Recommendations of Jantsen’s Gift
Pam’s publicist in NYC is putting together some blog/twitter recommendations for the book Jantsen’s Gift
Here are some Tweets today from Malaak Compton-Rock (Chris Rock’s wife):
Guess What?! Pam Cope, the author of my new favorite book “Jantsen’s Gift” came to my home yesterday! You all know the book changed my life.
The moment I finished reading “Jansten’s Gift,” I googled her, found her number and left a message. She is an amazing woman doing God’s work
Out of grief from the death of her son, her mission is to eradicate child slavery, but her book “Janten’s Gift” tells how she got there.
Now she rescues children from slavery in Ghana, Cambodia, and Vietnam through her Touch A Life Foundation.
(You can follow her at http://twitter.com/ARProject.)
By the way, she named Jantsen’s Gift as her book-of-the-month.
Here’s what I wrote and the link: http://preacherjosh.blogspot.com/2009/05/jantsens-gift.html
I first heard her story through Matt and Mike Cope.
Pam Cope’s new book Jantsen’s Gift invites you into a story of grief and redemption. She was a stay-at-home-mom in Missouri who was living the American dream, but her world shattered when her son, Jantsen, died at the age of 15. He laid down for a nap after football practice and never woke up. His heart just stopped beating. Jantsen’s death sent Pam into a deep depression.
It is out of her story of deep depression that God cultivated within her a dream to rescue suffering, broken, neglected, and abused children. Her story is one of the most inpsiring books I’ve read.
I laughed. I cried. I prayed. I reflected.
Below is a paragraph that describes how I want to raise Truitt and his little brother (we still haven’t decided on a name). Then, there is a video that will usher you into the mission of God.
The concept of a bad day for my kids is when the cable goes out, or there’s a not enough milk for their Lucky Charms. I want my kids to know a different life than that; to have a different understanding of what constitutes hardship. The best way for me to do this is to do what I regretted not having done for Jantsen: teach them, through the way I live my life, that the world is not as big as we think and it’s my responsibility–and will someday be theirs–to take care of people who need our help, even if those people look nothing like us, or live someplace that seems far away and foreign. I see many of my friends trying to shield their kids from pain and disappointment the way that I did when Jantsen and Crista were young, but I can’t continue to do that. I don’t want them to be crippled by fear. I want them to take chances and live adventurous lives. I want them to live their dreams, and the best way I can teach them to do that is to let them watch me live mine.
Beautiful, Josh. Thanks!
This is the first time I’ve ever wished I had my own blog or twittered! I can say I’ve purchased several copies of Pam’s books, & given them to people, who, when they read the book, comment how much her story moved them, & how they want to be a part of helping stop child trafficking. God, through Pam, ROCKS, doesn’t He?!
http://byronbundy.blogspot.com/2009/05/change-world.html
Here is the link to what I wrote concerning Jantsen’s Gift
Thanks so much, Byron!
I started the book last night.
In 2007, you mentioned Pam’s work in a talk at Pepperdine. I was struggling at the time over whether or not I wanted to go on a work trip to Honduras. I realized after hearing Pam’s story, that I had to go. I have been twice now and my life is fuller than it would’ve been. Thank you for telling the story and thanks to Pam for writing it down. I can’t wait to finish the book!
What I wrote on my blog about Jantzen’s Gift is here http://clif74blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/touch-life.html
That is so great! This past weekend, I had the privilege to lead worship at The Branch Women’s Retreat where Pam was one of the keynote speakers. It was amazing. I’ve been hearing you talk about their story ever since I was at Highland and I’ve loved seeing and hearing more about Touch a Life since they came to The Branch. The Lord is using Pam and Randy in a mighty way! I’m definitely planning to read Janten’s Gift…right after the 4000 other books I have to read for grad school.
I read quite a bit, and this is the best book that I have read in a year. AMAZING story!!
DU
My aunt bought me the book for my birthday, and I just started it today. I’m only about fifteen pages in, but I love it already! Her story has touched me, and I can’t wait to read more! Thanks for sharing your sister-in-law and her life with us, Mike! I still remember the day I learned about Jantsen’s death. It’s so amazing to see all the things God has done since then. Praise Him for His work of redemption!
Knowing true pain on this earth comes in different forms. True pain has recently been in our home. I call Jantsen’s story a bandaide on this earth. My pain is new but I already see a difference in me. My joys are greater and I cherish my family time in a different way now. With this new found ability to experience a different level of joy. I want to do something… to honor and serve God for the peace he has blessed me with and somehow pass on the gift. That is why I love your book Pam. I ordered the book online recieved it yesterday and finished it tonight. I couldn’t put it down. Yesterday, my husband took our oldest daughter fishing and I was home with the younger 3 children. Is there anything wrong with giving your kids cold sandwiches for lunch? Icecream sandwiches???? This is a beautiful story!!!! Everyone can relate because wounds are in every home. I love your story of turning your wound into a gift.