A Modern Day Good Samaritan: Not exactly the mission that she signed up for on the Logos Hope Christian Missionary ship, Natalie Vellacott finds herself in the midst of an unlikely adventure of a different sort–doing what she didn’t plan to do, loving where she didn’t expect to love, giving because she cares–not because it’s easy, and being personally challenged in difficult and unexpected ways. This is her story of helping the rugby boys, solvent-sniffing street urchins who live in Olongapo City by Subic Bay in the Philippines, a modern day account of a good Samaritan who sees a need and doesn’t hesitate to meet it. This book is a first-hand narrative about the author’s experiences in helping a few boys who need rescuing from their dead-end existence–efforts at trying to help them improve their lives–and the ways in which she and others offer the rugby boys hope in the form of Christian faith, friendship relationship, and through addressing their physical and spiritual needs. Help is offered and then some, but it is hard for the boys to maintain their end of the deal. They are used to life on the street with its own code of ethics, and they seem bound to each other as a substitute family. The boys have trouble accepting what is offered, or better said, assimilating it into their lives. Natalie perseveres. Every day is a new day. She cares even when she easily could have said “enough is enough.” I give the author a lot of credit for hanging in there when the going got rough and for never giving up on these young men as hopeless. She saw something of value and as worth saving in each one. Somehow that sounds a lot like how Christ views humanity, every person…as savable and redeemable. That is her motivation for persevering. This book is a matter-of-fact telling of an important story. During the reading of it, I found myself wishing for a little more descriptive language, dates or time sequences, and additional information on other factors relating to the events in the story. It makes us think. They’re Rugby Boys speaks loudly: Caring never goes out of style. For the rugby boys, it came just in the nick of time.

A positive read that encourages spiritual relationship with God. Kevin King is passionate about his subject. His enthusiasm graces this book like a refreshing breeze. This book makes me think of a Bible book study. It contains many insights into the Shunamite woman and her relationship with King Solomon as it is depicted in the story found in the Old Testament book, Song of Songs. King describes the Shunamite woman’s insecurities, emotions, and the dynamics between the characters in the story. He writes their love story in conjunction with a second love story, a person’s relationship with Jesus Christ and the God-head. Transformed by Love reads like a teacher teaching an important lesson to a student. The message to be gained is this–that one can be transformed by love, the love of Jesus, a process that occurs over time and through circumstances. The awareness of true love begins a process of change which transforms the person’s perception of self. I particularly enjoyed the depiction of Jesus and His work in His chosen, beloved, children. The only difficulty I found with this book is that the text reads somewhat awkwardly because it jumps between three different “thought” voices–although this doesn’t detract from the message of the book. Transformed by Love is a book you will enjoy reading.