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love mercy


Recently I was sitting in a coffee shop with a friend.
(which could be almost any day)
But on this particular day there was a guy sitting at a table near me about a chapter into Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.
I warned him to be careful reading that book.
He laughed awkwardly.
And I said, no really, be careful.
It’s a tough book to read.
And try and live your life the same way afterwards.

And so is this book.
And it is slightly easier to relate to than a radical from Philidelphia (who I happen to love).
Because she was a little more like me.
Suburban and comfortable.
With an unshakable sense that it is all a bit too much.
Too much and lacking all at the same time.

The book is about Lisa and her teenage daughter’s trip to Swaziland with Children's Hope Chest.

So before I even read this book I was sold.
Tom Davis and his amazing organization. check.
Lisa Samson ( uhm…have you read Quaker Summer….some amazing fiction….if not check it out from the library TODAY!) check. check.

But this book is different. So Quaker Summer made me want to go put colored dots all over my things ( read the book if you want to know what I’m talking about). This book might actually make me do it.

What I love about the book isn’t so much the stories about Africa ( although many of them moved me to tears). It’s more of the stories that got her there.
Because the story usually starts somewhere else.

And makes me hope that mine has already begun.

So take a few moments to check out the book and Lisa’s website.
And consider yourself warned.
Like the guy in the coffee shop.
This book will leave you unsettled in a really good way.

(and some of you know that I usually give away my copy....this one Zondervan graciously provided....but I'm not quite ready to part with this one yet. I'm still chewing on it a bit and pouring over the photographs of those sweet swazi children).

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Michelle said…
The pictures were quite awesome weren't they. It makes me want to just hug those children.

My review is up, if you'd like to see it.
April 15, 2010 at 8:33 PM
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