Hampton Village Book Club of Pampa, Texas, recently singled out the non-fiction title "In the Presence of My Enemies" for its members to read. "In the Presence" is written by Gracia Burnham with the help of Dean Merrill. HVBC -- one of two adult book clubs hosted by Pampa's Lovett Memorial Library -- meets regularly at Hampton Village, a residential housing facility off Alcock in Pampa.
Visitors and new members are always welcome. For more information, contact Lovett Memorial at 669-5780 or call the friendly folks at Hampton Village.
A couple or three years ago, I had the great privilege of attending an area-wide Christian women's retreat in Perryton, Texas, at which Mrs. Burnham was the keynote speaker. Alas, it only took me two-plus years to work up the nerve to read "In the Presence!"
I must say: I am very glad that I did.
Um, I usually choose my reading material based on superficial content. My primary goal when selecting an e-read or a bound book is mindless entertainment. I quickly discard anything that could in any way be construed as intellectually edifying. No sad tear-jerkers for me and absolutely nothing remotely depressing.
Unfortunately, I never voluntarily tax my brain. My choices typically exclude the need to empathize beyond a thin, shallow level. I'm into feel-good, brainless novels, particularly of the romance variety.
I especially appreciated that "In the Presence" quickly sucked me into the story and kept me turning page-after-page. The problem I most often experience when attempting a non-fiction work is the inability to become totally immersed in the content. I equate reading with enjoyment, and if a book is a drain on both my short attention span and my patience I tend to set the volume aside and never pick it up again. I become easily bored, and thus generally abandon such works before the second chapter. (Sigh.) It is what it is ...
"In the Presence" details Gracia's harrowing experiences at the hands of Muslim terrorists in the Philippines, where the Burnhams served as missionaries. Mr. Burnham, or Martin, was a pilot. Both were taken from their room at a resort while celebrating their wedding anniversary.
The Burnhams were captured and held for "ransom" only a few short months prior to Sept. 11 and the terror attacks on American soil. Their plight went from a minor blip on the radar of national consciousness pre-Sept. 11 to an international incident post-Sept. 11 and struck a chord throughout a country still reeling from its horrific brush with extremism.
The couple had three children and served a number of years in the mission field.
Gracia earned my trust and admiration with her sincerity and honesty. I identified with her anger, with her sometimes unsaintly behavior, with her tears and with her hopelessness -- all revealed between the front and back covers of "In the Presence."
No comments:
Post a Comment