Saving Levi: Left to Die ... Destined to Live

by Lisa Misraje Bentley

FRONT PAGE OF THE  LOS ANGELES TIMES!    " An extraordinary tale of compassion and hope, and of God's love at work amid the tumultuous change of modern China." -- NPR    "I would not care to know anyone with a heart cold enough to remain unmoved by this gripping story. Lisa Misraje's complete determination to save Levi is an absolute marvel that demonstrates the power of love and resolute faith." -- Wall Street Journal.                           "I put down Lisa Misraje's book  Saving Levi  ready to cheer for the spirit of a woman who refused to recognize international, cultural, or linguistic boundaries in her quest for justice on behalf of a severely burned little Chinese boy. Misraje adopted him as her own, displaying a grace and compassion one rarely finds today." --  Los Angeles Times    Lisa Misraje and her family went to China to build an orphanage in a village near Beijing. Soon after their arrival, a 6-week-old baby boy, covered with third- to fourth-degree burns on over 70% of his body, was found in a field. The tiny infant shrieked in agony in a cold village field on the outskirts of Langfang, China. Horrified villagers gathered around him, then walked away. But one older man stayed behind, gathered the child in his arms and went for help. His compassion and courage sparked a momentous chain of The baby left to die would bring together people from different countries, faiths, and social backgrounds in the successful battle to save his life and secure his future.This is a book about the value of life and a loving God who uses whomever He pleases to accomplish His will.
"To the world you might be one person, but to one person, you just might be the world." -- Author Unknown

Genres: Adoption, Nonfiction, Christian, China, Biography Memoir, Biography

176 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2006

Reviews

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine finding a newborn baby with third and fourth degree burns to over 70 percent of its body left laying in a field to die? That is exactly what the villagers of a poor farming community just outside Langfang city in China found. With approximately 40 villagers seeking the sound of the horrendous shrieking cries scouring the field for the source, only one kind-hearted gentleman was willing to pick up the baby thus beginning the ‘Saving [of] Levi’.

Only when this one lone man found it in his heart to pick up Levi did he really begin a chain of events that would not only save the child’s life, but spark an amazing chain of events that would bring people from various countries and faiths together in a successful battle against time to save Levi’s life.

This is a compelling and true story, a story of immense love, kindness, caring, faith and God and the power He has to invoke healing where He sees fit. My hat goes off to the many, many people spoken about in this book who aided in Levi’s journey, but more so to the Bentley family for their daring, their deep faith and their unconditional love for an abandoned child who needed someone to care!!

This story will touch your heart at its deepest level and will remind you that with faith and a sold belief in your God, that all things are possible. Good luck little Levi!!

[Kristen Hungness Hedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good. It details the first part of an infant boys life. He was left in a field and expected to die. A villager found him and brought him to an orphanage where a family decided to save his life. It is a beautiful read.

[Lupe Saavedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great example of how giving and selfless people all over the world can be. I love how God linked all the right people and just the right time to save this little boy.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

"(Left to die, Destined to live) "Some saw nothing but problems for this child, I saw nothing but hope."-Lisa Misraje Bentley. Levi (originally named Danli) was left to die in a village field on the outskirts of Langfang, China. His little 6 wk old body was 70% covered with 3rrd to 4th degree burns! One older Chinese man took the initiative that started the process of saving him. Only God knew just how little Levi would bring so many people together from all the world in the battle to save his life and secure his future. This book also talks about how the Bentleys came to China in the first place and how they ended up adopting 2 Chinese children (they have a total of 6 children now). The Bentleys eventually founded Harmony Outreach.

[Leah Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Bentley and her family were serving in a small, Chinese orphanage when they met the little boy that would become their son, Levi. He had been found in a field, left to die. Seventy percent of the baby’s body was covered in third to fourth degree burns. His survival seemed doubtful. As he fought for his life, Levi drew people from around the world together.

