Once We Were Strangers
What Friendship with a Syrian Refugee Taught Me about Loving My Neighbor
by Shawn Smucker
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Pub Date Oct 16 2018 | Archive Date Jan 11 2019
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Description
This is the story of a friendship. It is the story of a middle-aged writer struggling to make a living and a Syrian refugee struggling to create a life for his family in a strange and sometimes hostile land. It's the story of two fathers hoping for the best, two hearts seeking compassion, two lives changed forever. It's the story of our moment in history and the opportunities it gives us to show love and hospitality to the sojourner in our midst.
Anyone who has felt torn between the desire for security and the desire to offer sanctuary to those fleeing war and violence will find Shawn Smucker a careful and loving guide on the road to mercy and unity.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780800734763 |
| PRICE | £10.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 208 |
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 261902
This book was about Shawn and his friendship with Mohammad, a Syrian refuge. Shawn’s initial intentions were to write a book about Mohammad’s experiences of getting out of Syria and how he gets to the United States. But in the process, Shawn becomes very close to Mohammad, so this book develops into one about their friendship.
I really enjoyed reading about Shawn’s and Mohammad’s friendship. The book brought out the differences between the United States and Syria in how people prioritize relationships with one another. Mohammad talks about how in Syria, he went to a friend’s house almost everyday for coffee for 2-3 hours and asked the question as to why that is not done in the States. And as Shawn thinks about this, he writes about how in the States, we are independent and think we don’t need anybody, and that we are too busy for relationships and community.
I thought these points really hit the nail on the head about what relationships with one another look like these days. We do seem to be in a rush with life and we don’t slow down enough with friendships with one another. I see this lack of connection missing in some many lives these days. This book emphasizes these points. And the friendship between Mohammad and Shawn that happens as a result of “slowing down” is just awesome. It goes beyond just “helping” Mohammad get around but Mohammad is helping Shawn just as much with their friendship. I see this value of relationships with friends from other countries and I saw this value with Mohammad and his family.
I also liked one other quote in this book: (Shawn) “I find the world an increasingly intolerable place, full of hatred and evil and violence. But then there is Mohammad, reminding me to see the good in the world, reminding me to count our blessings.” Amen and exactly! There is a lot of hate and self-centeredness these days…but there is still so much good in this world.
I would highly recommend this book. Great book!
Rating: 5 out of 5
I received this book from Revell in exchange for a review.
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