Welcome to those of you stopping by from our Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotion. You couldn’t have found a better place to talk books, revel in stories, and meet authors who are changing the world one novel at a time.
And one of those authors is Tom Davis. His novel, SCARED, is a She Reads winter selection. One of the things we love about Tom is that he doesn’t just write about challenging situations, he lives them. As President of Children’s Hopechest (and co-founder of Saints Coffee), he spends a large part of the year on the ground in Africa with thousands of children who have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
His debut novel, SCARED, was inspired by a young girl he met in Swaziland.
Stuart Davis has hit bottom. Once a celebrated and award-winning photojournalist, he is now reeling from debt, a broken marriage, and a crippling depression. The source of Stuart’s grief is his most famous photo: a snapshot of brutality in the dangerous Congo. A haunting image that indicts him as a passive witness to gross injustice.
Stuart is given one last chance to redeem his career: a make-or-break assignment covering the AIDS crisis in a small African country. It is here that Stuart meets Adanna, a young orphan fighting for survival in a community ravaged by tragedy and disease. But in the face of overwhelming odds, Adanna finds hope in a special dream, where she is visited by an illuminated man and given a precious gift.
Now, a dark place that’s a world away from home, Stuart will once again confront the harsh reality of suffering people in a forgotten land. And as a chance encounter becomes divine providence, two very different people will find their lives forever changed.
You can read the first chapter of SCARED here.
We are giving away three copies of SCARED, along with a journal similar to the one used by Adanna in the novel. And the wonderful folks at Saints Coffee will send each of our winners a pound of fresh roasted coffee (roast and flavor of their choice).
If you’d like to take these goodies home, then all you have to do is leave a comment on this post or sign up for our monthly newsletter. Our first place winner will get the journal, a copy of SCARED, and a pound of Saints Coffee. Our second and third place winners will each receive the novel and the coffee.
A while back we had the chance to sit down with Tom Davis and learn a little about the inspiration for SCARED.
One of the main characters in your novel, a twelve year old AIDS orphan named Adanna, was inspired by a real child. Can you tell us a little about the real Adanna and how she compelled you to write this novel?
The idea of Adanna does stem from a real girl I met in Swaziland who was twelve years old at the time. She was a gorgeous little girl filled with life. Her joy was contagious and she just loved being around our group, hugging on various team members and playing games with us in the field. Both of her parents had died from AIDS and she was taken in by her uncle. Sadly, she became a slave for him and his family. Neighbors complained to the authorities that she was being abused and she was removed from the home. The only issue she struggled with besides being shy when she arrived at the orphanage, was one of incontinence. They thought the poor thing had never been potty trained. They took her to the doctor to find out what was wrong. The truth was almost unbelievable. Her incontinence was a result of the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncle and other men he had sold her to. I walked around the rest of that day in tears. I couldn’t believe someone would treat a child is such an evil way. Then those kinds of stories became more of the norm for me on the trip. The Adannas in Africa are real kids, with dreams and hopes of a good future. A future that won’t exist unless the body of Christ gets involved in their lives.
Though this novel was hard to read in many places, one of the things I appreciated most about it was that you did not pull your punches. You unflinchingly portrayed suffering and heartbreak while weaving in mercy and hope. How did you find that balance? And did you struggle personally while telling this story?
It was quite difficult. I wanted to write a story that was honest. It is graphic in places but I can assure you that orphans in Africa and around the world experience things much worse than what you read on those pages. That was one of the most difficult realities for me to swallow as I researched and wrote the book. Thinking about the abuse millions of innocent children go through every single day is a frightening truth. There came a point in the story when I couldn’t let one more terrible thing happen to Adanna. Originally, I wanted a scene in the book where Adanna was forced to sell her body in order to feed her younger brother and sister. It happens all the time in Africa. But I couldn’t do it.
While reading SCARED I was struck by the characters – not just how real they were, but how they could be any of the people in my life. Which character do you relate to the most? Why?
Stuart, without a doubt. He is me in many ways. My story is the story of a man searching for meaning in life and finding it the eyes of orphans. I think deep inside each one of us is a desire to help suffering children. It’s how God made us! Our hearts should break with compassion for the Adannas in the world. Even though Stuart has had great success in his life, he struggles to live with significance. Don’t we all to some degree? Of course raising godly children and loving our spouses is our first priority. But how can we invest our lives in ‘least of these’ Jesus talks about in Matthew 25? Their is so much eternal impact that comes from feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. That’s my journey and Stuart’s too!
All fiction carries a message – something the author wants the audience to wrestle with. When readers turn the last page of Scared, what do you want them to take away?
“We need the poor more than the poor need us.” Yes, Jesus wants us to care for the poor and love our neighbors as ourselves. But I need to love the broken and care for the afflicted, not because I’m Biblically bound, but because it’s what I was created to do. It’s what makes me the most alive.
