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One Thousand Wells: How an Audacious Goal Taught Me to Love the World Instead of Save It
Jena Nardella, cofounder of Blood:Water and one of Christianity Today's 33 Under 33, shares how her passion for saving the world grew into a humbler long-term calling of loving the world in all its brokenness in this beautifully written memoir.
Ten years ago, Jena Lee Nardella was a fresh-out-of-college, twenty-something with the lofty goal of truly changing the world. Armed with a diploma, a thousand dollars, and a dream to build one thousand wells in Africa, she joined forces with Grammy Award-winning band Jars of Clay to found Blood:Water and begin her mission.
Jena's dream for her nonprofit turned that initial $1 into $20, and then $100, and today into more than $25 million. Working throughout eleven countries in Africa, Blood:Water has provided healthcare for over 62,000 people in HIV-affected areas and has partnered with communities to provide clean water for more than one million people in Africa. But along the way she faced many harsh realities that have tested her faith, encountered corruption and brokenness that nearly destroyed everything she'd fought for, and taught her that wishful thinking will not get you very far. Jena discovered that true change comes only when you stop trying to save the world and allow yourself to love it, even when it breaks your heart.
With a fresh, intelligent, and winsome voice, Jena Lee Nardella weaves an evocative personal narrative filled with honest and hard-won lessons that demonstrate the amazing things that can happen when you fight for your dreams.
Ten years ago, Jena Lee Nardella was a fresh-out-of-college, twenty-something with the lofty goal of truly changing the world. Armed with a diploma, a thousand dollars, and a dream to build one thousand wells in Africa, she joined forces with Grammy Award-winning band Jars of Clay to found Blood:Water and begin her mission.
Jena's dream for her nonprofit turned that initial $1 into $20, and then $100, and today into more than $25 million. Working throughout eleven countries in Africa, Blood:Water has provided healthcare for over 62,000 people in HIV-affected areas and has partnered with communities to provide clean water for more than one million people in Africa. But along the way she faced many harsh realities that have tested her faith, encountered corruption and brokenness that nearly destroyed everything she'd fought for, and taught her that wishful thinking will not get you very far. Jena discovered that true change comes only when you stop trying to save the world and allow yourself to love it, even when it breaks your heart.
With a fresh, intelligent, and winsome voice, Jena Lee Nardella weaves an evocative personal narrative filled with honest and hard-won lessons that demonstrate the amazing things that can happen when you fight for your dreams.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2015
22 people are currently reading
1359 people want to read
About the author
Jena Lee Nardella
2 books46 followersJena Lee Nardella is the cofounder of Blood:Water, which she started ten years ago at the age of twenty-two with the band Jars of Clay. Following her vision and leadership, the organization has brought clean water to more than a million people in Africa and provided healthcare for more than 62,000 people in HIV-affected areas. She has been honored as GOOD Magazine's GOOD 100 and as one of Christianity Today's 33 under 33 Christian leaders shaping the next generation of faith. Jena and her husband, James, and their son, Jude, split their time between Nashville, Tennessee and East Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 26, 2018
Wow, right now all I can say is wow!! I need a minute to collect my thoughts for a review.......
Ok, I'm going to give this review a shot..... I need to start off by saying there is absolutely no words I could write that will adequately do this book justice. I am simply amazed, in awe and 100% inspired by Jena's story. I think back to when I was getting ready to graduate college and what my goals and aspirations were. I feel almost ashamed thinking of those in comparison to what this young lady launched at that age. She saw a big problem in the world - HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. And instead of looking up a charity to donate some money to, she helped create a part of a solution for the problem. She wrote a proposal to launch a mission to attack this problem. How many twenty year olds do you know that have that kind of passion and insight? Then she takes it a step further and gets in the trenches in Africa to better understand what is working, what's not working, why are some efforts helping while others aren't and how can she be part of a solution and not just a band-aid on the cut. When many others would say "That's not my country, let them deal with it", Jena ran with open arms simply showing love and compassion to a country, a people and a cause that so many in the world were afraid to touch.
Jena's heart and love for the people of this world is just beautiful. It's an example we can all learn from. Did reaching the goal of 1,000 wells in Africa solve the HIV/AIDS epidemic there? No, but it did save a lot of lives, it did put the foundation in many rural communities to help slow the growth rate of this disease. Jena did this this during a time when people were scared to even breathe the same air as someone with AIDS, and she held their hands, prayed with them, shared meals with them, made them her family.
I picked up this book because the title and cover intrigued me. And I'm a Jars of Clay fan, so I was curious about the connection. Never in a million years did I think I would walk away from reading this book being as moved as I am, starting to have conversations with my family about what are some problems in other third world countries that I can maybe help be part of the solution.
This book will show you what strong will and determination can accomplish. And it will gently nudge you to not turn away from the problems in this world. Because we are all God's children. And we are called to love. If you are looking for some hope, some inspiration, looking for an idea of where or what you should do with your life - pick up this book and read it!!!!! You will not be disappointed.
