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Called
2022 Gold Medal Winner, Living Now Book Award-Social Activism/Charity#1 Bestseller in Medical History and Social Activists!A handsome physician. A devout Mennonite nurse. And an Argentinian activist. Welcome to CALLED…Set against the backdrop of World War II, Nazi uprisings, political unrest in Argentina and Paraguay, and the scourge of leprosy left untreated, Dr. John and Clara Schmidt are called to a life of service in their fight against poverty, stigma, and social injustice.But at what cost?
Based on true events that span six decades, CALLED is an uplifting and inspirational story of fearless adventure and heroism that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit persevering in the face of fear and rebellious subversion.Some have a story. They had a mission.CALLED is an expansive saga that brings to life the extraordinary contributions of two medical pioneers in the wilds of Paraguay. In their fierce determination to save floundering communities across the country, and to battle the stigma and shame of leprosy, John and Clara faced intractable opposition from many a medical community that rejected their unorthodox and revolutionary practices, governments that threatened imprisonment, and neighboring villagers who vowed to kill them.Their story provides a living example of fully embracing John’s favorite scripture, “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8.Readers who enjoyed His Truth is Marching John Lewis and the Power of Hope will love CALLED.
Based on true events that span six decades, CALLED is an uplifting and inspirational story of fearless adventure and heroism that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit persevering in the face of fear and rebellious subversion.Some have a story. They had a mission.CALLED is an expansive saga that brings to life the extraordinary contributions of two medical pioneers in the wilds of Paraguay. In their fierce determination to save floundering communities across the country, and to battle the stigma and shame of leprosy, John and Clara faced intractable opposition from many a medical community that rejected their unorthodox and revolutionary practices, governments that threatened imprisonment, and neighboring villagers who vowed to kill them.Their story provides a living example of fully embracing John’s favorite scripture, “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8.Readers who enjoyed His Truth is Marching John Lewis and the Power of Hope will love CALLED.
- GenresNonfictionHistorical
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2021
18 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 30, 2021
I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to read the book, Called! This is the story of the lives and work of John and Clara Schmidt, who changed the standard treatment of leprosy starting in Paraguay, but their methods have been recognized and adopted around the world. I’ve known bits of the story of John and Clara Schmidt for a long time, but this book gave so much insight into who they were and how their values combined with their personalities to lead them into extraordinary lives. The writing grabs you and keeps you invested in finding out the next turn of events, and there is always another turn of events. Many of us wish to do important things that will make the world a better place, and we take our measured steps to make that happen. John and Clara did not take measured steps. They saw needs and moved beyond huge obstacles to meet them. In the process, amazing things happened. And also in the process, complicated and hard things happened.
John and Clara are written as full and complex characters, just as they were known by the people who were closest to them. You get to know them with both their strengths and their struggles. Their lives and their work changed the world. Their story is well worth reading, and rereading.
John and Clara are written as full and complex characters, just as they were known by the people who were closest to them. You get to know them with both their strengths and their struggles. Their lives and their work changed the world. Their story is well worth reading, and rereading.
April 25, 2022
Deep faith and persistence is demonstrated in the work of Dr John and nurse Clara. While their work was so needed and inspirational there was a lack of balance in their own family life. The history of Paraguay and how the Mennonites came to live there is very informative. Their ability to see the big picture needs of their patients while at times ignoring their own health and well being because of their intense fervor to serve should be a cautionary tale for anyone who wants to be of service to others. This book is well worth reading as this is history not often learned by most people.
December 31, 2021
What a story! This book is filled with suspense and emotion; the story of two amazingly dedicated individuals, John and Clara Schmidt, steadfast in their commitment to serve and overcome seemingly impossible odds. A page turner and worth every minute! You will not be disappointed.
February 16, 2022
What does it take to change one small corner of the world? … against all odds? …against force? …without the predictability of resources? What does it mean to persevere over years? …over decades? How does one bring about real, sustainable change, when everything screams at you to give up?
