This
is an amazing book about hurt, healing, redemption, hope and courage.
Williams
shares her own story of infidelity, divorce and a very dark time.
Counseling and a short term mission trip changed her life. She went
to war torn Congo with ALARM to help lead a trauma care conference
for recently displaced war survivors. She saw so many orphans and
women who had survived rape. She saw their resilience.
She
knew she had to do something. But the problem was so big – what
could one person do? She did some investigation and found that little
was being done to help children find emotional restoration. She knew
healing had to be brought to those children before they grew up to be
traumatized adults. Also spending time in Sudan and Uganda, she
realized that lasting healing required long term rehabilitation
programs. She developed Hope Initiative, weekly meetings designed to
be led by local African leaders.
Friends
asked how they could help and with the aid of a few dedicated and
tireles teammates, Exile International was born. People began to get
involved. She began to speak out. In addition to working in Africa,
she also helped restore children in Haiti after the devastating
earthquake in 2010.
I
was amazed to find out more people have died in the Congo war since
1996 than all of Word War II (more than five million). Reading the
stories of these children is heart breaking. No child should have to
experience what they have. The rebels try to kill the spirit of the
children. They certainly need restoration. I can also see why she
expanded her ministry to include sponsorship of children so they can
have an education and continued care.
Williams'
story is incredible. Even though she still battles depression and
anxiety from time to time, she concentrates on helping others. The
survivors of trauma that she saw in the war torn African countries
taught her much about resilience and gratitude for life. Many of us
might blame God when we experience heartbreak and trauma. We might
want to remain in our hurt. Williams' survival of her own trauma
ignited a passion to fight for justice and bring healing to child
survivors of war. (154)
Hers
is an encouraging story. She has included excerpts from her journal
throughout the book. They are moving. Coming through clearly in this
book are several messages. As Williams realized, each of us is “a
walking testimony to His redemption.” (298). Our greatest heartache
can be turned into our greatest ministry. We can find strength in our
weakness and joy in our suffering.
We
can do more, finding our voice, finding our purpose. Some things are
worth sacrificing for, worth the possibility of getting sick, worth
the time and effort.
This
book will capture you. It is amazing.
You
can find out more about her ministry at www.exileinternational.org.
You can watch a book trailer here.
Bethany
Haley Williams is the founder and executive director of Exile
International, an organization that exists to restore Africa's former
child soldiers and children orphaned by war. With a PhD in counseling
psychology and a master's in clinical social work, she is a leader in
the specialized field of war-affected children rehabilitation. With
more than twenty years of experience in the field, she maintains a
small counseling and coaching practice. She and her husband reside in
Nashville, Tennessee, and lead the work of Exile International
together. You can find out more at www.exileinternational.org,
www.bethanyhaley.blogspot.com,
and www.bethanyhaleywilliams.com.
Howard
Books, 330 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the
purpose of an independent and honest review.
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