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Two Tears on the Window: An Ordinary Canadian Couple Disappears in China
Two Tears on the Window, is Julia and Kevin Garratt’s true story of their 775-day abduction and imprisonment in China as pawns in a political play between China, Canada and the United States. In August 2014 State Security agents grabbed them, accusing them of espionage. In shock, they were unaware of a Chinese spy arrest in Canada, giving the US “some leverage over China to bring a stop to more than a decade of rampant cybertheft” or that they’d become “bargaining chips in China’s desperate countermove”. (Graff, Garrett M. “How the US Forced China to Quit Stealing—Using a China Spy”. Wired Magazine. October 11, 2018) This compelling story of a Canadian Christian couple who spent 30 years working and raising their family in China, involved in aid, education and social enterprise is a unique parallel journey. From the early days teaching English in a decade of ration coupons and collective work units, Kevin and Julia watched with admiration as China catapulted into the modern age with unprecedented speed. Well-loved in China, the Garratt’s had always been thanked for their work in education, social welfare, social enterprises and community service. In 2007, along with two of their children, they moved to the China/North Korea border, opened a popular coffee shop and provided aid and assistance for marginalized communities in Dandong, China and North Korea. Their sudden disappearance plunged them into a journey where survival took every breath. Through their harrowing ordeal and intense suffering comes life-changing insight. They find themselves part of new community of those who’ve tasted yet overcome the pain of injustice. Courage and kindness, friendship and faith, resonates through the ordeal with the heartbeat of a love journey. Artfully written, Two Tears in the Window combines Kevin’s gifted story-telling and humour with Julia’s ability to let you see through their eyes and draw readers into deeply painful yet profoundly life-changing experiences.
For more information or to contact the authors, visit www.twotearsonthewindow.com
For more information or to contact the authors, visit www.twotearsonthewindow.com
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2018
24 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 16, 2018
It's quite rare that friends of yours would end up in trouble in a foreign country, but charged with espionage? However, there was a picture of my friends, Kevin and Julia Garratt on the front page of the Globe and Mail paper I picked up at Starbucks. August 2014.
The Garratts tell the story of working in China for 30 years, their love for the Chinese, their shocking arrest, and the interrogations that lasted over two years. 765 days to be exact. Most days seeming like an eternity without hope.
You can taste Kevin and Julia's trauma as they tell the experience of their arrest and imprisonment. Their shock and confusion are palpable.
I followed their experience for all 765 days from the little info made public by Julia's sister, Deb. We prayed and petitioned the Canadian government for their release. And then as suddenly as their were arrested, their release came and they were home on Canadian soil.
Now we know the rest of the story. Their book will inspire you trust God and His purposes in your darkest moments.
The Garratts tell the story of working in China for 30 years, their love for the Chinese, their shocking arrest, and the interrogations that lasted over two years. 765 days to be exact. Most days seeming like an eternity without hope.
You can taste Kevin and Julia's trauma as they tell the experience of their arrest and imprisonment. Their shock and confusion are palpable.
I followed their experience for all 765 days from the little info made public by Julia's sister, Deb. We prayed and petitioned the Canadian government for their release. And then as suddenly as their were arrested, their release came and they were home on Canadian soil.
Now we know the rest of the story. Their book will inspire you trust God and His purposes in your darkest moments.
January 11, 2019
Keven and Julia share so honestly about the injustice inflicted on them over two years of captivity in China. Rooted in faith, they wrestle and question God, but also clearly receive their strength from Him. A genuine love for people is a constant theme, even when their own well-being is unclear and in the hands of others. There is a easy ebb and flow in the pace, from small details in a day to the passage of weeks and months, giving the tale a good rhythm to follow. They do not paint themselves as invincible (super Christians) or without questions, it's a story of contrasts, where fear and peace, despair and hope are allowed to co-exist. It gives readers permission to juggle opposing emotions even in their own challenges.
November 11, 2020
First off I want to begin by saying that I am amazed that a couple who’ve been through the gates of hell (quite literally) for a crime they did not commit wrote a book to share their story about God’s grace is truly incredible. Anybody else in their shoes would have quit their faith or stopped believing that God exists altogether. But Kevin and Julia Garratt surprisingly held on to God with every fibre of their being, no matter how harsh their trials had been, they kept believing that God will see them through it. Moreover they were convinced that there was a higher purpose to their mindless suffering, something that Julia records in Chapter 19, where she writes that she chose God’s greater glory over her own freedom. Wow!
