I was in Ukraine with Tom and Childrens Hope Chest in 2003. I can tell you first hand what a top notch organization he has. God is blessing them, and count me in as one of the first to read his new novel.

Nice post, Scot. I agree with Carl — as you know, Tom is the real deal.

Hi Scott,
Scared is the best novel I’ve read in years. I actually wrote about it on my blog this week as well. I praise God that Tom is using his writing gift to help these precious children.
You are absolutely right…there is no reason for us not to reach out and help.

So fiction can be used as a medium to communicate facts and ideas?
I guess that means the DaVinci code wasn’t necessarily “just fiction.”

There are many, many good causes to be involved with. Given the prominence of this issue in the Bible, I think it does not receive proportionate attention in most churches. Why?
My wife and I adopted a little boy who was orphaned and is also disabled. What I was completely unprepared for is how this would affect our relationship to the church. It has driven us closer to the fringe, which is deeply ironic.

ChrisB, frankly I see no need for your cynical words on a post like this. Does anyone question that novels can use facts?

“Does anyone question that novels can use facts?”
Lots of people. Don’t assume sarcasm is always directed at you.

ChrisB – I’m a random reader and a first-time commenter. Just wanted to say I find your second comment disingenuous – you’re leaving a cynical remark on the dude’s blog taking him to task for an assertion he made – of course the remark is directed at him. We all need to be a little more respectful instead of taking hit and run potshots that feel safe just cuz we’re relatively anonymous to one another on the web.
And I’m not sure what your real point is here – for example, the historical novel is a genre that sets fictional characters in a real time and place. Does anybody dispute the validity of what say, a Michener does in a novel like “Caribbean” or “Caravans”?

…having the deep sacred privilege of being a mentor/soul friend to Tom, I welcome your endorsement
…and thank you!
…he’s the real deal, from his personal life right on into his life-calling
…indeed, this is a significant and important read
…the novel has also taken me to places within I needed to go
…again, thank you!!!

Thanks for sharing this, Scot. Instead of thinking what we can’t do, we should focus on what we can do. We are the haves, and so many in this world are the have-nots. In Jesus we need to have open hands to them. And especially to the children. Who seemed to hold a special place in Jesus’ thoughts.

“no reason the typical, suburban, computer-reading Christian can’t…” That description is me! I thought poverty always sounded hopelessly overwhelming until I learned suburban, computer-reading Christians have the perfect resumes for advocacy work. Small actions can sway Congress to do right by us for the developing world. Right now, calling your U.S. rep to ask them to support HR 2139 (reforming Foreign Aid) can have a huge impact on millions in extreme poverty. Bread for the World is a great Christian advocacy org for teaching you how and helping you know when to be engaged in fighting poverty.

ChrisB,
I definitely agree that we can’t just take novels as fact. . we must use discernment.
However, this novel in particular has been used to create a space for us to truly enter into the story of a child. Yes, it might be fiction.
I read this book on my trip to Uganda last month. I wept on the plane. I spent a week in Uganda just following reading this book.
I want you to know that while much fiction is just that. . fiction. . the figment of an authors imagination. I SAW these themes and characters played out in real life. If you want to know if Adanna story is true, you can think of Imaacullee who has a 13 year old daughter because her father sold her to her uncle when she was just a child. If you want to know if Adanna’s story of being stolen from is true, you can find Pauline in the Bukedea District of Uganda and hear her story of having everything taken just moments after her father had died. If you want to know if there are pastors like this, I’d love to introduce you to the Pastor of Ogoloi Church or to the widows of the Teso region. I saw it in real life. You may not be able to hop a plane to Uganda, but I promise you that what you read it real. . in fact, it’s watered down a bit b/c the true drama of the life of a little girl like Adanna would never be read . it’d just be too hard to read.
Read the book. . if there are other issues you wonder “are these facts of fiction?” feel free to email me and I’ll let you know of our experiences in Uganda and whether we saw those things played out or not.
I think it’s a good quesiton you ask. . but with this subject matter, you don’t need to make up facts. . they are full of enough drama themselves. Tom just creates a character who can teach you herself.
Brandi

Scot (#6): We love you, Brother. Gore Vidal’s whole series of historical novels from 500BC to 1945AD prove that “novels can use facts.”
As for teaching our kids about want in this world, we’ve found that experience is the best teacher. As in medical missions. Second best is serving the underserved here in the U.S. Third best, donating to charities that then do the work Jesus wants us to do: Matthew 25:37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, `Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 `And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 `When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’