Review/Giveaway: Passport Through Darkness

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Passport Through Darkness:  A True Story of Danger and Second Chances
Author: Kimberly L. Smith
Genre: Christian nonfiction/memoir
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.

Entry deadline: March 10, 2011

Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway.  This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.

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Publisher:  David C Cook

Physical Description: 256-page paperback
List Price: $14.99
ISBN: 9781434702128
For More Info: http://kimberlylsmith.com/
http://www.makewaypartners.org/

Synopsis:

As she shares her extraordinary stories of fighting human trafficking as an ordinary mom, Kimberly Smith offers hope for readers who wonder if God is calling them to greater things.


Passport Through Darkness takes readers on Smith's journey from normal family life and business, to Europe, to the deserts of Africa and ultimately, to the deserts of her own soul as she tries to live well as an imperfect American mom, crusade for justice for orphans around the world, and embrace God's extraordinary dreams for her. When Kimberly and her husband risk everything to answer God's call, they see God change and restore them-even amid exhaustion, marital struggles, and physical limitations.

This heartbreaking, heartlifting book is for anyone who longs to see God move their life from normal to one that matters. It is a call to readers to take one more step on their journey to know God's heart.

About the Author:

Kimberly L. Smith is the president and cofounder of Make Way Partners, a mission organization committed to ending human trafficking. She is currently building the only private and indigenously based anti-trafficking network in Africa and Eastern Europe. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Kimberly lives with her husband, Milton, in Sylacauga, Alabama.

What I Liked: 

In spite of its tragic material, this book is beautifully written - poetic, graphic, detailed.  It moved easily and well, making it a pleasure to read from a literary perspective.

Beyond that - way beyond that - was the thought-provoking content.  When I requested this book for review, I suspected it would move me, but I wasn't prepared for how much.  There is the stomach-churning turmoil from the indescribable events alluded to in this book - I had to shut it and walk away several times.  And there is the constant soul-searching - wondering how my personal story should unfold, knowing what I know, with the view I've been given here.

I can relate somewhat to the foreign mission lifestyle, though Kimberly's story goes FAR beyond anything I've experienced.  What I truly relate to is the yearning for more - the need to be on the front line, making a difference in the world's suffering, but not quite sure how to get there, or if I am really doing it for the right reasons, or if I am called to a less dramatic purpose here in my own home.  Kimberly talks about her search for true-to-life missionary stories, about people who serve in amazing ways, but aren't perfect and mess up and feel guilt and alienation and shame, and I get it, totally.

And the culture shock on her return - I get that somewhat, too.  She talks about forgiveness for the incomprehensible actions in Sudan, stating, "What is harder for me to reconcile is the fact that we American Christians, steeped in every golden opportunity, and most important, the Light of Christ, still don't want to hear, face, and respond to this dark and ever-present reality for the women and children..."  And I get that, I'm sure - until I wonder what I'm personally doing in response.  I get wrapped up in day-to-day life here in the US, with occasional flashbacks of life in third-world countries that I push to the back of my mind because if I think about them, I feel so compelled to go and so frustrated that I am where I am, feeling that everything around me is meaningless.

What I Didn't Like:  Before I continue on this section, let me say that I emphatically recommend this book, with no reservations.  My "dislikes" have more to do with my personal story - questions I'd like to see answered more fully, than with any criticisms I have of the book.

Kimberly weaves the story of her marriage throughout the book, and kind of ties things off in the end with a reconciliaton of her marriage.  It is her story, and it is beautiful.  It isn't my story.  I want to know why God allows what He does.  How He provides reconciliation between peace/contentment and the yearning/desire to attack and destroy evil.  God is part of her story, true, but I want more. 

I want assurance that what I sacrifice is what God WANTS - that I am in His will.  Kimberly shares how she was willing to give her life for God's cause.  Yet in doing so, she was sacrificing her marriage.  So was she wrong to give her life - or can she know she made the difference God called her to make?  

Is is possible for any author to answer all my questions?  Probably not.  Thanks, Kimberly, for sharing your life with us - allowing us to see the cracks and flaws and amazing beauty within.

Thanks to The B & B Media Group, Inc. for the review copy of this book.

Embedded below is a video interview with the author. If you'd like to download a free chapter of this book, please visit her site: http://kimberlylsmith.com/.