I was particularly fond of the character Pastor Walter. He runs the care point in Adanna’s village and does all he can to make a difference. Have you encountered a few real Pastor Walter’s on your travels? How have they impacted your ministry? Your writing?
The Pastor Walters of the world are my heroes and heroines. In every country I’ve been too, I’ve found incredible people who are changing the world around them. Most of them are poor themselves, they don’t have anything to offer except their lives. Then God takes them, just as they are, and uses them for something great. I have to tell you that most of these people are women. Grandmother’s in Russia, “Go-go’s” in Africa who literally carry their communities on their backs. They are the Mother Teresa’s of the world for me. I’m humbled by their commitment and courage to live by faith and trust God to use the little that’s in their hands.
Thanks for hanging out with us today. We’re glad you’re here. We hope you come back. And good luck to all of you entering our marvelous giveaway! Books and coffee, what more could you want?
If you’d like to pick up a copy of SCARED, would you consider purchasing it from Proverbs 31 Ministries? All proceeds from book sales go to support this powerful women’s ministry.
thanks! and God bless you!
Praise God for people like Tom who, as hard and difficult as it is, is willing to go and wander amongst these people to brings us the ugly truths of what we humans can and do do to each other.
I so appreciate the opportunities you provide through your site and would so be honoured to received a copy of Tom Davis’ book to read.
Blessings to each and every one of you.
Wow! What a great looking journal! I hope I might win these great gifts and if not I will surely be looking for the book to purchase and find a way to get some of that coffee!
I am very intrigued! This is one book I will have to be on the lookout for.
The book sounds really good!
Sounds amazing. I will have to consider this for my book club.
I would love to have the journal! But, I would love to have the book also. The story seems horrible, but one that needs to be told, by a man that fears GOD. I can identify with the author when he says that he needs to love the broken and care for the afflicted. I to feel the need to help, our children are our future. I looking forward in reading the book , while sipping on some good coffee.
I would love to have the book and gifts. We love the book and loaned it out… we have not been given it back and would love to loan it to others to read. My husband went to Ethiopia with Tom Davis and a group in Dec. We love Tom Davis.
please count me in….thanks
This is awesome package – I would love to be able to read Tom’s book! I’m going to Africa this summer and have been trying to soak in any information I can about it. And a journal and coffee to go with it makes it even better!
I will pray that God will soften more hearts for these neglected, orphaned children. That people will give of their time, money and love to rescue these children of God.
Thank you God for sending Tom Davis to tell the precious ones’ horrible stories and giving them hope.
This looks like a great book club book! Would you recommend it for a read aloud for pre-teens?
I would consider it an honor to be a part of this giveaway…you have completely captured my attention in this book. Thank you!
This book sounds very profound and involves the suffering of children to bring the reality of living out our Christian life to help them in their plight. I would enjoy reading this to enlighten my understanding of this ongoing situation in Africa and to love and care for those in need.
The journal is absolutely beautiful!!!!I love to read and drink coffee.This would be PERFECT
Susan,
This would be a spectacular book club pick – and one that we highly recommend. However, I would caution you against using it as a read aloud for pre-teens unless you read it first and determine that the subject matter is suitable for your child.
Although the author handles some terrible situations with great tact, they are nonetheless quite disturbing: violence, sexual assault, starvation, etc. These are the unfortunate realities of our world and we chose this book because it shines the light of Christ into the heart of darkness. There is beauty and redemption in this book but it is something you may want to save until your child is older – perhaps mid teens.
Blessings as you read,
Ariel
It sounds perfect for my book club. I for one need to have my eyes opened to the harsh realities of life outside the United States.
I would love to read this booK!
i would love to win the coffee!
How truly blessed are we in Australia and how easy is it to forget we are Lucky country. Reminders are around us but we become complacent. I would love to read the story and plight of those not so fortunate to live like we do, but who still have an overwhelming happiness and all who belong to our Jesus.
I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed all the recommendations that P31M have given. I plan to leave another comment shortly after I read the excerpt from the ‘Scared’ book. I will have to get my son from the school bus shortly. Having a great day here in Alaska; hoping your day is just as great!!
What a great lesson on “mercy” today… I truly enjoy all of your daily messages and am thankful for people that are willing to take care of these special orphans… God Bless!
Looking forward to reading Scared! All of your picks have been great so far!
My parents spent some time in Africa as missionaries. My heart goes out to the people there with their struggles and pain. Whether we can go in person, send support or participate by purchasing coffee, God has gifted us with the the opportunity to pray for them. Thanks to She Reads and Tom Davis for sharing the stories.
Your book sounds interesting. I admit I have a lot to learn about how other people suffer in different countries. Perhaps reading your book is the first step for me to open my mind to other people’s struggles?
