Mercy Triumphs

Mercy Triumphs by Jana Kelley is a powerful contemporary Christian story of the difficulties of being a Christian in a Muslim country. It is the third book in the Door To Freedom series which has been absolutely cracking.
There are many themes in the novel including obedience and trust. Muslim women are supposed to be obedient to the male head of the household but there is One who deserves our obedience more. "She wouldn't give up Isa... she wouldn't deny the truth." To trust and follow Jesus in the Sudan brings shame to a Muslim family. To follow Jesus means to trust Him completely because apart from Him, you will be alone. Death of a daughter is seen as preferable to your daughter becoming a Christian.
Our comfortable lives in the west contrast with those in the Sudan. We have so much stuff and choice, and yet people are dying in Africa for lack of the basic necessities.
"Wherever we are, people need Jesus." Our mission field is not necessarily overseas. Our mission field may be right where we are. How will people know about Jesus if we do not tell them?
Being a Christian means "my story is part of God's grand story." We all have a part to play in God's story. We need to keep focused on Him and follow His plan for our lives.
Some people are more receptive to Jesus than others. "Layers and layers of traditions and habits covered Hanaan's heart." It is hard for some to let go of their upbringing and hear the truth of Jesus' message.
Mercy Triumphs is a twofold story. The series has followed a missionary family and also a young Sudanese girl. They have all become dear to my heart. The struggles faced by Christians in the Sudan on a daily basis are incredible. I have had my eyes opened.
Jana Kelley has produced a marvellous series. I have 'travelled' to faraway places while remaining in the safety and comfort of my armchair. Through detailed descriptions I could almost 'feel' the heat and 'taste' the sand. I have learnt to appreciate the things I take for granted - my Bible and my religious freedom.
Door To Freedom is educational, an enlightening and an all round fabulous series. Thank you Jana Kelley for writing it.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Two thumbs up to Jana Kelley's Mercy Triumphs. Engaging and approachable characters made me feel present in their stories. I ached with their pain and rejoiced with them in God's provision.

Kelley's missionary characters seemed surprisingly normal. It's so easy to think that a missionary is more "spiritual" (or that I am less so, because I'm not on the mission field and maybe I should be?!) -- but her book reminded me that they aren't that different from me, nor are the people they work alongside and minister to. We're all just people, folks.

I occasionally struggled keeping the multiple storylines straight, but never so much that I couldn't catch up quickly. Quelle surprise, I haven't read the first two books in the series -- but only because they weren't available at the library! Mercy Triumphs shares enough that I didn't feel like I missed out on key plot points. I plan to read the earlier ones when I can procure copies.

This is the third in a series and I have read the previous two, although you could read it alone and follow the story. I appreciate her writing and ability to make the story real. She understands missions and the difficulties missionaries face on the field and the culture shock of coming back "home."
She also helps you understand the Muslim culture and how hard it is for a Muslim to come to faith in Jesus.
I recommend this book highly.
I received this book free from the publisher for the purpose of review.

This is the third book in the trilogy. While it reads well on its own, I would suggest reading the previous books to get a full picture of the life of the characters involved.

The main character is Mia. She and her husband have been in Khartoum, Sudan, for three years. (Previous novels in the series cover earlier experiences.) Her husband works for an NGO while Mia runs their home. Both try to share Jesus with people they meet. Doing so in a Muslim country requires serious discretion. One of the converts from a previous novel is Halimah. She had to flee her home when she became a Christian. She ended up helping in a refugee camp in Kenya, having adopted an assumed name. She has an opportunity for a job in Nairobi and moves to the big city. Her sister, Rania, is another major character. She is studying art in Dubai, staying with relatives. She has kept the fact that she is a Christian from her family. She faces an arranged marriage to a Muslim upon her graduation.

Kelley does a great job of describing the situation of Christian converts in a Muslim country through the eyes of these three women. Converts will probably be disowned by their family and may be beaten. If they have a business, others will refuse to patronize it. They may not be able to get jobs. They may be arrested and detained. It is always difficult for converts as there is not the support system to sustain their faith we see in western countries.

Kelley also does a good job of describing life in general for Americans living in Sudan. We are made aware of the clothing restriction on women. We experience the intermittent electricity. We sweat in the heat. We read of refugees and mistreatment. We are concerned with the possibility of being caught in the uncertainty of an attempted coup.

I recommend this book to readers interested in the living conditions for Christians abroad. You will get a glimpse of modern day persecution and the providence of God. You'll experience the struggles Christians face when living under Islamic law. While this book is fiction, Kelley is clear that the stories are based on real events. She has also included a glossary for the foreign words she used.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Litfuse. My comments are an independent and honest review.

It's obvious that Jana Kelley has been living in Africa and the Middle East. She knows what she's writing about.
Nethertheless her American MC Mia is surprisingly naive sometimes. I have no Muslim background but I guess she captured the thoughts and feelings of Halimar and Ranya quite well.
We in our (supposedly Christian) cozy Western World often forget what it's like to live under prosecution.
Quite often we make plans how we can best serve the Lord - but His plans are different from what we expect.

Three women who are different in many ways all come together for one thing. I have read the authors previous books and loved every word that skipped across the page as it began to transport me to another country. This book is probably my favorite because the women were so compassionate and I loved how the author gave us a glimpse into another religion. The customs are so different than we are use to, but oh how I loved reading about their struggles and triumphs.

Mia is American and has been in the Sudan with her husband for three years. I hear stories where Americans travel to foreign countries to speak about God. The author so eloquently showed how Mia gained friends about the Muslim women. I loved how Mia took Halimah under her wings and converted her. The book is a reminder that there is real danger for Christians living there. For Halimah to convert was a blessing but she must be careful. Can you imagine having to hide what you believe in , just so no harm will come to you? There are so many people around the world risking their lives everyday because they have been called to the mission field.

I found It very interesting to read about the beliefs of others. It may be hard to grasp but I respect their religion and their right to believe in something even if we don't understand. I found Mia and her husband to be willing to share Jesus with others knowing they could be in danger daily. The author did an amazing job of researching for this book and the details are realistic and easy to picture. I loved reading about Mia and her heart to share God with others. Her love for the people in Sudan was so genuine.

Halimah and Ramia were very intriguing women. The author does an amazing job of letting us understand their culture and what they face everyday . I love reading about the foods they ate and the breathtaking land they called home. One of the most interesting things I found about the book was how much Mia and her husband wanted to go back to Sudan. It was so hard for Mia to adjust to living in America again. God is a merciful God and He showed Mia that he had new plans for her right in her own state. This is one of those books that stay with you forever. Thank you for writing a story that opened my eyes to other cultures and to people who are not afraid to share His word no matter where they are.

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse . The review is my own opinion.

Mercy Triumphs
by Jana Kelley
New Hope Publishers


Christian
Pub Date 04 Sep 2017   

I am reviewing a copy of Mercy Triumphs through New Hope Publishers and Netgalley:

Mia is an American Christian who has been living in Sudan for so long, she has gotten used to the persecution, harassment and danger are commonplace for her. She has developed such a hard outer shell it is threatening to harden her heart.

Mia's newly Christian friends Halimah, and Rania. As former Muslims they are forced to live outside of Sudan. The three quickly learn that moving does not mean they are no longer in danger, but they also learn that God is with them.

Will Mia, and her friends risk their lives for their faith, or will they survive?

Will Mia allow her heart to soften?

Find out in Mercy Triumphs

Five out of five stars.

Happy Reading!