I was recently contacted and asked to review
One Million Arrows by Julie Ferwerda. It is not something I would normally read, which is why I agreed. It’s always good to change your routine to get fresh perspectives.
Let me first explain what “One Million Arrows” means. This is an expression that was coined by the subject of the book, M.A. Thomas (known as “Papa”). Papa is well into his 70’s these days. He has spent his life trying to meet the vision that gripped his heart nearly 50 years ago in his home country of India.
As a young man and college graduate,
Papa could not bear seeing child after child in his home country of India being orphaned, murdered, or sold into some from of servitude (often sexual). As Westerners, we often wonder how children could be treated so horribly. It is unimaginable. But this book gives some insight into why that happens. I’d heard it before. This time it finally clicked.
We might call it
karma. Many in Indian culture are plagued by certain destructive superstitions. It is thought that if you are born into a life of hardship, be it physical deformity, disease, or poverty, it is because you are being cursed by the gods due to some sort of evil(s) you perpetuated in this life (or a past one). As an onlooker, it is your responsibility to let this curse take its course in the life of the other person—even if that person is a child—or you will bring that curse on yourself. Furthermore, the cursed person’s ‘spirit’ will never enlighten themselves out of the curse if you get involved. That is why millions of children are (and have been) so neglected without conscience.
It is almost seen as a duty to do so.
Borrowing the expression from an ancient Hebrew Proverb which describes children as a blessing,
Papa made it his life’s mission to rescue one million orphans. Or as he says, “One Million Arrows.”
Staying in India,
he dedicated himself to do whatever he could to house, clothe, and educate all the children he could afford to until they were either adopted or grown. In addition, he spent his life telling them how much God loved them, that he created them for a reason and with special purpose, and that they had value. In Papa’s heart, this passion was inspired by the teachings of Jesus—something the children also learned throughout their lives. With the help of many generous people and organizations, he has had an amazing impact and has been recognized with many humanitarian awards in India and all over the world.
One Millions Arrows tells Papa’s story. It also tells the story of other people, particularly parents, and what they do to accomplish similar positive goals (both practical and spiritual) in the heart’s and lives of their own children.
The author sets out to communicate a high value on how we treat and raise our children, all they while laying out the potentially bright future if we do. Arrows is a positive and encouraging book that you will find illustrated by story after story of why we should sacrificially love our children: never forgetting that God loves them, that he created them for a reason and with special purpose, and that they have value best communicated in the life, teachings, and example of Jesus Christ.
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