Download or read book An Enduring Journey of Hope written by Ya-chi Yuan and published by Rhythms Monthly, Tzu-Chi Culture and Communication Foundation. This book was released on 2023-10-01 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Africa is big, and so are its problems. In their midst, people are so small. There is light on the land. The light travels in people’s minds and on the land. The light takes root in Africa. The Danger of a Single Story The Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie once gave a TED talk on "The danger of a single story". She stated something to the effect that "Stories are important but to diversify the story is even more important.” Indeed, many people associate Africa with poverty, famine, and disease–an impression that they might have learned from a single story. Although partially true, this impression is inadequate at best, especially in the context of charity work. That impression seems to have a way of morphing into stereotypes, or labels, with which the outside world associates with Africa. Ironically, such labels are welcome in some African communities because, being labeled poor, they get more external assistance for free. As they get used to receiving aid, they even begin to believe those labels. They unknowingly and slowly lose the memories of their gifted toughness. When Africans get used to getting freebies from the outside world, they believe those labels are indeed accurate. This loss of self is a more serious problem than the problem on the label. Yet, something gratifying has happened in Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic started to sweep across the world in 2020. Many people predicted that the poor would become poorer, the hungry hungrier, and charitable aid would be more difficult to get through lock-down barriers to reach the needy. But our local volunteers in Durban, South Africa started vegetable gardens and enthusiastically shared their harvests with needy people around them. The pandemic made it clear that they must step up their efforts to cultivate in their own communities the ideal of neighbors helping neighbors so the community collectively would be more able to face the next disaster. In 2020, our volunteers developed more than 130 vegetable gardens in Durban, and residents in surrounding communities started more than 500 vegetable gardens. Vegetable garden became so popular that even recipients of Tzu Chi aid had asked for vegetable seeds instead of rice. During the pandemic, international travel was second to impossible. That made it very difficult for our Durban volunteers to travel to Eswatini to conduct any aid operation. Our local Eswatini volunteers stepped up and provided hot meals to poor children in their community every weekend. Namibian volunteers rebuilt corrugated metal shacks for the homeless. Malawian volunteers raised money to buy fabrics to sew masks and gave them to the elderly in their community. Zambiaian volunteers paddled canoes after the flooding to provide aid to poverty-stricken villages. All of these volunteers did not wait for the arrival of foreign aid. Instead, they have all proved that they have what it takes to handle any challenge that may come their way. I have been fortunate to have worked with those volunteers in Africa for many years with a common ideal to purify people's hearts. The stories here may help the readers to have a glimpse of their transformation from hopeless aid recipients to hopeful and helpful volunteers who pay it forward. Together, we have overcome numerous obstacles. They continue to help their own countrymen and leave many touching and true stories, which may help the world get a more comprehensive understanding of Africa. I hope that through our efforts, more people will be able to join together to help others so that Africa will get better. As Chimamanda also said, "When we realize that there is never a single story about any place, we will regain a kind of paradise." I sincerely hope that one day the world will associate Africa with confidence and warmth. I believe that the glimmer of hope in Africa will be brighter. The story continues.

Download or read book Journey of Hope written by Victoria Murata and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2012-07-20 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "It's 1852, the year of the largest migration of people leaving the states and traveling by wagon train from Missouri to the Oregon Territory. The two thousand mile journey takes six months across the vast panorama of America's wild west. Over prairie, mountains and rivers, through untamed landscapes, the overlanders have a common goal: to find a better life. Though hardship and deprivation are constant companions, hope is a bright beacon leading them ever forward. Through the course of the voyage, three young women form an unlikely bond that will carry them through unspeakable horrors, binding them together forever as they discover the deeper places of the heart."--Page 4 of cover

Download or read book The Christmas Journey written by Donna VanLiere and published by St. Martin's Press. This book was released on 2010-10-26 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The eighty-mile journey of a common carpenter and a simple peasant girl is one of the most powerful stories in history. As books go out of print and stories fade from memory, the journey of Joseph and Mary and her delivery inside a common barn continues to bless and inspire hope in people around the world. Accompanied by moving and beautifully rendered illustrations throughout, Donna VanLiere's retelling shows that the story of the Nativity is alive in our modern world.