CALLED, by Marlena Fiol and Ed O’Connor, provides insight into these questions by examining the lives of John and Clara Schmidt and their life-long saga of doing just this. John was a medical doctor and Clara, his wife, a nurse, and together they held tightly to a mission to change how the medical world understood and treated leprosy. Not an easy task, going against the entombed wisdom of the medical world! But that challenge was exacerbated by doing it in an outback Mennonite colony in Paraguay, in the harshest of conditions, without any infrastructure and in the face of spotty financial support.
Planned change is hard to create in the best of circumstances. Sustainable change is most rare. Fiol and O’Connor help us see the human challenge of creating a sustainable change. The story of John and Clara Schmidt deserves our attention. It is about more than vision, more than mission. It is about living fully into one’s life purpose and holding it so dearly that letting go is never an option. In doing so, they also speak to the human drama that such a narrow focus and strong commitment creates. They describe a megalomania of sorts that underlies accomplishing the impossible, and the human toll that such a megalomania can produce.
Read this story. Learn about doing the impossible. See how the world conspires against change and how two people met this challenge one day at a time, over decades. Be inspired to lead the change you really care about in your corner of the world, and see what it might take based on the lives of John and Clara Schmidt.
CALLED, by Marlena Fiol and Ed O’Connor, provides insight into these questions by examining the lives of John and Clara Schmidt and their life-long saga of doing just this. John was a medical doctor and Clara, his wife, a nurse, and together they held tightly to a mission to change how the medical world understood and treated leprosy. Not an easy task, going against the entombed wisdom of the medical world! But that challenge was exacerbated by doing it in an outback Mennonite colony in Paraguay, in the harshest of conditions, without any infrastructure and in the face of spotty financial support.
Planned change is hard to create in the best of circumstances. Sustainable change is most rare. Fiol and O’Connor help us see the human challenge of creating a sustainable change. The story of John and Clara Schmidt deserves our attention. It is about more than vision, more than mission. It is about living fully into one’s life purpose and holding it so dearly that letting go is never an option. In doing so, they also speak to the human drama that such a narrow focus and strong commitment creates. They describe a megalomania of sorts that underlies accomplishing the impossible, and the human toll that such a megalomania can produce.
Read this story. Learn about doing the impossible. See how the world conspires against change and how two people met this challenge one day at a time, over decades. Be inspired to lead the change you really care about in your corner of the world, and see what it might take based on the lives of John and Clara Schmidt.
November 17, 2021
Amazing retelling of the true story of a medical missionary couple and their family who gave up everything several times over, spanning six decades, to bring basic medical care to remote parts of Paraguay. So many touching human moments between them, excerpts from letters from their (at times out of touch) sponsoring organization, and details that really bring to life their dedicated journey through illness, lack of roads, corruption, and uncertainty to leave the world a better place. I couldn't put it down!
December 25, 2021
This is a truly inspiring story of selflessness and sacrifice on behave of John and Clara Schmidt. To live in the hardships that they faced, over and over again, is slightly mind boggling. To do something as outstanding as starting a leper colony from scratch, and changing the world's approach to lepersy treatment, is amazing. The many details of what went on behind the scenes, and the history of Nazism in the colonies was an eye opener for my Mennonite upbringing. Richly told with no holds barred. Well done Ed and Marlena.
February 20, 2022
Compelled by God's love
As the granddaughter and daughter of pioneer missionaries and an ordained minister myself, I could identify with the the Schmidts' zeal for their work, the hurt of rejection, and above all, the love of Christ that compelled them to press on in the face of opposition. The authors did a wonderful job of showing the humanity of these godly heroes of the faith in a manner that draws the reader into their lives. I recommend what is ultimately a love story between John and Clara and between them and the God they served.
As the granddaughter and daughter of pioneer missionaries and an ordained minister myself, I could identify with the the Schmidts' zeal for their work, the hurt of rejection, and above all, the love of Christ that compelled them to press on in the face of opposition. The authors did a wonderful job of showing the humanity of these godly heroes of the faith in a manner that draws the reader into their lives. I recommend what is ultimately a love story between John and Clara and between them and the God they served.
December 24, 2021
Fascinating true story! Like others, I had difficulty putting the book down! I honestly can't imagine having the vision, energy and faith to embark on, let along endure, the hardships Clara and John encountered. They truly served and improved the lives of countless people in a remote region of Paraguay ... and beyond. And through it all their love for each other never waned. Thank you Marlena and Ed for sharing this remarkable journey.
