This book was lent to me by a South African friend who home-schools her two teenage children. Currently they are studying the Jewish festivals and feasts, and she invited me to read it, after I expressed an interest in the Jewish calendar. I have to confess to not having read the entire book, but rather skim-reading it, making use of the many enboldened and underlined sections, which are highlighted for emphasis and often summarize large chunks of the text.
However, I did read one chapter in its entirety, entitled The Tabernacle, and found it captivating. I even made notes in my journal about the descriptions of the seven pieces of furniture, each representing and revealing aspects of Jesus, or Yeshua, the Messiah, as He is referred to throughout.
The instructions for building The Tabernacle were given to Moses and were very specific, in dimension, colours and positioning of the furniture. Every detail speaks about some aspect of the life of Jesus and describes how we are ushered into the presence of God. They can be seen as seven stages of worship, which the believer is encouraged into, each one taking you deeper and closer to the Mercy Seat. All other pieces of furniture point to the place from where grace can flow.
It is highly symbolic, but I find symbolism fascinating. I was raised in a church where the only symbol used to depict Jesus was a simple wooden cross. We didn't have candles, pictures or an altar. It was a multi-purpose building and the chairs were often deliberately rearranged to emphasise the inclusive, 'priesthood of all believers' doctrine. I'm thankful for that upbringing as I came easily to faith in Jesus Christ, recognising that the empty Cross is central to the relationship I have with God. However, I have come to see that Scripture is full of pictures and imagery of Jesus, and that almost everything in life can be seen as an illustration of the life that Jesus wants me to live in Him. Jesus spoke in parables, using everyday objects and situations to explain Himself. In fact, the whole Bible, right from Genesis to Revelation reveals Jesus to the reader, as I am slowly discovering.
So, how does the exciting chapter fit into Treasures of Darkness? The book is written to inspire prayer. It is really a prayer guide for intercessors who have a burden for the Ultra-Orthodox Jew. The author is a Jew who was raised as a Catholic, but never heard that God loved or cared for her in a personal way until, as a college student and on the brink of suicide, she responded to a knock on her dormitory door. Two Christian girls had responded to God's voice to visit the room below and bring the love of Christ to someone who desperately needed it. She was born again and a love for Israel quickly developed.
This book is the fruit of her life's mission: a burning passion for the salvation of the Jewish people, in particular the Ultra-Orthodox. She lives in Jerusalem and has come to realise that one of the 'treasures of darkness...in secret places' from Isaiah 45:3 are the Ultra-Orthodox - a closed system, which it is almost impossible to find out about, let alone break into.
Perhaps I will return to this book in the future. For now, it has opened my eyes just a crack to the wealth of treasures and secrets which are hidden in the Bible, and of which I want to discover more.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Hard to Believe - John MacArthur
'The High Cost and Infinite Value of Following Jesus', is the subtitle to this hard hitting and demanding book by John MacArthur, whose motto is 'Unleashing God's Truth, One Verse at a Time'. Given fifteen seconds to make his point MacArthur would say two things: to affirm 'the absolute and single authority of Scripture, and the absolute exclusivity of Jesus Christ'.
In this book he presents the case for there being no 'user-friendly' or 'seeker-sensitive' gospel, just the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, based on the unfallible Word of God, as given in the Bible.
I came to this book, thinking that it would confirm what I have believed and lived out throughout my life as a Christian - and I was not disappointed. MacArthur places the Cross of Jesus Christ central to every belief and every motivation. He destroys the myths that have infiltrated the church and led to a 'watered-down' message which invites people to commit their lives to God without fully understanding the need for repentence - turning away from sin, and truly surrendering their lives to him. He questions whether much of the church, particularly in America, is truly 'born again', whether they are truly Christians - followers of Christ.
I was greatly reassured by this book, but I was also deeply challenged about the outworking of my relationship with Jesus on a daily basis and with the call to self-sacrifice, the hallmark of every true Christian. It certainly gets you out of your comfort-zone!
