Torches of Joy: International Adventures

It's always inspiring to read about anyone who is willing to give up everything they have in order to pursue, to serve the thing they believe in the most. How much more so when you lay it all down for Christ Jesus! What I love about this testimony is how it doesn't celebrate John and Helen Dekker and all that they did in the Toli Valley, it puts the emphasis where it should be and gives all the credit, all the glory to Jesus alone. It's not a story of how the Dekkers came in and told the Dani people how they should be living. They lived their lives for Christ, and shared the simple truth of the Gospel and let the Spirit of God transform their hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit convicted them of things in their lives that were coming in between themselves and God. They did not have western missionaries pointing fingers at them, God transformed them. It has made me search my own heart and see my passion for Christ and to see the lost saved. The Dani's didn't think twice about putting themselves in extreme danger, those lost souls were more important. "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend." John 15:13 If we are truly saved, shouldn't we be willing to lay it all down for the sake of the lost, for the sake of Christ Jesus? This book will inspire you and challenge you in your daily walk. By all means, if you have the resources, make the time to read.

Sometimes reality is so much better than fiction. I'm not sure a fiction author could have imagined a better story line. Torches of Joy is an incredibly inspiring and uplifting book focused on the work of missionaries John and Helen Dekker among the Dani people. I'm always amazed at how God can take ordinary people and use them for extraordinary purposes. While a significant portion of the book is focused on the Dekker's lives and work, it is somewhat overshadowed by the power of God and his work among the Dani people. Miracles are prevalent and God's blessings on their work obvious. Most amazing, for me though, was the wisdom John and Helen showed in working with the Dani people. I can not imagine the overwhelming feelings they had at times to change the people rather than let God do the work for them. At the same time, the courage of the Dani people is highlighted and many of their sacrifices not forgotten. Torches of Joy is very easy to read by children and adults. It doesn't go into a lot of details and moves from one story to the next, which is good for keeping children interested. It is an excellent guide to evangelism. The methods used by the Dekker's are often times, sadly forgotten in our modern culture. If you are wanting to strengthen your faith, educate your children, or simply be encouraged by the power of God, this is an excellent choice.

I read a borrowed copy of this book aloud to my two children ages 8 and 11. We loved the story of John and Helen Dekker moving, with their family, into Toli River Valley area of New Guinea to be with the Dani people.The work they were allowed to do was very inspiring. It was so interesting to consider explaining and teaching about Jesus and the Word of God to a people that have no knowlege of Him. There were many things that did not have direct paralels with the Dani culture, we enjoyed reading about how the Dekkers conveyed the message. The results were so touching. It reminded me, that each of us is in the same position and can be touched and changed as dramatically as the Dani's were changed by knowing and following Jesus. The spirit that the Lord imparted to the Dani's under John and Helen Dekker was very precious. They desired to give to others what had been given to them. And they endeavored to do it. We all loved meeting the different Dani's through the story. We will only travel in wururu's after this, never airplanes. We laughed at the Dani's attempt to convey modesty, cried at their losses and really appreciated the sacrifices that were made by the many people involved in this work, knowing that sacrifices extract a price.We all agreed that we would need to get our own copy of this book. Another book in a similar vein we enjoyed was "In Search of the Source"--can't remember who it is by.

This is an amazing and inspiring story. I wish more people could know about this. It would make a great movie. If you are contemplating on reading this book, take my advice and do so. You will not be dissapointed. - DaveDavidson.com

This is a very readable account of the emergence of a tribe that was literally in the Stone Age (no knowledge of or use of any metal!) into the 20th Century during the 60's and 70's. These People are still assimilating into the Indonesian culture today. Much of the story is about the evangelisation in a People centered, keep the culture manner. The book is co-authored by and about my father - so I have a personal interest in this story! In fact I grew up as a child in the midst of it.