Ok, I'm going to give this review a shot..... I need to start off by saying there is absolutely no words I could write that will adequately do this book justice. I am simply amazed, in awe and 100% inspired by Jena's story. I think back to when I was getting ready to graduate college and what my goals and aspirations were. I feel almost ashamed thinking of those in comparison to what this young lady launched at that age. She saw a big problem in the world - HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. And instead of looking up a charity to donate some money to, she helped create a part of a solution for the problem. She wrote a proposal to launch a mission to attack this problem. How many twenty year olds do you know that have that kind of passion and insight? Then she takes it a step further and gets in the trenches in Africa to better understand what is working, what's not working, why are some efforts helping while others aren't and how can she be part of a solution and not just a band-aid on the cut. When many others would say "That's not my country, let them deal with it", Jena ran with open arms simply showing love and compassion to a country, a people and a cause that so many in the world were afraid to touch.
Jena's heart and love for the people of this world is just beautiful. It's an example we can all learn from. Did reaching the goal of 1,000 wells in Africa solve the HIV/AIDS epidemic there? No, but it did save a lot of lives, it did put the foundation in many rural communities to help slow the growth rate of this disease. Jena did this this during a time when people were scared to even breathe the same air as someone with AIDS, and she held their hands, prayed with them, shared meals with them, made them her family.
I picked up this book because the title and cover intrigued me. And I'm a Jars of Clay fan, so I was curious about the connection. Never in a million years did I think I would walk away from reading this book being as moved as I am, starting to have conversations with my family about what are some problems in other third world countries that I can maybe help be part of the solution.
This book will show you what strong will and determination can accomplish. And it will gently nudge you to not turn away from the problems in this world. Because we are all God's children. And we are called to love. If you are looking for some hope, some inspiration, looking for an idea of where or what you should do with your life - pick up this book and read it!!!!! You will not be disappointed.
June 21, 2016
PAPERBACK OUT TODAY! 6/21/2016
Let's talk about role models. What does the label "role model" mean, and how does one receive the honor of being so highly respected?
According to my favorite dictionary, Google, a role model is “a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated.” When I think about who young women are imitating today, I am often dumbfounded. How can the honor of being so highly respected that someone would want to imitate you be so crooked? Women obsess over the most complicated, self-indulgent, vain female celebrities who bring little true value to the world. These celebrities push messages of feminism through their social media outlets, but don't understand that having the capability of deeply loving and sacrificing for more than just yourself is the most beautiful power a female or person of any gender can have.
Jena Lee Nardella, co-founder of Blood:Water and author of One Thousand Wells, is someone that I hope my children, especially if I am blessed with a daughter, respect enough to imitate. At the age of 21, she co-founded a nonprofit that would go on to inspire thousands to help build one thousand wells in Africa and partner with local community leaders and organizations to bring clean water and HIV/AIDS care to over 1 million people in 11 different countries. Blood:Water is still growing and changing lives today through hard working partners, staff, and donors that have dedicated their careers and livelihoods to the mission that began in the back of a tour bus with Jena and multi-platinum, Grammy award winning band, Jars of Clay.
The end result of her original vision of building one thousand wells in Africa is incredible, but that is not what the book is about. One Thousand Wells is about what it takes to create lasting change, and let me tell you, it takes GUTS. A major theme that Jena writes about in her book is the devastating disappointment that the world is capable of handing you when you are trying to make it better. No first world problems here; we are talking about REAL third world country setbacks and corruption that aged professionals don't deal with in a lifetime, let alone when they are in their twenties.
Deciding to love the world despite all of its shortcomings is bold. How bold? Read the book. You will understand the effort of true courage and sacrifice through Jena’s honest portrayal of learning to love the world instead of save it.
http://www.bloodwater.org
http://www.jenaleenardella.com
Let's talk about role models. What does the label "role model" mean, and how does one receive the honor of being so highly respected?
According to my favorite dictionary, Google, a role model is “a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated.” When I think about who young women are imitating today, I am often dumbfounded. How can the honor of being so highly respected that someone would want to imitate you be so crooked? Women obsess over the most complicated, self-indulgent, vain female celebrities who bring little true value to the world. These celebrities push messages of feminism through their social media outlets, but don't understand that having the capability of deeply loving and sacrificing for more than just yourself is the most beautiful power a female or person of any gender can have.
Jena Lee Nardella, co-founder of Blood:Water and author of One Thousand Wells, is someone that I hope my children, especially if I am blessed with a daughter, respect enough to imitate. At the age of 21, she co-founded a nonprofit that would go on to inspire thousands to help build one thousand wells in Africa and partner with local community leaders and organizations to bring clean water and HIV/AIDS care to over 1 million people in 11 different countries. Blood:Water is still growing and changing lives today through hard working partners, staff, and donors that have dedicated their careers and livelihoods to the mission that began in the back of a tour bus with Jena and multi-platinum, Grammy award winning band, Jars of Clay.
