Customer Reviews

Hope in the Dark

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4 star:		(2)
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I just returned from a missions trip to Kenya. Someone from our team "came across" this book, and when she got it showed it to me. She said before I saw it, "I think you're going to want to get your own copy." When I saw it, I knew within minutes that she was right. I would want my own copy to look at over and over again and to share with others. When you work in the rural villages of Kenya it is difficult to put into words to people at home all the sights and sounds you experienced and the way your heart is captured. This book aptly does that with the insightful commentary written and the wonderful pictures. I wish I could buy the book for every member of our team! It's a wonderful reminder of the warm, hospitable, appreciative people to whom and with whom we ministered. It's also a realistic reminder of how much we take for granted in America and how needy the rest of the world is. As I read the page on choices, or on Africans pitying Americans, or about the lack of water, I found myself crying as I remembered and saying, yes, yes, that's how it is! It is a beautiful book and one that can also challenge you. It also has suggestions of ways to help with many organizations listed. If you have any interest in Africa at all, this book is a must have!

Our country is beginning to awaken to the unfair realities that exist for the majority of people in the world. This book is a photographic journal of Jeremy and Jena's journey through the most desperate parts.

As I look at it, I am reminded of my own prosperity. At the same time, I am stirred to move, to love, to give more than I receive.

I think this was one of the most profound parts of the book:

An African man, dressed in a white shirt, was standing in the middle of a typical African field. You can see a blurry mound of sand in the background. A couple of trees behind in on the right and left help frame the picture. By American standards, this man looks what we would call "homeless" by the weathering of his face. His shirt looks like that of a second hand clothing store. He wears a floppy hat to shade him from the sun. His hands are crossed at his waist over the top of a cane that is propping him up. His eyes peer into the camera - as if they were looking right into my eyes. There is a calm assurance to them - something mysterious - almost content. The quote on the neighboring page reads:

"We know that Americans pity Africans," he told me. "But sometimes I think Africans pity Americans.

"How so?" I asked him.

"Americans seem to expect that everything will be provided for them. For us," he said, "this ear of corn is a gift from God. This evening's rain is a shower of mercy upon us. This healthy breath is life-giving. And maybe tomorrow we will not have such things, but our hearts are so full of God's provision."

This book is amazing. With the stunning photography of Jeremy Cowart and beautiful reflections by Jena Lee, this book hits the heart. It's one thing to read about Africa, but it's another to be there - and this book takes you there. Don't hesitate; buy this book! You won't regret it. But do more than read it - share it with your friends and family, and give your time, effort, money, and prayers to our brothers and sisters in Africa.

This book is amazing! I bought it for my classroom. As a result of this book, my 4th grade public school students are joining in on the Blood:Water Mission . I showed them the pictures and read the book to them. We were able to talk about all of the resources we take for granted here in the States. They were able to find creative ways to raise money for wells in Africa.

I love this book. It has awesome pictures of Africa, and it captures the emotions of people very well. When I first read the book, it almost made me cry because it is very wonderful. It really makes you appreciate what you have in life. I recommend this book to anyone!

Jeremy Cowart is an amazing photographer and he's done a great job capturing the hearts and lives of these people. Jena's captions are thought-provoking and pairing them with Cowart's work was a good idea. I would definitely recommend this!

The pictures are beautiful; some of them are only templates begging for words, but they convey the stuff that Africa is made off: the wood, the mud... The children's faces are smiling, always innocent and beautiful. The older people show resilience, dignity, and an expression that seems to say: 'It's done, I'm almost there'. The more enigmatic faces are of those in between, the young and middle ages; they are going through it. Most of these people dress clean clothes, specially the women. The book does a good job in that it makes the pictures alive, and their protagonists almost speak to us (although whatever they say depends on the listener).

One gets an idea of what Africa looks like. The landscapes under ominous skies, the muddy lanes, the water streams in front of the doors threatening with floods. I felt, however, that I wanted to know more about specifics in these people's lives. Their problems are mentioned as in headlines. I know it wasn't meant to be for this book but, still, I feel I would have liked to know even just a little more about those people in the pictures, from themselves, in their words.

This book is incredible - the pictures will take your breath away and the commentary reads together with the photos to take you on a hearts journey. It also helps to support a cause that needs so much attention. I bought 4 more copies to give to my friends - that's how much i loved it.

Jena Lee's text and Jeremy Cowart's photography penetrate the heart and pierce the soul and hit the gut on the way. I remember Lee's eloquently-written "choices of an American and an African" while Cowart's meta-level portrait photography replays like a visual jingle that will not leave. I have read similar books: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Joy Luck Club, Mere Christianity. For reducing the fat that grows daily on our appetitive and competitive American spirit, this book is the spiritual antidote. This, indeed, is hope with courage and love.

There are few words to describe Cowart's work and Jenna's commentary. If this book made it's way into every household in America, Africa would look like a completely different country, because we could not help but be moved to action.