Passport through Darkness: A True Story of Danger and Second Chances [Paperback]

Kimberly L. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2011

As she shares her extraordinary stories of fighting human trafficking as an ordinary mom, Kimberly Smith offers hope for readers who wonder if God is calling them to greater things.

Passport Through Darkness takes readers on Smith’s journey from normal family life and business, to Europe, to the deserts of Africa and ultimately, to the deserts of her own soul as she tries to live well as an imperfect American mom, crusade for justice for orphans around the world, and embrace God’s extraordinary dreams for her. When Kimberly and her husband risk everything to answer God’s call, they see God change and restore them—even amid exhaustion, marital struggles, and physical limitations.

This heartbreaking, heartlifting book is for anyone who longs to see God move their life from normal to one that matters. It is a call to readers to take one more step on their journey to know God’s heart.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

 

Kimberly L. Smith is the president and co-founder of Make Way Partners, a mission organization committed to ending human trafficking. She is currently working to build the only private and indigenously based anti-trafficking network in Africa and Eastern Europe. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Kimberly lives with her husband, Milton, in Sylacauga, Alabama.

 

 

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: David C. Cook (January 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143470212X
• ISBN-13: 978-1434702128
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (126 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > History > Africa > Sudan

More About the Author

Kimberly L. Smith is co-president and co-founder of Make Way Partners and author of Passport through Darkness.

Fighting to end human trafficking in the darkest corners of our world, skeptics declared many of the tasks set before Make Way Partners as impossible. However, fueled by compassion and incensed by grotesque injustice, Kimberly led Make Way Partners to the successful completion of building the first orphanage on the border of Darfur, Sudan. Building supplies had to be transported nearly 2,000 miles over hostile terrain with no roads or bridges. She now leads the way to build a powerful, indigenously based anti-trafficking network spanning Africa, Eastern Europe, and South America.

Kimberly is passionate about helping others to discover the unique dream God has for their lives. She divides her time between each ministry location, writing, and public speaking in the US. Kimberly lives in Sylacauga, AL with her husband Milton where they enjoy the out of doors with their 'puppies', adult children, and grandchildren.

She can be contacted by e-mail at: [e-mail]. Please also visit www.makewaypartners.org or www.KimberlyLSmith.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Ministry February 25, 2011

By Jennifer C. Mcilwain

Format:Paperback

Audra Jennings with the B&B Media Group, Inc. sent me a copy of Passport Through Darkness: A True Story of Danger and Second Chances by Kimberly L. Smith.

Phillip Yancey says this about this book:

"Kimberly Smith voluntarily walks through the gates of hell. If you can read her account without being affected, you should check for a pulse."

And I would have to agree with him absolutely one hundred percent!

In Passport Through Darkness, Ms Smith is very candid and painstakingly transparent about the journey God has orchestrated for she and her husband Milton. They are the co-founders of Make Way Partners "a mission organization committed to ending human trafficking". I would greatly encourage you to visit the website and also Kimberly's blog found here.

In her book, Kimberly tells the story of how she and Milton encountered orphans in Spain and how God used them to begin their journey ministering to women and children in bondage through human trafficking and the sex slave industry in some of the darkest corners of the Earth. Kimberly tells how God brought her from simply living life as wife, mother, corporate executive and faithful church member by transforming her life and allowing her heart to be knit with those forgotten lives in Darfur and Sudan.

She tells a truly eye opening and heart wrenching story and she is so transparent about her personal struggles and mistakes along the way. She and her husband literally sacrifice everything for orphans in Eastern Europe and Africa. But, this is a beautiful story of how two ordinary people took steps of faith into broken and very dark places and allowed God to transform them by His redemptive power.

There are parts of this book that are difficult to read.... I appreciate how Ms Smith handled the subject matter with great care and sensitivity without glossing over the atrocities these women and children live in every moment of their lives. We sometimes want ministry to be all nice and easy and convenient, but real ministry meets people where they are and they aren't always in the easiest places.

If you desire to be challenged and encouraged to live beyond yourself and fulfill a greater purpose in your life through the power of Jesus to the Glory of God and the good of others, then you must read this book. Read more ›

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Passport trhough Darkness January 22, 2011

By Cathy

Format:Paperback

This was a hard book to read in that you are reading about such terrible horrors that are taking place in our world. That's not easy to read. It made me have to think about things that if I'm really honest, I'd rather not think about or even know about. But I know I need to. It's hard to believe there really are people this evil in the world. But as Christians we need to know it and we need to do something about it. Whatever God may lead us to do. We need to listen for what God is calling us to. Thank you Kimberly Smith for listening to God and being willing to go, and then telling us about it.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! January 3, 2011

By TW, Pinson, AL

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I received my copy of "Passport Through Darkness" last week and finished it last night.

