No Greater Love

by Levi Benkert, Candy Chand

Levi Benkert was playing with his children in the park when he received an urgent phone call from a friend asking him to drop everything and fly to Ethiopia to help organize an orphanage for children destined to be murdered as part of a tribal superstition known as "mingi killings." Moved by his friend's story, Levi packed his bags and left for what he thought would be a two-week trip. But upon meeting the children, Levi knew there was no turning back. Six weeks later, Levi, his wife, Jessie, and their three young children sold their home and all their belongings and relocated to Ethiopia indefinitely. 

No Greater Love documents Levi's journey-from the challenges he faced establishing and running the orphanage and finding adoptive homes for the children.

Genres: Christian, Africa, Nonfiction, Memoir, Adoption, Ethiopia, Christianity

254 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2012

About the author

Levi Benkert cares for orphans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with his wife, Jessie, and their four children, Nickoli, Luella, Ruth, and Everly.

Reviews

[Becky Feryance · Rating 5 out of 5]

My niece is one of the children rescued by this ministry. What a blessing to those in need.

[Jenny Hagenauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One phone call, one plane ticket, and Levi Benkert’s life changed forever. Under a lot of stress, his business was in economic trouble, failing, Levi’s life was full of anxiety and he wasn’t living to be the best person he could be. One day, while half heartily playing at the park with his children, Levi receives a phone call. An old friend called for his help. Children in Ethiopia were being killed because of a Mingi legend. A Mingi is a child who is deemed “impure”. This could be because there were twins, the upper teeth grew in before the lower teeth, the child chipped a tooth, and many other reasons. These poor children are then left for death, the most gruesome murders.  Levi’s wife persuades him to go on the trip to Ethiopia. Their lives were changed forever! Once Levi returned from the trip he was so filled with determination that he now knows what God has in store with him, thus, he and his wife decide to move to Ethiopia indefinitely to do the work of God’s hands.  One

The book starts out perfectly. It’s an account of a woman giving birth. Knowing that the child is deemed Mingi, she can’t even take a look at her new baby. Full of heart break she forces her husband to fill the child’s mouth with dirt, hoping for suffocation, and abandoning the baby in the middle of the street. The story ends there and we then move on to Levi’s life. The book is written so beautifully because once Levi is in Ethiopia we readers find out that the baby was saved and in now in loving care under Levi and the organization he is working with.   

I really love this book because it is so real and raw. Levi doesn’t dumb anything down, nor does he hide anything. This book takes us through Levi’s struggles, with the orphanage, with the Ethiopian people, with his religion. It also takes us through all the happiness and joyful moments. From adopting his baby girl, to the papers not going through. From the home sickness, to the opportunity to fly his family back to the states for the holidays. From the excitement of loved ones coming to visit, to their sorrowful departures back to the states. I was so engrossed in every detail, every new challenge and joy that the book presented. The writer takes us through his journey every step. After reading this book, you’ll be so inspired to try and fail and try again. You’ll want to go do big things with your life. Your eyes will be opened to a different culture, a different way of living. This is an inspiring story, a wonderful story, which is backed up by wonderful writing. An easy yet emotional and joyous read, you’ll never be bored, or regret picking it up in the first place. This book has it all.

[Leah Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

With his real-estate business crumbling around him, Levi Benkert receives a phone call. An old friend wants him to travel to Ethiopia to aid an effort to rescue children who've been sentenced to death by an ancient tribal practice. The idea is ludicrous. There's no way he can go. Yet Levi soon finds himself on a plane bound for Ethiopia. It's the beginning of a change that will dominate, change, and revolutionize life for him and his family.

I got this book for Christmas and the whole family got a laugh when I unwrapped it. I already knew what it was about, but I flipped it over to skim the back cover. As I did so, my mom said, "It's a really good book. You need to let me borrow it because I'm half way through it." That's right. She'd been reading my gift before wrapping it! :P Anyway, she was right. I read it in one sitting. It's heartbreaking. It doesn't have a strings all tied up "happy ending". (The ending is happy, but only after a heart rending ending to the first part of the Benkert's journey.) I expect reading about the mothers of the mingi children would be even more heartbreaking for a mother.

