“My children!  I am giving you these writings of mine describing my life as a testament that you may work harder for God than I worked for Him...” 

The author, a native Altai tribesman, Father Mikhail Chevalkov, was a man of great moral courage and integrity.  He was one of the first native disciples of the Russian Orthodox missionary priest Makarii (Glukharev), glorified as a saint in 2000 AD.   In this simple yet profound narrative, the  reader travels with Chevalkov, through his life as we learn of his conversion, his struggle for literacy,  the care shown to  his family, and his numerous encounters with pagan tribes.  Chevalkov created the written Altai language as he  translated church service  books  and  religious songs, as well as allegorical poems, parables and maxims. This memoir will enrapture the reader with its directness and beauty whilst also providing invaluable insights for students of  Christian mission, ethnography,  and geography.