Customer Reviews

Refuge: A True Story of Faith and Civil War

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I am so, so humbled by John and Bessie Gonleh and their family. This book is a MUST READ for EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN over the age of 13 (some parts dealing with civil war and associated violence may be especially hard for children to handle). I cannot imagine how they are able to withstand trauma after trauma, adversity after adversity, year after year, and still cling to their faith in God. What would Christianity in our country look like if American Christians had faith like this?

PLEASE consider buying a copy of this book for yourself and a few extra copies to hand out to others. It may be the best gift you've ever given. God bless!

Refuge: A True Story of Faith and Civil War
Refuge is truly an incredible story, and very well told. The poignant episodes vividly recounted in the book moved me to reflect at length upon the struggles and hopes of the Gonleh family amid the adversity of the relentless civil war which engulfed and pursued them. It is an heroic story told with integrity and humility.

I got a hold of an early copy of this book and it was difficult to put down! The faith of this family amazes me. The writer provides sensitive insight to an incredible story of survival and hope. A must read for all, I suggest for preteen ages and up.

This book details the extraordinary story of faith and survival of John and Bessie Gonleh through 20 years of the Liberian civil war and regional conflicts. It is a remarkable story that is captivating and inspiring. It reads very easily and takes you along in such a way that you feel like you are with John and Bessie in their struggles. This book is definitely worth the invested time; You cannot put it down once you start. This story gives the American reader a very tangible appreciation for the democratic form of government we so easily take for granted. It also gives you a new perspective that will change your attitude regarding your own personal struggles or problems.

Bruce Beakley has done a phenomenal job in capturing the stories of two people surviving the Civil Wars of Liberia. My take away from the book it to really appreciate order (and economy) and how our younger generation must appreciate their importance as well. Think of our lives if one day our order and economy were gone.

One can get a sense on just how fragile our system can become and how important it is for all of us to work side by side for the betterment of mankind.
So buy a copy for yourself and share it with the youth.

I couldn't put Refuge down. I finished it in two days. I think what held me glued to the pages was the fact that this was an average middle class, church-going family in Liberia whose world was turned upside down in a matter of days. I think this sort of thing could happen in America. To me, it was a warning to be prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually.