Preemptive Love by Jeremy Courtney

Wow.  I think I could end my review with those words but I know that wouldn't suffice as an appropriate review.  However, words seem to lack in giving this book a review because it is so good.  I am amazed at this family and in awe of them.  I want God to use me and my family like He has them.

When I first got this book, I thought it would be a comfortable read with heartwarming stories.  It was not comfortable because I kept thinking about what I could do and how important love is and where do I fail to show love and act on it.  It had heartwarming stories, but it was honest and real and eye-opening.  Oh...and did I fail to mention that this family lives in and has set up their ministry to help save children with heart defects and to get them in for heart surgery.

They have experienced so much while living in Iraq.  They have truly had their ups and downs but have trusted God's will for them continuously.  I loved how Jeremy sums up the book in the end because I have honestly battled with those thoughts myself and while reading this book: "I would be so scared to do what they are doing and fear not just for my safety, but my children's."  His answer is beautiful.  He admits his fears and what he is afraid of, but says preemptive love is not about the absence of fear.  We underestimate love sometimes.  

I have read several books by people who have moved to other countries to do things similar to this and each time I finish the book, I can't stop recommending it to others because I can't forget their stories.  This one will be highly recommended to friends, and in fact, already have.

_____________

I received this book free from Howard Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Behind the Veils of Yemen by Audra Grace Shelby

Kevin and Audra found themselves accepting the calling to go to Yemen to show the Muslims the love of Christ.  Audra had a deep desire to get behind the veils of women to tell them about Christ.  I was honestly impressed that she would wear the veil so to have a chance to be accepted by them and to be able to talk to them openly.  She shares about what some of the women wear under the veil and I was actually surprised.  I loved hearing the conversations between the women and Audra and I was very glad that Audra shared her own insecurities throughout the book.  She shared when she doubted, when God was silent or when things weren't working as they had thought that it would.

The thing that stuck out to me is how she realized that we (I say we as Christians) weren't praying for the Muslims to come to know the Lord.  She talks about how we're not as burdened for them to know Jesus as Lord.  After hearing about the women, I understand more now about how the women are viewed, treated, and the conversations they have with their friends.  It was interesting to see how they view sickness, and it was painful to see how a baby was mistreated.  It was sad to hear how the men take advantage of the women in several ways and how even a woman dressed in a veil can still be looked upon by a guy and lusted after.

I would dare say that Christ followers need to read this book.  After reading it, I understand more about how I can pray for other missionaries from the IMB (International Mission Board) who are serving in these areas and for Muslims, in general.  It opened my eyes to things that I never realized or understood.

Audra and her husband, Kevin, along with their 3 (now 4 kids) were missionaries to Yemen and later on in Egypt.  They have since returned to the U.S. so that their children could attend high school.  They are very active in getting God's Word into the Middle East.

__________________

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review of this book.