(Mankato, MN): June Reading
Savok, F. 2004. Jesus and the Eskimo. HLC Publishing Co.
I chose to read this book because I have taught Native students at Alaska Christian College (Soldotna, AK) and because I serve on the Board of Trustees of Alaska Christian College.
The author, Fred Savok, is a descendant of a Native man named Egaq. Near the turn of the 19th century, Egaq was in his remote sod hut when he received a special message from an unearthly visitor. The shining man in white spoke to Egaq declaring Himself the ‘Father of all people.’ Jesus and the Eskimo chronicles the generational stories of a courageous, God-seeking family who became missionaries for Jesus among their own people.
This is just an incredible story. From a Native point of view, Savok describes the fear and superstitions that plagued the Eskimos for generations. He tells the story about how the Native people in Alaska embraced the gospel and were so thankful for God’s Word. These missionaries that Egaq met did not try to change the culture and tradition of the Eskimo, but allowed God to change their natures from the inside out. To me, this was a breath of fresh air, since so often I hear about how missionaries to indigenous people would punish the children for speaking their native tongues and tried to replace the native cultures.
There were some disturbing stories in it – traditions and superstitions the Eskimos followed before they became Christians. There were some beautiful stories of miracles as well – before and after the missionaries came. Savok made it clear that his family experience was that God was preparing their hearts for the gospel long before the missionaries came.
Hoss Walker wrote: “[This book] will strum your heart strings with every page. It is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in its simplest and most powerful form. It shows how the Gospel can transport a person from the kingdom of darkness into the Glorious Kingdom of Light. It is a must read for every person. I have also personally experienced this type of change and also experienced these adventures with the Eskimo people of Alaska.”