One of the things Levi says in this book is that orphan care is inherently messy. This becomes obvious just reading books about it. It gets confusing. The last book I read about orphan care, Orphan Justice: How to Care for Orphans Beyond Adopting (great book!), really stressed how important it is for kids to be in real families...that orphanages aren't the solution. This book shed light on how messy international adoption can be. Another documentary I watched shared the tremendous need for international adoption. It's confusing! But it's also really good to get all the different sides of the picture.

This book is definitely one of the best told/written orphan care stories I've read. Thumbs up for recommending it.

[Bonnie Mentel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the Kindle edition of “No Greater Love” by Levi Benkert and Candy Chand from the comfort of my home in America.

This story has haunted me since I first read about the Mingi children in a CNN interview. I loved the fact that there is now a book out there telling more of the story. Levi doesn't hold back, he really puts himself out there and tells us the harsh truth. He could have easily left out the part about his business failure and his attempt to leave his financial problems behind. By sharing everything, I found him to be more relatable and he showed readers how God could use an ordinary man and family to do great things.

Levi's is a man who obeyed God's prompting to move his family to Ethiopia in order to save the lives of children – those considered cursed because their bottom teeth grew in before their top teeth, or because their parents had failed to tell the tribal leaders that they planned to conceive a child.

Mingi children, as they are called, are murdered; they are drowned in the river, or buried alive. Levi’s family had to cut through Ethiopian-government red tape, their own failed adoption, Malaria-bearing mosquitos and other foreign illnesses, suffer for weeks without the comforts of home - including water and electricity, and learn a new language in order to establish an orphanage that would help save the lives of some of these children.

The book was well-written and I could imagine everything he described. Buy the book, you won’t be disappointed. Subscribe to the blog - www.bringlovein.com. You can find a way to help orphan children in Ethiopia without ever leaving your home.

[Yibbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather disappointing.
I'm so glad that they were able to save lives and bring some attention to this terrible tradition.
They were told over and over that the tribes killed the children at the command of spirits, and their response was good. They immediately told them that there was a God that was so much stronger than those spirits. The disheartening part was that was as far as any mention of the Gospel went. Prayer was mentioned, but just in passing. There was not even any mention of any type of Christian instruction for the children in the orphanage. Now this doesn't seem to be just an over sight of a short book, even on the web-sight they've set up there is no mention of the Gospel.
So even though they are sacrificing so much and have saved so many lives, they are not making an eternal difference. If they had said this book was just about helping people and not tried promote it as a Christian book or ministry I wouldn't have anything but praise for them, because the secular world has nothing more to offer than the is world made more comfortable. Christians can't ignore the message of Christ crucified for our sins, buried, and risen again on the third day,with out hiding heaven from the lost. What is a Christian if not one who proclaims the Good News?
That's why I found it most disappointing. They are giving these children a better life here and not even offering them an eternity in heaven.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading missionary stories and this was no exception. The author and his family left everything and moved to Ethiopia, basically on a whim after receiving a call for help, to care for orphans who were abandoned by their families because of beliefs in strange curses. The author speaks very openly and honestly to their struggles, failures, and victories on the field. Appreciated the real life nature of his writing. Eye opening but challenging as well to live intentionally wherever you are planted.

[David McGill-Soriano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very emotional book that keeps you engaged the entire time.

[Cory St. Esprit · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story. A quick read - but I feel like I was looking for something deeper.

[Ian Minielly · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Spoilers***

This book will break your heart. I applaud the families faithfulness, but man oh man the struggles they experienced that resulted in them going to Ethiopia are unpleasant. I remember the market and housing crash of 2007-2008 well, I also lost my job and everything we had and were down to living on credit cards for a time. That was a rough period for a lot of people.

Their experience of losing all their wealth and the author's company resulted in them accepting a role in Ethiopia with their church. I cannot even imagine selling everything they had and moving to the other side of the world into a situation with a whole lot more unknowns than knowns and bringing your wife and your young children along for the experience. Once there they witnessed first hand the problem of corruption impeding their desire to do good and get kids adopted. It is painful to read how easy it is to block good things. The family ends up getting slandered and abused by the locals and eventually fall so in love with the community and the children who survive being killed by their parents, they devise a new plan to arrange for widows to raise the kids locally, which avoids the necessary interaction with adoption corruption.

