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Back To Bienville: A Journey Into Wellness
Diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Melinda was shocked but still felt that she would be one of the few she'd heard about that would recover within a few years by learning to manage the symptoms and the stress in her life -- and through a positive, hopeful outlook. As she watched with joy the national news broadcast the celebrations of the long-awaited demise of the Berlin Wall, she determined that she would not be walled in by illness. She was strong and courageous and just could not see herself with a debilitating chronic illness no matter what "they" said. She enjoyed life too much and there were things to do she still hadn't done! She knew this type of thing happened to other people, but not to her! She would not be a victim of disease!
But in spite of her optimistic attitude and everything that sounded helpful that she tried, her physical condition continued to grow worse. Instead of being able to rally to the challenge before her and conquer it as she believed she would, she watched the years pass by as even more mysterious health issues surfaced, until the fierce hope she'd held onto so tightly turned into deep, dark despair. There seemed to be nothing else to try that might offer any real relief or restore any sort of quality of life to her existence. Worst of all, perhaps, there was no one who understood, no one who really seemed to care, and nowhere to turn -- or so it seemed. When she finally hit bottom, there was nowhere to look but up. For a moment, mind and body put aside, she cried out from deep within her spirit, and a door to the supernatural opened.
Follow her miraculous journey from hopelessness to wholeness. Step by step she travels a road that leads, not just to answers, but to the genuine truth behind the matter -- and not just to recovery, but to complete health. In the end, she learns that a lack of knowledge is by far the deadliest condition of them all...
But in spite of her optimistic attitude and everything that sounded helpful that she tried, her physical condition continued to grow worse. Instead of being able to rally to the challenge before her and conquer it as she believed she would, she watched the years pass by as even more mysterious health issues surfaced, until the fierce hope she'd held onto so tightly turned into deep, dark despair. There seemed to be nothing else to try that might offer any real relief or restore any sort of quality of life to her existence. Worst of all, perhaps, there was no one who understood, no one who really seemed to care, and nowhere to turn -- or so it seemed. When she finally hit bottom, there was nowhere to look but up. For a moment, mind and body put aside, she cried out from deep within her spirit, and a door to the supernatural opened.
Follow her miraculous journey from hopelessness to wholeness. Step by step she travels a road that leads, not just to answers, but to the genuine truth behind the matter -- and not just to recovery, but to complete health. In the end, she learns that a lack of knowledge is by far the deadliest condition of them all...
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2013
4 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Melinda Matthews
2 books18 followersMelinda was born in Macon, Georgia, but grew up in a small town in southern Mississippi. She lived in Atlanta for 25 years before returning to the Gulf Coast. Her first published work "Back To Bienville, A Journey Into Wellness" is a chronicle of her path into health after suffering for many years with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She is currently working on a sequel to this book.
In addition to writing, Melinda also enjoys composing music ~ sometimes with words and sometimes without.
In addition to writing, Melinda also enjoys composing music ~ sometimes with words and sometimes without.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 19, 2017
First and foremost, I should say I am not religious at all and this book has a very strong religious and spiritual element to it. Even so, I found it a fascinating and compelling read so I think it has value for everyone. I've known many people with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME) and it is a crushing and debilitating illness. Melinda Matthews had CFS and more. In fact it's amazing she survived at all, and the fact she is alive to tell her tale of her journey back to full health is remarkable in itself. What I found fascinating was the story of how she discovered homeopathy (which I too have found beneficial), acupuncture and spiritual healing. I learnt from Ms Matthews that all illness is rooted in stress, and this book shows how she managed to work her way through many immensely stressful situations with the help of firstly homeopathy and then her sheer determination to get well. This culminated in a spiritual healing service that rid her of her pain. In many respects although the book is about her, it isn't. It is about her condition and how she has found the way back to wellness. We know of but never hear about her marriage or other personal aspects of her life; the dog is just the dog and things happen that she does not include in the story as they are not important to her journey to health. Only those aspects of her life that have relevance to the path she treads and what she feels she needs to tell the reader are part of the book. In the end, while the author places much importance on the spiritual aspect of her healing, I might personally ascribe it to different reasons. However, that is not important. It is a an incredibly interesting and well-told story and I have learnt much from reading it. Ms Matthews also writes beautifully with no artifice or mannerisms - in some ways her style reminded me of John Steinbeck in its pure simplicity. If you are interested in alternative therapy and how it really can work and help towards healing, then I would recommend this book highly.
