Sixteen Seasons: Stories from a Missionary Family in Tajikistan

by David James, Duane H. Elmer (Forward)

How would a young American missionary family react when immersed in the heart of remote Tajikistan? Follow the James family's adventures in an ancient Persian city an hour north of Afghanistan. Through the humor and pain of these vignettes you will discover not only a new people and their culture but will examine anew your own culture and faith.

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2012

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

David James is a missionary who travels to Tajikistan with his wife and works for an NGO. He tells stories of his life in a Muslim city. He becomes friends with some locals and experiences how they lived. He and his wife and child traveled to the countryside to witness a wedding. He also took a day trip to the home of a late Tajik saint.

Wonderful stories in a country formerly ruled by the Soviet Union. The effects of the Soviets are still visible during the author´s stay. His VISA card is not accepted where they live so he and his wife live by cash basis. With each story he relates how the story affected his Christian believes. Afterall, he is a missionary.

I vaguely knew where Tajikistan was but had to look at a map. I´m not sure where the town where he lived is located because I couldn´t locate it but I think it´s not far from Afghanastan and the Himalaya mountans. He never states which NGO he worked for. I suppose his location and work were not mentioned in order to protect the locals who he befriended. Apparently, after his family returned to the US, the country requested the NGO to leave the country.

I enjoyed reading the stories, but I have to admit Tajikistan is not a country that I would want to visit.

[Andrea M · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an American, the author shares the cultural differences he notices living in Tajikistan. Each person he interacts with has expectations based on what they think is possible. Some expect to graduate from college without ever attending a single class. Some expect a bribe to overlook a fire hazard. Others expect to be fed or taught English without consideration for anyone else's needs. The book was fascinating in many ways but the actual progress of the Christians isn't mentioned much until the last chapter. All the language lessons, soccer games and fiascos were combined together to yield less than 20 (maybe less than 10) new converts. I liked how the author points out his poor efforts were nothing in the face of a sea of Islam. I liked how his experiences taught him to pray fervently. We could all pray more intently for the rising generation of believers.