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Total Abandon
What does Jesus mean when he asks us to count the costs of serving him? Gary and Bonnie Witherall, a vibrant young couple, were called by God to love the people of Lebanon. Willingly obeying that call, Bonnie gave herself to loving and serving impoverished Palestinian women at a clinic for the poor in Sidon—and lost her life as a modern martyr for Jesus Christ. This is Gary's story of their love, their commitment to Jesus' great commission, and their lasting a powerful challenge to live a life totally abandoned to God.
Includes a photo insert and excerpts from Bonnie Witherall's personal journal.
Includes a photo insert and excerpts from Bonnie Witherall's personal journal.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 4, 2020
Ótrúlig søga um trúgv, lýdni og tænastu. Og at síggja hvussu langt Gary og Bonnie vóru villig at fara fyri at tæna Gudi!
April 14, 2023
To read about those who were willing to fully give their lives to Him is so inspiring and encouraging. This book is such a testimony of their lives.
May 10, 2020
Read the entire thing in one setting. The story of Gary and Bonnie is sure to encourage Christians to live their lives dedicated to Christ. Would recommend this to people who are called to go on the mission field
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May 1, 2012Total Abandon is penetrating, honest and touching. It captures a passion for following Jesus. Bonnie Witherall’s martyrdom has touched many, but this book is about much more than her death. It’s a powerful story of God calling His people to serve, suffer, trust and find joy and purpose. May the story of Gary and Bonnie Witherall challenge, deepen and rekindle the fire of first love.
July 27, 2018
Gary Witherall writes of the love and marriage to Bonnie who was murdered 5 1/2 years later in Sidon Lebanon.
Gary writes about his Christian conviction and enthusiasm and love for Bonnie. They joined Operation Mobilization and ended up in Lebanon.
Tough story to read about.
In God's grace, he was able to marry another woman.
Bonnie's love for the Lord and legacy lives on.
Gary writes about his Christian conviction and enthusiasm and love for Bonnie. They joined Operation Mobilization and ended up in Lebanon.
Tough story to read about.
In God's grace, he was able to marry another woman.
Bonnie's love for the Lord and legacy lives on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2017
A story of a missionary couple who wasn't afraid to follow the call God gave them to go to a dangerous place. The tragedy that occurs and how he walks through it is encouraging. The book is written from a very close perspective and almost like he's talking right to you.
October 7, 2019
So, so good. So highly recommended. Gary Witherall writes with such openness and vulnerability about losing his wife to a terrorist attack in Lebanon in 2002. Both of their faith journeys are inspiring. May we all learn to live with total abandon to whatever God calls us to.
July 6, 2023
A heartfelt memoir of a husband of a murdered woman at a mission in Lebanon. A true story of a faith journey like nothing I have ever encountered. This book is not for everyone but if you are a Christian you may find inspiration here.
I met the author last Sunday and he is the real deal.
I met the author last Sunday and he is the real deal.
January 31, 2023
Suddenly I realize that I have been sitting on the sidelines my whole life. This is beyond humbling and convicting.
January 18, 2024
Hard grace. Best quote from the book “If it is not worth dying for, is it worth living for?”
August 22, 2025
Fue de mucha bendición ver la gracia de Dios reflejada en la vida de Gary y Bonnie
March 7, 2012
Gary Witherall understands what "total abandon" really means. He tells how he met his future wife, Bonnie Penner, while attending classes at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. They both felt the call of God on their lives to serve in the mission field.
Gary and Bonnie were married in April of 1997. After their marriage, they moved into a comfortable home in Portland, Oregon, and went to work in the debt collection department of a bank. Three years passed and they became supervisors at the bank but they were not fulfilled.
They both felt a burning desire to follow God's call to the Middle East to minister to Muslims in Lebanon. They realized what every missionary must realize: You have to die to yourself.
Bonnie Witherall was working at a clinic for Palestinian women on the morning of November 21, 2002. She opened the door and a gunman shot her three times in the face. She died at the scene.
This book is heart-wrenching and poignant but also inspiring and challenging. The Witheralls were passionately on fire for the Lord and followed His leading to the Middle East.
I think the author did an excellent job describing what it is like to be a missionary in a place where you don't know the language, you have no friends and you have to build a life from scratch. Well, they actually did have a friend and that ONE friend made all the difference in the world. The Witheralls were never alone because Jesus Christ was with them.
Mr. Witherall shared the grief that he felt in the days, weeks and months that followed his wife's murder. He has survived the pain and heartache of this tragic event and continues to surrender his life to God's service.
Gary and Bonnie were married in April of 1997. After their marriage, they moved into a comfortable home in Portland, Oregon, and went to work in the debt collection department of a bank. Three years passed and they became supervisors at the bank but they were not fulfilled.
They both felt a burning desire to follow God's call to the Middle East to minister to Muslims in Lebanon. They realized what every missionary must realize: You have to die to yourself.
Bonnie Witherall was working at a clinic for Palestinian women on the morning of November 21, 2002. She opened the door and a gunman shot her three times in the face. She died at the scene.
This book is heart-wrenching and poignant but also inspiring and challenging. The Witheralls were passionately on fire for the Lord and followed His leading to the Middle East.
I think the author did an excellent job describing what it is like to be a missionary in a place where you don't know the language, you have no friends and you have to build a life from scratch. Well, they actually did have a friend and that ONE friend made all the difference in the world. The Witheralls were never alone because Jesus Christ was with them.
