat on husbands. Friends betray each other because of envy and greed. Numerous and numerous accounts of betrayal label our world, so who are we to judge? The Sawi tenants may be more extreme and gruesome but our modern world isn't any different. There are millions of serial killers, rapists, drug dealers, terrorists, kidnappers, robbers, and other criminals who would kill anyone to satisfy their needs, whether it is a 5-year old child or a elderly woman. The Sawi deceive others by "fattening them with friendship." People in modern day scam others by deceiving them with lies. The Sawi gruesomely slay each other in different tribes. Serial killers and rapists strangle, torture, molest, and eventually kill their victims. The Sawi take revenge and retaliate by inflicting the same damage that they have felt. Friends take revenge on each other because of anger and jealousy. There are really no differences between the Sawi tenants and our modern culture, but in fact many similarites that we may blindly miss because of our hypocrisy. 

numberFIVE.

What does Jesus want us to do for the Sawi?
As I ponder over this question, the answer is so simple and evident; Jesus wants all of us to share the Word of God with others. I have been going to church for as long as I can remember, up to the point where church feels like my second home. I grew up in a warm Christian home and currently attend a Christian school. As you can see, I grew up in a Christian atmosphere my whole life, and all those years I've always heard to spread the message of Jesus. But I never did. I never told a non-Christian the story about Jesus' birth or told an agnostic to go to church. I've had numerous and countless opportunities to share the message, but I never really thought about actually doing it. I admire the valor and the determination of Don Richardson and countless of other missionaries who go out into the field to share the gospel. Especially countries like China or New Guinea where Christianity is prohibited or does not even exist in the minds of the people. What Don Richardson, his wife, and an immeasurable amount of people are doing to this world is what Jesus wants us to do, not only to the Sawi but to all non-Christians; sacrificing their life, time, and strength and venturing out into the wild, knowing that danger is just around the corner. 

¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 20:19-20

numberFOUR.

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


I was very surprised. Actually, I was more than surprised. Surprised can't even define the feelings I felt while reading the Peace Child. They were ambivalent feelings of both amazement and a bit of disturbance. All these words filled my head as I read the Peace Child : Macabre, horrendous, gruesome, appalling, shocking. The process the Sawi goes through to eat a "meal" left me shocked and gaped in bewilderment. The craving of the human flesh that impels the Sawi to do such gruesome act was the most surprising to me. The Sawi first makes contact with their victims by presenting them with a  piece of their hair, which is a sign of trust and honesty. The Sawi then deceit their victims by "fattening them with friendship." The Sawi "fattens" their victims for months and months, waiting patiently and pondering what their victim's facial expression would look like as they stab them repeatedly. Can you believe that? They take months and months, just to have the satisfaction of betraying a friend. How the Sawi can be so treacherous and inhumane amazes me. 


However, I felt a slight hint of hope when I finished the book. A slight hope that even people who indulge in the betrayal of their own kind and who practice cannibalism can change their habits and turn good. That even people who enjoy looking into the terrified eyes of their victims as they slay them can take a 180 degrees turn in their life and become believers of God. This gives me hope in thinking that if the Sawi can become believers in God, then anyone can become a believer in God, whatever the sins in their life. God looks not at the past but at the future. If you truly ask for forgiveness, then God will forgive you and look past those sins and love you equally as a person who've been a Christian their whole life. 
You know why? 
Because God is awesome like that.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

numberTHREE.

What does God expect us to do for other cultures and faiths?
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves. 'Who am I to be brilliant gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." 
- Maryanne Williamson


I first heard this quote while watching one of my favorite movies, Coach Carter. This movie has inspired me to tackle the impossible while persevering through adversities and trials. The reason why I chose this quote was because this quote reveals the answer to the question: What does God expect us to do for other cultures and faiths? 


All people, whatever what age we are at, are capable of doing great things in our lives, but it is whether we choose to act or not. It is not that we are incapable of exhibiting our strengths and talents to the world. We are all adequate and have the capability to accomplish remarkable things through the talents and gifts that God gave us. It is our duty, thus, we are obligated to manifest the gifts that were bestowed upon us to the entire world. Playing small and not using our gifts to our full potential will not facilitate us or the world in anyway. Rather shining the light that was given to us will benefit us and ignite the spark in other people's hearts to do the same. In other words, we should not hide or shrink when the chance comes to help other cultures or faiths. Instead, we should shine and flaunt our talents in helping those in need.

From doing this blog post, I remembered a parable in the Bible; the parable of the talents.  A master bestows different amounts of talents (money) to three servants, according to their abilities. The first servant got five talents, the second servant got two talents, and the third got one. The first two servants used their talents and multiplied their share while the third servant dug his talent in the ground because of his laziness. When the master came back on his journey, the first two servants were commended for their diligence while the third servant was reprimanded for his laziness. The master resembles God and the servants resemble us. God gave all of us talents and gifts to use in our lives and we should diligently use our talents to benefit ourselves and others.
Parable of the Talents 
¹⁴ “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,^[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. ¹⁷ So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
   ¹⁹ “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
   ²¹ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
   ²² “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
   ²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
   ²⁴ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
   ²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷ Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
   ²⁸ “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ³⁰ And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25: 14-30

numberTWO.

What should society do for "uncivilized cultures" like the Sawi?


The world consists of numerous diverse cultures, distinctive yet identical. They piece together like a puzzle; even with all the differences the cultures obtain, they all rely on one another in some way. If one piece is missing, the entire picture is lost and is useless. Many "uncivilized cultures", like the Sawi, have rituals and custom that may seem grotesque or eccentric to the "civilized cultures". However, have you ever thought about it vice versa? To the "uncivilized cultures", the traditions of the "civilized cultures" may seem peculiar to them. It is the matter of perception and how people grasp the idea of what "civilized" actually is. To the "uncivilized culture", their traditions may not seem strange at all. Their traditions, embedded into their innate nature, altered their mindset into thinking that what they practice is not at all queer.

