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Mission Possible
"Mission Possible" is the story of two ambitious young Americans convinced God has called them to share the good news of the gospel in South America. The couple, George and Alice, and their young son, Phillip, embark on the unknown in the early 1950s as they are given the plans for their mission work in the Presbyterian East Mission of Brazil. After a brief time serving a church in Tennessee, as a newly graduated seminary student, George is ready to fulfill his dream of serving abroad. Alice is excited to embark on this adventure in a land where she and her husband can bring a sense of hope to many, while grappling with a new life and a growing family. Their limitations and naivete are compounded with perils of the jungle, along with the endless physical, language and cultural differences encountered. Though often weary, both remain yielded to whatever means the Lord uses to train and equip them. Every part of their life goes beyond all the boundaries of their imagination as it is woven into a colorful tapestry sometimes torn, but always repaired. Their amazing adventure is fundamentally based on a real-life story.
146 pages, Paperback
Published November 17, 2022
1 person want to read
About the author
Nancy Hastings
1 book19 followersFormer journalist Nancy Hastings, the daughter of missionary parents, is the author of “Mission Possible.” Nancy’s 30 plus years of experience as a journalist and freelancer gives her the ability to make her characters shine. Nancy lives and works out of her home base of Lexington, IN and spends her summers hiking and camping with her husband, three children and three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 6, 2025
Mission Possible is an inspiring and heartfelt story of faith, courage, and purpose. George and Alice’s journey to Brazil beautifully captures the power of obedience and trust in God’s calling. Their determination and devotion remind us that with faith, no mission is impossible. A truly uplifting and unforgettable read.
July 9, 2025
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2023
Format: Paperback
The pleasure of writing this book shows how lifetime designs can form a colorful tapestry arising from our divine gifts, unique talents, desires, thoughts, choices, and actions.
Format: Paperback
The pleasure of writing this book shows how lifetime designs can form a colorful tapestry arising from our divine gifts, unique talents, desires, thoughts, choices, and actions.
March 28, 2024
Nancy Hastings, the author of "Mission Possible," is noted as the daughter of missionary parents and the back cover states that this "amazing adventure is fundamentally based on a real-life story." With these nuggets in mind, it appears that Hastings has presented a somewhat biographical treatment of her parents "in this fictional novel based on true events; however, some names and places have been changed." Without a precise understanding of the boundaries, I accept this work as historical fiction and enjoy it for what it is.
Each of the 29 chapters is brief (averaging around 5 pages) and serves as a snapshot of the experiences of George and Alice, young Presbyterian missionaries and Midwesterners serving the Lord in Brazil beginning in the 1950s. As a Baptist pastor and supporter of missionaries, the format felt quite familiar, like I was reading letters from servants on the field, sharing their joys, hopes, victories, and even difficulties in their assignment. I especially appreciated the way the author used both George and Alice as narrators. Without labeling a chapter as his or hers, Hastings swapped back and forth between the two protagonists, with each sharing from their perspective, and allowing the reader to distinguish who is speaking. I appreciated how each of their understandings are presented as important.
Most such discussions spend considerable time painting the larger milieu, but Hastings did not spend this capital, which makes for a stronger and more realistic story. From time to time, she drops elements of the cultural context naturally; let's be honest, people don't set around and concoct essays on their political and social environments, as many authors place in the months of their speakers. Such notices and insights come up effortlessly as we live and breathe.
I believe that readers will find this an enjoyable read focused on a husband and wife who are faithful to their God-given calling, to one another and their children, and the people and communities that they choose to invest with their lives.
DISCLAIMER: I am acquainted with the author, but this is an open and honest assessment from my reading of her book.
Each of the 29 chapters is brief (averaging around 5 pages) and serves as a snapshot of the experiences of George and Alice, young Presbyterian missionaries and Midwesterners serving the Lord in Brazil beginning in the 1950s. As a Baptist pastor and supporter of missionaries, the format felt quite familiar, like I was reading letters from servants on the field, sharing their joys, hopes, victories, and even difficulties in their assignment. I especially appreciated the way the author used both George and Alice as narrators. Without labeling a chapter as his or hers, Hastings swapped back and forth between the two protagonists, with each sharing from their perspective, and allowing the reader to distinguish who is speaking. I appreciated how each of their understandings are presented as important.
Most such discussions spend considerable time painting the larger milieu, but Hastings did not spend this capital, which makes for a stronger and more realistic story. From time to time, she drops elements of the cultural context naturally; let's be honest, people don't set around and concoct essays on their political and social environments, as many authors place in the months of their speakers. Such notices and insights come up effortlessly as we live and breathe.
I believe that readers will find this an enjoyable read focused on a husband and wife who are faithful to their God-given calling, to one another and their children, and the people and communities that they choose to invest with their lives.
DISCLAIMER: I am acquainted with the author, but this is an open and honest assessment from my reading of her book.
July 16, 2025
Reading Mission Possible felt like sitting down with a trusted friend over coffee and hearing the incredible, real-life journey of two people who truly gave their lives to something bigger than themselves. George and Alice's story isn't just about missionary work it's about surrender, courage, and unwavering faith in the face of uncertainty.
Set in the 1950s, the book takes us through their early calling, the cultural and physical challenges of moving to Brazil, and the intense but beautiful process of growing both as individuals and as a family. What struck me was the honesty in their struggles, not just the external ones like jungle hardships or language barriers, but the internal ones too. Alice’s quiet strength and adaptability, especially while raising a family in such unfamiliar territory, were especially moving.
The writing brings you deep into their world, and you can almost feel the heat, the isolation, and the weight of responsibility they carried. Yet through it all, there’s this constant thread of hope and grace that reminds you why they chose this path in the first place.
If you love memoirs about faith, purpose-driven lives, and stories that remind you what’s possible when you follow a calling with your whole heart, this one is worth reading. It’s powerful, humbling, and leaves you feeling both challenged and encouraged.
Set in the 1950s, the book takes us through their early calling, the cultural and physical challenges of moving to Brazil, and the intense but beautiful process of growing both as individuals and as a family. What struck me was the honesty in their struggles, not just the external ones like jungle hardships or language barriers, but the internal ones too. Alice’s quiet strength and adaptability, especially while raising a family in such unfamiliar territory, were especially moving.
The writing brings you deep into their world, and you can almost feel the heat, the isolation, and the weight of responsibility they carried. Yet through it all, there’s this constant thread of hope and grace that reminds you why they chose this path in the first place.
If you love memoirs about faith, purpose-driven lives, and stories that remind you what’s possible when you follow a calling with your whole heart, this one is worth reading. It’s powerful, humbling, and leaves you feeling both challenged and encouraged.
December 15, 2025
Mission Possible is a deeply moving and richly written story that draws the reader straight into the heart of faith, sacrifice, and obedience. From the very first pages, Nancy brings George and Alice to life with such authenticity that their calling feels personal, their fears familiar, and their hope contagious.
Set against the vivid backdrop of 1950s Brazil, this true-life–inspired narrative captures both the wonder and the weight of answering God’s call. The struggles of language, culture, family life, and the unforgiving jungle are portrayed with honesty and grace, never romanticized yet always infused with purpose. What makes this book exceptional is its quiet power the way perseverance, humility, and faith are woven into every chapter like a tapestry that may tear, but is always restored.
Nancy’s storytelling is thoughtful, evocative, and emotionally grounded. She has a remarkable gift for showing how ordinary people, yielded to God, can live extraordinary lives. Mission Possible is not just a missionary story it’s a testimony that will encourage, challenge, and inspire anyone who has ever stepped into the unknown trusting God to lead the way.
A truly uplifting read and a testament to the author’s talent and heart. This is a book that stays with you long after the final page.
Set against the vivid backdrop of 1950s Brazil, this true-life–inspired narrative captures both the wonder and the weight of answering God’s call. The struggles of language, culture, family life, and the unforgiving jungle are portrayed with honesty and grace, never romanticized yet always infused with purpose. What makes this book exceptional is its quiet power the way perseverance, humility, and faith are woven into every chapter like a tapestry that may tear, but is always restored.
Nancy’s storytelling is thoughtful, evocative, and emotionally grounded. She has a remarkable gift for showing how ordinary people, yielded to God, can live extraordinary lives. Mission Possible is not just a missionary story it’s a testimony that will encourage, challenge, and inspire anyone who has ever stepped into the unknown trusting God to lead the way.
