This Our Exile: A Spiritual Journey with the Refugees of East Africa
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Book Overview
Seamlessly combining spiritual writing, reportage, travel narrative, humor, and recent history, bestselling author James Martin recalls his time as a young Jesuit working with the refugees in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Drawing on his previous experience in the business world, he imagined that he had much to teach the refugees. But they would end up teaching him much more about life, about survival and faith, and about love and friendship. With stories that are by turns frankly incredible, darkly comic, inspirational, tragic, and always provocative, this compelling work is a wonderfully realized tribute to our shared humanity.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1570759235
ISBN13:9781570759239
Release Date:April 2011
Publisher:Orbis Books
Length:219 Pages
Weight:0.64 lbs.
Dimensions:0.5" x 5.5" x 8.2"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
The Best from James Martin
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
I have read just about everything Father Martin has written, and this remains my favorite. It is funny and yet speaks to how we can all become more humble.
Excellent Writing, Moving Stories
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
This is one of James Martin's earlier works and what a wonderful presentation of a lived experience in East Africa working with refugees. Martin takes the reader along for a front-seat journey through his experience of a two-year formation internship in Kenya. Filled with true stories of the people he journeyed with, your heart will be touched by the relationships Martin formed over the course of his stay. Not knowing much of the situation of East African refugees (in the 1990s), I found this book educational in addition to the spiritual focus that comes forth naturally in such a work. This is just an all around great book from the excellent and engaging writing style of Martin to the retelling of the journey walking with refugees in Africa; read this book.
What an amazing book!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I'm planning on going on a missions trip to Kenya this summer, so I was really searching for a book that would give me insight on the people of that region, not just the normal tourist information. This book blew away all my expectations. Not only did I meet the refugees through James Martins engaging narratives, I also felt like I knew them and could really identify with their hardships. The stories grew depressing at times, but such is life in East Africa, and that fact only made their faith and hope more amazing and inspiring. Martin was often humorous and candid, and I felt myself trying to cheer him along on his journeys as if I was right there with him.This our Exile is a good read for anyone interested in East Africa and it's people who are often ignored and under represented. 2 giant thumbs up.
Touching, funny, real, inspirational--a gem of a book!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
In this engaging book, a young Jesuit recounts the trials, tribulations and rewards of his two-year stint among the refugees of East Africa. He describes in vivid detail true-life vignettes of strength and hope in the midst of grinding poverty. But this book is far from somber--rather, it's full of laugh-out-loud humor combined with an evident love of the author's fellow man. A great book!!
Inspirational.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
What a wonderfully inspirational read !! We follow a young Jesuit to Kenya, where he works for two years ministering to the material and spiritual needs of East African refugees from Rwanda, Somalia, the Sudan and other strife-torn areas of the continent. We share his small triumphs as well as his disappointments and frustrations as he labors against frightful odds to help the refugees start up modest income-producing projects.The author, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School who joined the Jesuits after working for six years in industry, went to Africa to learn and help in some small way. Instead, he wound up the student, learning from the refugees about the true meaning of dignity and perserverance.Buy it...Read it..You'll feel fulfilled by it.
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