I want to THANK Kimberly Smith for sharing her story just the way she did. While at times I thought I would be nauseous there were other times I felt compassion and love, and sorrow. It was truly a love story, between husband and wife, the people of Sudan, and between her and God. I don't think I have ever read a book of such courage. It took great courage to admit weaknesses, failures, and struggles; courage to admit sin and the miraculous forgiveness that follows repentance. I am glad this was not another book of only triumph; it was real life, real struggles, real Christians living out God's plan and seeing his hand at work through his human creation.

There is no way to read the stories contained within this book and not be changed!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Passport Right to the Heart of God March 2, 2011

By Stacy Harp

Format:Paperback

I don't write a lot of book reviews because I tend to talk to authors and share their stories on my podcast, but this book is an exception.

If you've ever wondered how God calls people to do His work, and reveals to them His heart, then you will love this book. Admittedly, this book has parts that are hard to read, because Kimberly shares the hard truth, but the hard truth needs to be said and it needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

This book is written very much like a journal, and I felt like I was reading Kimberly's journal as I read of her call to the mission field, her encounters with precious women, children and men.

And there are so many poignant parts in this book that I don't want to write about them all because I don't want to ruin the book for anyone else, but I will share one.

In chapter 8 - A Year At Home - Kimberly shares about her experience coming back from the mission field and how she dealt with it. She talks about the distance between her husband and how walls were being built between them, until they both were invited to speak at a megachurch that supported their ministry - Make Way Partners. They were invited to speak at various Sunday school classes, until one Sunday when after they had their class and were taken out to lunch, they were told that some women in the church basically couldn't handle the negativity of it all, and so they were asked to NOT come back and share their message.

Yes, you read that right. The Smith's shared their stories about the Sudan, sex trafficking, feeding the poor and widows, and some so-called Christians at this church "couldn't handle the truth" because it didn't "uplift" them.... So, the Smith's left angry and brokenhearted because after all, if the "church" didn't want to hear about their experiences and how they can help in the name of Jesus...then who will?

Honestly, this is why I'm writing this review, because the message that Kimberly has brought back to this wishy washy lukewarm self-absorbed me-centered fruitless American church is a reality check. The REAL Church of Jesus and HIS disciples are called to do the work of the ministry, which means, we feed the poor, fight for the oppressed, clothe and defend the orphan and support the widows.

Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted, and if your heart is not broken, then may I recommend highly that you read this book and pass it on to your pastor, Sunday school teachers, and anyone else that will listen.

This book is a passport directly to the heart of God. The question is, do you want to go on the trip...Kimberly did, and I'm glad she hasn't given up shouting this story from the rooftops. Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A brutal, gut-wrenching wake up call July 10, 2012

By MamysMark

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Kimberly L. Smith and her husband Milton were a `normal' American couple, but something seemed to be missing. When they discovered that God was calling them to live a life on the edge, a life most Christians would sadly call `radical', they had to make a choice: continue in a life of comfort, where they could have as much or as little of God as they liked, or surrender it all and follow Him at all costs, even if they're next step is off the edge of a cliff.

This is how the book begins. But it doesn't even begin to describe the journey two ordinary people embarked on when they stepped out in faith with God. Told by Kimberly, we follow them through the beginnings of missionary work, that leads them into eye-opening discoveries of some of the horrific evils at work in this world. At each turn, they can choose to go back to the comfort of life as they knew it, or continue walking step by step with God. They take up the fight against human trafficking, famine, disease, genocide, slavery, and so much more. Because of Milton's health, Kimberly steps out into the front lines of the battle field alone, and the war almost kills her.

From a literary standpoint, this was an extremely well written book, full of beautiful language and a storyline that flows off of the lips of the author like honey. Yet, this was the hardest book to finish that I have ever read. I `know' of the suffering of people in other countries. But Kimberly takes us on a journey that holds nothing back in describing unimaginable horrors, and like a child peeking through their fingers, I wanted to cover my eyes and stop looking as I read. I wept through the entire book, yet it was impossible to stop.... If those people had to endure such unimaginable pain and suffering, how could I not even listen to the cries of their voices?

One of the most appalling parts of the book was not the suffering of the people described. It was the reaction of the people here at home who Kimberly and Milton shared their story with. I believe apathy to be one of the greatest evils in our country. We all feel bad for a second, then pick up our iPhones and check to see what new drama our friends have on Facebook. I'm still so emotionally raw from this book, I probably should not be reviewing it yet. Yet this is a book I feel every Christian should read. It is a wake up call. Where are you, warriors of Christ who are willing to storm the gates of hell?? This morning, clean drinking water from the tap never tasted so good and the roof over my head never felt so secure. I looked at all my children, and cried again as the thought of even one of them begging me for food or being tortured before my eyes, slammed into me.

This book is not complete darkness. Because with God, even the darkness is like light (Ps 139). Throughout the book, pearls of beauty and light shine to illuminate both the trials of Kimberly and the people around her. Kimberly herself is almost swallowed by the darkness, yet through it, God shines through and restores her soul to a place of healing and beauty.

This book deserves more than 5 stars. I would (and will) recommend it to everyone. The only warning is that it is very, very graphic. Read more ›