Halina: Faith in the Fire

by Elwood McQuaid

Poland was a country filled with beauty until the Nazis arrived in 1939.

This is the gripping, true story of two worlds that collided during World War II and the courage of a young Polish woman who fought in the Polish Home Army in Warsaw.

For Jewish people, it was the worst of times. Their world and that of the whole of Europe was being torn apart by a man who seemed to be a harbinger of the biblical, future Antichrist. For Christians, it was a time that tested their faith under horrendous circumstances.

In the midst of this raging fire stood Halina. Her story of personal trust in Christ, her triumph over evil and despair, and her sensitivity to those who suffered under the Third Reich remind us it is always right to fight wickedness and that God never abandons us.

Genres: Biography

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2013

Reviews

[Yibbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book, though it contains the amazing story of an incredibly courageous and caring woman, is very poorly written. It’s choppy, repetitive, and disorganized. Halina’s personal story is barely followed in the first half of the book. That part is more a basic history of the holocaust that's compiled from various people’s memories than a biography. Halina’s direct additions are highlighted in separate boxes. After that, it follows her story more closely, but it’s still very poorly written.
She has an amazing message, but it doesn’t come through well in this book. I would recommend you read McQuaid’s other book, Zvi, instead. The writing was much better, and the message stronger.

[Patricia R Binns · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Moving Story

This was a very moving and sobering story. It was a story of faith and perseverance against incredible odds. It showed the faithfulness of God and the fact that He has A plan for each of us which will be completed in His timing and according to His will and in grace and love.

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

McQuaid has done it again! Another excellent biography on another fascinating life well-lived. He paints the picture honestly- foibles, faith and faltering- all showing the grace of God in a person's life. Highly recommended.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of one woman’s faithfulness and God’s grace! (only downside was the writing/editing was a little confusing/choppy, especially for the first 1/2 of the book.)

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

With difficulty, I give Halina: Faith in the Fire only three stars. While my heart gives Halina five stars for content, the writer in me warns the potential reader of mediocre editing.

Halina survived hell during the Holocaust. She witnessed the ruin of her beloved Poland as it was stripped of life and dignity by Nazi Germany. Her story of faith is heart wrenching and inspirational.

But the writing presentation and disorganization of material interrupts the telling of Halina's story. Continuity shifts, of present-day or retrospective information that sometimes spans pages, jolt the reader from Halina's world. While the inserted material is interesting, it would be better placed as a footnote or a sidebar.

Aside from this criticism, Halina is still a worthy read for those interested in how real people found purpose in the midst of a dehumanizing war.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't the most well written book, but it's amazing account of God's providential love and care for one of His children before, during and after the Holocaust. Halina wasn't a Jew, she was a Polish soldier in the Home Army but was confined in German concentration camps during the last 2 years of WW2. After the war her husband found her in an American hospital. She and Samuel were eventually able to migrate to Argentina. After her husband died there, Halina worked as an English teacher, then served as a missionary with native tribes. She was recruited by The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry and served with them both in Argentina and then back in her native Poland.

I recommend this book.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sustained by God

I love what God can do with the little that we have how He is able to use us no matter what or where we are in our walk with Him.