March 9, 2017
In Back to Bienville, Author Melinda Matthews takes you on a journey as she evolves from illness to wholeness. She relies on medicine, her church, alternative medicine and she gradually moves towards a complete reliance on her spiritual faith and beliefs. Though she could not see it at times,she was always making progress. Many truths are picked up along the way and this is a book that you want to keep close by for many revisits!
July 25, 2017
Back to Bienville takes you on the author's journey from chronic illness and pain to wellness, after suffering for over 20 years with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Being unwell started as a teenager when the author nearly bleeds to death. As she lay dying she has an experience of heaven, which gives her a strong and unshakable faith. As she tries conventional medicine for years, the author turns to alternative medicines, mainly homeopathy which works and she finds herself gradually becoming well. This, along with prayer for healing and a belief that she will have full health restored, she continues being guided by God every step of the way. This book is written by a person who has gone from a life full of despair with no hope to one of full health restored and an abundant life. An honest, inspirational and very spiritual story giving hope to people suffering from chronic illness.
June 26, 2016
A Journey Into Wellness
This book is interesting, exciting. This writer is great. She takes you there! Reading this, you can feel the ups and down of her true life experiences. Thank you Ms Melinda for sharing this GREAT HOPE with us. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will be reading her next work. I can recommend BACK TO BIENVILLE today with this *****5 Star review.
This book is interesting, exciting. This writer is great. She takes you there! Reading this, you can feel the ups and down of her true life experiences. Thank you Ms Melinda for sharing this GREAT HOPE with us. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will be reading her next work. I can recommend BACK TO BIENVILLE today with this *****5 Star review.
April 1, 2015
Doctors and modern medical science can work miracles in our lives. More often than not, however, they can make us even worse off as they flail around blindly, treating symptom after symptom without any real concept of the illness, hoping that one medicine or another will work on an individual patient better than the last one prescribed. This seems especially true in an age when doctors are “discovering” illnesses—from Sweaty Palm Syndrome to Seasonal Affected Disorder—faster than they can fill out government grants to study them. “The Road to Bienville” is written by a woman who was diagnosed (eventually) with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, who went the traditional route of one random medicine after another, until her frustration with doctors and modern medical science drove her to seek other avenues of treatment. In ages past, it would have been considered quite natural to use homeopathic solutions and to seek health through faith, but in our modern world the first method is labeled quackery while the other puts you in the realm of “religious nuts.”
During her search for a cure, not just for CFS but for other debilitating illnesses which her doctors diagnosed, Melinda Matthews discovered that even doctors are mystified by most illnesses. They have no idea what causes them, often work from tenuous theories, and end up treating symptoms rather than the illness itself. She also discovered that drugs work (or don’t) on every individual differently, sometimes producing problems equal to the illness itself. In this book, Melinda describes a program of self treatment that relies on theories of homeopathy and herbalism, as well as faith in the healing power of God and redemption by Jesus Christ. Admittedly, many people would (and did) scorn her for seeking such a nonstandard road to health, and I imagine it would not work for most people, but the fact is that she can cite success, whereas doctors only gave her failure…and more effects-laden pills. As the saying goes, it’s hard to argue with success.
Melinda’s narrative is very readable, told in a natural voice that could easily be your chatty neighbor or a relative in for a short visit and giving you the lowdown on everyone in the family. It’s a primitive kind of storytelling, one-on-one and very personal, the kind that has gone on in human society for thousands of years, as when two travelers meet upon a road and one says to the other, “Let me tell you what happened to me.” For all its simplicity, it’s still as effective form of storytelling…as long as the other person does not walk away. Personally, I don’t think I would want to follow her course of treatment (or the doctors’ for that matter), and I don’t know that I agree with all she claims, but her story is a fascinating one, laced with optimism and faith. Others who find themselves in a similar situation might draw strength and hope from Melinda’s narrative, if only to find out they are not alone in the world.
