Olson himself, who turns 80 later this year, remains active in ministry with the Motilone and many other tribes in the jungles of Colombia. He has spoken before the United Nations, and his book, with its examples of mission work that embraces rather than destroys indigenous culture, is required reading in many missions organizations and Christian schools. His work, like many missionary endeavors, has received its share of criticism along the way—silenced only by the lifechanging impact of the gospel.
Olson tells the story of how he introduced written language to the Motilone and then began a simple school. Later, tribal leaders decided to send some of their young people to high school in Bucaramanga, Colombia, and Olson was able to get them registered.
