The Great Title Decision: Vote Now!

Help me pick a name for my next book

As I look out of my window on this beautiful spring day, I see blossom tumbling through the air and fading tulips. It’s hard to imagine there is conflict in the world, yet I know there is. Lebanon is being bombarded, Ukraine still suffers, but in Gloucester, the birds still sing, and everything looks the same as always.

Maya Ilunga’s evocative painting, shown above, captures the idea of multiple realities perfectly. Originally painted to capture the longings that someone who has moved from place to place experiences when remembering where they have lived, I believe anyone can identify with the painting at this current time. As we receive upsetting news from all over the world, the vertical partitions reflect our divided minds.

Others may view the world differently, perhaps being more aware of the earthly and spiritual dimensions of what is taking place. Perhaps their worldview could be depicted with horizontal divisions, like an equals sign (=). Beyond what we see down here on earth, the bible tells us, there are battles against principalities and powers in the heavens.

I wonder, how do you see things?

As I try to combine both ways of viewing the world, the resulting grid pattern (rather like a hashtag #) helps me realise that our local and global actions have both earthly and spiritual impacts. We exist in columns and rows. The enormous problems our world faces seem a little more manageable if I break them down into small squares. I can’t do much about global disorder, but maybe I can make a difference to the block in front of me. I know God sees the big picture, but my mind is easily overwhelmed.

Over the Easter weekend, through your support for my books, I was delighted to play a part in what I hope has an influence in both spiritual and earthly realms. Wonderfully, a second Christian family in brick kiln slavery was released from bondage (the first was last year, with funds from our church at the time). Both the mother and father had previously resorted to selling their kidneys in an attempt to clear their debts, and when I first learnt about them, I found the photos of their scars deeply upsetting. After the operations, they were cheated, and the money given in exchange for their kidneys wasn’t anywhere near enough to pay off their debts. Thank the Lord for my pastor friend who was able to arrange their freedom.

They recorded this video to thank everyone.

There are many more families like theirs trapped in bonded labour, and I would be overjoyed to help free more of them. Most families owe between £1,500 and £2,000, and they also need a means of earning a living afterwards. This family will be provided with an autorickshaw, which costs about £1,000. If your church, small group or family can help, please let me know. If those amounts are beyond your means, I’m accumulating funds to help as needs arise and have created this donation page with more details: Meet the needs of Christians featured in Anna’s books.

In an effort to raise further funds for Pakistan and Nepal, I’m publishing more books, and a children’s book about a true story of escape from East Germany is on the way. When I heard Frieder’s story of a successful escape from persecution, it was a balm to my soul after the harrowing accounts of abuse I had listened to while writing Our Sisters. At the same time as the children’s book is released, I will self-publish a grown-up (I hesitate to write “adult” because it’s not x-rated!) version of the same story. I need your help choosing a title for this book, please. The children’s book will be named ‘God’s Great Escape Plan’. Can you click the button to read the back-cover blurb and make your selection? Thank you so much, I know you’re a reliable bunch and will use your excellent taste to pick wisely!

Please help me by forwarding this email to anyone interested in knowing more about my work.

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I’m grateful to our God who sees the big picture and also knows every detail,

anna

On Saturday, 18th April at 5pm, I will be speaking at Quench Christian Bookshop in Wokingham. Please join me if you can. More Information

Here’s a link to a previous piece I wrote about Maya Ilunga’s paintings and how they help me think about being an army wife.

Read my piece here

Click on the book image to buy any of my books. Every purchase helps me support incredible work being done in Nepal and Pakistan.