During her search for a cure, not just for CFS but for other debilitating illnesses which her doctors diagnosed, Melinda Matthews discovered that even doctors are mystified by most illnesses. They have no idea what causes them, often work from tenuous theories, and end up treating symptoms rather than the illness itself. She also discovered that drugs work (or don’t) on every individual differently, sometimes producing problems equal to the illness itself. In this book, Melinda describes a program of self treatment that relies on theories of homeopathy and herbalism, as well as faith in the healing power of God and redemption by Jesus Christ. Admittedly, many people would (and did) scorn her for seeking such a nonstandard road to health, and I imagine it would not work for most people, but the fact is that she can cite success, whereas doctors only gave her failure…and more effects-laden pills. As the saying goes, it’s hard to argue with success.
Melinda’s narrative is very readable, told in a natural voice that could easily be your chatty neighbor or a relative in for a short visit and giving you the lowdown on everyone in the family. It’s a primitive kind of storytelling, one-on-one and very personal, the kind that has gone on in human society for thousands of years, as when two travelers meet upon a road and one says to the other, “Let me tell you what happened to me.” For all its simplicity, it’s still as effective form of storytelling…as long as the other person does not walk away. Personally, I don’t think I would want to follow her course of treatment (or the doctors’ for that matter), and I don’t know that I agree with all she claims, but her story is a fascinating one, laced with optimism and faith. Others who find themselves in a similar situation might draw strength and hope from Melinda’s narrative, if only to find out they are not alone in the world.
January 8, 2015
In the Epilogue of this book, the author exhorts her readers to have their burdensome yokes destroyed by "a modern-day servant of God." She says they "have everything to gain, and nothing to lose." I encourage potential readers to keep that in mind and to come to the book with an open mind. Give it a chance. If you are open and receptive, you will find the book hard to put down. You will find that it satisfies the hunger within you. You have "nothing to lose and everything to gain."
The author is clearly "a modern-day servant of God" in her own right.
I came to this book wanting to get to know the author better after meeting her on Twitter. She is generous with her support of friends, so I was not surprised she wrote this book to help others. She has courageously revealed her most private thoughts and moments for public consumption. Her resourcefulness and bravery in pursuing her own wellness is admirable. She was motivated by the conviction that God was leading her to good health.
The author's writing style is fluid and descriptive in a way that makes for quick, easy reading. She writes as she might talk to a friend, but the conversation has substance. She is well informed. Somehow, the smallest details are interesting. If you are or know someone who is chronically ill, the process of homeopathy will be of special interest to you. Keep in mind that the author wrote this to provide a sort of itinerary for those on the road to wellness. If you are not in need of that information, you can skim over it easily. It is only part of her story.
These are a few of the phrases I jotted as I read:
"I became closer and closer to God because I searched for Him."
"Happy is the man who trusts in Him."
"They that seek the Lord lack for no good thing."
"Spiritual things weren't designed to be reasoned or 'figured out' by our intellect. They are . . .discerned by your spirit."
Come to the book with an open mind. As the author says, "there are some things you can't understand no matter how 'smart' you are until you have an encounter with God." Remember as you read that "all things are possible to those who believe."
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to all who are seeking their own truth.
The author is clearly "a modern-day servant of God" in her own right.
I came to this book wanting to get to know the author better after meeting her on Twitter. She is generous with her support of friends, so I was not surprised she wrote this book to help others. She has courageously revealed her most private thoughts and moments for public consumption. Her resourcefulness and bravery in pursuing her own wellness is admirable. She was motivated by the conviction that God was leading her to good health.
The author's writing style is fluid and descriptive in a way that makes for quick, easy reading. She writes as she might talk to a friend, but the conversation has substance. She is well informed. Somehow, the smallest details are interesting. If you are or know someone who is chronically ill, the process of homeopathy will be of special interest to you. Keep in mind that the author wrote this to provide a sort of itinerary for those on the road to wellness. If you are not in need of that information, you can skim over it easily. It is only part of her story.
