Seis

How did Christianity change this culture?

Before the arrival of Don Richardson and his wife Carol, the Sawi were a malevolent headhunting tribe with beliefs centered on cannibalism. The Sawi tradition of “fattening friendship for the slaughter” was rooted deep within the minds of these isolated tribesmen. Violence, betrayal, and joy for treachery embedded in their very beings, the severity of their wicked practices was difficult to fathom.

Although a stubborn and thick shell, the evil looming over the Sawi could not resist the persistent knocking of Christianity for too long. And in due time the adamant fiber of the dark shell enveloping the Sawi people slowly gave way and cracked. With this new revolution, the Sawi were forever changed and were able to penetrate the satanic evil that had been obscuring their view and shift their eyes toward the Heavenly Father.

After the toils of Don and Carol Richardson, the Sawi steadily accepted Jesus Christ to be the perfect tarop child – Peace Child - between God and men. The Sawi decided to cast away their tradition of cannibalism and admitted the reluctance they had felt toward their own customs at certain times such as the ritual for burial, gefam ason.
The acceptance of the Christian religion was like a spurt of fresh water on a thirsty desert land. Renewed of the soul, the Sawi were changed to a trusting, loving people with peace in their heats.

Opening up to Christianity, the Sawi not only found redemption from the Holy Spirit in their souls but also, they found physical healing from the modern world. Having been infested with diseases and unsanitary lifestyles, the Sawi became healthier and more immune to sicknesses after the influence of treatment.

Although Christianity may have destroyed the native culture of the Sawi people, it brought to them something no culture in the world could offer: peace at heart and the love of the perfect tarop child of God.