Download or read book Raising Jess written by Vickie Rubin and published by Page Publishing Inc. This book was released on 2021-08-02 with total page 127 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 2022 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in Non-Fiction - Memoir Genre Award-Winning Memoir “Courageously exploratory, making for a truly enlightening read." (Kirkus Reviews) Raising Jess is the powerful story of one family’s survival when faced with adversity. Written with compassion, honesty, and humor, it tells of a family changed forever by the birth of a child with a rare chromosome deletion and their courageous decision to choose hope. Facing the challenges of caring for her daughter, marriage struggles, and the question of having more children, Vickie Rubin gives a glimpse into the world of her family and transformation while Raising Jess. This beautiful, gripping memoir will delight and leave you wanting more. "This is an inspiring story of tragedy and triumph, brilliantly and powerfully told. I highly recommend it." - Ashley Adams, Author “This is a triumphant tale.” - Cathy Shields, Author" "A heartwarming, compassionate story. This story will bring tears to the eyes of readers as they are educated and enraptured by one family’s journey with a child with special needs.” (5-Star Review by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite) “Couldn’t put it down! Raising Jess is an amazing book! Vickie Rubin’s writing is masterful! Highly recommend.” - Mike Steklof, Ed. D. “Beautiful Insightful Narrative That Resonates Deeply. I feel enlightened, inspired, hopeful and transformed by Vickie's story.” - Janet G. “Beautifully written and a must-read for anyone that knows someone with disabilities or wants to know a family’s perspective.” - Jill G. “I couldn’t put it down. Get a copy of this book—so pure, raw, and beautiful.” - Ashleigh Bussinger “Vickie reveals her Soul to the reader. A Must-Read for All” - Lori N. Vickie Schlanger Rubin, M.S Ed., three-time award-winning author, contributes essays to Newsweek, Buffalo News Opinion, and blogs worldwide. Vickie is an experienced public speaker and passionate advocate for families of children with disabilities. Her blog, Vickie's Views (www.vickierubin.com), gives a heartwarming and humorous view of everyday life.

Download or read book Enduring the Cure written by Rachel Carter and published by . This book was released on 2019-10 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Harrowing" . . . "Gripping" . . . "A medical miracle!" How do you live when all you can feel is pain? The best word to describe Rachel Carter's life was "fearless." She rode a motorcycle in high school, she worked in a cannery in Alaska at 20, and then backpacked solo through Europe. When she finally "settled down," she married Josh and pursued a career in sales. She lived a picture-perfect life--then Multiple Sclerosis caught up with her. After two years of rapid decline, Rachel found herself lying on the floor, writhing in agony, hoping to die. In Enduring the Cure, Rachel Carter shares how she overcame her struggle with the debilitating disease. It's a story of pain, decline, an experimental treatment, and healing. But most of all, it's a story of inspiration, determination, and hope for anyone who has suffered a debilitating disease or diagnosis.

Download or read book Love s Long Journey Love Comes Softly Book 3 written by Janette Oke and published by Bethany House. This book was released on 2003-11-01 with total page 237 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Book 3 of Love Comes Softly. Clark and Marty's daughter, ready to start her own life, must rely on faith in the face of homesickness and mounting hardships.

Download or read book The Gift of Disillusionment written by Peter Greer and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2022-04-12 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hope for Leaders Facing Burnout and Discouragement Around the world, discouragement erodes the vitality of organizations. Visionaries often succumb to cynicism. Zealous advocates give up. Leaders coast as their passion for the cause grows cold. Grounded in research, this book is an invitation for followers of Jesus to sustain hope in long-term service. It's about moving past the false hope of idealism and the faint hope of disillusionment to discover true Christian hope. You will gain encouragement through the study of the book of Jeremiah woven throughout as the authors explore how the Lord prophetically met and sustained Jeremiah during his lifetime of faithfulness despite literally nothing going as he'd hoped. Glean further inspiration by reading the stories of Christian leaders from around the globe: Zimbabwe, Haiti, Guatemala, Poland, Palestine, the Philippines, India, Zambia, and Lebanon. For this is a moment when we need the global Church's perspective and influence. Don't give up and don't check out. These are confounding and perilous days, yet God's sustaining presence can bring joy, hope, and encouragement even amid heartache and disappointment.

