Tuesday, May 25, 2010

One Million Arrows

Today  I am writing about a book I’ve recently read. I was contacted by the author, Julie Ferwerda, and asked if I would review it for the blog tour she is doing this week. I visited the web site she offered, and since it sounded very interesting, I agreed.

I wasn’t prepared for the way it would touch my heart.

The book is called “One Million Arrows”, and to say that this book is inspirational, is putting it mildly. This book challenged me to think about the way we are raising our children. Of course, we’re trying to do things right, as most parents are.  However, this challenge is to raise them to impact their world. To want to make a difference.
Author: Julie Ferwerda
Julie was inspired by Dr. M.A. Thomas, a man she calls “Papa”.
Papa went to India in 1960 to serve as a missionary and church planter, but in 1978 he began rescuing orphaned and abandoned children off the streets of India. He raised them in his “Hope Homes”. In these homes, "they experience family and belonging, and receive a top-rate education, as well as the opportunity and training to become disciples and servants of Christ. Since then, Papa’s “father of the fatherless” ministry has become one of the largest Christian ministries in India, with over 21,000 pastors and missionaries trained and sent to the mission field, a majority of them once abandoned children. His ministry has also expanded to the countries of Malawi and Haiti."

God inspired Papa with the “One Million Arrows” vision. Julie met him, and has written this book sharing his vision.  It isn’t just talk with Julie either. In 2007, she and her husband were led by God to sell their newly built “dream” home, in order to build an orphanage in Haiti.

I want to include an excerpt from the book:

“On his tour called “The Better Questions,” Christian musician Todd Agnew told a story about going to India and seeing all the poverty and how it totally changed him. When he can back from the trip, he asked himself, “Why does God allow this kind of suffering?” After praying and studying the Bible on this topic, he came up with “the better question”:
    “Why do I allow suffering?”
People get all bent out of shape at God, wondering why He isn’t solving world hunger, or giving destitute people homes to live in, or giving people clean water to drink, or keeping people free from curable diseases.  The fact is, God’s children--you and I--are His ambassadors on this earth. We are His hands, His feet, His heart, His food, and His money. You and I are possibly the only chance this world will ever get to actually see Jesus.”

I wish that I could share this book with all of you. It will inspire and challenge you in your thinking. It will inspire you in your desire to raise your children to serve others instead of themselves. I’ve often said that our goal as a home schooling family is very limited. In fact, we really only have two goals. The first one is to teach our children to love God and desire to serve Him, and the other is to “learn how to learn”.  This book takes it farther than we do, showing a parent how to impact their children, and by doing so, impact the world.

There is one more thing I want to share about this book.  In honor or Papa’s vision, all proceeds from this book are designated for international orphan ministry. I think that is really putting “your money where your mouth is”.

Thank you Julie, for allowing me the opportunity to review this wonderful book. I hope all of you will get a copy, and be inspired. Here’s the link for Julie’s website:
and also the link to Amazon,
so you can get your own copy.
Prepare to be inspired!

Blessings,
Marcia

17 comments:

  1. I am putting this on Chelsea's reading list for next year. It sounds like exactly what I am looking for in Missions/History Books for her. Even though it is not ancient history the culture and the message sound great!

    Becky K.

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  2. Marcia, Isn't M.A.Thomas the founder of Hopegivers International also. We have had his son speak at our church. We have had young married couples go to India and we are helping to build an orphanage there, that has actually be torn down once in the building process.
    I have got to read the book thanks for sharing it with us.

    Katie

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  3. So glad you did this book review and shared with us. I'd love to pick up a copy.

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  4. I wrote it down to try to find it at my local book store. I would like to have it to read on my trip next week.
    The author knew what she was doing having you review it.It is not one I would probably pick up, but I respect your opinion so much as I am sure others do here.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  5. looks like a great boook! i'll be watching for it :-) thanks for sharing!!

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  6. Hi Marcia, this books sounds so good. We heard something similar to this when our kids were small and it got us to thinking how could we raise kids differently to impact the world instead of being just a generic adult....
    We were inspired and are happy we trained them the way we did. All of them have a heart for the world, going on missions trips, making a change...and putting their money into something substantial like an orphanage in Haiti.
    This is great Marcia, good for you that you got to be a part of this.
    My middle son is in Brazil right now on a missions trip and texted me he is sick :~(...but he also said things are going amazing! So praise God for that.
    Blessigs,
    Debbie
    Keep in touch

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  7. This book sounds like a must read. Thanks for letting me know about it!

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  8. Thanks for making me aware of this book. I probably would not have known about it otherwise.

    Gloria

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  9. Oh, I need to read that one!

    What she writes in her excerpt is so true.

    I always tell people, God is in the response to the tragedy/problem/etc.

    The response is us.

    We are his arms and legs on this planet.

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  10. This sounds like a wonderful read, Marcia!! I may have to pick up a copy... Heaven only knows when I would find time to read it right now, but.... maybe a rainy day will pop up soon!

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  11. I am definitely putting this on my summer reading list. Probably wouldn't be able to find it here anyway, but I will look for it this summer. Thanks so much for sharing. I so believe in giving back and raising children to make a difference. The school they attend and where I work is one that is community-oriented. Yusef will have to present in 10th grade next year a Personal Project where he finds a need and makes a plan and presentation as to how he can make a difference. It's a lot of work but something he will be proud of when it is complete. Wishing you a beautiful day! Thanks for sharing. Many blessings, Tammy

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  12. So glad you stopped by my blog today, so I would come here. I have seen this book mentioned over and over again...that usually means I need to hear God and go get it.
    I could hardly get through your review without cheering...my son has a heart for the human trafficking that is going on from India to Houston Texas...and other places.
    He will love this book...he is 24!

    Enjoyed stopping by...I think you got to my blog because of my post on "Hearing God"...my frog story.

    Well, from one home school mom, of 21 years, and six kids....nice to meet you,
    Janette

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  13. Thank you for sharing...just added it to my summer reading list.xoxo

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  14. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! Thanks for your comment. Thankfully your children have their daddy's hard teeth! I feel for you!
    Have a pretty night!
    Kristin

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  15. In response to your comment on distraction, having nothing to do with your post on the book your reading!! This particular son can pull toys out of no where while at the school table, he's something else! I've been following Merethe's blog since Christmas time, when I found it via a comment on your blog! I use the blogger translating tool, but it doesn't always translate correctly- which really gives my MIL a chuckle!! Reading her blog helps me to understand some of the ways my MIL does things, she likes doing things the way she did in Norway (even though she's been here for like 45 years!!)

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  16. Sounds inspiring for sure. I'll be on the lookout for it. Mimi

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  17. That sounds sooooo good! This is going on my list~

    Thanks for sharing~ Cinnamon

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Thanks so much for stopping by :)
Blessings,
Marcia