Beth Guckenberger

I reviewed Tales of the Defended Ones, in exchange for honest review from Litfuse. The book was written by Beth Guckenburger and published by Standard Publishing. I received a paperback version of the book.

About the book (From Litfuse's website)

Ben and Joseph lose their mothers, but find a family looking just for them. Antonio is rescued from what seems like a hopeless situation. Caitlyn dares to trust that truth will set her free. Jorani is delivered from slavery into the arms of grace.
Follow these real-life stories as they take you on a journey to foreign places and extreme struggles. Travel through their challenges and see the hand of the great Storyweaver – our Defender God shielding and defending the defenseless in the amazing ways only he can.These are the tales of the ones left wounded and weak-ones made whole and strong . .
About the author (From Litfuse's website: )
Beth Guckenberger and her husband, Todd, are the founders of Back2Back Ministries which communicates a lifestyle of service by sharing the love of Christ and serving God through service to others. Guckenberger travels and speaks regularly at women’s and missions conferences, as well as youth gatherings and church services. In addition to her children’s releases in the Storyweaver series, Guckenberger has written two mission-minded books. She has also partnered with Standard Publishing on the mission content in its 2013 VBS program. The Guckenberger family lives and serves in Monterrey, Mexico

My Review:
I started reading the book today, uninterrupted for about an hour or so. I was halfway through the book before I realized it. The book talked about God's love through adoptions and mission work. The children faced real struggles at an early age. Death of parents and abuse was covered in the first three stories. I chose the book because I loved the description. I am also reviewing more Christian-based books. I wasn't sure of the book at first, but I am glad I was selected for the blog tour I was completely moved by the time, I got to Antonio's story. Ben and Joseph's story was first. They was adopted from Africa. Ben's mother had tuberculosis. Ben also was malnourished. Joseph's mother was pregnant and worked for an elderly lady. She went into labor, headed to a clinic to deliver the baby, and died during child birth. She left Joseph with her employer, but after a week of not hearing from Joseph's mama, the employer took Joseph to the orphanage. Both boys were adopted by the same family

My emotions took a turn for the worse, when I read Antonio's story next. I was in tears. Antonio lived in Mexico. He had epilepsy (with seizures). I used to have seizures, in addition to both of my sons having seizures (Brad grew out of his, Kalen still has them). Antonio's mother had no support because people avoided her. Antonio was also kicked out of school because his teacher could not handle his disorder. His father was not around much--then he died. His mother was also facing cancer. She was worried that when she died, no one would care for her son. She also thought about taking Antonio to heaven with her. An neighbor noticed Antonio and called a case worker. The case worker called a home, which took in kids, no one else wanted--especially those with mental and physical disabilities. I cried when I read how the mother wanted to take Antonio to heaven with her because no one wanted to care for her child. As a mother of special needs children, I was hurt, sad, and definitely empathetic. I hope that when I die, my kids will not be split up and will have a happy home. My family offers little support and their father offers little support.

Next, I read the story of Caitlyn. She was bullied at school. She was being abused, but protective of her mother. Behavioral problems also occurred. She did not want to be taken away from her mother. Her mother's boyfriend was beating her. Her mother was pregnant and on drugs. Her brother was born with drugs in his system. Her brother was taken away, when he was born because of the addiction. both siblings were adopted by the same family.
Finally, the book talked about Jorani. Jorani, who was a girl, lived in Cambodia, in a river village. Her parents died in a traffic accident, months prior. She and her sisters lived with Grandma, who was ailing, and Jorani had to help care for the younger ones. She took on small jobs to help feed her siblings. Jourani heard about a jobs, in the city; went to inquire about one, and he started her into child slavery. When she was no longer useful, she was homeless. Her granny started feeling better and started searching for her granddaughter. Jourani's story had a beautiful ending.

At the end of each story, the author provided a space for you to journal your thoughts and answer a question. This would be great for small group studies. The book is also written in easy-to-understand language. This book was a quick read because I was so engrossed in the story. The author also provides an interview with Joseph and Ben, at the end of the book.… (mehr)

This book details Beth Buckenberger and her husband Todd's missional journey into how God led them from two people on a mission trip to two people starting an orphanage. This is an excellent first hand account of what happens when you allow God to lead your life. It is steeped in scripture, faith, and story. I would highly recommend this for a women's study group for a church that is missional or on its way to becoming missional.

I have only two critiques just for reviewer's sake. The writing and editing is poor but the book is short so this is a minor quibble. Also, the book is very preachy and I would give it cautiously to somebody with little faith background as I could see them tossing after the first chapter.

www.back2backministries.com is the ministry they helped start.… (mehr)

NCLA Review - We've often heard the phrase, "Let go and let God." The author of this book takes you on a journey through her experiences working with orphans in Mexico ; of her letting go and letting God lead her where she perhaps never thought to go. It is a book of eye opening encounters with the way the Lord shows her the way to go, when she is open to being led. We have all had the feelings of wanting to be in control of situations, Guckenberger asks you the reader to try and remember whose world we are in and whose help we need living in it. Truly inspirational stories of seemingly "Divine Intervention" that makes you wonder if your "mustard seed" faith can indeed move mountains if you'll just let God lead you. It was a fast read, but one that might encourage others to think more deeply about their faith lives. It might also encourage others in small group discussions to share their stories of faith. Rating: 4 —CP . 212p, paper, Zondervan 2008, $14.99 [266]… (mehr)