A truly uplifting read and a testament to the author’s talent and heart. This is a book that stays with you long after the final page.
January 23, 2026
Mission Possible by Nancy Hastings is a deeply inspiring and beautifully told story of faith, courage, and perseverance. Following George and Alice Hastings as they step into missionary life in 1950s Brazil, the book vividly captures both the excitement and the uncertainty of answering a higher calling. Hastings brings their journey to life with rich detail, making the challenges of language barriers, cultural differences, family life, and the physical demands of the mission field feel authentic and deeply human.
What makes this book especially powerful is its honesty. The story doesn’t shy away from fear, weariness, or mistakes, yet it consistently highlights grace, growth, and unwavering trust in God. Knowing the story is rooted in real-life experiences adds even more depth and meaning. Mission Possible is a moving reminder that faith often stretches us beyond our comfort zones—and that even when life feels torn and uncertain, something beautiful can still be woven together. A heartfelt, uplifting read that will stay with you long after the final page.
What makes this book especially powerful is its honesty. The story doesn’t shy away from fear, weariness, or mistakes, yet it consistently highlights grace, growth, and unwavering trust in God. Knowing the story is rooted in real-life experiences adds even more depth and meaning. Mission Possible is a moving reminder that faith often stretches us beyond our comfort zones—and that even when life feels torn and uncertain, something beautiful can still be woven together. A heartfelt, uplifting read that will stay with you long after the final page.
November 12, 2025
Mission Possible is one of those stories that quietly draws you in and leaves you reflecting long after you’ve finished it. Nancy Hastings writes with such sincerity that you can almost feel the heat of the Brazilian sun and hear the hum of the jungle as George and Alice take their leap of faith.
What touched me most was the honesty. This isn’t a sugar coated missionary tale. The challenges, doubts, and cultural barriers feel very real, yet the couple’s determination and faith shine through every page. Their journey shows that “mission work” is not just about preaching, but about humility, learning, and genuine love for others.
The writing is simple but heartfelt, and the pacing keeps you turning pages. It’s both a moving family story and a spiritual adventure perfect for readers who enjoy true faith based narratives.
What touched me most was the honesty. This isn’t a sugar coated missionary tale. The challenges, doubts, and cultural barriers feel very real, yet the couple’s determination and faith shine through every page. Their journey shows that “mission work” is not just about preaching, but about humility, learning, and genuine love for others.
The writing is simple but heartfelt, and the pacing keeps you turning pages. It’s both a moving family story and a spiritual adventure perfect for readers who enjoy true faith based narratives.
September 29, 2025
Mission Possible" by Nancy Hastings is a powerful and beautifully written account of courage, calling, and unwavering faith. Following the real-life journey of George and Alice, two young American missionaries in 1950s Brazil, this book masterfully captures the heart of what it means to step into the unknown in obedience to God’s call.
From the moment they set foot in South America with their infant son, the challenges are constant language barriers, cultural adjustments, and the sheer physical demands of life in the jungle. Yet, through every trial, the couple’s resilience and reliance on God's provision shine brightly. Hastings writes with vivid detail and emotional depth, making the reader feel as if they're right there beside the family struggling, learning, and growing.
From the moment they set foot in South America with their infant son, the challenges are constant language barriers, cultural adjustments, and the sheer physical demands of life in the jungle. Yet, through every trial, the couple’s resilience and reliance on God's provision shine brightly. Hastings writes with vivid detail and emotional depth, making the reader feel as if they're right there beside the family struggling, learning, and growing.
January 19, 2026
Mission Possible is a deeply moving and faith-filled story that brings missionary life to vivid reality. Nancy Hastings beautifully captures the courage, uncertainty, and quiet perseverance required to follow a calling into the unknown. George and Alice’s journey to Brazil is inspiring not because it is easy, but because it is honest. The cultural challenges, family sacrifices, and reliance on God feel genuine and heartfelt. Knowing this story is rooted in real life adds even more emotional weight. This book is a wonderful reminder that faith grows strongest in surrender. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy inspirational nonfiction and to writers seeking an authentic portrayal of spiritual obedience and resilience.