These are a few of the phrases I jotted as I read:
"I became closer and closer to God because I searched for Him."
"Happy is the man who trusts in Him."
"They that seek the Lord lack for no good thing."
"Spiritual things weren't designed to be reasoned or 'figured out' by our intellect. They are . . .discerned by your spirit."
Come to the book with an open mind. As the author says, "there are some things you can't understand no matter how 'smart' you are until you have an encounter with God." Remember as you read that "all things are possible to those who believe."
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to all who are seeking their own truth.
October 13, 2014
This book is a clarion call for Christians hoping to find the spiritual tools to accept and embrace faith healing. Although I worship no [named] deity, I do believe in a higher power. Matthews uses this memoir to illustrate the many plateaus she climbed to reach health and happiness. She had a wide-ranging list of obstacles, but she made it. (Obviously, she wrote the book.)
Putting difference of religion or denomination aside, I think this book still offers a powerful message. If you can, or do, believe in any “positive” higher power, Matthews’ memoir is worth reading. This book includes moments of doubt, pain, and defeat; however, wit and humor surround and temper them. I will recommend this book to anyone who thinks himself, or herself, in any way, “spiritual.” This book would be an excellent choice for anyone experiencing a moment of self–doubt, or a crisis of faith, regardless of religion or denomination. Although written for those of Christian faith, I think those who follow any “uplifting” faith will find it engaging and helpful.
I offer these two caveats. 1. For a short time, an undisclosed and undeveloped character appears from nowhere, midway through the book. 2. While not a grammar nazi, one of my three grammatical pet peeves appears throughout the book–the use of “had had.” (Use “ed” Melinda Matthews, even when it creates “passive voice.”) I would rate the book 4.5 stars if Amazons rating system allowed it. I will give Matthews the benefit of the doubt and rate the book 5 stars due to the powerful message within it
Putting difference of religion or denomination aside, I think this book still offers a powerful message. If you can, or do, believe in any “positive” higher power, Matthews’ memoir is worth reading. This book includes moments of doubt, pain, and defeat; however, wit and humor surround and temper them. I will recommend this book to anyone who thinks himself, or herself, in any way, “spiritual.” This book would be an excellent choice for anyone experiencing a moment of self–doubt, or a crisis of faith, regardless of religion or denomination. Although written for those of Christian faith, I think those who follow any “uplifting” faith will find it engaging and helpful.
I offer these two caveats. 1. For a short time, an undisclosed and undeveloped character appears from nowhere, midway through the book. 2. While not a grammar nazi, one of my three grammatical pet peeves appears throughout the book–the use of “had had.” (Use “ed” Melinda Matthews, even when it creates “passive voice.”) I would rate the book 4.5 stars if Amazons rating system allowed it. I will give Matthews the benefit of the doubt and rate the book 5 stars due to the powerful message within it
March 28, 2017
This is a very personal account of how one very sick lady had her health restored. Before reading this I had little comprehension of how debilitating illness can be. Melinda was so chronically sick she could hardly do anything. Yet in the midst of all her pain and despair, God had not abandoned her. What is best about this book is how Melinda shows how God interacts with her, showing his love for her time and again, eventually leading her to complete healing. It is to her credit that she longs to share her journey with others and see them healed and come to know God too.
It should be added that Melinda's passion for Christ means that after her healing occurs, the last section of the book focuses on preaching the word of God to the reader - that God is real, that healing is for you today etc. Other sections of the book cover Melinda's beliefs in a number of areas. These are not all beliefs I share but the exhortation to come to Jesus is the central message that makes this book worth reading.
It should be added that Melinda's passion for Christ means that after her healing occurs, the last section of the book focuses on preaching the word of God to the reader - that God is real, that healing is for you today etc. Other sections of the book cover Melinda's beliefs in a number of areas. These are not all beliefs I share but the exhortation to come to Jesus is the central message that makes this book worth reading.
January 4, 2015
Melinda's book Holds open the door to wellness in mind body and soul. Through her own incredible lifelong journey she tells of the incredible wellness that is available to us all.
