Children around the world are living in dire conditions without even the basic necessities of water, food, shelter, and love. They often suffer in silence, struggling simply to exist among the unexplainable and irreversible conditions in which they find themselves. Many are so young they do not even know what they lack the love of a family and the comfort of a home. Survival is their only concern as they grow up in a world of adults who seem to have forgotten them or are so busy with their own survival that they really do not have time to care. These first-person narratives are compiled from conversations with dozens of boys and girls in India. The stories put a voice to the suffering that they and thousands more like them endure every day. Children bravely share their stories of being caste bound, trafficked, beggars, witnesses to murder, unwanted, and of suffering great loss. Each child is a witness to his or her own story of survival. From their voices can be heard the desperate plea for someone to care, if not for themselves, then for those even less fortunate whose voices have not yet been heard."

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While simply written (after all, it is in the children's own words), this book is full of heart breaking imagery that with every page made me more thankful for what my boys and I do have. We might be poor and struggling, but we're not out picking through garbage looking for food or items that we can sell...and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Living where we do, perhaps we've grown a bit hard to the struggles of families elsewhere, but this book opened my eyes and there isn't a single person out there that I wouldn't suggest read it.



I received a copy of this book, for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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“Don’t waste your pain,” says unlikely missionary Avis Goodhart. She didn’t – and neither should you.


Despite a background of childhood abuse, dyslexia, and marital infidelity, Avis took her first international mission trip at age fifty. The church, school, and orphanage she later founded in northern Peru, all products of both her pain and her radical obedience to the Lord, have brought thousands of others out of the dust. This compelling story of an ordinary woman who serves God in extraordinary ways will challenge, inspire, and empower you to:


* Eliminate excuses from your life
* Recognize that in God’s kingdom, availability matters more than ability
* Allow your pain to produce – not prevent – your obedience
* Serve the Lord with the same abandon shown by one unlikely missionary

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As someone who doesn't consider themselves highly religious, I wasn't sure what I was going to think about this book. Imagine my surprise when I picked it up, started reading and didn't put it down again until I was done. I even tried to and failed! Avis' story is one that will draw you in, along with the fact that the book reads as if she's talking to a dear friend. Even if you don't consider yourself a Christian, I think that you could find this to be an inspiring read. Avis' life is amazing and so is her faith and her strength.



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