The more I read the book, the more I awed at their strength, strength they found in Jesus and in the word of God. Julia and Kevin refused to give up or look in any other direction except look up to Jesus. It is truly incredible. Such wonderful testimony of not only faith, but prayer, perseverance and resilience.
Looking back I feel humbled to have seen this couple and heard their story in person when they visited our church a couple of years ago. Julia and Kevin Garrett were invited as guest speakers at our church. When they were sharing their story, I could hear quiet sobs and sniffles resonating from all corners of the sanctuary. I could tell that a lot of people were moved that day as was I. I bought their book after the service and the book sat on my shelf for a year before I finally turned the pages. Julia and Kevin are not an ordinary couple, no. They are both extraordinary man and woman of God. What they went through and finding hope in God amidst all the pain, confusion and suffering is incredible and gives me the confidence to never give whatever the circumstances. God is always with us, even when we don’t see him. He is always working. He never abandons us no matter what and this book and their story is a perfect example of it.
The more I read the book, the more I awed at their strength, strength they found in Jesus and in the word of God. Julia and Kevin refused to give up or look in any other direction except look up to Jesus. It is truly incredible. Such wonderful testimony of not only faith, but prayer, perseverance and resilience.
Looking back I feel humbled to have seen this couple and heard their story in person when they visited our church a couple of years ago. Julia and Kevin Garrett were invited as guest speakers at our church. When they were sharing their story, I could hear quiet sobs and sniffles resonating from all corners of the sanctuary. I could tell that a lot of people were moved that day as was I. I bought their book after the service and the book sat on my shelf for a year before I finally turned the pages. Julia and Kevin are not an ordinary couple, no. They are both extraordinary man and woman of God. What they went through and finding hope in God amidst all the pain, confusion and suffering is incredible and gives me the confidence to never give whatever the circumstances. God is always with us, even when we don’t see him. He is always working. He never abandons us no matter what and this book and their story is a perfect example of it.
October 19, 2020
This book is in our church library and was recommended that I read it. Admittedly it has sat in my "to read" book pile for a while, too long in fact. I put aside the book I was currently reading, just to shift gears and to get a start on this book so I could get it back on the library shelf.
I could not put the book down, except for those necessities in life.
This story is heartwrenching for anyone who has a sense of justice. The human struggle with our sin nature and how we are to live our life in Christ is evidenced in these pages. This is a story of enduring faith.
While this story is about Christians, there are issues of human rights abuses, issues of privilege, foreign politics and foreign legal systems. Despite the messed up, upside-down world we call Canada or the US today, this story gives us good reason to be thankful that we live in the countries we call our home.
I could not put the book down, except for those necessities in life.
This story is heartwrenching for anyone who has a sense of justice. The human struggle with our sin nature and how we are to live our life in Christ is evidenced in these pages. This is a story of enduring faith.
While this story is about Christians, there are issues of human rights abuses, issues of privilege, foreign politics and foreign legal systems. Despite the messed up, upside-down world we call Canada or the US today, this story gives us good reason to be thankful that we live in the countries we call our home.
August 5, 2024
Fantastic!
October 15, 2020
Always encouraging to read how God works in other's lives especially in unexpected and very hard circumstances.
February 9, 2020
The book was getting a bit tedious, lots of detail and I don't know how the couple remembered everything especially because I thought they could not take notes or write? Well, Kevin did a lot of writing so maybe they could. Anyways, What a story and all true.
This poor couple were pawns in a political struggle. Of course, the Chinese kidnapped them because Canada had incarcerated a Chinese spy. But clearly they were not spies. I was pretty disgusted at the Chinese government. Trumped up charges, all lies. I was relieved when Julia was able to get out of the prison and amazed that Kevin survived.
There were moments of kindness from the guards but this was a losing situation. There was no way the judge was going to say, "Um, well, oops, they are not guilty of spying." That would be a big loss of face for the Chinese. Can't have that! So although I have a big heart for Chinese like this couple WHO GAVE 30 YEARS to serving China, the government of China is corrupt to the core.
