Door to Freedom by Jana Kelley

It's rough and it's smooth. It's dark and it's light. It's a masterpiece. It's us. Here in Sudan. We are scared of it and drawn to it. There is an open door, and there is much opposition.

In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia, who is raising her family in a Muslim country, has learned to boldly share her faith. Rania, the daughter of a wealthy Sudanese Arab, seeks to find the reason for her sister's sudden disappearance. Mia holds some of the answers, but both women quickly discover they must each walk through their own doors to freedom, the freedom that only comes when you trust God's sovereignty more than man-made security.

Part of New Hope Publishers' line of contemporary missional fiction, Door to Freedom, the sequel to Side by Side, opens the reader's eyes to modern-day persecution and the life of Muslims in Sudan. Based on real-life events, Door to Freedom also reveals some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as for the salvation of the persecutors.

Available on Amazon

Meet the Author:

Jana Kelley is a Texan who hardly ever lives in Texas. Raised in Southeast Asia, Jana developed a love for cross-cultural living early in life. Her love for writing came soon after. Jana returned to Texas to attend college. She and her husband married a month after she graduated and by their second anniversary, they were living in a remote African town. Together with her husband and three boys, Jana enjoys travel and overseas living. After thirteen years in Africa and the Middle East, Jana and her family moved to Southeast Asia where they currently live.

   

My Take:

This book was intense and amazing and very challenging to my own personal faith. Although aware of persecution in other countries for believing contrary to that country's mandatory beliefs, it is hard sometimes to really grasp the courage of those who are suffering.

In this story, Michael and Mia, a young couple with several children, who live in Sudan and work for Keller Hope are torn between the desire to remain in that country and the challenge that sharing their faith it they do, will be. As they begin to spend more time together praying and reading the book of Acts, God also challenges their hearts towards speaking boldly about him. While at the same time, a dear friend who was initially a very bold witness is backing off a bit. The views from both parties are interesting and thought provoking. Will they be able to stand up under fire? Are they able to trust God no matter what the outcome and will they be ready if the suffering hits home?

Mia's friend Halimah was beaten for her faith and disowned by her family. Halimah's sister Rania, is now seeking answers to her own unending questions. But knowing what happened already in her family, makes the searching even more dangerous and the stakes are high. As she begins reading the Gospel of John her sister left behind, she wonders... Is she willing to lose it all, and is it worth the cost? Does Isa (Jesus) give the peace she longs for?

This book will definitely make you think! It may even lead you to some personal soul searching about what you believe, why, and whether it is enough. It inspired me to pray for those in other countries who are being persecuted for their faith, and be thankful that in spite of the changes in our own country, we still have freedom to worship and share the gospel. It made me consider the depth of my faith and trust in Jesus, and increased my burden for the lost.

The author writes from personal experience and from the heart. This is a moving story that will inspire the reader! Be ready though, at times it is an emotional, and a bit frightening read. Truly not for the faint of heart.

I received a free copy this book courtesy of Litfuse Publicity Group and New Hope Publishers to read. I was not required to review the book in a positive manner. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was given. 

This book is a sequel to the first book Side by Side but can definitely be read as a stand alone.