This is not a light read or an easy read. As the title suggests, Hard to Believe, confirms what true Christians from the time of Christ have discovered, that there is a narrow path that leads to Heaven and few find it. Many take the broad path that leads to destruction, but think they are on the narrow path. He refutes all other gospels and makes no apology for doing so. He reiterates the great commission - to go into all the world and make disciples of Jesus Christ, emphasising that they are doomed if we do not go and tell them. Throughout the book he bases everything he says on the Bible, the only foundation of our faith and everything we do must be based on and grounded in it's Truth.
The image that came to mind, as I was reading, was of a snow-plough pushing back the freshly fallen soft snow to reveal the hard compacted snow and ice beneath. A snow plough goes out before the traffic making the road clear and passable. It is brutal and unyielding to anything obstructing its path. For me, this book cleared the clutter out of the way and revealed our purpose here on Earth. It takes you back to the foundations of the Christian Faith, to inspect them for yourself, to make sure they are solid and firm, and having done that to recommit yourself to making disciples - learners, people with passion for the Truth which will transform their lives.
In this book he presents the case for there being no 'user-friendly' or 'seeker-sensitive' gospel, just the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, based on the unfallible Word of God, as given in the Bible.
I came to this book, thinking that it would confirm what I have believed and lived out throughout my life as a Christian - and I was not disappointed. MacArthur places the Cross of Jesus Christ central to every belief and every motivation. He destroys the myths that have infiltrated the church and led to a 'watered-down' message which invites people to commit their lives to God without fully understanding the need for repentence - turning away from sin, and truly surrendering their lives to him. He questions whether much of the church, particularly in America, is truly 'born again', whether they are truly Christians - followers of Christ.
I was greatly reassured by this book, but I was also deeply challenged about the outworking of my relationship with Jesus on a daily basis and with the call to self-sacrifice, the hallmark of every true Christian. It certainly gets you out of your comfort-zone!
This is not a light read or an easy read. As the title suggests, Hard to Believe, confirms what true Christians from the time of Christ have discovered, that there is a narrow path that leads to Heaven and few find it. Many take the broad path that leads to destruction, but think they are on the narrow path. He refutes all other gospels and makes no apology for doing so. He reiterates the great commission - to go into all the world and make disciples of Jesus Christ, emphasising that they are doomed if we do not go and tell them. Throughout the book he bases everything he says on the Bible, the only foundation of our faith and everything we do must be based on and grounded in it's Truth.
The image that came to mind, as I was reading, was of a snow-plough pushing back the freshly fallen soft snow to reveal the hard compacted snow and ice beneath. A snow plough goes out before the traffic making the road clear and passable. It is brutal and unyielding to anything obstructing its path. For me, this book cleared the clutter out of the way and revealed our purpose here on Earth. It takes you back to the foundations of the Christian Faith, to inspect them for yourself, to make sure they are solid and firm, and having done that to recommit yourself to making disciples - learners, people with passion for the Truth which will transform their lives.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
You Can't Take it With You - Jane and Mike Tomlinson
I read this book and wrote a review for an assignment a few months ago. So I was saddened to learn recently that Jane passed away on 3rd September.
You Can’t Take It With You, the second book by Jane and Mike Tomlinson, describes the courageous and adventurous fund raising activities for their own charity ‘jane’s appeal’. Diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in 2000, Jane was determined to demonstrate how not to give in to a six-month prognosis.
In their first book, The Luxury of Time, the Tomlinson’s from Leeds, retell the years between Jane’s initial diagnosis at age 26, to celebrating her 40th birthday early. Between them Jane and Mike, in alternate chapters, give an honest account of her treatments and remission of the disease, through to the devastating news of her terminal status being told to their three children. At that point Jane and Mike were determined to demonstrate that 'death does not arrive with the prognosis'. Jane's running and cycling achievements from 2001 to 2004 are retold to raise awareness, raise funds and raise hopes for cancer patients and their relatives.