As the story proceeded, I was eager to finish because I just wanted them to get out of there. So I could read faster and not fall asleep.
But I think it is well-written because of the detail and it follows very logically.
This poor couple were pawns in a political struggle. Of course, the Chinese kidnapped them because Canada had incarcerated a Chinese spy. But clearly they were not spies. I was pretty disgusted at the Chinese government. Trumped up charges, all lies. I was relieved when Julia was able to get out of the prison and amazed that Kevin survived.
There were moments of kindness from the guards but this was a losing situation. There was no way the judge was going to say, "Um, well, oops, they are not guilty of spying." That would be a big loss of face for the Chinese. Can't have that! So although I have a big heart for Chinese like this couple WHO GAVE 30 YEARS to serving China, the government of China is corrupt to the core.
As the story proceeded, I was eager to finish because I just wanted them to get out of there. So I could read faster and not fall asleep.
But I think it is well-written because of the detail and it follows very logically.
June 28, 2019
This is a riveting story about Canadians who engaged in Christian humanitarian work in China and North Korea for 30 years, only to be arrested in 2014 by the Chinese government and charged as spies. The narrative is a first person account which bounces back and forth between Chris and Julia, which gives the book an ongoing variety as various events are described from different perspectives and with different writing styles. This is a story of incredible faith in God, of courage and perseverance, and of a love for China that exudes from the narrative, despite the tribulations they went through. I came away from the book with an incredible admiration for the Garrett's faith, as well as honestly wondering why any Canadian would ever take the risk of doing business in China, considering that we have two more business people in jail over there now (June 2019) The only drawback of the book is the physical book itself. The binding is poor and there are blotches on pages that prevent some words from being seen. Hopefully they will find a better publisher for a second edition, or use the Kindle version. But as for the story itself, It's a highly recommended read.
February 22, 2020
Our FBC book club selection: The story of an amazingly compassionate and responsible couple with a deep love for and integration into Chinese culture. They developed a wonderful and innovative coffee shop on the border with North Korea. They were real Christian entrepreneurs.
They were suddenly arrested for no reason that they knew and imprisoned in a terrible centre which was run as a profitable enterprise where they had to pay for everything. In spite of all they suffered they didn't lose faith. They viewed it as the providence of God. they said, "there are no whys in prison."
They prayed and saw many answers to prayer, many small miracles.
Kevin & Julia had a great burden for even their jailers…how their life spoke to questioners, jailers, and fellow inmates. They showed great love for each other, expressed in snow in courtyard. They also showed great ingenuity. Julia used cards to invent games to keep alert. Kevin got sicker and sicker.
The book leaves us with a terrible impression of China as evil, inhumane meeting out terrible treatment the Chinese. After reading the book I wondered about boycotting Chinese goods.
They were suddenly arrested for no reason that they knew and imprisoned in a terrible centre which was run as a profitable enterprise where they had to pay for everything. In spite of all they suffered they didn't lose faith. They viewed it as the providence of God. they said, "there are no whys in prison."
They prayed and saw many answers to prayer, many small miracles.
Kevin & Julia had a great burden for even their jailers…how their life spoke to questioners, jailers, and fellow inmates. They showed great love for each other, expressed in snow in courtyard. They also showed great ingenuity. Julia used cards to invent games to keep alert. Kevin got sicker and sicker.
The book leaves us with a terrible impression of China as evil, inhumane meeting out terrible treatment the Chinese. After reading the book I wondered about boycotting Chinese goods.
December 30, 2018
I couldn’t put this book down. This harrowing tale tells the first hand experience of incredible injustice and suffering, yet is filled with immense hope, love, resilience and faith. Kevin and Julia held onto an unwavering faith and trust in God while facing intense adversity. An incredible story written with great detail, emotion and clarity. A fantastic read!!! I can’t recommend it enough!!!
March 29, 2019
What a story! And what an encouraging testament to faith and perseverance through the most trying and difficult of times! I am awed, humbled, and inspired by Kevin and Julia’s journey. I highly recommend this to everyone! It makes it even more incredible and compelling to know that I have walked, lived in, worked, and admired the same city where all of this took place!