The end result of her original vision of building one thousand wells in Africa is incredible, but that is not what the book is about. One Thousand Wells is about what it takes to create lasting change, and let me tell you, it takes GUTS. A major theme that Jena writes about in her book is the devastating disappointment that the world is capable of handing you when you are trying to make it better. No first world problems here; we are talking about REAL third world country setbacks and corruption that aged professionals don't deal with in a lifetime, let alone when they are in their twenties.
Deciding to love the world despite all of its shortcomings is bold. How bold? Read the book. You will understand the effort of true courage and sacrifice through Jena’s honest portrayal of learning to love the world instead of save it.
http://www.bloodwater.org
http://www.jenaleenardella.com
August 28, 2015
In her book, One Thousand Wells: How an Audacious Goal Taught Me to Love the World Instead of Save It, Jena Nardella tells of her desire to make a difference by reaching the poorest of Africa, one water well at a time. Along with the band, Jars of Clay, Nardella founded the organization, Blood:Water, which seeks to provide African villages with clean water sources. This goal, which began when Jena was in college with limited income, is now a million-dollar charity. This outreach is just one example of how a dream to change the world can become a reality.
One Thousand Wells is a riveting account of the incredible highs and heart-breaking lows of one woman’s quest to meet a desperate need. Nardella’s compassion can be felt on every page. What began simply as an idealistic dream soon became a fight for hope in the face of rampant corruption and unspeakable loss. But, in spite of insurmountable odds, Jenna’s story is a shining source of inspiration and motivation for readers to be aware of the needs around them.
There is one aspect of One Thousand Wells that is concerning. Nardella’s worldview is somewhat liberal and her theology incomplete. Specifically, she speaks of Liberation Theology in an innocuous way. In reality, this belief system has negative and harmful implications which are unbiblical. All ideas, especially theological ones, have eternal consequences. Readers should be aware of this when considering this book.
However, One Thousand Wells is beautifully written by a young woman whose heart overflows with love for the less fortunate.
I was given a free copy by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
One Thousand Wells is a riveting account of the incredible highs and heart-breaking lows of one woman’s quest to meet a desperate need. Nardella’s compassion can be felt on every page. What began simply as an idealistic dream soon became a fight for hope in the face of rampant corruption and unspeakable loss. But, in spite of insurmountable odds, Jenna’s story is a shining source of inspiration and motivation for readers to be aware of the needs around them.
There is one aspect of One Thousand Wells that is concerning. Nardella’s worldview is somewhat liberal and her theology incomplete. Specifically, she speaks of Liberation Theology in an innocuous way. In reality, this belief system has negative and harmful implications which are unbiblical. All ideas, especially theological ones, have eternal consequences. Readers should be aware of this when considering this book.
However, One Thousand Wells is beautifully written by a young woman whose heart overflows with love for the less fortunate.
I was given a free copy by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
June 23, 2015
I had the great privilege of being an early reader on this book. As someone that is heavily invested in the story of Blood:Water it gave me a renewed respect for the early days of Blood:Water, Jena, and the band Jars of Clay. Jena shares transparently about the good and the bad, the trials of disappointment, the joys of learning her way, and of love lost and found. In the end if this book doesn't make you want to live a better story, I don't know what will.
http://www.bloodwater.org
http://www.jenaleenardella.com
http://www.bloodwater.org
http://www.jenaleenardella.com
June 22, 2024
This is my kind of book, so I really enjoyed this one. Reading about people who say yes to daring life decisions encourages me to do the same. The fact that Jena had the chance to build an impactful non profit from the ground up in her 20s is not only admirable but challenging. I appreciated her honest wrestlings throughout- many of which were topics I’ve also felt a tension in. Easy, engaging to read- and sprinkled wisdom and take aways throughout. Two of my favorite quotes:
“I had been so convinced that love was the greatest force for change in the world that I forgot that love could hurt. But if you stay somewhere long enough to let your life become entrenched in the lives of others, you can’t take the goodness of love without the pain.”
“… I understood in a new way that when you choose a calling, you don’t do so in isolation. The people you love are a part of your choice too. They are the ones who rejoice the most with you in life goes well, and they are the ones who will bear the heaviest burden if the world‘s brokenness overtakes you.”
I think anyone that cares about social justice or is involved with non profits would glean from and enjoy this read!
“I had been so convinced that love was the greatest force for change in the world that I forgot that love could hurt. But if you stay somewhere long enough to let your life become entrenched in the lives of others, you can’t take the goodness of love without the pain.”
“… I understood in a new way that when you choose a calling, you don’t do so in isolation. The people you love are a part of your choice too. They are the ones who rejoice the most with you in life goes well, and they are the ones who will bear the heaviest burden if the world‘s brokenness overtakes you.”
I think anyone that cares about social justice or is involved with non profits would glean from and enjoy this read!
January 31, 2024
This warm-hearted story is thoroughly enjoyable.