What society can do for the "uncivilized cultures" is to perceive the culture as if the culture was their own. Understanding that all cultures are different, whether it is cannibalism or worshiping a human being as if he is a god. By understanding one's culture, one can build a bridge between the two cultures and aid them to alter their mindset in what is right and wrong. In God's eyes we are all identical. Cannibal or not, God perceives us as His own children and He will save those who are blindly heading into the wrong direction.




Your word is a lamp for my feet,
   a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

number ONE.

What should we do when we are confronted with other cultures?
When I was a young and an ignorant kid, I acted upon my inherent instincts and created an external barrier to block out new cultures. I rejected my culture, thinking that I was someone who I really wasn't. Like me, a lot of people would react the same way that I had reacted; hiding and fleeing when they see the first sights of unfamiliar and alien lands. However, the big question still remains; why do we reject? Why do we quiver in fear at the thoughts of new experiences? Is it because we are afraid to change? Or is it because we want to change but don't know how to take the first step forward? People have the habit of rejecting because they fear the repercussions and the results of adjusting to the bizarre, outlandish traits they affront when confronting new cultures. Like how a baby, squirming and grimacing his face in disgust, as his mom tries to feed him vegetables. Even at a young and tender age do we have the instinct of rejecting new things. It is inevitable and inherent.


As I grew older I started to open up my impenetrable barrier, slowly and warily as I inspected my new surroundings, gazing upon every inch of new detail that seemed eerie. Instead of appreciating and respecting the culture, I marked it as my enemy. When confronting a new culture, we should confront it with respect and recognition instead of hostility and fear. Instead of rejecting it and shoving it aside, we should invite it into our lives. Instead of putting up defensive walls we should open the door that leads into our hearts, and greet it with a warm smile.

Who is Han-Sol Ji?

At the tender age of 10, I asked my dad a question, "Why weren't I born as an African American?" My dad answered me with pride and dignity, "Because YOU are a Korean."

Although I was born in South Korea, I moved to the United States at the young age of 6 months. A just born baby, who couldn't walk, couldn't chew, couldn't read, and couldn't even speak, I couldn't remember the transition that was thrust  upon me. For 10 years I lived in the United States, living in Virginia and California, and every inch of memory that I had of Korea had vanished. With the exception of visiting Korea during the Summer break to visit my grandparents, I had no intention or inclination whatsoever to visit Korea, let alone live in Korea. I was content with my life, living in the States. I had great friends, a great school, a great church, and a great community that brought me in for who I was. I loved the American food, the people, the environment, and everything about America. However, my love for America blinded me into thinking that I was an American and the more I lived in America, the less Korean I became. Instead of calling myself a "Korean/American", I called myself an "American/Korean". My life was perfect in America and I thought, "What could ever go wrong?"

It only took five words. The five words that detonated a bomb into my perfect life sent shocks of sadness and pain through me. "We are moving to Korea." I stared into my dad's eyes, paralyzed by his words, and I just couldn't believe it. I couldn't digest what my father had said and I chose to reject it and to forget it until three months later, I boarded flight number OZ 112 headed for South Korea. As I took my first step in Korea, I felt my lungs collapsing for American air, falling into an abyss of sorrow. My rage and fury slowly started to augment as I screamed, "Why did we have to move? Why? Why? Why?" Driven by my wrath, I decided to reject my own culture and become a rebellious rock. I chose not to learn my culture, not to speak the faint Korean that I knew, and to not accept who I really was. Nothing could penetrate my adamant exterior that protected me from the fear of becoming a Korean. On the verge of hysteria, I was lost and hopeless. 

Now at my 7th year in Korea and going to my 8th, I feel like a missing piece of my life had been found. I learned that when life presents you with adversities that hamper and prevent you from moving forward, all you got to do is fight back and push forward. My experience of learning to adapt and to open my adamant exterior helped me to realize who I truly was. I am now proud to be a Korean.




What factors of Han-Sol's native culture have informed Han-Sol's religious world view? Explain the impact of these factors.

My bi-cultural background of living both in Korea and America has influenced my world view in that no matter what a person looks like, we are all the same. Whether one is white or black, skinny or fat, short or tall, we are all the same internally. No matter what ethnicity, skin color, language, eyes, nose, fingers, or toes a person has, we all have the ability to think, love, feel, touch, sense, and to believe. Living in America and Korea was quite a change for me because of the vast differences of both countries. Both languages have no affiliations whatsoever except for the simple words like "banana" and "kangaroo." The food in America are mostly junk food while having one or two side dishes while the food in Korea are mostly rice with many side dishes. The people in America are very tall with diverse ethnicities in the community while the people in Korea are not as tall with the majority being Koreans. Nonetheless, even with all these differences, there was one similarity; the people's hearts. In both countries, the communities accepted me and welcomed me for who I was, even though I was different from them. When I moved to the States as a little kid, I was the only Asian in my class while everyone else was American. I felt forlorn and secluded from everyone else, however, they welcomed me with warm and fervor hearts that helped me feel like home. When I moved to Korea, I had a stereotypical image that everyone in Korea was a "fob" and chose not to acquaint with them as if they were some supernatural beings. Even with my ignorant first impression, the students welcomed me into their community with the same warm and fervor hearts and I felt like I was at home.

I learned that people are like onions; no matter how big, deformed, or fat an onion is, if you peel back all the external layers that envelope it, you will get the same onion as any onion in the world.