Reading this book, the reader continually finds himself wondering why the Burnhams had to go through this. Why would God let this happen to them? So much pain, suffering, hardship, and heartache put on two people who had already given so much for his service.
I think this book is the answer though. This story is why they had to endure so much. Gracia’s testimony is unlike anything I have ever read or heard in my life. Even having heard her story before, and being a Christian myself, this story moved me in a way I did not expect at all. The final chapter of the book almost brought me to tears several times (something that rarely happens to me).
Gracia’s mood is perfectly balanced for telling the story–she is neither perfectly pious, nor condemming of her enemies. Her and Martin’s faith and love are an amazing testament to their conviction, and they demostrate such spiritual strength!
I think the book is both wonderful in it’s capacity as telling as story, and as delivering a lesson on Christian love. It is a wonderfully fitting tribute, also, to Martin’s life as a spiritual leader both before and after his capture.
I’ll finish with Gracia’s own words, about Martin’s death, as I think they wonderfully sum up the general mood of the book:
“I reminded myself that just like the other good-byes in my lifetime, this was temporary. I can’t wait to see Martin again–and I will.”
