I usually think of the world as a fairly small place. Globalization and the internet age has contributed to this a great deal. You can travel anywhere with your computer by looking at photos and videos. You are easily put in contact with people half way around the world with chat services and email.

But then I see a photo like this which was posted on the TEDBlog today, and I'm suddenly reminded how big and diverse this world actually is. This is an aerial photo of an uncontacted tribe in a remote corner of the Amazon on the border of Brazil and Peru. The photo was taken by an advocacy group for tribal people, Survival International. Apparently there are some who doubt the existence of these tribes, especially those who are exploiting the rainforest. As a result, Survival International has launched an intense campaign to protect the people groups and their lands. Some estimations say there are still more than one hundred uncontacted tribes in the world, half of them living Brazil and Peru.

But not only does this remind me of how big the world is, it also serves as a reminder of how great our task in this world is as Christians. Missiological trends today have shifted and we focus more on our local cities and our own cultures. This is a good thing, but here we are reminded that there are still people who have never heard anything of Jesus Christ and the gospel. But at the same time we can't just jump in and bring the gospel. There are some issues to be sensitive to here. Survival International makes the that we must consider the significant environmental and health impacts in contacting these people. Though this is a complication, it is a point worth noting and something that needs to be considered and dealt with appropriately.

Still, I like this. I like the reminder that this world is big and diverse. It is helpful to think that way because it allows for a sense of wonder. I like the reminder that our task in this world is far from complete. And it makes me wonder what else is out there that we do not know about.

Update: Here is the BBC's story on the discovery of the tribe, plus a description of what the photos tell us of the tribe, and the collection of photos taken by Survival International.

Labels: globalization, gospel, Jesus Christ, TED, world