Over the past week I’ve read the first of what is certain to be many books by author Athol Dickson: Lost Mission.
I received the book a little over a week ago (provided for review by the Litfuse Publicity Group), and had a tough time putting it down. Although I struggled to slog through the first fifty pages or so, the story moved, the diverse characters intrigued me, and after a few chapters I was hopelessly captive to a compelling story and characters.
Lost Mission is provocative. It throws the reader in the middle of complex issues many of us spend a great deal of energy trying to avoid: illegal immigration, cross-cultural dynamics, racial biases, generational consequences, and the polarization of wealth and poverty. What is, perhaps, the most intriguing theme within Lost Mission is the fact that the primary character is a Spanish-speaking illegal immigrant who has come to the United States as a missionary to a pagan country. Yes, you read that correctly. She is so burdened by the depravity of the “Americanos,” she leaves all that’s familiar behind in the hopes of reaching the lost (the American lost) for Christ. Ironically, she ends up in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in southern California.
It’s an interesting thought and one we must consider: Have we as American’s moved so far from the foot of the cross — regardless of our supposed religiosity and wealth — that countries we once sought to rescue now seek to rescue us?
Somehow we’ve become accustomed to equating monetary wealth with a richness of life. Not true. I have seen firsthand the wealth of spirit and relationship that can grow in the midst of tremendous physical poverty. Perhaps in all our acquisitions, we’ve forgotten to hang on to what’s most precious.
This book will leave you with more questions than answers, but questions worth the asking. I’m not the only one who believes it worth the read. Check out other blog reviews here. And you can buy the book here. AND (it just keeps getting better and better), if you’d like to enter a contest for the chance to receive signed copies of this author’s books, go to the Litfuse Publicity site here. In order to qualify, you will need to tweet 4 words that describe Athol Dickson’s #LostMission, including that hashtag and this link: http://tr.im/BPD1
Better yet, I have an extra copy. Leave a comment (a comment explaining why the aforementioned themes and questions of Lost Mission are of particular interest to you), and I’ll bequeath my extra copy to one very lucky, very poignant commenter.
i still haven’t posted my review because I’m still wrestling with what it said to me. What I feel I learned. I’m finally about ready I think. It’s a book that will keep me thinking for a long time.
Haven’t heard of it. I’ll have to check it out. I like books that make you think and grapple with tough questions.
Living in New Zealand we are right in the middle of a heated discussion about race relaions. Hone Harawira, a member of the Maori party – completely indigenous members – has caused a rift with his caucus over history Now he may be forced to leave the party and become an independant parliamentarian. For the first t ime Maori are a coalition party with the majority government so there was a coming together that has now been split by extremely aggressive comments.
I am aware that NZ Maori have overcome a lot -but nothing like the slavery of the African Americans or the dispossession of the Native American Indians. I am fascinated that the premise of the need for missionaries to the wealthy Americans gave someone the courage that is now being shown by many Indian and South-East Asians to take the gospel message to the West.
If you look atthe message version of Micah 6:8 it says to take God seriously – sounds like this book sure did!!
Michele, when I read the line, “countries we once sought to rescue now seek to rescue us” I was immediately reminded of Nigeria. I have been there twice and the move of God is incredible. One of the largest churches there is sending men and women to the U.S. to establish churches here. They see our move away from God and come to bring a simple message of faith that if God says it it is true. They have the child-like faith that Jesus spoke of. On those two trips I learned from people who have nothing materially but everything spiritually.
Diane
Thank you ALL for your comments and perspective. Diane is the winner of the free book, so send me an email with your mailing address and I’ll send it to you. 🙂 Congrats! And be sure to let me know what you think after you read it, okay?