I applaud their faithfulness in the face of opposition, hate, slander, and an entirely different culture. They allowed God to use them and it is a great lesson for the rest of us.

[Uncle Alfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young California couple pack up and decide to move to Ethiopia to prevent the killing of the marked children. Children killed to appease the spirits and prevent misfortune to the village are rescued by their pleadings. It is a sobering reality that sees failure and death as often as rescue. They live in a hard place where God demonstrates that true love is sacrificial and emotionally costly.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quick read that caught my attention from the very beginning. The front cover alone pulled me in, the story kept me reading. Although the writing style seemed a bit choppy to me, the inspiring message and heart of the novel kept me going. Good solid read.

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a real, raw fascinating read of a couple learning what it means to be taken out of their element into missions in Ethiopia. So thankful for their willingness to be vulnerable and share their story.

[Kayla Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

“I’d even been interviewed in the newspaper as a young entrepreneur who successfully balanced work and family.” I.e being a rocking father like 90% of all fathers.

Excerpt from: "No Greater Love" by Levi Benkert. Scribd.

Yuck.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars to 3 stars for Goodreads. I found this an interesting bo0k. My husband and I adopted from Ethiopia around this time and traveled to Addis Ababa. I never heard of "mingi" killings. The book brought baksome memories.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insight into Etiopian adoption politics was interesting. Love this true story... echoes of our bumbling path towards God's best plans...

[Zachary Dartez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi Brenkert in a successful businessman living in the United States with his wife and children when his life gets turned upside down by the house market bubble crash. After the economic crash, a friend of Levi’s begged him to come on a last-minute mission trip to Ethiopia. Even though Levi described himself as Catholics who were not living the Catholic life he and his wife decided that he should go.
The touching story of the mingi in Ethiopia made Levi decide to uproot everything he had back in America and move to Ethiopia. They sold every possession they had before moving. They ended up taking over control of the orphanage. After only a month of being in Ethiopia, the couple had adopted one of the children. Leter is was found out that the adoption did not go through properly and the child had to be returned to the orphanage to restart and revalidate the adoption.
I enjoyed the book even though I usually read a different genre. The story made me realize that I should be extremely appreciative of what I have and that I should practice my Catholicism more outside of school.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi Benkert was a successful Sacramento businessman until 2009 when the economic downturn forced him to close his business. While his life in California was falling apart he was presented an opportunity to go to Ethiopia to rescue orphans. A tribe in the south of Ethiopia regards some children born under certain conditions as ‘mingi‘ or ‘cursed.’ These were children who are conceived without the parents announcing their intentions to the tribal elders or children who’s top teeth come in before their bottom teeth or any number of differences from what is considered ‘normal ‘ in that culture. The tribe lives in fear that if the mingi child remained in their midst they would bring on them ill will from evil spirits. So the traditional practice was to abandon them to die from exposure or starvation. However through the mediation of a local man named Simi and some German photographers (who were there short-term), the tribe agreed to allow Simi to remove the children from the tribal land instead of killing the kids.



Levi embarks on a two week mission where he sees these kids who were rescued, feels acutely the weight of the problem and is moved to do whatever he can to help. Shortly thereafter he returned to Jinka, Ethiopia with his wife and three kids to run an orphanage for the rescued children. They had sold all their belongings and lived off support that a church gave to them. As Levi tells his story, he in honest about where he and his family wrestled with culture shock, personal motives (was here to escape his business failures or to help?), mistakes he made, and the challenge of being both culturally sensitive and courageous in his stance against injustice. This is a Christian story, and so the themes of surrender and trust in God permeate Levi’s life in Ethiopia.

Without giving you all the details of Levi’s story ( read the book for yourself), the situation with the tribes in Southern Ethiopia has changed somewhat with the Ethiopian government taking a more active interest in managing orphans. Levi and his family now run another orphanage in Addis Ababa which places orphan children in homes with widow care takers (a creative way of fulfilling James 1:27).