June 25, 2015
Being a person who has been conscious about social justice issues from my teenage years, Jena's story very much connected with my experience. Her words echoed my own story and provided a new alternative to the bleeding heart youngster turned burned-out cynic that has become all to familiar to me in my years journeying towards real, sustainable change. I have only recently become a part of the Blood:Water story, but this book has made me realize the incredible richness of its story as it continues to grow and struggle to do something truly good in this difficult world with deep love.
April 22, 2021
I had this book on my shelf for nearly five years. I had the opportunity to raise money for a water well with this organization in college.
It was neat to see her vulnerability, honesty, as she sought to find her place in this big world. God has given her some unique talents and leadership, but to her it is all about empowerment.
May the telling of her story empower others to live a better story just like it has done for me!
It was neat to see her vulnerability, honesty, as she sought to find her place in this big world. God has given her some unique talents and leadership, but to her it is all about empowerment.
May the telling of her story empower others to live a better story just like it has done for me!
August 25, 2015
Do you have a big, audacious goal for your life? No matter what it might be, you will find inspiration and encouragement by reading this book. Jena Lee Nardella shares her journey of founding Blood:Water together with the Grammy award winning band Jars of Clay. For those unfamiliar with Blood:Water, it is a nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN working to end the HIV/AIDS and water crises in Africa. Jena was fresh out of college when she began joining Jars of Clay on their tour bus each week to create the vision of the organization and get started with making it into a reality.
This book offers a refreshingly honest perspective of the ups and downs of dedicating one's life to such an audacious goal. Jena shares just as openly about her biggest fears as she does her biggest dreams (and about Jars of Clay and their love of karaoke). I found her voice conversational and felt as though reading her book was similar to what it might be like to sit down to coffee with her.
Jena is about the same age as me. In many ways, it was nostalgic to read about her perspective of the evangelical Christianity of the late 90s and early 2000s. I identified with her as she questioned whether or not we were missing the point by listening to Christian music and wearing Christian-themed t-shirts. Should there not be so much more to our Christian walk? Not only that, but I felt like I could relate to her tone and thoughts processed throughout her story. I found it fascinating when I read a few posts on her blog after finishing this book that she and I share the same Myers-Briggs personality type (INFJ). No wonder why I could tell I liked her as I read!
The mission of Blood:Water reminds me very much of the old saying about how if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day... but if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. Jena and Jars of Clay envisioned and created an organization that doesn't just throw money at a problem in society. Instead, they focus on relationship-building. They teach people in Africa valuable skills that contribute to their own personal health and overall well-being. They don't just build wells and medical clinics - they build community.
As a supporter of Blood:Water, I found it fascinating to read Jena's perspective on how the organization built its foundation and grew from there over the last ten years. I've been a fan of Jars of Clay since the mid-90s, and after reading this book I'm an even bigger fan. More than that, I've realized that I deeply respect Jena. I read this book over the course of five or six evenings before going to bed, and I finished it yearning for more. I want to be a part of continuing this story. I don't want this to become another book that goes on the shelf. Instead, I want it to serve as a constant reminder to dream big, work hard to fulfill those dreams, and most importantly, to love God and love others with all that I have to offer.
This book offers a refreshingly honest perspective of the ups and downs of dedicating one's life to such an audacious goal. Jena shares just as openly about her biggest fears as she does her biggest dreams (and about Jars of Clay and their love of karaoke). I found her voice conversational and felt as though reading her book was similar to what it might be like to sit down to coffee with her.
Jena is about the same age as me. In many ways, it was nostalgic to read about her perspective of the evangelical Christianity of the late 90s and early 2000s. I identified with her as she questioned whether or not we were missing the point by listening to Christian music and wearing Christian-themed t-shirts. Should there not be so much more to our Christian walk? Not only that, but I felt like I could relate to her tone and thoughts processed throughout her story. I found it fascinating when I read a few posts on her blog after finishing this book that she and I share the same Myers-Briggs personality type (INFJ). No wonder why I could tell I liked her as I read!
The mission of Blood:Water reminds me very much of the old saying about how if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day... but if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. Jena and Jars of Clay envisioned and created an organization that doesn't just throw money at a problem in society. Instead, they focus on relationship-building. They teach people in Africa valuable skills that contribute to their own personal health and overall well-being. They don't just build wells and medical clinics - they build community.
As a supporter of Blood:Water, I found it fascinating to read Jena's perspective on how the organization built its foundation and grew from there over the last ten years. I've been a fan of Jars of Clay since the mid-90s, and after reading this book I'm an even bigger fan. More than that, I've realized that I deeply respect Jena. I read this book over the course of five or six evenings before going to bed, and I finished it yearning for more. I want to be a part of continuing this story. I don't want this to become another book that goes on the shelf. Instead, I want it to serve as a constant reminder to dream big, work hard to fulfill those dreams, and most importantly, to love God and love others with all that I have to offer.