Judith Watt
Judith Watt
January 8, 2022
If you are 60-ish you will likely remember that there were places called "Leper Colonies" and then, somewhere in your years the term essentially disappeared. This book is about the couple Dr. John and Clara Schmidt that dismantled the criminalization of those with leprosy and fought long and drawn-out difficult battles with church, state and the medical status quo, to change the care of and social response to those with leprosy. The Schmidt's were Mennonites and they chose to live a life of service and mission in Paraguay, often in unbelievably harsh conditions. The story spans 6 decades, beginning around the time of Hitler's coming into power.
This book is written by one of the Schmidt's children, Marlena Fiol, and is an easy, enjoyable and interesting read. I'm so pleased she has documented this history, which she has written "fairly" despite the harsh life she was subjected to because of the unrelenting commitment of her parents.
This book is written by one of the Schmidt's children, Marlena Fiol, and is an easy, enjoyable and interesting read. I'm so pleased she has documented this history, which she has written "fairly" despite the harsh life she was subjected to because of the unrelenting commitment of her parents.
February 24, 2022
This is a beautifully told story of two remarkably determined pioneers committed to the cause of the humane and effective treatment of leprosy. We experience John and Clara’s trials and triumphs over a lifetime as they doggedly pursue their mission. What surprised me is how much uncertainty they faced on a daily basis as they battled the elements, the politics, the nay-sayers, and their own demons. Through it all, they push on, and the world is better for it.
April 22, 2022
This book will keep you moving! From Kansas to Paraguay, from WWII to the present day, from certainties to uncertainty, and from old ideas about "leper colonies" to the most enlightened medical and social practices in the treatment of leprosy.
As you move, you will also reflect: can love co-exist with childhood beatings, with Platonic passion, with prejudice, with stubborn egos? How much love is sacrificed in the fulfillment of impossible dreams? And how does love always find a way home?
As you move, you will also reflect: can love co-exist with childhood beatings, with Platonic passion, with prejudice, with stubborn egos? How much love is sacrificed in the fulfillment of impossible dreams? And how does love always find a way home?
July 15, 2024
Rate: 3 1/2 stars. I was amazed at what this Mennonite couple achieved in Paraguay however the “religious rules” required/implemented by church and Dr John were harsh if not abusive. While parents were “Called” by God I wonder how God viewed his treatment of others. In a few paragraphs it appears that he was perhaps tormented between doing Gods work & having healthy relationships. Why not both? His daughter has since written of her own experiences.
November 29, 2021
CALLED is a fantastic sweeping tale that provides a striking contrast to the intimate memoir from the same author, Nothing Bad Between Us. So happy to be following the story of these incredible people across their lives and times through such different lenses. What a journey! What a pleasure to read.
December 12, 2021
My husband is the grandchild of John and Clara Schmidt, so I am especially grateful to have their story in written form to pass onto the future generations of our family. Even if we weren't family, their story and all the work they accomplished in their life together is compelling and something I think everyone will find interesting.
January 17, 2022
I’ve been settling in with John and Clara Schmidt for the past several evenings, and now that I’ve finished the book, I find myself ruminating about their lives and legacy. That’s how you know a book is good - it stays with you. I highly recommend Called. Bravo Marlena & Ed! This book would make an excellent film.
February 7, 2022
I am happy I won this book on a goodreads giveaway! I love learning of true events. Especially from the personal point of views that was throughout this book. I know this will be a book I’d recommend to other people.
May 31, 2022
Amazing story of service and perseverance
Marlena and Ed tell the remarkable story of Marlena's parents' lives. Each is given their due. What they did has lasted and has been carried on now by two more generations. Inspiring!
Marlena and Ed tell the remarkable story of Marlena's parents' lives. Each is given their due. What they did has lasted and has been carried on now by two more generations. Inspiring!
November 29, 2021
An informative, compelling true story!
December 11, 2021
Marlena Fiol and Ed O'Connor's biography of John and Clara Schmidt. Fascinating, moving and emotional, with interesting nuggets of history. A great read for the holidays!
