What do you think?
Rate this book
The Reason for Tears: A Memoir
LIBERIA, ISLAM, AND A PASTOR’S SEARCH FOR RECONCILIATION IN AN AGE OF TERROR
Though she’d loved, taught, and protected him when he was younger, Tony Weedor ’s Muslim mother Manifah disowned him after he abandoned his imam training to follow Jesus. Tony finished college and went to work for a missionary agency. After barely escaping civil war in his native Liberia, he spent three years in a refugee camp with his wife and daughter before being brought to America, where he graduated from seminary and began a career in international ministry. Now, after an absence of thirteen years, Pastor Tony Weedor returns in the wake of 9/11 to a Liberia devastated by war hoping to reconcile with the woman he still calls “Mama.”
Though she’d loved, taught, and protected him when he was younger, Tony Weedor ’s Muslim mother Manifah disowned him after he abandoned his imam training to follow Jesus. Tony finished college and went to work for a missionary agency. After barely escaping civil war in his native Liberia, he spent three years in a refugee camp with his wife and daughter before being brought to America, where he graduated from seminary and began a career in international ministry. Now, after an absence of thirteen years, Pastor Tony Weedor returns in the wake of 9/11 to a Liberia devastated by war hoping to reconcile with the woman he still calls “Mama.”
304 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
8 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 20, 2020
This book is a study in extremes. It gives us glimpses of violent hatred and selfless love, desperate poverty and divine provision, sudden separation and joyous reunions. More than that though it shows us man’s brutal savagery and God’s gentle love.
Tony Weedor’s story is both heartbreaking and encouraging. Surrounded by poverty and oppression from his birth, he grew up suspicious, fearful, and angry. Then God – that though is best told in his own words. From that grew his incredible love for all those around him even those that should have been his mortal enemies. He stands between two cultures seeing their basic similarities and failures and helps us see the ultimate solution for both.
It is written in a slightly different format from the usual biography. It switches back and forth between current events and the rest of his life story. At first, I was a little unsure about that choice of format, but I really liked it after a while. It not only helped break up the more brutal moments of his story but also gave him a chance to more explain more deeply what God did in his life through those desperate times. It was very well done.
This book was so hopeful. I really appreciated the clear presentation of the Gospel. I was greatly encouraged and am eagerly looking forward to his next book. Please, let me recommend this book to you. I believe it will encourage you as well.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and Carpenter’s Son Publishing. No favorable review was required. It is my pleasure to provide my honest opinions.
Tony Weedor’s story is both heartbreaking and encouraging. Surrounded by poverty and oppression from his birth, he grew up suspicious, fearful, and angry. Then God – that though is best told in his own words. From that grew his incredible love for all those around him even those that should have been his mortal enemies. He stands between two cultures seeing their basic similarities and failures and helps us see the ultimate solution for both.
It is written in a slightly different format from the usual biography. It switches back and forth between current events and the rest of his life story. At first, I was a little unsure about that choice of format, but I really liked it after a while. It not only helped break up the more brutal moments of his story but also gave him a chance to more explain more deeply what God did in his life through those desperate times. It was very well done.
This book was so hopeful. I really appreciated the clear presentation of the Gospel. I was greatly encouraged and am eagerly looking forward to his next book. Please, let me recommend this book to you. I believe it will encourage you as well.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and Carpenter’s Son Publishing. No favorable review was required. It is my pleasure to provide my honest opinions.
March 24, 2024
An incredible true story of how God transformed a fearful Muslim boy into a brave, powerful declarer of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us. It also gave me a great appreciation for living in a relatively peaceful society rather than his brutal, war torn Liberia.
June 4, 2021
This is a captivating story of a place that has endured a lot of turmoil and a man who lived through some of the worst of times there. Tony lived through very difficult circumstances and could have lost his life many times over and yet it is apparent God has brought him to a place in history to share his story of triumph over tragedy. The depth of what Tony and Beth have lived through is heart-breaking and yet encouraging to know that no matter our circumstances, God can prevail and will when we seek Him.
What a privilege to be a part of that story - even if it is just to read this book and encourage others to do the same! The profits from the book support the ministry that now exists in Liberia that Tony started in order to help his home country (CenterPoint International). This is a page-turner that you will not want to put down and it will help support the growing ministry in Liberia. Well worth your time and purchase!
What a privilege to be a part of that story - even if it is just to read this book and encourage others to do the same! The profits from the book support the ministry that now exists in Liberia that Tony started in order to help his home country (CenterPoint International). This is a page-turner that you will not want to put down and it will help support the growing ministry in Liberia. Well worth your time and purchase!
February 22, 2021
My husband George and I met Tony when our son's were playing YMCA basketball as young boys.
Tony had shared bits and pieces of his life during the baskeyball practices we sat through weekly.
I'm so glad to have had a chance to listen to this book and realize what his jounery has been about.
It's amazing to sit and talk to someone for years and try to fathom how your life experiences could be so extremely different in the same time period. Yet we also had so much in common, including our faith in Jesus Christ.
It's a great read!
Tony had shared bits and pieces of his life during the baskeyball practices we sat through weekly.
I'm so glad to have had a chance to listen to this book and realize what his jounery has been about.
It's amazing to sit and talk to someone for years and try to fathom how your life experiences could be so extremely different in the same time period. Yet we also had so much in common, including our faith in Jesus Christ.
It's a great read!
November 23, 2020
Began this book yesterday, and finished it today. A quick read that opens eyes and hearts alike. Tony’s story is moving. Hope rises. Fear falls.
April 20, 2025
It is absolutely a powerful book to read by my pastor and friend, that will change you deeply once you read this book.
November 4, 2019
My heart is sensitive to all refugees and those suffering in the world. This is an excellent book to open peoples eyes to injustice and suffering as well as resilience of the Liberian people. Very Well written book. Very engaging story that keeps you reading to the very end. Reading opens our minds to new worlds. I never had paid attention or knew much about the details of Liberia. What a journey Tony went on from Muslim to Christian from a war torn Liberia to liberal Colorado. Recommend this to all.
January 31, 2020
A very powerful and moving memoir of a man, born in Liberia, originally a Muslim, and heard the call from Jesus and converted Christianity and became a Christian pastor. Mr. Weedor tells a heartwrenching tale of his life, his mistakes, his failures and triumphs. This was a very emotional and very good read.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All Thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All Thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews