This book gave me an increased burden to pray for people groups still unreached with the gospel, and to seek out opportunities to fund missions in those places.

It took a couple of chapters before I really got into the book, but I really liked that Richardson shared the historical account from the Yali perspective first, then added in the missionary perspective. I think understanding the beliefs and customs of the Yali really helped me to see why future events happened the way they did.

My only complaints would be that there are several typos, particularly with commas (appearing where they shouldn't, or not appearing where they should, making the reading a little more difficult). Also, the chapter lengths are very inconsistent; some chapters are 8 pages, others are 30 pages - this makes it difficult to gauge how long it will take me to get through each chapter and schedule my reading time accordingly. (I hate having to stop in the middle of a chapter!)

It was worth the read, though! ( )

Engulfed in the darkness of Irian Jaya's Snow Mountains live the Yali, naked cannibals who call themselves lords of the earth. Yet, in spite of their boldness, they live in terror and bondage to the women-hating, child-despising gods they serve. Missionary Stan Dale dared to enter their domain and be an instrument to change their future. Peace Child author, Don Richardson, tells the story of Dale, his wife, his companions, and thousands of Yali tribesmen in Lords of the Earth. This unforgettable tale of faithful determination and zeal against overwhelming odds brings unlikely characters together in a swirl of agony and bloodshed climaxing in a dramatic, unexpected ending. Readers will find their perceptions of how God moves enlarged and inspired by this classic story. For parents and youth leaders looking for real-life role models for the new generation of young people, you will want to meet the Dales in Lords of the Earth.

This book is a fascinating read! ( )

Incredible true story of mission outreach to the Yali people of Irian Jaya. ( )

I received this recommendation via this list of top 10 missionary biographies which is worth checking out!

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/10174784-my-top-ten-missionary-biogr...

Another really great book that I found hard to put down. "Lords of the Earth" is by the author of "Peace Child" and is written in a similar style but it relates to a different tribal group. I find it incredible that the author has managed to gather so much detail for this story having not been regularly present amongst this people group himself.

The naked "Yali" cannibals lived in the darkness of Irian Jaya's Snow Mountains. They called themselves "lords of the earth." But the reality was somewhat different as they lived in terror and bondage to their spirit world, regularly sacrificing tribe members including children to appease their gods. Stan Dale an Australian Missionary entered their domain with his wife and family and things would never be the same.

Dale had been dramatically converted at a young age, it was whilst he was serving in the military that he caught a glimpse of the tribal people he would later return to live and work amongst

"The people there struck him as furtive, haunted. Their eyes lacked expression, like little holes leading to nothingness.....what was it that was lost beyond these ranges and possibly waiting for him? Perhaps hundreds of thousands of them. In hundreds of unexplored valleys. Warring and struggling to survive. Disease wracked and demon haunted.....When Jesus died on the cross was it not for them as well? When He arose from the dead, was it not to give new life to them also? And when He said 'Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature,' did He mean to exclude them?....No they are included, Stanley reasoned. But the Church of Christ had failed.....'Lord you may have better men for such a job,' he whispered in prayer. 'But if they're not willing, try me."

Dale's fearlessness and boldness won many battles initially

"Bruno prayed as Stan advanced to meet the warriors....Stan abruptly asked if they were ready to make peace with Balinga. His tone of voice by design, implied that they had no choice....But thousands of Yali, together with Bruno, doubted that this small stranger who still had no knowledge of Yali language or ways, could persuade such confirmed enemies as the two opposite alliances of the Heluk to make peace. At least not during his first 24 hours in the valley! ....The old war chiefs responded as if making peace was the very thing they had intended all along. The leaders of Balinga also assented as if they had no choice....somehow the shock of Stan and Bruno's bizarre third-person presence enabled them to see their war problem in a new light...and it would be pleasant for a change to work one's gardens without fear of ambush. In any case, it seemed very likely that these two odd beings were spirits whose command one dare not refuse."

But after his initial triumph Dale's Commission did not go according to his plan. But the plan of Another is easily discernible through the pages of this book. In our finite minds we can wonder at the loss of life/terrible tragedies necessary to win an uncivilised people group for Christ. But Dale had it right when he asked "Did He mean to exclude the Yali people" from the possibility of eternal life in heaven?... Of course not.

I highly recommend this book BUT the violence/cannibalism is extremely graphic (more so than Peace Child) and may upset some readers. The language is clean and there is no sexual content.





( )