September 2, 2025
Inspiring, heartfelt, and deeply authentic. Mission Possible beautifully captures the courage and faith of George and Alice as they step into the unknown to serve in Brazil. Their struggles with culture, language, and the hardships of jungle life are portrayed with honesty, while their devotion to God and one another shines throughout. This story of perseverance and purpose, woven from real life experiences, is both humbling and uplifting. A wonderful read for anyone seeking encouragement, faith, and a reminder of how God works through ordinary people in extraordinary ways.
November 16, 2025
What makes this book stand apart is how real it feels. Nothing is sugar coated. Their victories are hard won, their trials are humbling, and yet through every setback, every heartbreak, their trust in God only deepens. The imagery of their lives becoming a tapestry “sometimes torn, but always repaired” is exactly what this book delivers a story stitched with divine purpose.
This is not just a missionary story. It’s a reminder that ordinary people can be used in extraordinary ways when they surrender to God’s plan.
This is not just a missionary story. It’s a reminder that ordinary people can be used in extraordinary ways when they surrender to God’s plan.
November 16, 2025
Mission Possible is a powerful testament to courage, obedience, and unwavering faith. George and Alice’s journey from the safety of the United States into the heart of Brazil’s remote mission field is nothing short of extraordinary. Their story captures the raw reality of following God’s call the language barriers, the physical dangers of the jungle, the cultural challenges, and the emotional toll of leaving everything familiar behind.
November 16, 2025
Mission Possible is one of those rare testimonies that forces you to look at your own walk with God and ask, “Would I have that kind of courage?” George and Alice step into the unknown with nothing but faith, and watching how God guides, protects, and shapes them in the Brazilian mission field is unforgettable. Their trials are real, and the victories are even more powerful because of it. A beautifully written reminder that obedience is never wasted.
November 16, 2025
Mission Possible is one of those rare testimonies that forces you to look at your own walk with God and ask, “Would I have that kind of courage?” George and Alice step into the unknown with nothing but faith, and watching how God guides, protects, and shapes them in the Brazilian mission field is unforgettable. Their trials are real, and the victories are even more powerful because of it. A beautifully written reminder that obedience is never wasted.
September 25, 2025
Mission Possible is an inspiring and heartfelt story that beautifully captures the courage, faith, and resilience of a young missionary family stepping into the unknown. George and Alice’s journey into Brazil in the 1950s is more than just an adventure it’s a testament to unwavering trust in God’s calling, even in the face of challenges, cultural barriers, and personal sacrifices.
November 16, 2025
This book captures missions the way it really is hard, exhausting, joyful, and full of divine surprises. The descriptions of the jungle, the cultural barriers, and the couple’s desperate reliance on prayer make this story feel alive. I walked away with a deeper respect for those who carry the gospel into unfamiliar places. Absolutely inspiring and incredibly humbling.
November 16, 2025
George and Alice’s journey proves that God prepares ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Their marriage, their ministry, and their determination to serve even when overwhelmed by language, sickness, and isolation left my heart full. This book is not just read, it’s experienced. Perfect for readers who want more than a feel good story; this is faith in motion.
November 16, 2025
I appreciated how raw and transparent this story is. Missions can be romanticized, but the author shows the discouragement, the exhaustion, and the cultural collisions without losing sight of God’s goodness. The spiritual wisdom woven through these pages will stay with me for a long time. A powerful testimony for anyone wrestling with a calling.
November 16, 2025
This book reminded me that God still calls people to difficult places and still sustains them when they go. The way George and Alice grew not only as missionaries, but as human beings, made this far more than an adventure story. It’s a lesson in trust, surrender, and grace. I found myself highlighting passage after passage. Beautiful from start to finish.
November 16, 2025
Even in the hardest moments, there are touches of warmth and humor that make this story shine. I laughed, cried, and paused many times just to reflect. The metaphor of life becoming a torn but repaired tapestry is perfect. Anyone who has ever stepped into a calling bigger than themselves needs to read this book.
June 9, 2025
Mission Possible is an inspiring and heartfelt story of faith, courage, and perseverance. George and Alice’s journey to Brazil shows how ordinary people can do extraordinary things when guided by purpose and trust in God. A touching and uplifting read!
September 24, 2025
Mission impossible, what a great read!
November 6, 2025
A moving story of faith under fire, cultural discovery, and the unshakable belief that every challenge can serve a greater mission.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews