In the 1970’s, my late husband Fred Jordan interviewed Don Richardson on our weekly television program. Don was a missionary to the cannibalistic Sawi tribe Tarian Jawa, Indonesia. When Richardson told them the story of Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion, the Sawi people cheered for Judas, because Judas had cold heartily betrayed Jesus.
Richardson struggled to find a way to explain the gospel to this tribe of head hunters, until one day he watched in horror as the Sawi people met with an enemy tribe.
The Sawi tribal chief took his only child out of the arms of his screaming wife and gave it to the enemy chief who in turn gave his only child to the Sawi chief.
A Sawi tribesmen later explained to Richardson that these children were peace children, given as a sacrificial offering between two warring tribes in order to ensure piece.
Betraying or hurting a peace child was forbidden and as long as the peace children live, the tribes would be at peace.
Suddenly Don Richardson realized that God had prepared the hearts of this tribe to understand His word.
Richardson carefully explained that Jesus was the ultimate peace child sent by God to create peace between man and God. They understood and by the time Don and Carol Richardson left Tarian Jawa more than a thousand Sawi people and other tribes had become Christians.
Blessings!
Willie Jordan (Mrs. Fred Jordan)