eBook Ten fingers for God. ePub

Wetiwavas

I love all the books by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey. These biographies by Ms. Wilson are just a tad less interesting. Not that I won't read them again at times.

Yar

A good account of an ordinary but remarkable man, who lived out his faith and convictions. Very interesting to read of his family's background, and the other influences on him.

WOGY

The book has been very inspirational for my professional career.
Have passed on many 'low cost' Indian copies to colleagues.

Global Progression

This book is extremely inspiring to anyone who wants to serve the Lord. It presents the true story of Dr. Paul Brand, and shows how God leads us through life. I highly recommend it!

Sardleem

Very clean book - arrived 7/17/15. That is quick! Am anxious to read it!

Laizel

Interesting read of a life well lived in service

Mbon

The cover photo online looked awful, but the actual book is in great shape - and packaged beautifully for such an inexpensive book!

"He had already spent too many years marking time. And after all, it was men's souls that needed to be saved not their bodies. A man, if he had any guts, couldn't be always preparing, never acting."

Paul Brand became one of the leading doctors in the treatment of leprosy in India in the mid-20th century. He was also a missionary. I write his achievements this way around as that is how this biography reads. The author even states that his policy was not to overtly share the Gospel with words, but to shows God's love through their actions. The ministry side of things may have been far more effective if he had kept in mind the quote at the top of this review which was one of his early lessons prior to going to the field. I struggle with any ministry that focuses more on help with hope as a side effect.

There are reports of conversions in this book and it is clear that some were saved through the example of the missionaries. Also, Dr Brand was preaching regularly and did share the Gospel on these occasions. It is clear that this was his original intention when he set out for the field, I wonder if he was just overcome with the burden of the work or of his obvious fascination for it.

That said, the achievements of this man are truly outstanding in medical terms. He single-handedly developed theories (later proven) about the progression of leprosy that halted the damage it was doing to hands and feet in most of his patients. This, in primitive conditions, without basic medical equipment. He stuck to his guns despite being laughed at by his peers. The work of this man has no doubt improved countless lives.

There are statements in the latter part of the book which suggest the philosophy of the ministry was partly to blame for the failure to focus on spiritual goals with an emphasis on "your best life now."

With the acceptance of the discipline of pain, suffering for one another, will come also the ecstasy of shared happiness and of new understanding as we glimpse the vision of God for his world.

One particular statement caught my eye: when a breakthrough was found for an ongoing eye problem, the author remarks that the doctor can now say, "Whereas I might have been blind, now I can see!" Obviously, this is true physically, but what of their spiritual health?

I was disappointed with this book as I read it a number of years ago and loved it. Re-reading it, I found some of the details a bit monotonous; trips to various conferences, traveling schedules, whole chapters about organisations/people within them. I was also sad about the effect Dr Brand's ministry had on his children who were sent back to England to study. I'm glad that doesn't tend to happen now.

This is worth reading, especially for those with medical knowledge, there are a lot of technical terms and descriptions of procedures etc. I do usually enjoy medical missionary biographies, but there is always the difficult balance between the physical and the spiritual. This is often due to the demands of the field and the many health problems confronting the ministry. The really good biographies show the missionary putting the spiritual first in every possible situation realising that without God's hand all of their achievements are worthless.

Recommended if you like medical missionary biographies.