You Can’t Take It With You continues their story, including a mammoth John O'Groats to Lands End cycle ride on a tandam with her brother, Luke. Following that length of Britain ride, they embarked on, from ‘Rome to Home’, travelling through Italy and France, fulfilling one of Jane's ambitions to cycle up the slopes of Mount Ventoux, one of the hardest climbs on the Tour de France. Arriving in Paris they indulged in the luxury of the ambassador's residence, depite their unconventional appearance in cycling attire. Crossing the Channel they still had the long haul back up to Leeds to complete, but their tumultuous welcome outside Leeds City Hall quickly swept away emotions of the two-month grueling experience.
Jane announced her intention to take part in a full ironman triathlon, in Florida on completion of a British triathlon with her two daughters. This event, combines swimming, cycling and running, but during training for the full ironman she had a distastrous time in a half ironman in France and almost withdrew from the challenge. The final event readers get to share with them is a staggering 3700-mile coast-to-coast cycle ride across the USA in summer 2006.
Written in a similar style to their first book, Jane and Mike now alternate their personal narratives within each chapter, sometimes giving separate and different perspectives of the same event. Some of the dialogues include strong language, which I found hard to read, but it does add realism and reinforce the severe pain Jane experienced, particularly towards the end of the book.
The descriptive sections of the long cycle rides in UK, Italy, France and USA made enjoyable reading, and together with the colour photographs in the centre of the book, provide light relief to its serious subject matter. The funny and sometimes heart-rending accounts involving their children were helpful in understanding what it must be like to live with cancer on a day-to-day basis.
The title, You Can't Take it With You, is an poignant pun on Jane’s predicament, but actually relates to a Tomlinson family expression in reply to the question “May I leave the table?”
The Tomlinson family have my great admiration. Although Jane retired from competition at the end of 2006, she planned and organised the Leeds 10k 'Run For All' event in June this year. Her many sporting awards and public recognition, including a CBE from the Queen, together with the lasting legacy of the annual 'Run For All' event, will ensure that her achievements and bravery continue to inspire and motivate future generations. Their story was a personal reminder to improve to my own personal fitness. Their charity has raised around 1.5 million pounds and supported the work of numerous cancer related charities.
You Can’t Take It With You, the second book by Jane and Mike Tomlinson, describes the courageous and adventurous fund raising activities for their own charity ‘jane’s appeal’. Diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in 2000, Jane was determined to demonstrate how not to give in to a six-month prognosis.
In their first book, The Luxury of Time, the Tomlinson’s from Leeds, retell the years between Jane’s initial diagnosis at age 26, to celebrating her 40th birthday early. Between them Jane and Mike, in alternate chapters, give an honest account of her treatments and remission of the disease, through to the devastating news of her terminal status being told to their three children. At that point Jane and Mike were determined to demonstrate that 'death does not arrive with the prognosis'. Jane's running and cycling achievements from 2001 to 2004 are retold to raise awareness, raise funds and raise hopes for cancer patients and their relatives.
You Can’t Take It With You continues their story, including a mammoth John O'Groats to Lands End cycle ride on a tandam with her brother, Luke. Following that length of Britain ride, they embarked on, from ‘Rome to Home’, travelling through Italy and France, fulfilling one of Jane's ambitions to cycle up the slopes of Mount Ventoux, one of the hardest climbs on the Tour de France. Arriving in Paris they indulged in the luxury of the ambassador's residence, depite their unconventional appearance in cycling attire. Crossing the Channel they still had the long haul back up to Leeds to complete, but their tumultuous welcome outside Leeds City Hall quickly swept away emotions of the two-month grueling experience.
Jane announced her intention to take part in a full ironman triathlon, in Florida on completion of a British triathlon with her two daughters. This event, combines swimming, cycling and running, but during training for the full ironman she had a distastrous time in a half ironman in France and almost withdrew from the challenge. The final event readers get to share with them is a staggering 3700-mile coast-to-coast cycle ride across the USA in summer 2006.
