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Finding Life: Reflections from a Bangkok Slum
Following Christ sometimes requires journeys down dark and narrow laneways. Ashley Barker and his family did just that when they went to live among the poor in the Bangkok slum of Klong Toey. This is the story of the Barkers' first year in Bangkok, and the insights they gained on the costly demands and rich rewards of committed discipleship. - Publisher.
UNOH Publications exists to invite, inspire and inform more radical responses to Jesus among the poor. It is the publishing arm of the Urban Neighbours of Hope community which serves Jesus amongst the urban poor in Melbourne, Bangkok and Sydney.
UNOH Publications exists to invite, inspire and inform more radical responses to Jesus among the poor. It is the publishing arm of the Urban Neighbours of Hope community which serves Jesus amongst the urban poor in Melbourne, Bangkok and Sydney.
198 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 1, 2023
I was a bit reluctant to read this, as it's a locally published book, but it now comes as no surprise that it's been reprinted twice.
This book is 2 decades old, but scarily is still holding relevance in the Australian social landscape. Refugees, practising Christians focusing on career and kids rather than the wider missional call, product consumerism, gender identity and sexuality, Indigenous Australian rights.
Even a mention of Brian Houston and Hillsong and his obsession with money, probably leaves the author feeling vindicated (more likely deep sadness).
It doesn't read like a "dear diary", but more as a lived analysis of missionality and gospel amongst the messiness and grit of everyday life. Including some poop.
Thanks Ash!
This book is 2 decades old, but scarily is still holding relevance in the Australian social landscape. Refugees, practising Christians focusing on career and kids rather than the wider missional call, product consumerism, gender identity and sexuality, Indigenous Australian rights.
Even a mention of Brian Houston and Hillsong and his obsession with money, probably leaves the author feeling vindicated (more likely deep sadness).
It doesn't read like a "dear diary", but more as a lived analysis of missionality and gospel amongst the messiness and grit of everyday life. Including some poop.
Thanks Ash!
July 9, 2014
A random collection of musings on service among the poor written during Ash Barker's first year in a Bangkok slum. For the most part, I agreed with Ash's observations. Taken each on their own, they're good bits of wisdom for people thinking about how to follow Christ honestly in today's world.
The main problems I have with the book were the organization and the setting. First, the structure seemed really haphazard, with no order or flow to the observations. Second, why was he writing a book so early in his time in the slum? By the end of the book, he was just starting to speak Thai to a degree. You would think that in that situation, he'd be focused on learning, perhaps with observations here and there. Instead, what you find in the book is a lot of fully-formed ideas about how things should be done. It felt less that Ash was writing about his experiences in Bangkok, and more that he was using his experiences in Bangkok as a jumping-off point to write about all the other things he already believed. That didn't sit well with me as I read the book, and in a way felt like he was taking advantage of the people and his service with them.
The main problems I have with the book were the organization and the setting. First, the structure seemed really haphazard, with no order or flow to the observations. Second, why was he writing a book so early in his time in the slum? By the end of the book, he was just starting to speak Thai to a degree. You would think that in that situation, he'd be focused on learning, perhaps with observations here and there. Instead, what you find in the book is a lot of fully-formed ideas about how things should be done. It felt less that Ash was writing about his experiences in Bangkok, and more that he was using his experiences in Bangkok as a jumping-off point to write about all the other things he already believed. That didn't sit well with me as I read the book, and in a way felt like he was taking advantage of the people and his service with them.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews