Mud, Bullets and Open Roads

by David Robinson

Taking himself by surprise, at the Keswick convention in 1965 David Robinson stood to respond to a call to missionary service. A new Christian, David couldn’t imagine that this simple yet significant step would be the beginning of 50 years of missionary service in Central Thailand, Cambodia and the UK.

Mud, Bullets and Open Roads is the story of an ordinary life lived in obedience to God with extraordinary consequences. Through testing and opposition, hardship and bereavement, the joy of conversions and the ups and downs of church planting, God is faithful. This insight into missionary life and God’s extraordinary power will inspire young and old alike as we see that when following the Lord the best is yet to come.



Selected

"In our world of competing choices, this book could be challengingly subtitled “This one thing I do” (Phil 3 :23). David's life as a church planter in rural Thailand, and Team leader in Cambodia exemplifies this singular commitment to obey God. Through sufferings and loss, joys and triumphs the book illustrates powerfully the Lord's faithfulness and sovereignty in all circumstances. This is authentic David, as I have known him, through his 50 years in mission, pursuing his “one thing I do” in following Christ. Read the book and follow David's example."

David Pickard, former International Director of OMF



"Mud, Bullets and Open Roads starts with a dramatic opening few paragraphs and David Robinson continues throughout his book with more triumphs and traumas as he tells his story of 50 years as a church planter in Thailand, Cambodia and the UK. It’s a fascinating insight into a missionary’s life and how God worked through him."

John Butterworth, award-winning journalist, newspaper editor and author of God's Secret Listener and God's Needle



"David Robinson's book, Mud, Bullets and Open Roads takes the reader on a journey of an ordinary man living an extraordinary life as God leads David on an exciting and often dangerous path crossing into Thailand, Cambodia and back to England's Manchester. I highly recommend David's book as inspiration for our times, where the reader is pointed time and again to the limitless and faithful work of God despite apparent obstacles. David's book serves as a strong reminder that nothing is impossible for this great God we serve, whether we find ourselves up against spiritual opposition, lack of resources, tight deadlines, or even huge personal loss. God is still on the throne and His power is at work across the globe through His people. Read Mud, Bullets and Open Roads - and be encouraged!"

Liz Parker, missionary with Mission Aviation Fellowship and author of Immeasurably More



"What a page turner! David Robinson’s fascinating account of his years as a missionary makes exciting and inspiring reading. Definitely a missionary autobiography not to be missed."

Tony Lane, Professor of historical theology at the London School of Theology

Genres: Nonfiction, Christianity

176 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Beth Keeping · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really appreciated the author's heart and dedication to ministry. The book read rather like a list of bullet points of what David did with OMF, painting a bold outline but with very few details to bring it to life. I would have loved to hear more background about life in Thailand and Cambodia, and details about how people's lives had been transformed by encountering Jesus - what happened next! It would have been lovely to hear more about his wives' experiences too, which were shared only in the occasional sentence. I still got much from this book however, and was glad to read it.

[Christine Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
An easy read in terms of writing style, I read it in one sitting.
A story of obedience and excitement at what he saw God doing. I was particularly encouraged to hear about Thailand and the numbers who came to know Jesus.
Nothing flash but exciting all the same.
This book is accessible and would lead to the conclusion - you don't have to be special, just obedient. It is God who brings the fruit.

[Rob Byron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping story told with a surprisingly down-to-earth style of narration.