Written in a similar style to their first book, Jane and Mike now alternate their personal narratives within each chapter, sometimes giving separate and different perspectives of the same event. Some of the dialogues include strong language, which I found hard to read, but it does add realism and reinforce the severe pain Jane experienced, particularly towards the end of the book.
The descriptive sections of the long cycle rides in UK, Italy, France and USA made enjoyable reading, and together with the colour photographs in the centre of the book, provide light relief to its serious subject matter. The funny and sometimes heart-rending accounts involving their children were helpful in understanding what it must be like to live with cancer on a day-to-day basis.
The title, You Can't Take it With You, is an poignant pun on Jane’s predicament, but actually relates to a Tomlinson family expression in reply to the question “May I leave the table?”
The Tomlinson family have my great admiration. Although Jane retired from competition at the end of 2006, she planned and organised the Leeds 10k 'Run For All' event in June this year. Her many sporting awards and public recognition, including a CBE from the Queen, together with the lasting legacy of the annual 'Run For All' event, will ensure that her achievements and bravery continue to inspire and motivate future generations. Their story was a personal reminder to improve to my own personal fitness. Their charity has raised around 1.5 million pounds and supported the work of numerous cancer related charities.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
90 Minutes in Heaven - Don Piper and Cecil Murphey
On 18th January 1989 Don Piper’s car was sandwiched between the railing of Trinity River Bridge and an eighteen-wheeler truck driven by a prison inmate, in Texas USA. Medics said he was instantly killed, but while his battered body lay inside the ruins of his car, he had a glimpse of Heaven.
In the earthly realm, during the ninety minutes it took to cut him free from the wreckage, a minister caught up in the subsequent tail-back of traffic felt compelled to pray for him, convinced that God was doing something miraculous with his life-less body. In the heavenly realm, that ninety minutes was for Don a glimpse of the glory and splendour of paradise. He miraculously returned to life on earth with uncontainable memories of a place of awe and joyful delight, convinced of its reality.
As a minister himself, his long and painful recovery was an ordeal almost too much to bear at times, but one that changed his life and deepened his faith in a loving, caring God. Don now shares his story with thousands of people every year, bringing comfort and hope to those recovering from serious injuries or dealing with the loss of a loved one.
I found this story in the bargain box, at a local bookstore, and was immediately drawn to the title. I cannot remember a time I have not thought about Heaven: What will it be like? Who will be there? Will my body be the same? What will I do there? And so on…
The title conveys a very small portion of Don Piper’s story; in fact his time in heaven covers only two chapters of the book. Told chronologically, I wondered initially if the author was perhaps trying to sensationalise his accident and long recovery by including an ‘out of body’ encounter. However, I came to see that his life’s work of being able to praise God through his suffering was a process that was rooted in the ninety-minute heavenly experience and expressed through his down-to-earth existence. The few black and white photos included in relevant places help to illustrate the horrendous accident and torturing bone growth device he wore, known as an Ilizarov frame.
90 Minutes in Heaven confirmed a lot for me. I read it as a believer and not as a sceptic and found his descriptions credible and encouraging. As a Christian I have read many of the scriptures about Heaven, given in the Bible. I have an assurance that, when this life is over, Jesus has prepared a place for me in Heaven. I even preached about it once, many years ago, and I found the tape of that message quite recently, listening to it again. I enjoy talking to others, hearing their thoughts about what they think Heaven will be like. It’s a subject which has actually featured quite highly in my life over the past few months, through conversations, books and DVD’s. 90 Minutes in Heaven has not answered all my questions, but has contributed to my understanding of this fascinating topic.
I would heartily recommend Don Piper’s contribution to this field.
