**The giveaway winner is....Michelle Repolles!**
About the book:
In Wherever the River Runs, Kelly Minter invites us on a journey down a river teeming with piranhas and caimans, as well as machete-wielding mothers, heroic jungle pastors, faith-filled children, and miracles too seldom experienced in our part of the world. Kelly's honest and engaging narrative pulls back the curtain on one of the most captivating places on earth as well as on parts of the gospel we may be able to recite but have never fully believed.
On this beautiful adventure through the jungles of Brazil and the tangles of the soul, Kelly rediscovers Jesus among a forgotten people living well beyond the corners of her previously defined faith--a people who draw her back to their country, their pain, and their hope in Him, again and again.
"Kelly Minter writes the way a portrait artist paints." -- Beth Moore, Living Proof Ministries
"The best thing I can say about Wherever the River Runs is that I closed the last page, bowed my head, and said, 'God, send me too.' Thank you, Kelly, for your courage, leadership, and faithfulness." -- Jen Hatmaker (speaker, blogger, and author of 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess)
My thoughts...
To be honest, when I saw the opportunity to read this book I hesitated. I often think I'm fueled by getting lost in a piece of fiction...nonfiction doesn't always let me escape like I sometimes feel I "need" to do. I'm so glad that God kept nudging me to request being a part of reading this and telling all of you about it.
Watching the book trailer just brought to life the places and people I just read about in Kelly Minter's book, "Wherever the River Runs: how a forgotten people renewed my hope in the gospel." I had heard of Kelly Minter and some of her Bible studies, but I had no knowledge of her mission trips to Brazil, traveling along the Amazon River. In a very personal and honest way, Minter tells of the struggles and joys of how God took her out of her comfort zone and led her to a people living a world away. God used these yearly trips to change her, challenge her, and through her openness she gave me a challenge. My heart and mind were awakened to God's calling on all our lives: to live out the Gospel wherever He has planted us.
Yes, I know this calling. In fact, years ago I lived overseas as a missionary. I loved my time there and was able to see and experience a lot of the things that Kelly has, just in a different setting. But it's been almost 11 years since I've been back in America, and during the time I've been home it's been so easy to get complacent and wrapped up in my daily life, going through routines and staying cozy in my little home. This book was very timely for me personally as I was challenged with stepping out of my comfort zone and into the lives of those who are desperate for the love of Jesus.
One part in the book that particularly spoke to me was after Kelly and her friend, April, returned to the states after an Amazon trip and encountered those in need in their own neighborhood. My heart perked up when I read this....because if I'm honest, deep down I have felt the very same way.
"When it came to being a friend to the poor in my community, I was afraid of the same thing April was. I was happy to minister overseas because there's this measure of novelty while you're there and a safe distance when you're gone. But befriending the sick, suffering, and spiritually needy in my daily environment is neither novel nor safe. It's just hard. Essentially, I wanted to help people but only if I didn't have to get all tangled up in ongoing relationship. I didn't want people close to home needing me, calling me. And it wasn't just what I was afraid to do; it was what I was afraid to give up. It can be painful relinquishing a few precious comforts while making time to serve." (pg 98)
"Wherever the River Runs" is a phenomenal account of a time in Minter's life that has impacted me and I'm sure will impact you. So...I'm giving away one free copy!! Leave a comment on this blog post or on the link I'll leave on facebook if you have a hard time commenting on here (several people have mentioned that they have a hard time commenting when they use their cell phones). I'll choose a winner next Saturday, August 2nd.
If you'd like to know more about Kelly Minter, please go check out her website:
http://www.kellyminter.com/
Thanks so much for stopping by and I look forward to reading your comments! God bless!!
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
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