Despite my enthusiasm about missions, I sometimes am wary of problems in various missionary organizations (i.e. ethnocentricity, paternalism, etc.). I also am suspicious of much of the international adoption agencies because of an array of injustices perpetuated by some organizations. On either score, I found little in Levi Benkert’s memoir to make me wary of his project. He and his wife decided to adopt one of the ‘mingi‘ children, and were involved with setting up adoptions for others but tried to do so in ways that respected Ethiopian culture but didn’t profiteer from the children or the system. They conducted their mission in Jinka and Addis Ababa with a high level of integrity. I was pretty impressed. That being said, I know nothing of their mission except what I have read in this book and have not researched the situation myself. A ‘Note to Reader’ at the end of the book gives the link to their ministry website bringlove.in for those who want to learn more. On a personal note, I find books like this where people take huge risks to do something good inspiring. You probably will too.

I received this blog from Tyndale Publishing House in exchange for this fair and balanced review.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Levi Benkert and Candy Chand’s No Greater Love is the story of one man and his family who radically uprooted their life and moved across the world out of love for children. Levi was doing well in real estate but when the housing crash hit, his business was spiraling down. He was agonizing over what to do and strategies to come up with when a good friend called and asked him to fly to Ethiopia to help rescue a group of children who had been labeled as a curse by their tribe and were going to be killed. A group of photographers had discovered this practice and managed to rescue nine children. After deliberation and his wife Jessie’s support Levi used his emergency fund and flew over to Ethiopia to aid this effort. The plight of these children weighed on his heart and when he flew back home he and his wife made the decision to move their family (three children at the time) over to care for these kids and find them a home. Their story is moving and inspiring. Ultimately, the state and other organizations stepped in to aid this rescue and the Benkert’s relationship with the tribe deteriorated. The Benkerts ended up doing other work with Ethiopian orphans.

I have mixed feelings about this book. One the one hand, I respect Levi and Jessie’s willingness to literally sell everything and move in answer to a call. Their tenacity is remarkable. On the other hand they made a completely life altering decision very quickly. Levi mentioned in the beginning of the book that they were believers but did not regularly attend church. It is surprising that a church funded them to go over to Ethiopia without them having a commitment to a local church. There was high emphasis on the good that they achieved as well as the lifestyle they were in before they went. It is certainly a remarkable story but it seemed to just skim the surface. I would like to learn more about them and their ministry. I appreciated the honesty about struggles but it was too short! I think their story has more potential.

I learned more about adoption. I share Levi and Jessie’s horror at those who use it as an opportunity to make money. It was surprisingly difficult for them to navigate. Side note: it is a messed up world when adopting children who need a home is that hard! I definitely want to read more about international adoption.

All things considered it was a good read. It was easy to read quickly. It is not one that I am going to give away or recommend with flying colors. I had a couple of concerns with the book. I did appreciate the opportunity to read and review it! (I’ve received this complimentary book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"No Greater Love" by Levi Benkert and Candy Chand features the true story of the Benkert family as they journey from America to Africa on a path that could only be constructed by God. Benkert was a successful real estate developer until the housing market crash caused his business to go under. Near the ending of his company and facing an uncertain future, a pastor friend contacted him about possibly going to Ethiopia to help organize a rescue orphanage. He took a leap of faith and signed on. What he saw and experienced changed his life forever. Utterly touched by the lives of the children he met, he and his family sell everything and head to southern Ethiopia to settle in a help with the orphanage. The children they work to rescue are from the Kara tribe, sentenced to death because they are believed to be "cursed". The Benkert family embarks on a wild journey over the next couple of years that results in greater dependence on God, a shift in ministry focus, and an incredible desire to make a difference in the world for these children in Ethiopia.

It's a wonderful book about the great things that God can do through people who are simply willing to allow themselves to be poured out. The only thing I would have loved to see more explanation about was regarding the adoption issue. It appears that the Benkerts were able to adopt one of the rescue children, but other adoptions were not allowed to take place. A little more explanation and clarification would have added to the overall satisfaction of the book.

(I’ve received this complimentary book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uniquely it’s own missionary story. Worth the time... highly readable. Super curious where they are now. 🤔

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would it take for you to completely up root your family and head off to a foreign country?