In the earthly realm, during the ninety minutes it took to cut him free from the wreckage, a minister caught up in the subsequent tail-back of traffic felt compelled to pray for him, convinced that God was doing something miraculous with his life-less body. In the heavenly realm, that ninety minutes was for Don a glimpse of the glory and splendour of paradise. He miraculously returned to life on earth with uncontainable memories of a place of awe and joyful delight, convinced of its reality.
As a minister himself, his long and painful recovery was an ordeal almost too much to bear at times, but one that changed his life and deepened his faith in a loving, caring God. Don now shares his story with thousands of people every year, bringing comfort and hope to those recovering from serious injuries or dealing with the loss of a loved one.
I found this story in the bargain box, at a local bookstore, and was immediately drawn to the title. I cannot remember a time I have not thought about Heaven: What will it be like? Who will be there? Will my body be the same? What will I do there? And so on…
The title conveys a very small portion of Don Piper’s story; in fact his time in heaven covers only two chapters of the book. Told chronologically, I wondered initially if the author was perhaps trying to sensationalise his accident and long recovery by including an ‘out of body’ encounter. However, I came to see that his life’s work of being able to praise God through his suffering was a process that was rooted in the ninety-minute heavenly experience and expressed through his down-to-earth existence. The few black and white photos included in relevant places help to illustrate the horrendous accident and torturing bone growth device he wore, known as an Ilizarov frame.
90 Minutes in Heaven confirmed a lot for me. I read it as a believer and not as a sceptic and found his descriptions credible and encouraging. As a Christian I have read many of the scriptures about Heaven, given in the Bible. I have an assurance that, when this life is over, Jesus has prepared a place for me in Heaven. I even preached about it once, many years ago, and I found the tape of that message quite recently, listening to it again. I enjoy talking to others, hearing their thoughts about what they think Heaven will be like. It’s a subject which has actually featured quite highly in my life over the past few months, through conversations, books and DVD’s. 90 Minutes in Heaven has not answered all my questions, but has contributed to my understanding of this fascinating topic.
I would heartily recommend Don Piper’s contribution to this field.
Friday, August 24, 2007
All Things Wild and Wonderful - Kobie Kruger
This sequel to Mahlengeni, by Kobie Kruger continues the true story of her family's adventures living in Kruger National Park, in South Africa. I actually read this book first and felt the story was complete in itself, not requiring Mahlengeni to be read first.
All things Wild and Wonderful, retells the events from 1991 onwards, when the family moved from their beloved Mahlengeni south to Crocodile Bridge and then to Pretorius Kop. For the author this was a traumatic episode as they left the largely deserted bush for a more populated area complete with neighbours and tourists. The shock at meeting strangers on the road, or being watched whilst out walking, took several months to absorb but she finally recognises the value that occasional visits with her neighbours can bring to their rather insular existence.
In this new home, where from her perspective, the sun is always setting in the wrong place, Kobie continues to foster many orphan animals, returning most of them successfully to the wild. However, when her ranger husband, Kobus brings home an orphan lion cub her role as foster parent takes on new meaning. Kobie and her three daughters' devotion to Leo, their 'Foundling Prince'; how he becomes part of the family, unaware that he is a royal beast, form a large part of this book. The way she explains the relationships between Leo and the dogs is fascinating.
Despite the park rules of not domesticating wild animals, the family realise that Leo will never be able to return to the wild and so start the difficult and painful process of finding a permanent home for him. Eventually, a suitable location is found in Pamuzinda, Zimbabwe and the story of transporting and settling him there, retains all the excitment of earlier chapters.
In common with Mahlengeni, All Things Wild and Wonderful is delightfully descriptive and draws the reader into the locations and circumstances being depicted. Each family member's story is told with passion: detailing their exploits along with accompanying physical pain or emotional heartache, but always with courageous spirit.
Delicate sketches of wildlife accompany the text and colour photos of Leo with various family members form the centre fold.
Well worth reading and enjoying!
