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The Missionary, by William Carmichael and David Lambert is about an American couple who are missionaries in Venezuela. It is touching to read about the couple caring for the unloved and unwanted children in the streets of Caracas, while raising their own son. They live in a small house in Hope Village, where the children are housed, nursed back to health, and go to school. The husband, David, feels hopeless, as if he is just a drop in the bucket, as he rescues a few children while he has to watch many more stay alone, homeless, and suffering. Christie, herself an orphan with a tragic past, lives for each child they see in the moment. She feels that the world is saved for that child, right now. David, in his frustration and zeal to help Hope Village, gets “accidentally-on-purpose” involved in a coup trying to remove an unjust dictator who is living it up while the masses suffer. He didn’t know that there was going to be an attempted murder, and that people would be maimed, tortured, and killed along the way. I’m not sure how one can think you can plan a government overthrow without killing anyone or posing any danger to themselves or their family- but that is David’s story, and he is sticking to it! LOL. But really, he did seem to believe it. This non-missionary woman who is feeling a little jaded at the moment just doesn’t quite understand HOW a grown man can really believe that- but, then, neither could his wife, so I guess it isn’t just me, haha.
As the title suggests, The Missionary is Christian literature, and there are many mentions and references to God, Christianity, prayer, church, and religion. While the plot and storyline are somewhat far fetched, it was a “feel good” book that had a mostly-happy ending for the main characters. (Note- there was some violent aspects, I say “feel good” because of all the people in the book that were doing good, and that it ended on an upbeat.)
It is fast paced, and you do want to keep reading to see what happens next.
You can purchase The Missionary from Deep River Books or on their website. Make sure to Like Deep River Books on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter to keep up with all their latest news 🙂
David and his wife Christie rescue impoverished children in the slums of Venezuela. But for David, that’s not enough. The supply of homeless children is endless because of the corrupt policies of the Venezuelan government.
In a rare moment of anger, David lashes out publicly against the government, unaware of the chain reaction that will soon follow.
When the CIA offers David a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a key role in a “bloodless” coup, he decides to go for it. But little by little, he falls into an unimaginable web of deceit that ends in a desperate, life-or-death gamble to flee the country with his wife and son, with all the resources of a corrupt dictatorship at their heels.
Great review – the book sounds fascinating and full of interesting dichotomies.
Sam,
Excellent review! The plot sounds intriguing!
Japan just got hit again while I was talking to my son there…this is not fun!
Since I’m already a follower from Twisted, I’ll just end with ‘hope no one slips ya the black spot’…lol
Becky Jane
The plot does sound far-fetched, but I like the line in your review about how you can’t necessarily save the world, but you can save the world for one person. That doesn’t mean that we should stop trying to help as many as we can, by any means, but it’s a good thing to remember when you feel disheartened about all the suffering in the world versus what we, as individuals, can achieve.
We really don’t have an idea what people under go in other countries. This one sounds very interesting.
This sounds like a great book, I will definitely have to check it out!
I agree that the plot line does sound a little far-fetched, but it also sounds like it would be a gripping read. Thanks for the review!
I have a feeling this book would bring tears to my eyes. I like that he wanted to make a change witout unnecessary bloodshed, but that hasn’t changed any governments tat I’ve studied in history. Sounds interesting though!