February 18, 2022
I was fortunate enough to win a copy of this from Goodreads a few weeks ago. I am a fan of true stories so I dived right into this one.
Now this isn't a very exciting story but it is interesting. A Mennonite doctor from Kansas goes on a missionary assignment to Paraguay where there are a number of Mennonite colonies. The Mennonite sects are from Russia and Germany and were settled in the early part of the 20Th century. The Colonies desperately need medical personal of any kind. John Schmidt is recruited from The United States and being descended from the Russian sects he gladly goes. What he finds is a primative settlement in a land not friendly to farming . Being a man who will not take no for an answer, he slowly starts to turn the colony around with his contacts from the USA and the greater Mennonite community of America.
John Schmidt is a man of God who's motto is" You have got to give back". He lived in Paraguay for the next 45 years where he built hospitals, farms, roads, ranches and paved the way for modern day treatment of lepers. Most people do not know that the Biblical disease is still around and thriving in third world countries where poor hygiene, bad food and scarce water are the common everyday experience. Dr. Schmidt's experiences and failings are all laid out here for the reader, including his courting and romance with a young nursing student Clara, who eventually became his loving and faithful wife. Together they were essentially of one mind in the calling of making the Mennonite colonies livable, workable and self sustaining . Their daughter Marlena and her siblings compiled all of the facts and stories from the decades about their parents struggles and successes in the Chaco region of Paraguay to create this book.
This is not the most exciting read, but it is a very interesting read. It is a testament to how one man and his wife, who believed that it was his calling from GOD to change what he could in the world for the betterment of man. John and Clara Schmidt firmly believed in their calling and influenced countless others , including their son and grandson to continue their work helping lepers, curing diseases and transforming lives in an unknown part of South America, that never gets attention from the news media in our country. The Schmidt's are true heroes in Paraguay. The world could use more people like them .
3 and 1/2 stars for CALLED by Marlena Fiol.
Now this isn't a very exciting story but it is interesting. A Mennonite doctor from Kansas goes on a missionary assignment to Paraguay where there are a number of Mennonite colonies. The Mennonite sects are from Russia and Germany and were settled in the early part of the 20Th century. The Colonies desperately need medical personal of any kind. John Schmidt is recruited from The United States and being descended from the Russian sects he gladly goes. What he finds is a primative settlement in a land not friendly to farming . Being a man who will not take no for an answer, he slowly starts to turn the colony around with his contacts from the USA and the greater Mennonite community of America.
John Schmidt is a man of God who's motto is" You have got to give back". He lived in Paraguay for the next 45 years where he built hospitals, farms, roads, ranches and paved the way for modern day treatment of lepers. Most people do not know that the Biblical disease is still around and thriving in third world countries where poor hygiene, bad food and scarce water are the common everyday experience. Dr. Schmidt's experiences and failings are all laid out here for the reader, including his courting and romance with a young nursing student Clara, who eventually became his loving and faithful wife. Together they were essentially of one mind in the calling of making the Mennonite colonies livable, workable and self sustaining . Their daughter Marlena and her siblings compiled all of the facts and stories from the decades about their parents struggles and successes in the Chaco region of Paraguay to create this book.
This is not the most exciting read, but it is a very interesting read. It is a testament to how one man and his wife, who believed that it was his calling from GOD to change what he could in the world for the betterment of man. John and Clara Schmidt firmly believed in their calling and influenced countless others , including their son and grandson to continue their work helping lepers, curing diseases and transforming lives in an unknown part of South America, that never gets attention from the news media in our country. The Schmidt's are true heroes in Paraguay. The world could use more people like them .
3 and 1/2 stars for CALLED by Marlena Fiol.
June 11, 2022
I’m Marlena Allen.
December 6, 2021
What an experience! It touched my heart and instructed my mind. The author transports us through time and history with Dr John and Clara Schmidt, Mennonite missionaries and medical pioneers. Set mostly in Paraguay and beginning against the backdrop of WW2, we live through decades of the adventures, heartbreaks, sacrifices and triumphs of this couple that change the way the world views and treats Leprosy to the day. A gripping book from cover to cover.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews