Feedback on my Book

I started this blog in 2012 after the publication of my book, "A Spirituality of Service". This is the 81st post.  One of the original purposes of the blog was to generate dialogue about the spiritual journey we all are on in one way or another. Over time I have received many comments and compliment, for which I am thankful, though not many written comments on this blog. 

The following are some comments from Gary Studebaker, a brother of Ted Studebaker, who served with Vietnam Christian Service and was killed in an attack on the village and house where Judy and I had previously lived in the highlands of Vietnam during the 1960s.  I wrote something about that in my book in the Chapter "Vietnam Revisited"...  

I am thankful for Gary's comments... He wrote....

"Just to let you know that I have almost completed reading your book, "A Spirituality of Service." This is the book I need to read. At this stage in life, I am ready to absorb a life of abiding in the spirit, obedience to the leading of Jesus, faith walking, finding ways to accommodate (a word I learned from you). 

The photo on the cover of your book says it all. I think we all long to be in the presence of such a scene. Nothing could be more endearing in my view; Three children joyfully connecting (probably with you) in this photo. Note: This photo was not taken by me but by my colleague Robert Engwall in the altiplano (high plateau) of Peru many years.

This week I bought a notebook as I've begun to do journal writing a few times each week regarding experiences that bring me in contact with spirituality living, The journal writing was another idea I got from you. The last time I did journal writing was in the mid 1960s when I served with International Voluntary Service in Southern Laos. This time however, the journal writing takes on more significance. Hopefully I have gained more appreciation for living a more useful life.

The way you've organized the book is quite practical and instructive to me with the topic followed by a reflection and several thought provoking meditation ideas or practices that we as asked to consider. I think we all need to get the point in life where we are challenged to question and probe our own life and find ways to become more faithful, useful or encouraged by allowing the truth of the scriptures to take root in us.

Your book, "A Spirituality of Service" would be a useful college course. I needed that course before I departed to serve in my agriculture project in Laos in the mid 1960s. I know it's not too late for me to pursue a spirituality of service even now. I have begun to do centered prayers during my quiet time when I first go to bed. I have been selecting theme words like God's love or God's mercy as the focus of my prayers. I also like discussing points of your book with Sue, my wife.

You described cultures where people do without basic necessities (no medical care, no legal help or justice, poor crops and food scarcity in a Bolivian mountain area. I learned from your writing that in Ho Chi Minh City, the Tin Lanh Church is not recognized by the government. They have to worship secretly, lack of freedom as you posed a question we all need to consider: 

               "How does the Word become known here? It is a question that stays with                 me for some days as we travel on to places from our past."

Your statement a few paragraphs later showed me where we all need to be as we see overwhelming problems in life:

                " Wherever it was possible our purpose was to be a healing presence                      amidst the suffering caused by war..." 

I write this to tell you of my appreciation of learning about a topic that you have made clear with the many examples you provided as you and Judy served the poor in many cultures around the world (to be a listening ear, to accommodate, to extend an act of kindness).

I was wondrous to learn that K'Krah survived after the war by moving with his family to the mountains to live until it was safe to return to Di Linh. I did not know that. 

The most endearing time in my life was when Doug (my brother) and I visited the Di Linh area in the homes of K'Kra and K'Lai and other areas of south Vietnam for one month in May of 2012. The VNCS house had been demolished a few months before we arrived however it was a treasure to walk the grounds where the VNCS house had been by the road (the American military at the top of the hill).

I thank you, Jerry for the things I've learned and continue to learn at a timely point in my life, from your writing. "

Gary