The Black-Bearded Barbarian : The Life of George Leslie Mackay of Formosa

In a rugged farmyard of 19th‑century Canada, a wiry, bright‑eyed boy named George Leslie Mackay spends afternoons breaking stones with his brothers, dreaming of distant horizons while the fire crackles in the twilight. Though the other boys tease him, they cannot deny his relentless energy, his knack for leading the pack, and a secret ambition that burns brighter than the campfire itself. These early moments of hard work, storytelling, and a family legacy of bravery set the stage for a life that will soon reach far beyond the fields of his youth.

Answering a call that feels as inevitable as the sunrise, Mackay journeys across oceans to the island of Formosa, where he meets a culture both alien and inviting. There, his determination finds purpose in building schools, translating texts, and caring for the sick, all while navigating language barriers and the complexities of colonial politics. Listeners will follow his early trials and triumphs as a missionary who strives to bridge worlds, guided by the same fierce curiosity that once made him stare at the western sky.