This book sounds wonderful, I can’t wait to read it! Beautiful journal too…would love to sit down and write in it!!! : )
This book looks great!! would love to get a copy to read! Need a new journal too!! Also, am a coffee addict!!! Blessings!!!
This is a message that needs to be told over and over until we all get it. As a pastor’s wife I deal with the horrific and unbelievable on a regular basis and that’s in this country – the scope of what happens overseas staggers the imagination. It will never let up until God’s people act like God’s people – we have to stand in the gap – we have to start sacrificing our own lives for the sake of the thousands upon thousands who don’t know how to hope.
We just sponsored a boy from Uganda whose mom had AIDs through World Vision…it’s so sad but there is hope and getting the word out helps to save these children. I’d love to win a copy of the book. Thank you,
Connie
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book.
It is wonderful what Tim Davis and others have done in Africa and other countries. I hope one day to sponsor a child or multiple children myself. God bless!
Thanks for a great devo today! I would love to win the book.
You know, God knows who will go…we close our eyes and hearts to those in Africa and other countries where the stories are the same…we talk about it…but we shake our heads…let somebody else deal with it. Aids is a scary word. I am guilty, but this man decided he was going to make a difference…I look forward to reading the entire book.
I have been so looking forward to reading this book….my heart breaks when I hear of these forgotten people whose lives are treated as if they weren’t created with and for a purpose. Thank you so much for this post….I never win contests, but I’ll give it a shot before I run out and check my library. God bless you!
This is my first time to visit this site; and I love it! I’m always looking for suggestions for a good book and this is going to be my first resource from now on! Thank you!
I saw your recommended book list a couple of months ago, and I recently purchased this book for my electronic reader. I had a hard time putting it down, and I wept and wept as I read. It is so easy for us to sit in the comfort of our homes and not think about the way that so many in our world are suffering. Thank you, Tom Davis, for opening my eyes to the horror of AIDS/HIV. God spoke to me through your experience, and I would love to have a copy of this book to share with someone else. I have already told others about it–life-changing!
What a treat to think about getting a GOoD book and to savor it with a cup of joe…. who could ask for more! Thanks so much for the opportunity
It’s so great to see how excited all of you are about Scared. Can’t wait to keep the conversations going with you as you read through the book. Amy – I’m glad that God spoke to you in a unique way as you flew through the pages on your e-reader! Let me know if you ever want to go to Africa!
I’m also new to this website – what a blessing it has been for me! This particular story is such a heart-wrenching one, but one that I am thankful is being told.
I am looking forward to reading this book. I am going to refer my girlfriend who just started a new book club with her staff over to the site to check it out. I will be spreading the word. By the way I would love to get a copy of the book and sip on some fresh brewed Saints coffee while reading.
WOW!! How awesome–this brings me back to when I was a teenager around 14 and we had a chance to become pen pals with a ministry that they gave you names and small bibles to send to people overseas and I have 2 penpals for yrs they were both males–they were so excited that we had sent them the word of God but they had to hide it and they would write me stories that were almost unbelieveable but they were the most greatful people for just having a friend like me. They would also share how hard and long they would have to work just to put a stamp on the letter they would send to me!! Oh I just wish I would have stayed in touch with these guys to see what their lives are like now but as a teenager I quote had better things to do. May God Bless you Tom!
I’m not sure what to say…we do foster care in the states and although we’ve heard our share of grim stories, it doesn’t sound like they compare to the stories in the book. I wish we could take them all in but we have our hands more than full the way it is. God Bless You!
God bless Tom Davis and Proverbs 31 ministries as a whole. Im from Africa and all he’s saying about HIV/AIDS and abuse of the girl child is so true and real in some communities. I havent read the book but hope I one day will.
I am always looking for new books to read. I am so glad that I discovered this website! Can’t wait to get the book Scared and begin reading.
I can’t wait to read this book- thinking that it might be a great read for the Ladies Book Club…but then thought, maybe it would be good to get the men reading , too! How wonderful that we can vicariously travel to foreign worlds and have someone else’s experiences become a part of us through the written word. I pray the Lord will use this book to move our hearts.
What a blessing this man is. May God continue to guide and lead him.
I now have a consuming desire to read this book and look into the other authors on the site. I have a desire to one day go to Africa or other country on missions, but I have a feeling my eyes do not need to see it to know what it will do to my heart. I am filled with emotion every time I read a story or see a picture of the lives people lead in other countries. It is so easy to sit at home and not ever think about what others are going through around the world and the help they might need and that I can GIVE! I have two little ones right now and I want to teach them the importance of knowing what is going on around the world and the importance of helping those in need.
This book sounds great! Can’t wait to share with others!
Can’t wait to share this book with others!
Thank you for reminding me of what’s really important, sacrificing my life to show mercy, not just my money.
The book sounds like a great read. Books and coffee…..mmmmm. They go together kinda like peanut butter and jelly! Thanks She Reads!