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  1. Jamie Little
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Open, Honest and Passionate
    December 14, 2011
    Jamie Little
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Answering God's call to become missionaries in Yemen meant that Kevin and Audra would pack up their entire family and immerse themselves in a new culture halfway around the world. This move also meant planting her family in a country entrenched in conservation Islam, a religion that had no respect for the Shelby family's own Christian values and beliefs. While Audra thought that she was ready and that she knew what to expect, she encountered things beyond her wildest imagination, both good and bad.

    Beyond the Veils of Yemen chronicles Audra Shelby's experiences in Yemen; it tells the story of how one woman full of doubt and fear learned to rely on God and trust in Him. Audra beautifully tells the story of how she forged friendships with Yemeni women, discusses what they are like behind closed doors when they shed their veils and shares her heart for the Yemeni people. Story after story in this books shows how her family relied on and trusted in God and how He provided for them and met their needs. This story is written so honestly and passionately, the reader can really feel Audra's heart and soul poured into it.

    I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the life Yemeni women; learning about some of their customs and culture was fascinating. Shelby never came across as demeaning or harsh in her telling of these things. I was amazed at how boldly she shared her faith at times, taking their circumstances and sharing how her belief in God gives her hope and joy. Though she may not have felt like she could see the fruits of her effort at the time Audra Grace Shelby has planted seeds in many lives.

    I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.
  2. Hannah Jane
    Alabama
    Age: Under 18
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Convicting and Encouraging
    November 14, 2011
    Hannah Jane
    Alabama
    Age: Under 18
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Synopsis:

    "I had envisioned an easier place, such as a village near a beach in the Caribbean. But God was leading us to a place plagued with poverty and sickness and strict adherence to Islamic law, a place where evangelism was forbidden." (pg. 15)

    Imagine traveling far away from everyone you know, from everything you own, from everyone who supports you. The only people near you who speak English are your family and your language teacher.

    You might seem to have it bad off, but others there have it worse. First of all, they know not the love of the Saviour, and so everything else is even more bleak than it would otherwise be. Second, they are persona non gratia - simply because they are women.

    Their place in the world is confined to a narrow set of rules, a world ruled by might makes right. They are considered to be less valuable than men, and if their husband, father, or brother decides to murder them, it is very likely that the civil government will only support the murderer.

    Enter the world of Islam.

    My Thoughts

    "I looked up at the neighboring windows. I was eager to meet the women I knew were inside. I had plans to share Christ, and I was ready to get started, even if it was against Yemeni law." (pg. 46)

    This book made for both an interesting read as well as an informative read. Filled with the thoughts and remembrances of one missionary as she struggles to fulfill the great commission abroad, it is both convicting and encouraging.

    Convicting because of the great hardships which so many go through. Convicting because it can be so easy to take for granted the ease which America and the western world has offered me.

    Encouraging because I love to hear of those who are seeking to bring the knowledge of God's wonderful plan of salvation to those who are lost. Encouraging because the various answers to prayer are wonderful little ways in which God shows that he cares.

    I enjoyed reading the testimony of the missionary as well as her thoughts on those who she was witnessing to. My heart filled with pity for those in Yemen and other Islamic countries who are oppressed and afflicted. May God give them his peace.

    There are a couple little things which make me recommend this book for teens - adults.

    Rating:

    "I slowly walked to the office door and stopped to look back through the uncurtained window. A green neon sign flashed in the distance from the pinnacle of the neighborhood mosque, illumination the mosque's presence. I stared at it several minutes, thinking about the Light God had sent to illuminate His presence. Yemen had yet to see and understand that the Light is Jesus." (pg. 179)

    9 out of 10 stars ★★★★★★★★★☆

    Read an Excerpt & Purchase a Copy:

    "I sobbed into my hands. Lord, send help! We cannot tell them by ourselves. We are no match for their need. I thought about the mission group that had canceled. Lord, can't they reschedule? Can't you send them again? We are only a few buckets of water when the people need and ocean. Help them come, Lord. Help them come." (pg. 219)

    Note:

    I was given a free copy of this book by Chosen Books publishers in exchange for my honest review.
  3. SFaith
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Great insight of one woman's experience
    November 10, 2011
    SFaith
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    "Behind the Veils of Yemen" by Audra Grace Shelby, is a fascinating and eloquent true story, of Audra's and her family, personal experience, when they relocated to Yemen, to begin work there as missionaries.

    Filled with rich details of the Yemeni culture from meals to wedding traditions to basic phrases that are customary to greet each other, what makes, "Behind the Veils of Yemen" stands out, is that this isn't about just the women of Yemen, that Audra encountered and ministered, but how her and her family life there, were transformed and their faith in God was strengthened by their personal experiences.

    The stories she shares are haunting and presents a look, "Behind the Veils of Yemen" , that those in the States often don't hear or maybe only hear very brief glimpses of and the way, Audra, writes, is a story that is filled with strength and hope, in and through our Father in Heaven.

    I felt that the ending of the book was a bit rushed and yearned to find out more about what happen after the events in Yemen, but the rest of the book, is a powerful testimony to the spirit of faith, hope and persistence.

    The reader will find themselves hanging on to the detail of daily life of the Yemeni culture as shared by Audra and the complicated interactions she find, living as a foreigner among the Yemeni people.

    Her experiences are both eye-opening, heart breaking, convicting and live readers asking, how strong are they to be able to do the same as Audra and her family.

    Although the book shares about the Muslim women that Audra encountered and befriended, if you are expecting a "missionary book" about conversions, Audra doesn't focus on that; Instead, she focuses on the real life struggles and experiences of being a missionary family in the Middle East, learning both the languages and customs, sharing personal insights into the culture and on the trials that her and her family personally endure of times of sickness that they had encountered and how as Christians, sharing the Gospel with other faiths and culture.

    This isn't really a book that focuses a lot on the Yemen women or culture, but rather is more like a personal biography of one missionary families experience, but it is still a compelling and fascinating read to look into.

    ***This book has been provided courtesy of Bethany House.***
  4. Booklover10
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    a great insight into how to pray
    December 17, 2011
    Booklover10
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Kevin and Audra found themselves accepting the calling to go to Yemen to show the Muslims the love of Christ. Audra had a deep desire to get behind the veils of women to tell them about Christ. I was honestly impressed that she would wear the veil so to have a chance to be accepted by them and to be able to talk to them openly. She shares about what some of the women wear under the veil and I was actually surprised. I loved hearing the conversations between the women and Audra and I was very glad that Audra shared her own insecurities throughout the book. She shared when she doubted, when God was silent or when things weren't working as they had thought that it would.

    The thing that stuck out to me is how she realized that we (I say we as Christians) weren't praying for the Muslims to come to know the Lord. She talks about how we're not as burdened for them to know Jesus as Lord. After hearing about the women, I understand more now about how the women are viewed, treated, and the conversations they have with their friends. It was interesting to see how they view sickness, and it was painful to see how a baby was mistreated. It was sad to hear how the men take advantage of the women in several ways and how even a woman dressed in a veil can still be looked upon by a guy and lusted after.

    I would dare say that Christ followers need to read this book. After reading it, I understand more about how I can pray for other missionaries from the IMB (International Mission Board) who are serving in these areas and for Muslims, in general. It opened my eyes to things that I never realized or understood.

    Audra and her husband, Kevin, along with their 3 (now 4 kids) were missionaries to Yemen and later on in Egypt. They have since returned to the U.S. so that their children could attend high school. They are very active in getting God's Word into the Middle East.

    __________________

    I received this book free from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review of this book.
  5. Anonymous
    Coffeyville, KS
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A book to treasure
    November 27, 2011
    Anonymous
    Coffeyville, KS
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 4
    A missionary woman, responding to God's call to serve in Yemen — that is what this book is about. Audra Grace Shelby sees her faith challenged as she goes through the initial period of her introduction to a country and people who have so many different customs and habits, but who are, just as the rest of us, people with feelings, interest and worries. A wife, a mother, a friend and a witness to God's grace and love for Yemeni women, Audra faces difficult moments that shake her emotions and her different roles, but prays to become the tool that would be able to share Jesus in such a way that Muslims would understand. It is easier said than done. There were many risks involved, but she and her family decided to stay faithful to God. She tells about how even her relationship with Jesus changed; she learned to trust Him completely, even when things did not make sense to her and finds solace in the peace that God gives, as a constant companion through hardships.

    During the years of her life described in the book, we learn how she befriends Fatima, a woman who teaches her Arabic and the ways of the culture, and introduces Audra to her family (mainly women relatives) and closest circle of friends. She gets a peculiar glimpse at the women behind the veils, who slowly come to accept her (some just agreed to put up with her). The more and more familiar she got with Fatima and the others, the more Audra becomes aware of the heavy burden that restricts Muslim women, going way beyond their clothes; it comes to the fact that they are not even allowed to learn how to read or write, so their faith and ways are a result of what they are told, either by men or by older women who were also just told about the Muslim ways. This fact also translates into further abuse, like not being given the right change when buying groceries in the market (they just do not know how to count), or cheated out of estate ownership or inheritance.

    Little by little, Audra becomes a living testimony of how interested God is in having a relationship with us, and bravely does and acts Christian in a society that rejects her and her family. For example, she describes the prayer ritual and how meaningful it is for Muslims to wash before praying. When she asks if she could pray and does not wash, the women around her are shocked, but that allows Audra to explain that Jesus is not interested in how clean our outside is, but is rather interested in the cleanliness of our heart. With precious moments like this one, she is able to tick the women who have been in such a need of love and acceptance.

    Her story does not talk much about her husband's ministry, about which I often wondered; however, don't let that hinder you from reading this book. It is a treasure. Personally, it has reminded me of how blessed we are to live in a time and place where we are free to learn and study the Bible in so many different ways. It gives a wonderful picture of what the personal life of a missionary is — a fact that would help us pray for those who have been sent and their specific needs. Also, it is a challenge for Christians, to love and see people more the way God does, and not the way we do, taking away prejudice and preconceived notions, and just loving them the way they are — after all, Jesus died for all of us, equally and with no distinction.

    I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this influenced my opinion on the book or on the author.
Displaying items 1-5 of 20
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