August 17, 2015
I confess that last fall I stalked Jena Lee Nardella on the internet for a few hours. I had heard her husband James speak at a conference and the woman who introduced him spoke lovingly about their shared faith community. As a newcomer to Nashville, I yearned to find a church home and their camaraderie made me want to join "their" faith community. So, instead of just asking them where they worshipped, I started an hours long internet search that quickly lead me to Jena Lee Nardella. Not only did I learn where Jena and James worshipped, I learned a bit more about Jena’s remarkable story of co-founding Blood:Water with the rock band Jars of Clay. My internet surfing left me wanting to know more so when I heard about One Thousand Wells' impending publication, I eagerly volunteered to read an advance copy and write a review. So, finally, here is my review: READ THIS BOOK!
From being voted “the most likely to devote my life to a lost cause” in high school to the outstanding success of Blood:Water’s 1000 Wells Project, Jena skillfully, and with naked honesty, takes us on her journey. And what an adventure it is! With the ease of a gifted storyteller, Jena deftly transports us into “her” world. You’ll climb mountains in Colorado, go on tour with a rock band, fall in love and “see, touch, smell and encounter the reality of extreme poverty”.
Warning! One Thousand Wells is a page-turner. Get out your highlighter and be prepared to stay up all night reading.
From being voted “the most likely to devote my life to a lost cause” in high school to the outstanding success of Blood:Water’s 1000 Wells Project, Jena skillfully, and with naked honesty, takes us on her journey. And what an adventure it is! With the ease of a gifted storyteller, Jena deftly transports us into “her” world. You’ll climb mountains in Colorado, go on tour with a rock band, fall in love and “see, touch, smell and encounter the reality of extreme poverty”.
Warning! One Thousand Wells is a page-turner. Get out your highlighter and be prepared to stay up all night reading.
August 29, 2015
At Jena's book launch she challenged us to create our own "audacious goals" and mine is to write a review that is worthy of this stunning book. The story is beautiful and the writing is perfect - you are drawn into the story from the very first sentence. Throughout the book I questioned my own life and the service I've hoped to give along the way, and wondered how I would ever build "one thousand wells". By the end I learned that "slowly by slowly" in proximate ways we are all called to build "wells" in our own communities every day.
To say that this book is inspiring is to be understated... it is not only motivational but also confirming. Jena manages to make her story of bringing clean water and HIV care to hundreds of thousands of Africans relate to your own story of making positive changes and improvements in the lives you know. Not many people who are as accomplished as she is can leave you feeling awed by her success yet called to continue your own path.
This book should be required reading!
To say that this book is inspiring is to be understated... it is not only motivational but also confirming. Jena manages to make her story of bringing clean water and HIV care to hundreds of thousands of Africans relate to your own story of making positive changes and improvements in the lives you know. Not many people who are as accomplished as she is can leave you feeling awed by her success yet called to continue your own path.
This book should be required reading!
October 9, 2015
Blood:Water is a charity I've supported for a while now, mostly because due to my love of Jars of Clay. In addition, I could tell it was a charity that was not only trying to do good for the people of Africa, but doing it in such a way as to give the people of Africa respect and dignity, not charity.
In reading Jena's book, I see that my faith in this organization was not unfounded. Her story of her efforts, failures, triumphs, doubts and acceptance of her chosen path to love those who some deem unlovable can show us all what it means to do good in a world where doing good is an uphill battle. But, "slowly by slowly," a difference can be made.
This book eloquently shows how the path to do good is rocky and steep at best, but that it's the path we should all go, in our own ways. We should all find our 1,000 Wells, however great or small that can be for us, and march the path up the hill with love and respect for everyone.
In reading Jena's book, I see that my faith in this organization was not unfounded. Her story of her efforts, failures, triumphs, doubts and acceptance of her chosen path to love those who some deem unlovable can show us all what it means to do good in a world where doing good is an uphill battle. But, "slowly by slowly," a difference can be made.
This book eloquently shows how the path to do good is rocky and steep at best, but that it's the path we should all go, in our own ways. We should all find our 1,000 Wells, however great or small that can be for us, and march the path up the hill with love and respect for everyone.
October 31, 2016
Jena Lee Nardella is (sadly) only a face on paper to me, but I was drawn to her story because of the tag line of her book "how an audacious goal taught me to love the world instead of save it". She was so brave & kind to share the inside picture of her soul with us as she wrestled through the real questions one is bound to face when wholeheartedly committed to serving & loving others. She left that rink "messier", but no less determined to keep fighting for justice with love, hope & faith as her best friends. I was so encouraged by her humble & gentle honesty. She is truly an inspiration.
May 29, 2017
I received this book as a Christmas gift from my daughter after Dan Haseltine visited my church in support of Blood: water. Jena has done amazing work. This inspirational story is a beautiful example of what a difference you can make in someone's life. Blood: water is one of my favorite charities to support. They are set up to receive donations through smile.Amazon.com.
August 21, 2015
This was an amazing book, one that I literally couldn't put down. I finished it in a day. I am still referring back to it. This is a must read book for girls who want to "change" the world, and their parents.