Mr. Witherall shared the grief that he felt in the days, weeks and months that followed his wife's murder. He has survived the pain and heartache of this tragic event and continues to surrender his life to God's service.
July 11, 2013
The book is an excellent source for hope. All I thought about is that this book will make me cry or pang my heart but it never did. I just smiled and wowed myself up to the last page. It wasn't a book of mourning but rather a book of abandonment--of self, life, love, anger, war and revenge.
The first part tells about Gary's life and how Jesus saved him. It was inspiring that I wanted to ride MV Logos II, too. I wanted to travel the world in Jesus' name. Then, their love story shone above the rest of his story. I could see clearly that God veiled them and their love wasn't star-crossed. They were made for each other's miracle, until one day, Bonnie was severed untimely.
We all know that question: Why God? But He doesn't answer. Then, it will be our time to decide: turn back or move forward? We all had this time. But if you are right with God, you will always know that you could trust him. He will eventually rescue you from despair and come back strong. Then, you'll learn to forgive. Then with forgiveness comes joy and peace.
This book was beautifully inspiring.
The first part tells about Gary's life and how Jesus saved him. It was inspiring that I wanted to ride MV Logos II, too. I wanted to travel the world in Jesus' name. Then, their love story shone above the rest of his story. I could see clearly that God veiled them and their love wasn't star-crossed. They were made for each other's miracle, until one day, Bonnie was severed untimely.
We all know that question: Why God? But He doesn't answer. Then, it will be our time to decide: turn back or move forward? We all had this time. But if you are right with God, you will always know that you could trust him. He will eventually rescue you from despair and come back strong. Then, you'll learn to forgive. Then with forgiveness comes joy and peace.
This book was beautifully inspiring.
January 1, 2015
In Total Abandon, the reader is encouraged and devastated, exalted for one's faith and humbled by the timidity of it.
One is ultimately challenged with the question: "What is my testimony of faith?"
Like many Believers in Christ, I have wondered if I could have, as the 12 disciples did, just "pull up stakes," leaving behind the security and familiarity of my chosen lifestyle, to say "YES" to Christ's call. What does it really take for men and women to wholly give themselves to Christ; to dare to leave the boat, even in a storm, as Peter did? We've seen examples of that type of faith and the significant impact on the world, both contemporary and future, throughout history.
This is a testimony of the journey of Gary Witherall and his wife Bonnie. It shows the reader that it is possible to be totally devoted to Christ, regardless of fears and circumstance. It testifies that the Bible is true and Christ is real and ever-present...that ordinary people can indeed bear the cross through ecstasy and agony.
One is ultimately challenged with the question: "What is my testimony of faith?"
Like many Believers in Christ, I have wondered if I could have, as the 12 disciples did, just "pull up stakes," leaving behind the security and familiarity of my chosen lifestyle, to say "YES" to Christ's call. What does it really take for men and women to wholly give themselves to Christ; to dare to leave the boat, even in a storm, as Peter did? We've seen examples of that type of faith and the significant impact on the world, both contemporary and future, throughout history.
This is a testimony of the journey of Gary Witherall and his wife Bonnie. It shows the reader that it is possible to be totally devoted to Christ, regardless of fears and circumstance. It testifies that the Bible is true and Christ is real and ever-present...that ordinary people can indeed bear the cross through ecstasy and agony.
February 14, 2012
I read this in a few hours. It had been on my to-read list for a couple years and recommended to me, though I am unsure who told me about it. Gary explains his testimony and his wife Bonnie's testimony. They both had a heart for the mission field and did not really know where to go, but decided to go to Lebanon despite the wars they had gone through a few years earlier. He shares how Jesus used them each there and how his wife was martyred (though there are many unanswered questions about who did it and why it happened). It is the most recent martyrdom story I have read and I really enjoyed it.
February 8, 2016
The Witherall story gives a different perspective on the Mid-East situation. They went to show love and forgiveness to a culture that celebrates the death of those who don't believe as they do. Despite the danger after 9/11 they staid, and paid a dear price. However they are not bitter. They truly believe they message they preached. Jesus came to forgive sins and offer us Heaven. They could do no less than share that message with others.
August 19, 2012
I met Gary at a conference this summer and bought his book there. I was touched by his openness in telling the story of his wife's murder when they served as missionaries in Lebanon. This is a very special book by a very special person.
February 9, 2013
A quick read from a husband whose wife was martyred in Lebanon in 2002. I've met Gary twice, and like how his writing here is similar to how he talks/communicates. A good reminder that rarely is the call to the nations comfortable, easy or safe, but always worth it.
June 27, 2015
Eine Besprechung des Buches "Total Abandon" von Gary Witherall habe ich auf meinen Blog unter veröffentlicht: https://mt1820today.wordpress.com/201...
August 5, 2008
As an ex-OMer I read this with interest.
December 30, 2016
This story was both inspiring and irritating.
April 24, 2012
This was a very interesting, real, and refreshing story. I want to read more stories about Christian martyrs and missionaries.
March 3, 2015
wow... What a sacrifice for this couple ministering in southern Lebanon. Great missions books. This is a true counting the cost ministry.
March 30, 2009
"Is what you're living for worth dying for?" this account of a recent martyr challenges us.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews