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85 of 87 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A testimony to one woman's faith and walk with God, May 20, 2003
This review is from: Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II (Paperback)
"I will never leave thee" was the title to the Focus on the Family radio program narrated by Darlene Diebler Rose. In it she tells about her incredible trials and experiences while a prisoner in a Japanese concentration camp. After listening to the program, and buying the CD, I wanted to know and learn more from this tremendous woman, so I bought the book. Darlene was a young missionary bride when she arrived in Dutch New Guinea to win untouched tribes to Christ. She and her husband had around one year in the field, winning a few converts but ended up imprisoned in separate prison camps. Darlene endured tremendous hardships yet kept her wits about her and walked by faith, always asking God for guidance. Whenever she lost faith and cried to God, He answered her by giving her His peace and assuring her that He would never leave her nor forsake her. He also gave encouragement and answers to her prayers, such as the time she was starving and dying in the dungeon in solitary confinement and she prayed for just one single tiny banana, and God brought the Japanese camp commander to visit her and gift her 92 bananas! [The story of the camp commander Mr. Yamaji is interesting in its own right, and without giving it away, I'll just say Darlene's living right with God had a great effect on him]. While in solitary confinement, Darlene spent her time walking with the Saviour, talking with Him, and playing in her mind the scripture that she had memorized as a girl. She had psalms, hymns, and even entire chapters memorized, and the right line at the right time seemed to pop into her remembrance and give her the answer she needed at that time. God's Hand could be seen protecting her, as there were several circumstances where she could have lost her life had she not followed God's prompting. What I learned from this book is that no matter what the circumstances, no matter how dismal the situation, those who know Jesus are never alone. I also learned that a Christian's testimony and the way they walk with God is observable by even the hardest and cruelest heart and can allow the Lord to change them. This book was very hard to put down, and I definitely will want to be rereading it in the future for all of the inspiration and hope it gives. I only wish she had a sequel telling about the rest of her life in New Guinea [yes, she actually went back after the war].
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55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Face of Faith, June 16, 2000
This review is from: Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II (Paperback)
I am privileged to call Darlene friend, and I first heard much of the material in this book from her own dear lips and read much of it before it was sent to the publisher. What you get with Darlene Rose is reality...real, true faith and reliance on God. She told me once that God only gives good gifts, it is only that some are wrapped in black paper and do not seem, on the face of things, to be good gifts at all. But the knowledge of God and His character enable you to rely on the fact that "all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord." She often spoke of passing the time of her imprisonment by "putting the needle down on the tracks of her mind and playing back the Scriptures she had memorized." She has memorized phenomenal amounts on Scripture, not just verses or even chapters, but entire books. Your time spent reading Darlene's words will be well spent and enable you to better have that faith, despite the fact that evidence is often not seen here on earth. Her faith building words will have an effect on the rest of your life if you let them. I can hear her sweet laughter, she never lost her sense of humor, even in the most dire of circumstances. The soldier who rescued her happened to be named Tom Sawyer, after 4 years of horror when he said "Hi, I'm Tom Sawyer" she replied with "Hi, I'm Becky Thatcher"! Read this book and know that you are reading words from the heart of the real thing, a truly godly woman.
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43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible triumph in the face of trials, February 22, 2002
This review is from: Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II (Paperback)
This heartwarming, inspiring, challenging, well written book quickly shot to the top of the list of our family's favorites! I read it aloud to my family every evening at dinner time (FAR better than watching television!) and we were so gripped by the story that we would often sit around the table long after we were done eating, all other duties forgotten, reading page after page because no one could bear to stop listening! Darlene Deibler Rose was an amazing young woman with a great talent for writing and a deep love for the Lord. She experienced far more trials in her lifetime than the average American, yet she never became bitter through any of them. She was such a good witness in the way she lived that even the Japanese commander of the prison noticed it. Her relationship with the Lord was living, breathing, alive, and active, not a dead "I go to church on Sundays" relationship. She held on to her faith even when she lost everything else she had. God was her refuge and her security, and sustained her through many events that could have devastated her had it not been for him. This book is very refreshing and uplifting! It doesn't drag you down into the bleakness of prison or the mire of discouragement, although those things are very real and present in the book. It strengthens and encourages you, letting you know that no matter what trial you are facing, God will work everything for good in the end. I was moved to tears of joy at the end of the book, and now regard it as one of the very best books I have ever read. It reminds you that God never changes. Even when all else fails we can turn to Him for strength and support. I think there are many people whose lives are not right with the Lord even though everything is going well and times are prosperous. Here is a life that was wholly dedicated to God, no matter what He asked of her. She was being refined, as gold in a fire, and she came through pure and bright. Everyone we have loaned or given this book to has enjoyed it immensely, and I know you will, too.
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