Through the first half of the book you can identify with Melinda, especially if you live with chronic illness. You will feel sorry that someone could feel so ill for so long, but stick with the story for with great skill and clarity she shares the source of her miraculous transformation into a radically well and whole being.
She describes and brilliantly expounds the path open to us all and the power available to us all.
Please do yourself one of the greatest favors of life and read this book.
Blessings peace and grace,
Mike
Through the first half of the book you can identify with Melinda, especially if you live with chronic illness. You will feel sorry that someone could feel so ill for so long, but stick with the story for with great skill and clarity she shares the source of her miraculous transformation into a radically well and whole being.
She describes and brilliantly expounds the path open to us all and the power available to us all.
Please do yourself one of the greatest favors of life and read this book.
Blessings peace and grace,
Mike
April 3, 2015
A JOURNEY OF PERSEVERANCE & HEALING
Reading this book was just like sitting with a friend as they shared their very personal journey with me. It's written like a conversation between close friends and I feel privileged to have read it. The author recalls her battle for health as she suffered for years with chronic illnesses. What stood out to me was her courage, faith, and perseverance. But this book is more than a memoir recounting the steps God brought her through on her trip to wellness. It is an inspiring work filled with gems of knowledge and wisdom. I highly recommend this book to anyone needing healing or just on their own journey to wholeness.
Reading this book was just like sitting with a friend as they shared their very personal journey with me. It's written like a conversation between close friends and I feel privileged to have read it. The author recalls her battle for health as she suffered for years with chronic illnesses. What stood out to me was her courage, faith, and perseverance. But this book is more than a memoir recounting the steps God brought her through on her trip to wellness. It is an inspiring work filled with gems of knowledge and wisdom. I highly recommend this book to anyone needing healing or just on their own journey to wholeness.
April 3, 2017
An eye-opening testimony about God’s incredible power!
In ‘Back to Bienville’, Melinda opens up and shares the often dramatic stories of her life, from literal death to a life not much better than death. However, this is not a story of woe, it is a story of victory and one which highlights the incredible grace and power of God to heal.
If you’re well, Melinda’s book will give you an insight into and a greater compassion for those who are suffering from a chronic, long-term illness. And if you’re sick, Melinda’s book might just change your life, leading you to the complete and miraculous healing you’ve been praying for.
In ‘Back to Bienville’, Melinda opens up and shares the often dramatic stories of her life, from literal death to a life not much better than death. However, this is not a story of woe, it is a story of victory and one which highlights the incredible grace and power of God to heal.
If you’re well, Melinda’s book will give you an insight into and a greater compassion for those who are suffering from a chronic, long-term illness. And if you’re sick, Melinda’s book might just change your life, leading you to the complete and miraculous healing you’ve been praying for.
December 22, 2014
This was a God thing--it was exactly what I needed to read as I deal with chronic fatigue syndrome myself. Matthews is clear and compelling as she describes the difficulty with which she navigated everyday life. The reader is also given glimpses of God at work as Matthews valiantly searches for help and is rewarded with direction from the Almighty. Over time she does recover with a sudden LEAP up to complete health after many years. This book can give hope to others suffering from this sometimes invisible illness and restore their fullness of life. 5 stars!!
September 28, 2015
Wonderful Book
This book shows the poker of faith and God. Follow this author as she struggles through health crisis after crisis. She was fortunate enough to meet God and Jesus at a young age when she went to heaven. She wanted nothing more than to go back and feel the love.
Over time with God talking to her she learned how to live a healthy/healed life. She learned to use her faith and power to take care of anything that wasn't supposed to be in her life. You will enjoy this book. I recommend it without reservation.
This book shows the poker of faith and God. Follow this author as she struggles through health crisis after crisis. She was fortunate enough to meet God and Jesus at a young age when she went to heaven. She wanted nothing more than to go back and feel the love.
Over time with God talking to her she learned how to live a healthy/healed life. She learned to use her faith and power to take care of anything that wasn't supposed to be in her life. You will enjoy this book. I recommend it without reservation.
