The Healing - Written by Janene Buckley-Ala
Reviewer name: Val Zerna
Personal Assistant to the Executive Director
Australian Churches of Christ Global Mission Partners
Endorsement quote:
The Healing Road to Thailand is a story of insight, warmth, compassion and rare honesty. It reveals a journey in learning to submit to a loving Father God, and finding healing, restoration and a new depth of ministry from a personal journey of pain and self-discovery.
As an outside observer, I never guessed the depth of inner turmoil as exposed in this honest self-assessment. Composed, dignified, eloquent, a compassionate, insightful counselor; I watched Janene with quiet awe, used of God despite her self-doubts and fears.
Janene writes with great honesty and integrity. I found myself being ministered to as I shared her journey through the pages of this book.
Extert from the book - The Healing Road to Thailand: Grace Abounds:
A marriage of 22 years and now it was finally over. Life seemed to be headed nowhere and my relationship with my children seemed beyond repair.
Slowly God began to heal the wounds that showed no scars. He taught and led me gently giving me hope and eventually a promise that I would be in Thailand. When and how remained unanswered. Like the Israelites in the wilderness I wasn’t taken directly to my destination. I had things to learn first and so the path led through Indonesia, into New Zealand, on to Uganda, Rwanda and Congo and finally – Thailand.
Here while I was working with (YFC) Youth For Christ some questions received answers but life still remained empty. Sometimes I didn’t see the point. God continued the lessons, first teaching me that despising life is not His plan, then bringing back purpose and hope - and finally love (but that’s book two!)
- This true story was created using my recollections coupled with journal entries and excerpts from the last eight years of monthly prayer letters. I have written personally in a narrative style and avoided the use of jargon. My story is well illustrated from personal experience and the biblical perspective is apparent throughout. I have sought to keep my writing simple and aimed at the needs of people without fabricating or enhancing any aspect.
- By definition memoirs are unique. Although I never finished high school God took me in middle age and turned my life around. He placed me in mission when many people advocated that only those with a University Degree could fit the mold. Certainly humanly speaking a divorced status was not conducive to acceptance. It shows that God often chooses to work outside the box in accomplishing His will.
Themes include:
- Family Life:
- Father/daughter relationships
- Wayward children
- Divorce after long term marriage
- Alcoholism/ adult children of alcoholics
- Inner life:
- Depression
- Personal significance
- Trusting God/ faith
- Suicidal thinking
- Gods ways:
- Answers to prayer
- The faithfulness and grace of God
- Reconciliation in relationships
- Missionary life/preparation
- Missionary training/issues
- Single life as a missionary
My desire is that these pages will be an encouragement to those who wonder if there is hope after failure; a guide to those who have lost their zeal; a powerful book on the faithfulness of God and the answer to prayer, and a guide to those seeking insight to the will of God for their lives...
I believe that many people need to be encouraged that life is not over because of a failed marriage (or any other failure) even in mid-life. God is not yet finished with us and we can go on to make a meaningful difference, not just in the life of others, but also in the life of the church and wider mission field.
In His Name and for His Glory alone,
Janene Buckley-Ala
April 2008
How to order your copy of the book:
Payment
- Electronically via Paypal
- Cheque should be made out to: Janene Buckley-Ala
Send postal address with cheque for $20 (extra covers post)to Mrs Lorna Buckley
2/161 Purnell Rd
CORIO 3214
Victoria Australia
The book is available in two different ways:
- Electronic format is AU$15.00 and is emailed to you upon receipt of payment
- Printer and bound copy is AU$20.00 and is mailed to up upon reciept of payment
For further information, contact janene alafam_eaglesrest@fastmail.com.au