August 5, 2015
I was an early reader on this book...can't wait for it to be shared with the rest of the world!
December 19, 2021
4.5 really. The only thing that gets me about this book (which I know will be controversial) is the lack of ties to the U.S. community who face similar struggles. I am a big believer in fixing home first. Regardless I am glad there are people like Jena doing this work in the world. Her story is remarkable and inspiring, but also so true. This book was amazing and very well written. I didn’t want to put it down and I wanted to learn from Jena.
Her messages resonate regardless of what you’re talking about. Even if you can’t understand her mission, the lessons she faces and shares are something that everyone faces. Her truth in dealing with the challenges makes everything more relatable and real. I found myself (especially in part three) wanting to stop and underline various quotes related to overcoming doubt and questions. It’s a true story of perseverance regardless of your walk in life.
“It’s less about having it all together and more about the unwavering commitment to keep walking”. Everyone needs that reminder!
Her messages resonate regardless of what you’re talking about. Even if you can’t understand her mission, the lessons she faces and shares are something that everyone faces. Her truth in dealing with the challenges makes everything more relatable and real. I found myself (especially in part three) wanting to stop and underline various quotes related to overcoming doubt and questions. It’s a true story of perseverance regardless of your walk in life.
“It’s less about having it all together and more about the unwavering commitment to keep walking”. Everyone needs that reminder!
October 1, 2018
“It’s less about having it all together and more about the unwavering commitment to keep walking” (Jena Nardella p. 246).
A more accurate rating for this book would be 3.5 ⭐️s. This book took me a long time to finish. In ways it reminded me of Kidder’s Mountain Beyond Mountains. Yet, it didn’t have the same amount of detail on the water crisis or Nardella’s inner struggles. That said the book ends strong. The last few chapters push us to move beyond desires to save others and instead see others as fully human I loved her discussion of Martin Buber’s distinctions between “I-it” vs. “I-Thou” perspectives. (p. 243). I also appreciated the discussion of “living proximately” (p. 435) which is a “third way” between idealism and cynicism, one that embrace the active choice of hope while witnessing death and betrayal.
A more accurate rating for this book would be 3.5 ⭐️s. This book took me a long time to finish. In ways it reminded me of Kidder’s Mountain Beyond Mountains. Yet, it didn’t have the same amount of detail on the water crisis or Nardella’s inner struggles. That said the book ends strong. The last few chapters push us to move beyond desires to save others and instead see others as fully human I loved her discussion of Martin Buber’s distinctions between “I-it” vs. “I-Thou” perspectives. (p. 243). I also appreciated the discussion of “living proximately” (p. 435) which is a “third way” between idealism and cynicism, one that embrace the active choice of hope while witnessing death and betrayal.
March 23, 2023
The greater first portion of this book I did not connect with deeply, mostly because Jena is one of those people who had a grand vision for her life from her teenage years. However, there is some wisdom and insightful words on the subject of hope, and choosing to engage with the brokenness of this world, because people matter, and their stories matter, and people must know.
Hope is truly an audacious thing. But it is worth choosing to keep a soft heart in a broken world, because Hope has a Name. That part of this book connected with me, right here right now.
Highlight pages: 103, 235, 237, 246, 253, 254.
Hope is truly an audacious thing. But it is worth choosing to keep a soft heart in a broken world, because Hope has a Name. That part of this book connected with me, right here right now.
Highlight pages: 103, 235, 237, 246, 253, 254.
February 3, 2020
I liked the honesty behind this book. Jena did a good job of portraying genuine enthusiasm and hope. I liked that she showed the reader the struggles that also came with it, like with the betrayal she felt with her community in Africa and also with the church. I gave it three stars because there were some places that definitely were not proofread and that seemed sloppy to me. The writing was nice but not incredibly profound. I’m glad I got to read it but I wouldn’t necessarily highly recommend it to someone.
October 21, 2021
In this memoir, Jena describes her journey from early youth to co-founding an international organization that helps communities in Africa. As a child, she and her mom observe a homeless man and she returns to give him her meal of a hamburger; unfortunately he is gone and this episode haunts her for years. Her Christian upbringing and college experiences lead her to join the musical band, Jars of Clay, to support their mission of building wells in Africa. Her journey is heart-felt and remarkable. An amazing woman!
January 18, 2022
"Very few people can write a book about how they have already changed the world before they're even thirty. Jena is one of those rare gifts from God. Her story, her heart, and her journey of bringing clean, fresh, life-giving water to the people in Africa is one you will never forget." Kathie Lee Gifford
This book is a must-read. It details the founding of an organization, spearheaded by the band Jars of Clay, that raises funds and partners with grassroots African organizations to dig and maintain wells that provide clean water to some of the world's poorest inhabitants.
This book is a must-read. It details the founding of an organization, spearheaded by the band Jars of Clay, that raises funds and partners with grassroots African organizations to dig and maintain wells that provide clean water to some of the world's poorest inhabitants.