Download or read book Jotham s Journey written by Arnold Ytreeide and published by Kregel Publications. This book was released on 2008-08-26 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this widely popular, exciting story for the advent season, readers follow ten-year-old Jotham across Israel as he searches for his family. Though he faces thieves, robbers, and kidnappers, Jotham also encounters the wise men, shepherds, and innkeepers until at last he finds his way to the Savior born in Bethlehem.

Download or read book Providing Promise written by Kris Rystrom Emmert and published by Christian Book Services. This book was released on 2021-08-03 with total page 380 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: I saw stripes going by my dining room windows. Naval stripes. Stripes on dress blues. What are naval officers coming to my house on a Friday morning while Jon is at sea? In an instant, time stopped. Embark on a life-changing encounter as you journey through the remarkable life and death of an accomplished naval flight officer and his grieving widow's path from unimaginable heartache to unstoppable hope. With captivating and highly accurate military scenes, excerpts of touching long-distance love letters, and raw, unfiltered emotions, Providing Promise isn’t just another memoir--it is a lifeline. Experience your own inner healing and uncover your God-given destiny as you walk alongside one who has seen firsthand how God can turn tragedy into triumph. “I pray that my story of heartache to hope will inspire people to find answers to their hard questions in the midst of their suffering. God is faithful to walk with us through difficult circumstances. He provides promise for us and heals us by taking something unbelievably awful and turning it into something truly good.” Discussion guide included. A portion of the proceeds from Providing Promise is being donated to the VAW-VRC Memorial Scholarship Fund. For more information about this fund or to donate, visit vvosa.org.

Download or read book Bassie written by Basetsana Kumalo and published by Penguin Random House South Africa. This book was released on 2019-10-01 with total page 287 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Basetsana Kumalo shot to fame as Miss South Africa in 1994 and soon became the face of South Africa’s new democracy. As the first black presenter of the glamorous lifestyle TV show Top Billing, she travelled the world and interviewed legends like Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross. After a successful career in front of the camera, Bassie’s drive and ambition took her into the world of business and entrepreneurship. The street savvy that her entrepreneurial mother bestowed on her as a child stood her in good stead as she built a media empire. In Bassie – My Journey of Hope, Bassie recounts her life journey, including her relationships with mentors like Nelson Mandela. She also shares the secrets of her success and all the lessons she’s learnt along the way. She opens up about the pressures of her high-profile marriage to Romeo Kumalo and their heartbreaking struggle to have a family. She talks honestly about motherhood and maintaining a healthy work/life balance, and unpacks how she pays it forward through mentoring young people she has met along the way.Bassie also describes the legal battles she has had to wage in order to protect her name and her brand over the years. She gives a chilling account of the stalker who has harassed her for decades, and the spurious ‘sex-tape’ allegation that rocked her family and almost destroyed her career. Bassie’s enthusiasm, humour and hope infuses every page of her memoir, making it an intimate, inspiring and entertaining account of a remarkable life.

Download or read book Journey of The Soul written by Brenda Davies and published by Hachette UK. This book was released on 2003-02-03 with total page 322 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Taken up with our human existence, the journey of our soul through birth, death and afterlife remains a mystery to most. This insightful book sheds light on the very nature of the soul, explaining its presence before, during and after life. Part one describes our soul's engagement with the physical world and ends as it prepares to be released again at death. Part two exposes the most mysterious phase of the journey - as the soul enters another dimension. With evidence from near death experience, past lives and clairvoyance, Brenda details fascinating aspects of our soul's experience, including communication with the living and reincarnation. Illuminating and uplifting, this book offers peace, hope and comfort making us revisit our life afresh.

Download or read book Hope Is an Imperative written by David W. Orr and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2011 with total page 393 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The author has championed the cause of ecological literacy in higher education, helping to establish and shape the field of ecological design, and working to raise awareness of the threats to future generations posed by humanity's current unsustainable trajectory.This volume brings together his most important works.

