The book is a fast-paced narrative, following the story of Olson's first ten years in the jungle. He tells of a dozen different times when he should have been killed, and the miraculous grace of God which preserved him. He also relates the long and patient years he spent living with the Motilones, until he found the right way to talk to them about Jesus in a way that would make sense to them.

One of Olson's themes is that the essential elements of Christianity have nothing to do with the trappings of Western culture. He vividly relates his first encounter with Christianized Indians in the Venezuelan rain forest. They wore Western clothes, lived in square houses, sang "proper hymns" like Rock of Ages, and in many other ways had completely forsaken their native culture and adopted that of the missionaries. Not surprisingly, most Indians despised these converts, even saw them as traitors, and had no interest in making such a change. Olson knew instinctively that this was wrong; certainly, a Christian must be prepared to face rejection for the sake of Christ, but not for the sake of slacks and a button-down shirt. It is Christ Himself who is important, not the trappings. In the tradition of Matteo Ricci, Olson's prayer was not for the Motilones to become like him, but for Jesus to "become a Motilone."

The Motilones needed a Jesus who had "walked their trails," who sang their traditional songs, who knew them as they were. In their minds, Jesus no doubt "had dark skin, and His eyes were black. He wore a G-string and hunted with bows and arrows."

Although many parts of the book are exciting and action-packed, it also contains some very beautiful insights into Jesus as the Motilones came to see Him. The Motilones look at the world in a rather different way than what you and I are used to, and I was edified and encouraged by their perspective of God. And the later chapters, though heart-wrenching, take a very mature look at how following God is not always pleasant, but sometimes leads us through suffering. Yet it is never without purpose.

The Motilone-Bari people today are a beautiful example of people inwardly transformed by the power of God. They have strongly retained their traditional culture and way of life, but have also taken a leadership role in the world around them. Bruce Olson is still with them. I encourage you to read his story, and I hope you are edified by it, as much as I have been.