January 20, 2018
I was drawn to the book because of several family members who actively support African work to bring education or clean water or medical services. I loved the transparency Jena has in the book about the disillusionment she experienced and ultimately the appreciation and acceptance she reached of the value of persisting in her vision though sometime shifting the mission (what and how). Truly I learned a lot from this young woman.
August 1, 2020
Such an inspiring book. I know these words and Jena’s journey will stay with me for a long time.
“The faithful actions of loving one person at a time, working for justice one place at a time,....-that is how we love the whole world.”
“....it is better to do something than to do nothing. That justice somewhere is better than justice nowhere.”
“The faithful actions of loving one person at a time, working for justice one place at a time,....-that is how we love the whole world.”
“....it is better to do something than to do nothing. That justice somewhere is better than justice nowhere.”
December 22, 2021
Jena is a neighbor of mine and had told me a little of her journey with Jars of Clay, so I was excited to learn more about her story. I know her primarily as a Mom and a partner with James. It was fascinating to read her coming of age account and how her worldview changed with experience. She writes with a sense of humility and vulnerability that is necessary for a book about an American woman’s attempt to “save Africa.” As a public health student, I found her descriptions of public health problems and the complications of solutions to be insightful and practical. My favorite part was her frustration with mainstream Christianity and Blood:Water’s difficulty walking the line between being “too Christian” or “not Christian enough.” This seemed to mirror her internal struggle with understanding the realities of human suffering and belief in a loving God as existing in the same world. As someone who personally gave up on Christianity, I admire her ability to balance that binary and find a fulfilling path forward. A quick and rewarding read, especially for anyone with a Christian savior complex.
July 22, 2022
A moving story of an extrordinary woman's journey from trying to fix the world to learning to love people instead. Easy read, honest and vulnerable voice, and a remarkable account of following God and letting Him lead you in unexpected directions. Gave it to my husband right after reading it, and my 13 year old is now reading it too!
August 23, 2015
For the sake of transparency, I would like to note that I was a part of a group of people who received a free, advanced copy of One Thousand Wells and was asked to give feedback on Web based platforms such as Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and my personal blog. However, I do not receive any compensation for book sales, preorders, the reading of this review, etc. I am a college student studying international development and am passionate about culture and non-profit work. Because of this, I am always looking for new books on these topics.
As a student of international development, I can't think of many topics more polarizing than the Global South and the work that takes place there. On one hand, the media offers montages with sad music featuring poverty, corruption, and sad faces. This leads people to conclude that certain countries are "safe" while others are dangerous, lost causes. Others, though, give preferential option to the poor and create an idealized view of the situation, that, offers important perspective, yet ignores the challenges that do exist. Where does this leave those of us who are looking for an accurate more accurate picture? We're likely stuck somewhere between idealism and cynicism, unsure what to do with the hard questions, biting curiosity, and desire to love our neighbors that still persist.
This is exactly why I'm thankful for people like Jena Lee Nardella.
Jena is the co-founder of Blood:Water Mission, an organization based in Nashville, TN that is dedicated to partnering with local leaders to fight the HIV/AIDS and water crises across Africa. Those on the Blood:Water team understand that Africa is filled with hidden heroes, who have the visions and leadership that is necessary to making a sustainable impact on their communities. This organization stands for empowerment, participation, and mutual learning and it's one of my favorites. You can learn more about them here.
One Thousand Wells tells the story of Jena's work to launch the organization and partner with African communities to build one thousand wells in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. At this point, you might be asking yourself if you read that correctly. The answer is yes, you did. You're right, though, that's a lofty goal. Dan Haseltine, another founder of Blood:Water and the lead singer of Jars of Clay says, "A thousand is a number that we shouldn't be comfortable with. If we get there, we know it wasn't because of us. It's audacious; it's not possible. But it has to be done" (p. 51).
This book has a ton of great takeaways, and I encourage you to order a copy for yourself. In the mean time, though, something I appreciate most is Jena's story of how she overcame the dichotomy between cynicism and idealism. How she came to know the world and all of its brokenness and love it for all of the beauty that already exists and still needs to be brought about. How she stopped trying to save the world and instead sought to love it. How she recognized that the world is revolutionized when we care for others. That grassroots change is just as meaningful as high level, grand scale developments. .
Read this book if you're passionate about international development or culture. Read it if you want to love your neighbors better--those right next door and those miles away. Read it if you're frustrated, confused, or cynical. Read it if you're asking hard questions. Read it if you know that you don't have all of the answers. Read it if you can see your own brokenness and that of the world, but trust that God will redeem all things. Read it if you want to commit to knowing the world and loving it still.
