In Search of the Source

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a realistic look at life on the mission field in Papua New Guinea. The book focuses on different problems that came up while translating the Bible into the Folopa language; it also shares the interesting ways they were solved. (Ex. Discovering the indigenous words for concepts like love and trust while hiking through the jungle and hunting for bats in a cave.) "In Search of the Source" is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in missions, Bible translation, Papua New Guinea, or simply learning more about other cultures.

I purchased this book as part of a homeschool curriculum, and in reading it I came to love it. Wycliffe Bible Translators are an organization dedicated to translating the Bible into the native languages of all peoples--so that all can hear the Gospel in their native languages. In Search of the Source is a vivid narrative detailing how one man went about translating Genesis, the Gospels, and Acts into the Folopo language spoken by a group of people in Papua New Guinea. He and his family live with the tribe and follow them in their daily activities, sharing stories and learning the language and cultural idiosyncrasies necessary to truly explain the Gospel to them. Each chapter is dedicated to an "aha! moment"--a time of breakthrough when the translator finally grasped the the word or phrase that would resonate a message of the Gospel in the hearts and minds of the people. (For example, the Folopo think of snake as being a delicacy, so the scripture passage, "Which of you fathers, if your son asked for a fish, would give him a snake instead?" (Luke 11:11 NIV) made no sense to them. Their final translation was something along the lines of "What father would give his son a live venomous snake if he said he was hungry?") I highly recommend this book for anyone who wonders just what it is that missionary linguists do. Because the book covers in detail some of the more lurid details of tribal life (including cannibalism, tribal justice, somewhat unusual funerary customs, and disposition of unwanted babies) parents might want to pre-read the book before allowing young teens/pre-teens to read it.

Not very many modern day people spend over two decades living with the most primitive people on earth in the highland jungles of Papua New Guinea. Neil Anderson tastes unusual "treats," hunts for bats with bow and arrow, deals with medical realities, and translates the Bible into a formely unwritten language. Observing life from this perspective while endeavoring to communicate universal truths in the process, Anderson draws images that stay imprinted on your mind and become a part of your heart! Like thousands of Americans, I have heard Anderson in person; he is a masterfull storyteller. I've read "In Search of the Source" at least three times since it was first published, and learn new insights each time through. The most amazing thing to me about the main theme, the "bete" of life as found in the unforgiving tropics, is how applicable the same truths are to my own experiences found amongst the stone and glass urban jungle where I live!

Neil's book gave me a look into the life of another culture, as well as to the misunderstandings that come about through cross-cultural ministry. See also his wife's side of the story: "Do You Know What You Are Doing, Lord?" by Carol Lee Anderson.

Neil is a powerful speaker with a heart for conveying God's truth. The stories in this book display the power and insights being revealed to people looking for the Truth. Good, easy reading with humor and insight scattered throughout.