May 18, 2016
I would say this book is religious or maybe spiritual, I had a hard tie deciding which word is best to describe the emotional roller coaster ride the author went through. I know about homeopathic medicine and some of the illnesses the author went through and found the struggle and ultimate heart touching ending to this book one that is a testament to having faith and never giving in. The author does a good and honest job in stating the trials in the journey to wellness. I hope anyone suffering with pain will read this book and find a way for them to get better and be able to go on.
October 5, 2016
Healing is ours!
I loved this book. From start to finish, it held my attention and inspired me. This healing testimony will give you proof of a loving and healing God who wants the best for his children. I highly recommend this book. It has definitely earned a 5 star review from me.
I loved this book. From start to finish, it held my attention and inspired me. This healing testimony will give you proof of a loving and healing God who wants the best for his children. I highly recommend this book. It has definitely earned a 5 star review from me.
April 7, 2017
A fantastic book that will make you believe in yourself and your dreams. You won't regret reading it for a minute!
September 25, 2017
Back to Bienville
I found this author on Twitter and was intrigued by her book partly because I shared her original diagnosis. In 1984 I caught what was diagnosed as a bad bout of flu. It was possibly glandular fever as it was then doing the rounds. Every time I got back to work, I became ill again and tests were negative for Epstein Barr which is notoriously difficult to find apparently. I struggled on as best I could and boosted my health with megadoses of vitamins. Eventually my doctor said it was post-viral syndrome, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis. Disbelievers call it “Yuppy Flu” but the aches, pains and tiredness were very real as were the fever and swollen glands. When I changed doctors, my new doctor wanted to get to the bottom of it and ran every test he could think of, short of HIV because that involved nurse counselling, which I refused because my GP was a psychiatrist, and at that time taking a test would have caused me insurance problems. So here I am many years later, still having occasional episodes which are usually brought on by stress or overwork. The illness clipped my wings and limited my activity but I actually held down a good job until my father died and caring for my mother on top of working full-time had me looking like a non-speaking extra from NCIS. I had the opportunity to retire early and took it gratefully. That is the personal experience that drew me to read Back to Bienville. Determination, vitamin therapy and limiting my activities was my way of coping and staying in work when my first GP had said I would have to stop.
Having read Melinda Matthews’ book, the common element we share is faith. It is becoming common knowledge now that faith plays a huge part in healing and in coping when healing is not possible. Having seen my father exceed expectations as to life span and quality of life because he was prepared to try huge doses of vitamins to control his heart condition I KNEW vitamins would help me. I believed in them and, just like a placebo medicine, that faith helped them work. Miracles can be achieved through alternative therapies, complementary therapies, reiki, meditation and, last but not least, prayer and religious faith. I am not in the least surprised that faith healing worked for Ms Matthews and I am glad it did so. Nor am I surprised that she wants to spread her message that faith in God can and does move mountains. Faith in any treatment can have an effect on healing. Lack of faith can stop a proven treatment from working. The mind and spirit are just as important in the healing process as the biological processes involved; this is something that we all have whether we are religious or not. Some people call it mind over matter; other people say mind and matter are the same thing because they are in fact both manifestations of energy. Jesus himself said several times “Your faith has made you whole” did he not?
“And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be whole of your plague.” (Mark 5:34)
“And He said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Luke 17:19)
I would recommend Back to Bienville to anyone who is interested in the power of faith in healing. My only caveat is that this is written from a specific Christian viewpoint that comes over strongly as witnessing. Not everyone can relate to witnessing, or pioneering, although I confess I miss my visits from the JWs who used to come. I enjoyed the discussion and the Bible study even though I could not agree with everything they said, but that’s just me. I do not disbelieve and in fact I agree with a lot of what the author says about “asking God” but I think this is not so much about a personal recovery and awakening as it is about gratitude to God for help in healing and an attempt to convert to a particular religious viewpoint. I would like to have given the book a 5* because it is so honest and passionate in its purpose but the repetitiveness of the writing at the end put me off, so it is a 4* for me, with the reservation that you have to be in the choir to fully appreciate Melinda’s singing.
