Bruchko and the Motilone Miracle (Bruce Olson)

Bruchko and the Motilone Miracle

In this book, Bruchko and the Motilone Miracle, the powerful sequel to Bruce Olson’s best-selling missionary classic, Bruchko, we have a remarkable tale of adventure, tragedy, faith, and love. It shows how, despite incredible dangers and obstacles, one humble man and a tribe of primitive, violent Indians — by joining together in simple obedience — have been transformed forever by the sovereign will of god.
Olson’s story details his missionary work and events from the 1970s to the present, both stirring and encouraging the hearts of readers to serve and follow God passionately.

“If not for what you have already done, there would be no Motilones anymore—only a few tattered peasants with neither land nor pride. You are pursuing the wisest possible course in educating people to fight their own battles with Colombian national society, while trying to maintain land and preserve a sense of cultural identity. With the strength and energy you have already shown you have performed miracles.” — Dr. Stephen Beckerman Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico

About the Author

In 1961, at age 19, Bruce Olson bought a one-way ticket to South America.  He traveled into the uncharted jungles of northeast Colombia.  There, 45 years ago, he found the Motilones, a fierce, primitive Indian tribe.

The Motilones called him “Bruchko” because that is how they pronounced his name.  Though Olson had no official sponsorship from a missions board or organization, in the ensuing years, he established medical clinics and schools for the tribe.  He has translated Scripture into their language.  And he has led many of them in knowing Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The small yet volatile country of Colombia has long been plagued with escalating problems, including revolutionary uprisings and plundering by drug barons. In the midst of the danger, the turmoil and the cocaine trafficking, Olson has quietly and effectively won the love and respect of the Motilones, and in fact, the entire nation.  In his book titled Bruchko, Olson tells the story of his early years of ministry in Colombia.

Capture by guerilla terrorists

Olson lived and worked with the Motilones until October 1988 when the shocking news came: He had been captured by a band of guerrilla terrorists intent on controlling Motilone territory as part of their strategy for revolution.  He would face torture and death threats. He was in captivity for nine months.  During that time he was faced with a firing squad, only to find that the bullets were blanks in an attempt to break him, but it didn’t work.

One of the guerrilla leaders, Federico, told him that he was released.  He told Olson that they had made a mistake when they captured him.  He went on to say, “It’s an embarrassment to us that you’ve been held in our camps.  If we’ve mistreated you we hope you can find the greatness to forgive us.  We’ve decided to leave the Motilones as an autonomous people.  We will leave them alone, and you many continue your work among them as before.”

Olson led many of the guerrillas to the Lord.  Olson is thankful that God was quietly working out His sovereign will, not only in his life, but in the lives of everyone involved: the Motilones and other tribal peoples, the people of Colombia, the guerrillas, and indeed, people all over the world.

Gospel Work Continues

The work continues today.  More than 30 professionals have graduated from Colombian universities, among which are physicians, accounts, translators, Bible scholars, forest rangers, agronomists, and more than 400 as technical apprentices and high school graduates.  All the students are back among their respective communities sharing the expertise of their newly acquired knowledge.

Table of Contents

1. Walking on Jesus’ Trail
2. Love and Loss
3. Fertile Soil
4. Menace from Above
5. Respect
6. Brothers in Christ
7. Finding My Place
8. Schools in the Jungle
9. The Motilone Miracle
10. Increasing Danger
11. Captivity
12. “You are one of us”
13. Immature Brothers
14. Violence and Hope
15. Expanding Influence
16. Transition to the 21st Century
17. Content with the Future