I often think of my book as a little kite made out of old newspapers, sticks, and string. I cobbled it together, took it to a hill, and prayed God would send the wind to lift it and let it fly.
Andrew Goodwin/World Vision
At first, I thought the “wind” would come from promotion by my publisher, Thomas Nelson, and by World Vision, as well as some media attention, all of which did happen. But what has surprised and delighted and humbled me is the unexpected way my “kite” has taken flight—through people like you.
Yes, I’m talking to you. If you’re reading this blog, it’s a good chance you’re one of the people who told a friend about The Hole in Our Gospel. You suggested it for your church small-group study, or you’re a pastor and you shared it with your congregation. You blogged about it. You tweeted about it. You wrote a customer review on an online bookseller.
Yesterday I had coffee with a couple in Sacramento who bought 440 copies to give to pastors and friends. Via a recent Facebook post, a woman named Gloria told me, “I work in a Bible bookstore and I tell people that you gave the best explanation for poverty I’ve ever read.” Paul, a Catholic priest from Nigeria, said that he has recommended my book to those in his network—one of many people across the globe who are doing the same.
I’m deeply thankful for your efforts. And I know it’s not for me. God is working through you and me, and this book is simply a humble instrument to create change in our world. Thank you, all of you, for helping me fly this kite as a witness to the good news of Jesus’ perfect gospel.
Mr. Stearns,
We just got back from a Short term mission trip to Honduras last week and our missions pastor gave me your book to read when we returned. I finished it today. Powerful and challenging are the two words I can think of to describe it. It reminded me of the two missionaries who we work with in Honduras. They didn’t follow all the conventional structures of becoming missionaries, they just received the call from God, sold everything and went. Everyone said they would fail but that was 6-1/2 years ago. They are now involved in prison ministry, tatoo removal of gang members, micro business, public school renovations, youth groups and have secured over 150 school scholarships for children who could not afford to attend school. I loved the african saying in the book “if you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito.” We can all make a difference.
I just returned from a really short two week trip to Sierra Leone to check out the work of Living Water International (http://www.water.cc). One day I ended up sick and had to stay home for the day. The couple I’d been staying with had been given ‘The hole in the gospel’ as a gift. I started reading and couldn’t put it down! Got to recommend it to other people at ‘Mercy Ships’ too. I think its so challenging for those that are sitting but yet so encouraging for those that are ‘doing’. Also got to recommend it to one of your people
Jennifer the World Vision rep in Sierra Leone.
Thank you for writing your story and ‘eventually’ stepping out in faith into his plan and purpose. So many times tears welled up in my eyes as I read your testimony of Gods absolute call on your life. I am right now seeking God for his next steps for my life with a job having just come to an end in the US. All I knew was I was meant to go to SL… and now I’m on my way back to Australia to continue to listen to his soft voice of direction.
You can see some of my stories about Sierra Leone here – http://www.aussiejoyslife.com
Thanks for following the call.
absolutely the bes book i’ve ever read. i read it twice and bought copies for friends and refer it to everyone i know. it changed my life, and through that book i’m helping to change the lives of otehrs. i never would have gotten involved if it weren’t for you, richard. thank you. i hope you stay at Wv for a long, long time.
Mr. Stearns, I read your book a few months ago and I still remember how impacting it was to my life. I read it during a time where I was beginning to see the Gospel in a different way: serving the poor as the main theme. I believe that Jesus commanded us to serve those in need, which is the best way to worship God, which involves self-denial, humility, peace making, being poor in spirit, etc, which Jesus taught in Matthews chapter 5. I am continuing to explore the real meaning of the Gospel and your book has been a big stepping stone towards this new awakening in my spiritual life. Thank you for doing what Jesus taught us to do, because you have been a living example for us. You can visit my blog at http://www.whoischrist.wordpress.com for more information on my journey. God bless you.