Love Has a Face: Mascara, a Machete and One Woman's Miraculous Journey with Jesus in Sudan [Paperback]

Michele Perry (Author), Heidi Baker (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

Termites for dinner. Bombs in the backyard. A nation torn by decades of war still on the brink. Can one life really make a difference?

Born without her left hip and leg, Michele Perry is no stranger to seeming impossibilities. So when she arrived in war-torn Southern Sudan--with little more than her faith in god's promises--she did what everyone told her was crazy: she opened a home for orphaned children in the middle of guerilla warfare territory and has now become "mama" to over one hundred little lives.

With a deft pen, she recounts unforgettable stories of life in the bush, stories that capture the reader with the stark realities of living in a war zone--and the power of God's love to transform them. Her own story is just as compelling as the ministry she is living. From working in the slums of India to finding her home in war-ravaged Africa, Michele's life has been a journey deeper into the supernatural power of God.

Readers will be swept up in one woman's poignant spellbinding, captivatingly honest journey of love and the glimpses of God's tender grace and mercy in the midst of a broken and hurting world

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Michele Perry's Love Has a Face is an incredible book. Facing her own insurmountable obstacles, Michele was born without her left hip and leg. By the time she was thirteen, she had endured 23 surgeries. In midst of these difficulties, Jesus Himself came to Michele and called her to bring His love to 'the least of these.' Leaving the security of America, Michele has become a one-legged ambassador of love--first to the slums of India and now to the war-torn regions of Southern Sudan. Michele is transforming one of the most dangerous spots on earth, one child at a time, by the loving heart of Jesus. This moving and amazing story will inspire you, too, to be the face of transforming love right where you live. We cannot say enough about Michele and her work. You have to read this book!"
--Wesley and Stacey Campbell, RevivalNOW Ministries; Be A Hero (NGO); board members, Iris Ministries

"Michele Perry's book, Love Has a Face, is the amazing story of her work with the orphans in Sudan amidst a war-torn populace. It is the inspiring, heart-touching, faith-building story of one of God's greats who, instead of becoming bitter over severe birth defects, has been transformed into a modern-day super-hero of the faith. It is not only about the work Michele is doing, but the work one can detect between the lines that God has done and is doing in her, and the importance of the relationship of these two works. I encourage all to read Love Has a Face, for in doing so, we will have a better picture of The Face, His face. Michele is the real thing and has written about one of the most important things on the Lord's heart. I hold Michele and her book in high regard and deep respect."
--Randy Clark, president and founder, Global Awakening; overseer, Apostolic Network of Global Awakening; founder, Global School of Supernatural Ministry

"Perry's tender story may very well change your life. Embrace every word!"
--Beverly Lewis, New York Times bestselling author

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Michele Perry is the founding field ministry coordinator for Irish Ministries in Southern Sudan under Rolland and Heidi Baker. A native of Florida, she studies at Baylor and has previously served in Bangladesh, India, and the inner cities of the U.S. She is also an artist, photographer, and poet.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Chosen Books; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800794788
• ISBN-13: 978-0800794781
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 5.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Word weaver. Paint slinger. Grace clinger. Sunset gazer. Pixel tamer. Dream wrangler. Michele Perry is a creative to the core. She writes to capture the lessons she is learning on this unpaved road into God's heart- and to keep learning.

After almost 6 years in South Sudan {irissouthsudan.org/} establishing Iris Global's {Drs. Heidi and Rolland Baker} initial presence there, Michele has moved back to be based in her hometown of Jacksonville, FL where she continues to serve and support the field teams in South Sudan from the US. When she does get to visit, she enjoys spending her time with the children and people who have captured her heart. She now also travels widely with Iris Global speaking, ministering and helping to equip and encourage field leaders and teams where ever she is.

There is nothing she loves more than to see the people around her succeed... wildly.

She loves it so much she launched her own consulting firm to help the amazing leaders, creatives, artists and innovators she meets do just that. {Find out more about that adventure of on edgecreativeconsulting.com} As an executive coach and corporate creativity consultant, she loves to help her clients redefine possible everyday.

Here in Northeast Florida, Michele is involved with establishing a missions base {Iris First Coast}, in the context of a growing number of us exploring what an outwardly-centered creative community with an Isaiah 61 mandate for His Presence and the poor might look like. {For more about that see Create 61, create61.com/},

Michele dreams of a company of people who take walking lessons from Enoch being released to soar into the wildest dreams of God, embracing the audacity and the humility of heaven, walking in two realms at once and living out of overflow as loved sons and daughters of their heavenly Father.