May 22, 2019
It's a quick read but not an easy read. I liked the back and forth between Julia and Kevin. They took me along on their journey - through their beginnings, then the tough times, the terrible milestones and finally, their release. I'd recommend it although I found the exclamation mark used too often and it jarred me out of the story sometimes. But not enough to put the book down.
August 11, 2019
The story is written by Kevin and Julia Garratt, two Canadians who were living in China and running a small cafe near the North Korean border. They were arrested as spies and Kevin spent 775 horrific days in a Chinese prison before being deported back to Canada. Their Christian faith kept them sane throughout this whole ordeal. It's an amazing story of a faithful couple.
April 9, 2020
Two Tears on the Window is the story of a Canadian missionary couple who were arrested in China on false charges. As a result they spent 2 years in a combination of solitary confinement, prison and essentially house arrest. The book is their story of suffering, their victories, their questions of God and their faith in Him. Well worth the read.
August 4, 2020
What a fantastic witnessing to the power of strong faith! I like happy ending to Julia's and Kevin's story. One just cannot imagine how sick Chinese legal system is, and how little regard the government there has for the people. It's a book I'd recommend to anybody, but it is sad.
December 28, 2021
I picked up this book after reading a news article that quoted the Garratts - in reference to the imprisonment of two other Canadians (the Michaels). They/He? was asked about how he felt about China after his unjust imprisonment and I was struck by something he said, about loving the Chinese people and separating the Chinese people from their political system. As I read their memoir, I was reminded too of what I loved about living in China!! And grappled too with the contrasts and contradictions - the ugliness of Chinese politics, their treatment of the Uigher people, their own people!, Hong Kong etc...
I found the Garratts' endurance in the face of such unjust suffering, inspiring, it made me want to read the Bible more!! How good that they were able to keep theirs...At the same time - I found it difficult to read about how they found God's actions/signs of His presence in so many small things, because of our own journey of suffering and struggle to hold on to faith. After finding out we were pregnant with Elijah on Christmas day!!! - what I believed to be God's answer in prayer after the death of another child/other losses - and then the trauma of losing him so suddenly at 10 days old - my trust is still so shattered. I was so sure then....and so I am wary of reading signs of God's goodness - unless it is viewed in the love of His people or in His words in the Bible or through Jesus on the cross. And still, I envy them that because I remember how I once found meaning and encouragement this way too.
I found the Garratts' endurance in the face of such unjust suffering, inspiring, it made me want to read the Bible more!! How good that they were able to keep theirs...At the same time - I found it difficult to read about how they found God's actions/signs of His presence in so many small things, because of our own journey of suffering and struggle to hold on to faith. After finding out we were pregnant with Elijah on Christmas day!!! - what I believed to be God's answer in prayer after the death of another child/other losses - and then the trauma of losing him so suddenly at 10 days old - my trust is still so shattered. I was so sure then....and so I am wary of reading signs of God's goodness - unless it is viewed in the love of His people or in His words in the Bible or through Jesus on the cross. And still, I envy them that because I remember how I once found meaning and encouragement this way too.
June 10, 2022
A Lesson on Perseverance and Faith
I am humbled by the story of this remarkable couple and their family. I am proud of them for overcoming such tragic injustice with abounding love and hope, for each other and for their host nation.
The book is well-written and I enjoyed reading both perspectives woven together throughout each chapter. I also enjoyed the well-chosen proverbs initiating each chapter. It just goes to show how immersed the family was in their host’s culture.
I was overcome with emotion upon learning the source of the book’s title and value the lesson learned from it. I highly encourage others to read the book for that reason alone…such a wonderful but strange source of encouragement during a hugely discouraging situation!
I put off reading this book because it hit so close to home after a separate case of injustice. That said, I’m grateful everything turned out well for the Garratts. I miss Peter’s Cafe, which was my “Island of Sanity” and go-to place for a refreshing rose soda on a hot summer Dandong day. Shalom friends!
I am humbled by the story of this remarkable couple and their family. I am proud of them for overcoming such tragic injustice with abounding love and hope, for each other and for their host nation.
The book is well-written and I enjoyed reading both perspectives woven together throughout each chapter. I also enjoyed the well-chosen proverbs initiating each chapter. It just goes to show how immersed the family was in their host’s culture.