I found this author on Twitter and was intrigued by her book partly because I shared her original diagnosis. In 1984 I caught what was diagnosed as a bad bout of flu. It was possibly glandular fever as it was then doing the rounds. Every time I got back to work, I became ill again and tests were negative for Epstein Barr which is notoriously difficult to find apparently. I struggled on as best I could and boosted my health with megadoses of vitamins. Eventually my doctor said it was post-viral syndrome, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis. Disbelievers call it “Yuppy Flu” but the aches, pains and tiredness were very real as were the fever and swollen glands. When I changed doctors, my new doctor wanted to get to the bottom of it and ran every test he could think of, short of HIV because that involved nurse counselling, which I refused because my GP was a psychiatrist, and at that time taking a test would have caused me insurance problems. So here I am many years later, still having occasional episodes which are usually brought on by stress or overwork. The illness clipped my wings and limited my activity but I actually held down a good job until my father died and caring for my mother on top of working full-time had me looking like a non-speaking extra from NCIS. I had the opportunity to retire early and took it gratefully. That is the personal experience that drew me to read Back to Bienville. Determination, vitamin therapy and limiting my activities was my way of coping and staying in work when my first GP had said I would have to stop.
Having read Melinda Matthews’ book, the common element we share is faith. It is becoming common knowledge now that faith plays a huge part in healing and in coping when healing is not possible. Having seen my father exceed expectations as to life span and quality of life because he was prepared to try huge doses of vitamins to control his heart condition I KNEW vitamins would help me. I believed in them and, just like a placebo medicine, that faith helped them work. Miracles can be achieved through alternative therapies, complementary therapies, reiki, meditation and, last but not least, prayer and religious faith. I am not in the least surprised that faith healing worked for Ms Matthews and I am glad it did so. Nor am I surprised that she wants to spread her message that faith in God can and does move mountains. Faith in any treatment can have an effect on healing. Lack of faith can stop a proven treatment from working. The mind and spirit are just as important in the healing process as the biological processes involved; this is something that we all have whether we are religious or not. Some people call it mind over matter; other people say mind and matter are the same thing because they are in fact both manifestations of energy. Jesus himself said several times “Your faith has made you whole” did he not?
“And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be whole of your plague.” (Mark 5:34)
“And He said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Luke 17:19)
I would recommend Back to Bienville to anyone who is interested in the power of faith in healing. My only caveat is that this is written from a specific Christian viewpoint that comes over strongly as witnessing. Not everyone can relate to witnessing, or pioneering, although I confess I miss my visits from the JWs who used to come. I enjoyed the discussion and the Bible study even though I could not agree with everything they said, but that’s just me. I do not disbelieve and in fact I agree with a lot of what the author says about “asking God” but I think this is not so much about a personal recovery and awakening as it is about gratitude to God for help in healing and an attempt to convert to a particular religious viewpoint. I would like to have given the book a 5* because it is so honest and passionate in its purpose but the repetitiveness of the writing at the end put me off, so it is a 4* for me, with the reservation that you have to be in the choir to fully appreciate Melinda’s singing.
March 28, 2018
The author takes us on her difficult journey from chronic illness to wellness. The healing begins with alternative medicine, but she finds true relief as a result of God's healing power through which "all things are possible." Melinda's faith is demonstrated by her testimony to be very much alive as she shares her story in the hope of helping others who are suffering. A story as much about faith as it is about healing.
October 4, 2018
I thought I was reading about how to cure yourself from CFC, but while reading this book, it soon transpires that this is a full blown journey to, not just wellness, but religious salvation. It was very well told and gripping to read, but I did feel that it was excessively long and wordy in places. That said, I found it incredibly inspiring. Thank you!
August 30, 2017
This book is a great inspirational, spiritual read. Her story really shows just how powerful faith is.
Read
June 6, 2017Too bible-beltish for my sensibilities in general. Given this, and that the book could stand some reductive editing, I glanced through sections.
No rating partly because grading this sort of personal health experience writing is so problematic.
I read a free digital copy.
I wish the author well in her health and life.
No rating partly because grading this sort of personal health experience writing is so problematic.
I read a free digital copy.
I wish the author well in her health and life.
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