She also owns her own art studio (talkingwallsart.com/) and is working on her third book. She writes regularly from her personal journey at fromtheunpavedroad.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Seeing Jesus January 11, 2010

By Cynthia Forster

Format:Paperback

I was so struck by the message of this book that I bought additional copies to give away. But I don't recommend this book for any Christian unwilling to have their comfortable walk with God shaken to the core. If you can read this book and not be convicted on any level by what you have or haven't done to bless Jesus as He has blessed you, then we must be reading different Bibles.

I say that because this author documents her own significant physical disabilities and lack of resources as if they are barely an inconvenience in the scheme of God's will and relies completely on His mercy, grace and love in the middle of a war ravaged, disease infected, famine ridden country to reach out and serve His children. Any excuses the reader may have for surrendering his/herself and resources back to God for His glory should be completely undermined after reading this. The efforts of the author are reflective of Matthew 25:31-46 "I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, naked and you clothed me, sick and you cared for me, a stranger and you welcomed me in, in prison and you visited me..." As Jesus said, "Inasmuch as you have done this for the least of my brethren, you have done it unto me." That settles it for me, what is done for them is done unto Him. I believe Michele Perry sees Jesus every single day in the faces of those she loves and serves.

So after reading this book, be prepared to ask yourself, "In whose face do I see Jesus today?" If an answer doesn't come to mind readily, look for the least of His brethren in need. Love does indeed have a face - it is His.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful September 10, 2009

By Tara of Tara's View of the World

Format:Paperback

Love Has A Face is a beautiful memoir! I adored Perry's conversational writing style. I was drawn in to the story immediately by her descriptions of the place and people she worked with. The author's passion is evident in the pages. It is well written and definitely inspirational. This book brought tears to my eyes and made me want to scoop up those beautiful Sudanese babies in my arms and bring them home with me. This is a wonderfully powerful book with an amazing message.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting. . . September 9, 2009

By C. Fesler

Format:Paperback

This book was truly a blessing to me. I have a soft spot in my heart for overseas missions and this book has given me a glimpse into the challenges and the abundant blessings and miracles that Michele Perry has been a part of the last few years. From working in the slums of India, to the bush of Sudan with war orphans, Michele learns that love does conquer all as you will witness. I enjoyed reading the book as it made me feel like I was chatting with Michele and learning of her real life adventures first hand. Michele has been learning her lessons in love from the people she serves and from Jesus himself! Miracles reminiscent of Biblical days in this book moved me to tears, and to cheers as well! Iris Ministries, Inc. is truly blessed to have her working with them. I appreciated the inclusion of several websites, including Iris Ministries and Michele's blog. Love does have a face as you will discover when you journey through this book! I hope you enjoy it and are blessed by it as much as I was!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring November 9, 2009

By Catherine

Format:Paperback

Challenges your heart and your faith. It will also inspire you. My favorite quote from the book is "One thing I have learned in praying for healing is that when a person experiences progress of any kind, thank Jesus for what He is doing and keep praying!" This is inspiring me to want to step out and pray for others.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars challenging October 21, 2009

By Ladybug101

Format:Paperback

Giving up everything she worked for, the author of Love Has A Face writes about the challenges she faced doing the will of God. Michele Perry, born without her left hip and leg, leaves the comfortable life to show love and care to one hundred little lives in a war zone. The stories she recalls are heart wrenching and seem almost impossible to deal with. In world where love is so scares that it's hard to even imagine it, Michele Perry portrays the love of Christ so vividly, she shows hundreds of people what Christ is like by giving them love. Showing you how important love is to the people in your life and challenging you to apply it.

She does this not knowing from day to day if she or those around her will survive the bombs and machine gun that pelt against the wall of her orphanage every night. She puts her faith in God and it's her incredible faith in God that challenges you to look at your own life searching for something better and more meaningful. I would recommend this book to anyone who is searching for true fulfilment and the true meaning of what it means living for Jesus. It is not a fast read (at least wasn't for me) but it worth your time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Has A Face October 15, 2009

By Kitty VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

When I first started reading this book I thought it was just another interesting missionary story telling about a missionary's experiences on the mission field in Africa. But as I read the book I realized it was much more. If you take the message of this book to heart, it will change the way you look at missions, but, more importantly, it will change the way you live your life. Michele Perry is a missionary in Sudan. She doesn't live an enviable lifestyle there either. The conditions she has faced are beyond our worst nightmares. The lives Jesus has changed with her as His instrument is beyond our greatest dreams and aspirations. I challenge everyone to read this book. You will be profoundly glad you did.