If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Under The Overpass by Mike Yankoski

Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski
About this book:  Ever Wonder What it Would Be Like to Live Homeless?

Mike Yankoski did more than just wonder. By his own choice, Mike's life went from upper-middle class plush to scum-of-the-earth repulsive overnight. With only a backpack, a sleeping bag and a guitar, Mike and his traveling companion, Sam, set out to experience life on the streets in six different cities—from Washington D.C. to San Diego— and they put themselves to the test.
For more than five months the pair experienced firsthand the extreme pains of hunger, the constant uncertainty and danger of living on the streets, exhaustion, depression, and social rejection—and all of this by their own choice. They wanted to find out if their faith was real, if they could actually be the Christians they said they were apart from the comforts they’d always known…to discover first hand what it means to be homeless in America.
Mike and Sam's story is gritty, challenging, and utterly captivating. What you encounter in these pages will radically alter how you see your world—and may even change your life.

This updated and expanded edition contains added stories, an interview with the author, a “five years after” bonus chapter, and a new foreword from Francis Chan

About the Author:  Mike Yankoski and his wife, Danae, are graduate students at Regent College, Vancouver, Canada.  Mike serves on the board of directors for World Vision U.S., and is a frequent speaker on a Christ-centered response to our world's great needs.

My Thoughts:  This is a very interesting book.  The stories the author told about his time on the streets were very good, but I have to say, reading this book made me rather uncomfortable.   It really made me stop and think about how I relate to the homeless and mentally disabled people.  I realized while reading that I don't really like the way that I interact with these people.  When they described how they were treated by various church people, I recognized myself in some of those church people.  I don't think I'll ever look at the homeless in the same way again and I hope the next time I encounter someone in this situation, that I'll be a kinder and more caring person.  I believe this was the purpose behind writing this book, to encourage us to be more like Christ.  I strongly recommend reading this book, especially if you want to be convicted to change the way you act and think and become more like Jesus Christ.

FTC disclaimer: This book was provided for review by Blogging for Books.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Press book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 




4 comments:

  1. That's exactly the way I felt - it changed the way I look at homeless... & I was SHOCKED at some of the churches reactions to the homeless... its why I feel like every church needs to read this book!!!!

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  2. I was just wondering what I should read next and this book sounds like it will have to go on the list. Thank you.

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  3. Sounds like a book I need to read.
    Thanks,
    andrea

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  4. So glad you made it to 100 before 2011. you got your goal. So awesome.
    That book sounds awesome. One that would totally interest me. Love Francis Chan too :)

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Cathy