All things Wild and Wonderful, retells the events from 1991 onwards, when the family moved from their beloved Mahlengeni south to Crocodile Bridge and then to Pretorius Kop. For the author this was a traumatic episode as they left the largely deserted bush for a more populated area complete with neighbours and tourists. The shock at meeting strangers on the road, or being watched whilst out walking, took several months to absorb but she finally recognises the value that occasional visits with her neighbours can bring to their rather insular existence.
In this new home, where from her perspective, the sun is always setting in the wrong place, Kobie continues to foster many orphan animals, returning most of them successfully to the wild. However, when her ranger husband, Kobus brings home an orphan lion cub her role as foster parent takes on new meaning. Kobie and her three daughters' devotion to Leo, their 'Foundling Prince'; how he becomes part of the family, unaware that he is a royal beast, form a large part of this book. The way she explains the relationships between Leo and the dogs is fascinating.
Despite the park rules of not domesticating wild animals, the family realise that Leo will never be able to return to the wild and so start the difficult and painful process of finding a permanent home for him. Eventually, a suitable location is found in Pamuzinda, Zimbabwe and the story of transporting and settling him there, retains all the excitment of earlier chapters.
In common with Mahlengeni, All Things Wild and Wonderful is delightfully descriptive and draws the reader into the locations and circumstances being depicted. Each family member's story is told with passion: detailing their exploits along with accompanying physical pain or emotional heartache, but always with courageous spirit.
Delicate sketches of wildlife accompany the text and colour photos of Leo with various family members form the centre fold.
Well worth reading and enjoying!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
God's Golden Acre
God's Golden Acre is the biography of Heather Reynolds, by Dale le Vack. It is the inspiring story of a South African Woman, from the KwaZulu-Natal province, who has spent much of her adult life caring for thousands of orphan children - victims of the AIDS pandemic of south eastern Africa.
This is a heroic story, of Heather's determination to be a mother to those who no longer have an able parent to care for them. The need is great, the situation desperate and the task daunting, but there are few obstacles which Heather has not removed by sheer hard work and her indomitable spirit, in her quest to provide a haven, now known as God's Golden Acre.
The book is written in three parts. Part 1 retells some of the key events that have become the milestones in Heather's journey; they set the scene for the other sections. Part 2 recounts her childhood, early adult life and her roller-coaster spiritual journey, leading up to her first encounter with AIDS orphans in Uganda in 1973 and the life-changing realization that God was calling her to be involved in caring for these most vulnerable members of any society. Part 3 is the establishment of her ministry God's Golden Acre, in its various locations to the place where it is now, looking out over beautiful rural Africa. Many miracles take place, both in the raising of finance and in rescuing children from intolerable conditions. She eventually sets up a network for international volunteers to participate in her project and many of them retell their own stories in the book.
Heather is now an ambassador for her foster care system throughout Africa and is a well respected and much loved South African. God's Golden Acre has now received much media attention and the American chat show host Oprah Winfrey recently became one of its main financial contributors, raising the charity to international status.
Much of Heather's story is told by herself, as first person narratives from the interviews that Dale recorded as a preparation to writing the book. Twenty-four full-colour pages of photographs are inserted into the book's centre and the cover has photos of Heather with some of her children.
I thoroughly enjoyed this true story. It is challenging and heartrending in places and definitely shifts you out of your comfort zone, but also helps to dispell cynicism against some charity work.
This is a heroic story, of Heather's determination to be a mother to those who no longer have an able parent to care for them. The need is great, the situation desperate and the task daunting, but there are few obstacles which Heather has not removed by sheer hard work and her indomitable spirit, in her quest to provide a haven, now known as God's Golden Acre.
The book is written in three parts. Part 1 retells some of the key events that have become the milestones in Heather's journey; they set the scene for the other sections. Part 2 recounts her childhood, early adult life and her roller-coaster spiritual journey, leading up to her first encounter with AIDS orphans in Uganda in 1973 and the life-changing realization that God was calling her to be involved in caring for these most vulnerable members of any society. Part 3 is the establishment of her ministry God's Golden Acre, in its various locations to the place where it is now, looking out over beautiful rural Africa. Many miracles take place, both in the raising of finance and in rescuing children from intolerable conditions. She eventually sets up a network for international volunteers to participate in her project and many of them retell their own stories in the book.