Levi Benkert was asked to travel to Ethiopia to help a friend organize an orphanage. Six weeks later he tells his wife and three young children that they are moving to Ethiopia.

This is a book that will tug at your adoption heartstrings. Not only was this an orphanage they were creating, but they were saving these children from death as part of tribal religious ceremonies.

The fourteen chapters read quick and this story is over before you know it and once you've closed the book, you'll be seriously contemplating adopting a child of your own.

You'll read of Benkert's experience in running an orphanage along with the stories of finding homes for these beautiful children.

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes devastating. This is a fantastic read.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing

[Celese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had looked forward to reading this book because of my own experiences in Ethiopia. I read it in one sitting. The style of writing was good, but I think the main factor that drew me so deeply into it was the pure honesty that was used to tell the story. The author courageously admitted faults and showed his mistakes. The story, itself, was heart-wrenching and fascinating on it's own. With the human touch that was added with it, the story was nearly perfect.
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was because I was left with some questions. I felt, especially that some loose ends were left untied. Also, some of the sections seemed to be repetitive -- often wording or styling was almost exactly the same.
However, I loved the book. I would absolutely recommend it.

[Pathway Midland · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Greater Love is an amazing, heart changing book. Levi Benkert was a successful California businessman until the economic downturn in 2009. One day he got a call asking him to do a short, two week trip to Ethiopia to help with an orphanage rescuing children who were being killed by their own parents due to an Ethiopian superstitious practice called mingi. Unsure, he decided to go, thinking he may clear his head while in Africa. Long story short, he falls in love with the children and moves his whole family from California to Ethiopia. We watch as Levi and his wife, Jessie, and their family experience major struggle and also major joy. This book will no doubt change your perspective on whats important in life.

[Rachel N · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Greater Love was a great initial memoir of a family's first couple of years in Ethiopia. Levi Benkert writes an honest and poignant account of his involvement with orphan care in rural southern Ethiopia. He shares his joys and disappointments. It was a quick read but that did not take away from the impact of the story. I look forward to a follow up memoir as I am sure this family will continue to do great things for the Lord in the beautiful land of Ethiopia (birth place of my 2 children.)

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fast read. The whole idea of these mingi children who are killed because their upper teeth come in before their lower teeth or because their parents were either not married or were married but didn't declare their intent to have a child is just so sad. This true story tells of the author's decision to move with his wife and 3 kids to Ethiopia to try to save these kids lives. It is also a powerful story of trying to understand our purposes in life and aligning them with what God would have us do. The author's candidness made this book.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of one family's experience of moving to Ethiopia to help the mingi (or cursed) children that are killed by their fellow villagers. It is a very inspirational story of someone wanting to do something, and rather than sitting around feeling helpless, they take action. Benkert, the author, is very candid and at times brutally honest. You're not going to find a fluffy feel good mission story here, but you will walk away feeling empowered to do what you can in your own life to help others, and that is why it is a great book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiring book! I loved it.
Wow, to drop your job, and move to Ethiopia with your family! Lots of faith there. I loved reading about the plight of the children, so awful what was happening to them. It was amazing to read about their rescue. I loved how it showed the hardships for the Benkert family. They are so inspiring to me, and one day I hope to do something half as amazing.
This book shows God's grace, and how He never forgets us nor forsakes us. I definitely recommend it to anyone especially those interested in missionary work!

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome narrative of a family who picked up and moved to Ethiopia to run an orphanage. God had other plans though and they humbly followed His will for them, eventually starting Bring Love In - a unique ministry that brings together widows from local churches with orphans into forever families the bring healing, restoration and purpose to all. The Benkert's are a wonderful family that I had the pleasure of staying with for a few days, and this is a wonderful story told in a very humble, transparent way.

[Craig Dyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the pleasure of working in Ethiopia in the same area as Levi and his family, and I very blessed to call them friends. The book was well written by Levi and Candy and gives a real honest view from the point of view of one family who traded in the "American dream" from what really matters.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this story I felt that it only began to skim the surface of the Benkert's work and experiences in Ethiopia. I would have liked to know more about the local tribes and their belief in mingi. I would have liked to learn more about the children they rescued and about the Benkert's life and struggle to assimilate into Ethiopian society.