Download or read book Hope Endures written by Colette Livermore and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2008-12-02 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The searing memoir of an extraordinary woman who served as a nun for eleven years in Mother Teresa's order, Hope Endures is a compelling chronicle of idealistic determination, rigid discipline, and shattering disillusionment. InÊher life's journey from certainty to doubt, Colette Livermore enters the Missionaries of Charity order in 1973 with unwavering faith and total surrender ofÊher will and intellect after seeing a documentary on the order's work in India. Only eighteen at the time, Livermore has been studying to enter medical school -- a lifelong goal -- but virtually overnight severs her many ties with family, friends, and the life she's known in beautiful, rural New South Wales in order to train as a sister to aid the poor. In the process, she also gives herself over to the order's unexpectedly severe, ascetic regime, which demands blind obedience and submission. Given the religious name Sister Tobit, Livermore serves in some of the poorest places in the world -- the garbage dump slums of Manila, Papua New Guinea, and Calcutta -- bringing hope and care to people who are desperately ill, hungry, abandoned, and even dying, and comforting whomever she can. Although she draws inspiration and strength from her humanitarian work, Livermore and other nuns risk their own physical health, as they are sent to dangerous areas while being unschooled in the languages and cultures, untrained in medical care, and sometimes unprotected by vaccines. Livermore herself succumbs to bouts of drug-resistant cerebral malaria that almost kill her and to a new strain of hepatitis. Over time she also beginsÊto notice that the order's rigid insistence on unquestioning obedience harms the young sisters mentally, emotionally, and spiritually -- and she experiences a terrible inner struggle to find the right path for herself. As she tries to respond to the suffering around her, she often falls into an incomprehensible conflict between her vow to obey and her vow to serve, between religious strictures and the practice of compassion, between authority and personal conscience. Pressured to stay with the order by Mother Teresa and other superiors, as well as by the younger nuns, Livermore nonetheless decides to leave at age thirty and attain her medical degree, continuing to take health care and relief to impoverished people in remote areas -- the isolated aboriginal communities of the Outback and war-torn East Timor. Even as she serves others as a medical doctor, she continues in a crisis of faith thatÊeventually leads her to become an agnostic. Hope Endures is the eye-opening, deeply affecting story of a brave woman's search for meaning in a world that is rent with tragedies and contradictions. It is also an unflinching critique of any faith that insists on blind obedience. For true hope to endure, Dr. Livermore demonstrates, we must always strive to question, to face the hard truths, and to discover the courage to follow our convictions.

Download or read book Love s Enduring Promise Love Comes Softly Book 2 written by Janette Oke and published by Bethany House. This book was released on 2003-11-01 with total page 239 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Book 2 of Love Comes Softly. Their family growing, Clark and Marty look to bind each other together with love and faith. Over 800,000 sold!

Download or read book Holding On to Hope written by Nancy Guthrie and published by NavPress. This book was released on 2015-10-02 with total page 203 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A healing book for those in the wake of life’s devastating storms. We can never plan for the unexpected turns of this life that sometimes lead to great personal suffering. Sometimes that suffering can overshadow everything and threaten to pull us under. Nancy Guthrie knows what it is to be plunged into life’s abyss. Framing her own story of staggering loss and soaring hope with the biblical story of Job, she takes you by the hand and guides you on a pathway through pain—straight to the heart of God. Holding On to Hope offers an uplifting perspective, not only for those experiencing monumental loss, but for anyone going through difficulty and failure. (Includes an 8-week study on the book of Job for readers who want to dig deeper into what the Bible says about dealing with suffering and grief.)

Download or read book Exit to Freedom written by Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. and published by University of Georgia Press. This book was released on 2005-09-01 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The only firsthand account of a wrongful conviction overturned by DNA evidence"--Cover.

Download or read book Out of a Far Country written by Christopher Yuan and published by WaterBrook. This book was released on 2011-05-03 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over 100,000 copies sold! Coming Out, Then Coming Home Christopher Yuan, the son of Chinese immigrants, discovered at an early age that he was different. He was attracted to other boys. As he grew into adulthood, his mother, Angela, hoped to control the situation. Instead, she found that her son and her life were spiraling out of control—and her own personal demons were determined to defeat her. Years of heartbreak, confusion, and prayer followed before the Yuans found a place of complete surrender, which is God’s desire for all families. Their amazing story, told from the perspectives of both mother and son, offers hope for anyone affected by homosexuality. God calls all who are lost to come home to him. Casting a compelling vision for holy sexuality, Out of a Far Country speaks to prodigals, parents of prodigals, and those wanting to minister to the gay community. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” - Luke 15:20 Includes a discussion guide for personal reflection and group use.