I’d been eyeing this book in CBD catalogs for some time and I finally purchased a copy at a homeschool conference several months ago. It’s a riveting story. Of course, when adoption and orphan care is involved, it doesn’t take much to make me like it! There are so many stories out there that showcase the very real truth that God cares about orphans. This book is one of those stories.

[Rachel B · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

A Chinese baby is badly burned and left in a field to die... but God intervenes.

This true account is not the most well-written. There's a lot of 'telling' instead of 'showing.' It easily could have been reduced in length by 30-50%. The timeline is not very clear in the beginning, and the author begins to tell her own story of conversion to Christianity but never finishes. There are several typos.

But Bentley does record many of the ways in which God connected people and resources to provide what was needed at any given time - in that regard, it's an encouraging read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very exciting to see God work in Levi's life and in the lives of those who helped to rescue him. There were so many twists and turns and a miracle or two sprinkled in. I appreciated the author's heart for the suffering. Although there were a few things that she and her husband did that left me scratching my head (walking away from home and car debt, for one). The writing is definitely not excellent but the story alone is enough to keep you reading.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true story of baby Levi who was left to die in a field after suffering severe burns over 70% of his body. He was rescued by a stranger and brought to a Christian orphanage. Through many miraculous interventions and relationships, he was brought to the Shriner's hospital in Boston for his first of many surgeries. The Bentley family ran an orphanage in China and eventually were able to adopt Levi as their son.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...what an uplifting, life affirming book! The author and her family, while living in China, learn about an abandoned Chinese baby who has serious burns. They are drawn to this little boy and end up adopting him after seeing how God miraculously works to bring about the child's healing. This one will warm your heart!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is fabulous. It breaks my heart for levi and all the stuggles he had to go through just to be alive today. seventy percent of his body was third degree burnd and he had no painkiller for three days! it amazes me how stong someone so young can be. and the love and compassion his adoptive family had to save someone so near death.

[Jaclynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi’s name means “to bind and unite” and that’s exactly what this little boy did. He was found at the approx. age of 6 weeks, abandoned and left to die in a field in China. He had 3rd and 4th degree burns covering 70% of his body. This is his incredible story demonstrating God’s power, written by his now adoptive mother, a woman who played a huge role in saving his life.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story. Filled with miracle after miracle. I was inspired to become a better person. Not the best writer in the world, but this great story needed to be told, and who better to tell it than the adoptive mother herself? It's a quick read, too...only about 140 pages.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa and John Bentley went to China to build an orphanage in a village near Beijing, when a baby was found abandoned in a field with burns over 70% of his body, they became the care givers for this child. A fascinating story.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't be frightened off by the Focus on the Family publishers. It is quite good. My friend Lisa wrote this book and she is wonderful.

[Andi Tubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of faith and God's power to heal a little boy who was left to die in the fields of China. Uplifting and awesome!

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The spiritual journey of the adoption of a Chinese boy by an American missionary couple after he was left for dead. Very compelling read.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I found the writing to be less than satisfactory, the story was amazing and miraculous! This kind of story renews my faith in human kindness, generosity, and charity.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Met this little guy and he is quite the heart-stealer. Great story.

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very moving story.

[kirsten johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow.
what an incredible book. inspiring.

[Katie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible and miraculous story of faith and love and family and calling and of God showing up in really big and awesome ways in the life of a child :)

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful story of what God can do...

[Iamthird · Rating 3 out of 5]

sure makes a book come alive when you meet the author - lunch with Lisa in Pudong. Great weekend with inspiring women.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of one of God's precious children, abandoned after being badly burned and the story of a family answering God's call with only faith to provide for them.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read of a very moving, true story. Reads like a bunch of blog entries--1st person retelling of author's experience--rather than a polished book.

[Jessica]

Its different then what i usually read but good

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible story of God's miraculous provision for and protection over this little boy. The countless ways God worked through impossible situations is amazing!!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing true story about a US family who is called to serve in China, taking care of orphans.

[Scarlett]

Get ready to cry. I have met Levi and Lisa. Amazing story!