Saturday, December 29, 2018

"Once we were Strangers," by Shawn Smucker

"Once we were Strangers," by Shawn Smucker

In 2012, Mohammad fled his Syrian village along with his wife and four sons. Four years later he sat across from Shawn Smucker in a small conference room in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Though neither of them knew it, Mohammad had arrived in Shawn's life just in time.

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.


This book is so relatable in today's world, where people are being displaced all over the world and are having to live in countries where they were not born.  I really enjoyed this book as although we chose to come to Canada, we too started our lives over in another country from where we were born.  So I could relate to many things that Mohammad and his family went through.

Although we spoke English, our accents caused some issues along the way and even after 30 years, we occasionally run into issues!!  I could also relate to Moradi and Mohammad wanting a better life for their boys; we too wanted that for our children.  Also the trials and tribulations of making new friends in another country is, and can be a challenge.

Stars out of 5 : 5 The quote, "never judge a book by it's cover," applies here.  Our lives are enriched by new experiences and the making of new friends from different cultures and backgrounds, and this book proves that.  Well worth the read.........especially when you see what is going on all over the world.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

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