I was overcome with emotion upon learning the source of the book’s title and value the lesson learned from it. I highly encourage others to read the book for that reason alone…such a wonderful but strange source of encouragement during a hugely discouraging situation!
I put off reading this book because it hit so close to home after a separate case of injustice. That said, I’m grateful everything turned out well for the Garratts. I miss Peter’s Cafe, which was my “Island of Sanity” and go-to place for a refreshing rose soda on a hot summer Dandong day. Shalom friends!
March 16, 2024
As a couple the Garratts get 5 stars; I feel a little badly giving this book 4 stars. It's strictly due to some poor editing issues scattered throughout the book that it's getting knocked down a star.
During the prison parts, I felt like I was reading something from 50-100 years ago. When a date was given, I'd think where I was when that happened, and it never failed to seem extremely odd. While the "outside world" of China as described in the book felt quite modern, the prison, government, and court system felt like a giant step back in time.
I really enjoyed the back-and-forth nature of the book's structure. Keeping track of where both were and what they were doing and feeling and any given time was made very easy. When both were going through the interrogation phase, it was interesting to compare their similar-but-different experiences.
During the prison parts, I felt like I was reading something from 50-100 years ago. When a date was given, I'd think where I was when that happened, and it never failed to seem extremely odd. While the "outside world" of China as described in the book felt quite modern, the prison, government, and court system felt like a giant step back in time.
I really enjoyed the back-and-forth nature of the book's structure. Keeping track of where both were and what they were doing and feeling and any given time was made very easy. When both were going through the interrogation phase, it was interesting to compare their similar-but-different experiences.
June 10, 2023
Praise God for giving this couple strength!
Without God we can do nothing. Only through God's strength was this couple able to get through this hardship they had to endure. The baptism of suffering is something all Christians must endure. May God continue to bless this couple and their family. All glory and praise to God!
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
(John 15:20)
Without God we can do nothing. Only through God's strength was this couple able to get through this hardship they had to endure. The baptism of suffering is something all Christians must endure. May God continue to bless this couple and their family. All glory and praise to God!
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
(John 15:20)
November 10, 2021
Where is God when life isn’t fair? The Garrett’s tell us where God dwelt in their lives in the midst of harrowing circumstances, international political intrigue, devastating loss of any kind of autonomy and control of their lives. Powerful. Encouraging. A nudging reminder of God’s tender and specific personal presence.
October 14, 2021
HORRIFIC story of Canadians in China being mistaken for spies and imprisoned under horrific conditions.
But faith in God saw them through. … surprised we had never heard about their ordeal when it happened. thankfully they made it home.
But faith in God saw them through. … surprised we had never heard about their ordeal when it happened. thankfully they made it home.
March 26, 2022
Informative and Inspirational
This was a well written real life account of the events and daily routines that occurred in captivity, survived through blind faith. This book was a real eye opener!
This was a well written real life account of the events and daily routines that occurred in captivity, survived through blind faith. This book was a real eye opener!
April 19, 2019
Heartbreaking but so so inspiring. Did I mention I cried? A lot.
September 14, 2019
Amazing, very inspirational and a true test of faith!!🙏💜🤗
February 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Was very well written. Having both authors go back and forth and share their story. Being charged with spying in China after they had lived there 30 years.
January 29, 2019
This first person account of Kevin and Julia Garratt’s experience of living and working in China and then being abducted and accused of spying is both a story of hope and survival. I recommend this book as a page turning example of how they found ways to communicate their love to each other in spite of being separated while being held captive. Many daily examples of gratitude, grace and ways of reaching out to their captors and fellow inmates are shared in spite of harsh and austere living conditions while being interrogated or in a prison awaiting trial. The prayers and support of many people all over the world and the role of the Canadian government in their eventual release from captivity is also detailed in this well written book.
May 20, 2019
This story is a story about misunderstanding, relationship, joy, sorrow and ultimately of hope that keeps two people going even in the most hopeless circumstances. I appreciated the rare insight into two perspectives of similar events. Kevin and Julia's stories become unique from each others because of Julia's constant creativity in prison. Kevin's story on the other hand was one of sorrow and near hopelessness. I appreciated how rawly the both described their experiences. Definitely a must read.
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