One Million Arrows

 

I don't often write book reviews on this blog, but today I have to because I want to encourage all parents and grandparents - in fact all Christians to read this book.

The subtitle is 'Raising your children to change the world' and Julie Ferwerda does an excellent job of showing how important our role as parents really is.  Too often in this culture we have handed the raising of our children over to the church and school, but One Million Arrows demonstrates clearly how we need to step up to the plate and take back the role which God designed for us.

Julie doesn't leave you hanging on wondering how to do this, but gives wonderful examples from many families who have raised children that are now making a difference in the world. 

She also highlights the work of Dr. M.A. Thomas in India who has started homes for thousands of orphaned children and is now seeing them change their world for Christ.

This book has been a great encouragement to us and has helped to mold our vision for the children in Zambia  (as well as our own).  With the Lord's help we plan to take these children from poverty and raise them not to a normal life, but to a higher level, to a life that is totally dedicated to Christ.

We are joining the challenge of raising One Million Arrows.

We highly recommend this book and encourage all to read it.  All profits from the book go towards orphan work. 

Michelle

Two Weak Women and Amazing Grace

On Monday I was looking for one of the books that we have to read and couldn't find it so I just browsed through the bookshelves, not really wanting anything extra to read, but this book just caught my eye. The title intrigued me so I thought I would see if the contents were as captivating as the title. I wasn't disappointed, it was an excellent, yet easy read.

It is the true account of two women who, as the title suggests, are weak in their bodies, but who God used mightily.

God called them to work together to purchase, renovate and run a retreat center on 55acres. This may not seem too much of a challenge until you understand that the women weren't in good health (one even had a heart defect), they didn't know how to run a retreat center or have any money to purchase it. But God called them to do this and He was faithful.

It was a riveting story of how God directed their steps and worked out his purpose in their lives. If you want to read about miracles and God's involvement even in the small details then you would probably enjoy this book. It is out of print now, but is still available at Amazon.com.

Even though it wasn't on my book list I am so glad I read it.

Michelle

Rescue Shop Within a Yard of Hell

Part of our education here at WEC is through reading books. We are expected to read approximately 1 book a week. This is a challenge for me as I am not the fastest reader or have a lot of spare time, but I have found it very beneficial to read as much as I can and I have learnt a lot from what I have read. So I thought that when I come across a book that has really been beneficial to me, then I would share it with you.

One book I really appreciated reading was 'Rescue Shop Within a Yard of Hell' by S. Dinnen. It is about the Betel Ministry (a part of WEC) which is a residential rehabilitation program which helps drug addicts and alcoholics. Betel started in 1985 in Spain and to date has since helped 90,000 through its 72 locations in 15 countries and the Lord has granted great success to this organization.

The book describes how Betel was started and how the Lord guided the leaders through the steep learning curve to a place where they have helped thousands of men and women become drug and alcohol free and, most importantly, guided them to the Saviour who gave them their freedom. The book also gave many testimonies of people who God has released from their addictions and the way He has worked in their lives.

The style of writing was not the most fluent, but if you want to see God's power demonstrated in people's lives then this book is a must read.

Michelle