Netherlands New Guinea

Nearly all of the book takes place in Netherlands New Guinea, a small, jungle covered island in the Asian pacific.

Pirmapun

The first modern settlement near the Sawi, Richardson first stays in Pirmapun before seeking a place to build his house.

Kronkel

The Sawi situate their villages along the Kronkel River and its tributaries. The Kronkel is a vast and winding swampy river filled with crocodiles. All travel in the region takes place on the river. After Richardson's family capsizes into the river, his calm faith convinces the Sawi to convert to Christianity.

Kidari

One rare, long open stretch of the Kronkel is called the kidari or freeway. Richardson chooses a place along the kidari for his home, so that the missionary plane can land on the open stretch of water.

Steel Tools

Any outsider quickly learns that a sure way into the trust of...