One Thousand Wells was a book I could have read in a day, but had to force myself to put down so that it might be savored. I refused to read One Thousand Wells without a highlighter by my side, which means there are plenty of nuggets. One of my favorites--and perhaps one of the book's most important ideas--is this: "I understood the value of focusing on smaller places and particular changes. I wanted to live with the hard truth about human limitations while still believing that all our work--even if we lose, even if it is merely proximate is worth fighting for... The world is indeed a hard place to live, and it will likely break our heart if we keep engaging with it, but we choose to hope anyway... But there's more to celebrate... Truer triumph comes from the small than from the grandiose... The God of the Universe cared about the small things as much as the big ones... Small things mattered to Jesus.... The faithful actions of loving one person at a time, working for justice one place at a time... that is how we love the whole world" (2015, p. 238).
Jena is someone in the development world whom I deeply admire. Sometimes the people you look up to seem far off and inaccessible. This simply wasn't the case, though. The authenticity and honest reflection that colored the pages of this book made it seem like I was sitting in a coffee shop with an old friend. There's plenty here to discuss, consider, and enjoy. If One Thousand Wells sounds like something you would like to add to your bookshelf, you can order it here:
As a student of international development, I can't think of many topics more polarizing than the Global South and the work that takes place there. On one hand, the media offers montages with sad music featuring poverty, corruption, and sad faces. This leads people to conclude that certain countries are "safe" while others are dangerous, lost causes. Others, though, give preferential option to the poor and create an idealized view of the situation, that, offers important perspective, yet ignores the challenges that do exist. Where does this leave those of us who are looking for an accurate more accurate picture? We're likely stuck somewhere between idealism and cynicism, unsure what to do with the hard questions, biting curiosity, and desire to love our neighbors that still persist.
This is exactly why I'm thankful for people like Jena Lee Nardella.
Jena is the co-founder of Blood:Water Mission, an organization based in Nashville, TN that is dedicated to partnering with local leaders to fight the HIV/AIDS and water crises across Africa. Those on the Blood:Water team understand that Africa is filled with hidden heroes, who have the visions and leadership that is necessary to making a sustainable impact on their communities. This organization stands for empowerment, participation, and mutual learning and it's one of my favorites. You can learn more about them here.
One Thousand Wells tells the story of Jena's work to launch the organization and partner with African communities to build one thousand wells in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. At this point, you might be asking yourself if you read that correctly. The answer is yes, you did. You're right, though, that's a lofty goal. Dan Haseltine, another founder of Blood:Water and the lead singer of Jars of Clay says, "A thousand is a number that we shouldn't be comfortable with. If we get there, we know it wasn't because of us. It's audacious; it's not possible. But it has to be done" (p. 51).
This book has a ton of great takeaways, and I encourage you to order a copy for yourself. In the mean time, though, something I appreciate most is Jena's story of how she overcame the dichotomy between cynicism and idealism. How she came to know the world and all of its brokenness and love it for all of the beauty that already exists and still needs to be brought about. How she stopped trying to save the world and instead sought to love it. How she recognized that the world is revolutionized when we care for others. That grassroots change is just as meaningful as high level, grand scale developments. .
Read this book if you're passionate about international development or culture. Read it if you want to love your neighbors better--those right next door and those miles away. Read it if you're frustrated, confused, or cynical. Read it if you're asking hard questions. Read it if you know that you don't have all of the answers. Read it if you can see your own brokenness and that of the world, but trust that God will redeem all things. Read it if you want to commit to knowing the world and loving it still.
One Thousand Wells was a book I could have read in a day, but had to force myself to put down so that it might be savored. I refused to read One Thousand Wells without a highlighter by my side, which means there are plenty of nuggets. One of my favorites--and perhaps one of the book's most important ideas--is this: "I understood the value of focusing on smaller places and particular changes. I wanted to live with the hard truth about human limitations while still believing that all our work--even if we lose, even if it is merely proximate is worth fighting for... The world is indeed a hard place to live, and it will likely break our heart if we keep engaging with it, but we choose to hope anyway... But there's more to celebrate... Truer triumph comes from the small than from the grandiose... The God of the Universe cared about the small things as much as the big ones... Small things mattered to Jesus.... The faithful actions of loving one person at a time, working for justice one place at a time... that is how we love the whole world" (2015, p. 238).
Jena is someone in the development world whom I deeply admire. Sometimes the people you look up to seem far off and inaccessible. This simply wasn't the case, though. The authenticity and honest reflection that colored the pages of this book made it seem like I was sitting in a coffee shop with an old friend. There's plenty here to discuss, consider, and enjoy. If One Thousand Wells sounds like something you would like to add to your bookshelf, you can order it here:
November 16, 2016
Reading a light-hearted but honest account of international development (from a Christian perspective that really wasn't forcing itself as a Christian perspective) was great. Fast read but a lot of takeaway.
February 4, 2018
An open sharing of a young ladies’ desire to help the poor of the world. She shares her love of the people with whom she works, her compassion, and her own feelings of inadequacy. Her willingness to take risks impacted people around the world.
June 29, 2020
Jena is a masterful story teller. The way she seamlessly weaves the beginning and end of her story with rich and real metaphor made me feel so much more engaged in her story. Reminds me to keep going when the world offers despair but God offers hope.
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