Heather is now an ambassador for her foster care system throughout Africa and is a well respected and much loved South African. God's Golden Acre has now received much media attention and the American chat show host Oprah Winfrey recently became one of its main financial contributors, raising the charity to international status.
Much of Heather's story is told by herself, as first person narratives from the interviews that Dale recorded as a preparation to writing the book. Twenty-four full-colour pages of photographs are inserted into the book's centre and the cover has photos of Heather with some of her children.
I thoroughly enjoyed this true story. It is challenging and heartrending in places and definitely shifts you out of your comfort zone, but also helps to dispell cynicism against some charity work.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tutu as I Know Him
This is a tribute to Desmond Mpilo Tutu, complied by Lavinia Crawford-Browne, for the occasion of his 75th birthday, in 2006. Each chapter, or piece, is written by a different person who has known Desmond Tutu, in a variety of settings and countries, right throughout his life.
It follows roughly the chronology of his life, starting with reflections from childhood by his two sisters and ending with a letter by Years 3 and 4 pupils of Fellview Primary School in Cumbria. The proceeds of the book will go to the Tygerberg Children's Hospital, in Cape Town, which celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2006, of which Desmond and Leah are the patrons.
Most pieces conclude with a relevant photograph, helping to demonstrate the multifaceted personality which makes up Desmond Tutu. He is a man of huge compassion and strong faith, persuing justice with a passion unequalled. His influence is enormous ranging from audiences with Heads of State to Hollywood filmstars. He strikes me as a man who always has time for people, listening with interest or concern, despite a pressing schedule. But he is also fun to be with, often surprising his visitors with his informality, telling jokes and laughing at himself, putting the most nervous at their ease with his often irreverent humour. His affectionate relationships with his wife and children are much in evidence and you can't help liking and admiring him.
It isn't a biography, but the writings give you a very good grasp of the breadth of his life's work and by the end you feel that you know so much about him.
The front cover illustration is taken from a patchwork embroidery depicting Desmond in his Red Archbishop's cassock talking to a group of children, with a typical South African township, the skyline of Cape Town and Table Mountain in the background. This typically sums up the man who manages to make everyone he meets feel like a 'Very Important Person'.
I thoroughly enjoyed this insight into his life and am now keen to read his full biography.
It follows roughly the chronology of his life, starting with reflections from childhood by his two sisters and ending with a letter by Years 3 and 4 pupils of Fellview Primary School in Cumbria. The proceeds of the book will go to the Tygerberg Children's Hospital, in Cape Town, which celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2006, of which Desmond and Leah are the patrons.
Most pieces conclude with a relevant photograph, helping to demonstrate the multifaceted personality which makes up Desmond Tutu. He is a man of huge compassion and strong faith, persuing justice with a passion unequalled. His influence is enormous ranging from audiences with Heads of State to Hollywood filmstars. He strikes me as a man who always has time for people, listening with interest or concern, despite a pressing schedule. But he is also fun to be with, often surprising his visitors with his informality, telling jokes and laughing at himself, putting the most nervous at their ease with his often irreverent humour. His affectionate relationships with his wife and children are much in evidence and you can't help liking and admiring him.
It isn't a biography, but the writings give you a very good grasp of the breadth of his life's work and by the end you feel that you know so much about him.
The front cover illustration is taken from a patchwork embroidery depicting Desmond in his Red Archbishop's cassock talking to a group of children, with a typical South African township, the skyline of Cape Town and Table Mountain in the background. This typically sums up the man who manages to make everyone he meets feel like a 'Very Important Person'.
I thoroughly enjoyed this insight into his life and am now keen to read his full biography.
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