The Axe and the Tree: How bloody persecution sowed the seeds of new life in Zimbabwe - Softcover

Griffiths, Stephen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0857217895 ISBN 13: 9780857217899

Publisher: Monarch Books, 2017

Synopsis

In obedience to God, Peter Griffiths leaves Wales to serve among Shona people in north eastern Rhodesia, a racially divided country. A rendezvous in the mountains sparks an unusual romance & then marriage with Brenda.
 
With a dedicated team of national & expatriate staff they build up a multi-faceted work; education and healthcare while establishing a network of churches.  Unexpectedly, spiritual fire sweeps through the school in a student-led revival. 
 
But a war of independence gathers pace. The missionaries work alongside courageous national colleagues in a tiny enclave of peace, enfolded in violence. Helicopter gunships, thumping artillery &  mined roads mark a dramatic, frightening period.  Then horrible atrocity engulfs the team at the hands of young extremists....  
 
This is a story of love & loss, of suffering & new life, of hatred & forgiveness, of following God's golden thread through the dark labyrinth of life.

About this title

About the Author:

Dr Stephen Griffiths was born and grew up in Zimbabwe, where he trained as a medical doctor. He and his wife Anna now share the role of International Coordinator for Personnel for OMF International based in Singapore.

Review:

"I could not put the book down nor could I read it without tears in my eyes. The strength of the story that Steve tells is that he is also part of it, he knew the people he writes about and he brings each character to life as if they were alive today. I am indebted to his diligence in unearthing history and telling it accurately. This book will never be old." -- Paul Hudson, Elim International Missions Director
 "Your book moved us to tears. It is so well written, so well researched, and does not flinch from the hard political and theological questions raised by the massacre. A significant contribution to the history of Christian mission." -- David and Rosemary Harley, OMF
"This book is a moving account of triumphant faith in endeavour and suffering for the cause of Christ and his kingdom. It is thoroughly researched and impressively written by a first hand observer of events which drew the attention of the world to the work of Christian missions." -- Prof Don Evans, Bioethicist, University of Otago, New Zealand
"This story of a Christian community, vividly brought to life through the memories of a missionary family, offers a compelling example of forgiveness and redemption in the face of one of the darkest moments of Zimbabwe's recent past. Through it we come to understand the deep roots of the Zimbabwean Church." -- David Maxwell, Dixie Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Emmanuel College, Cambridge
"Tragedy, triumph, tenacity; grace and faith; suffering beyond words, with love for the Lord, his gospel and his people: this book has them all. A biography like this is never simply a joyful romp through a happy life, and you stare into hell as well as into heaven. But the thread of tenacious faith, no matter what, is visible from start to finish, and behind that the reality of God's love and grace that makes such faith a gift from himself. Read - and pray for Zimbabwe." --Rose Dowsett, Vice-Chairman of the WEA's Mission Commission

About this edition

• Publisher: Monarch Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0857217895
• ISBN 13: 9780857217899
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368