Catalogue

From the darkest night: meditations for abuse survivors

Review:

"As a survivor myself, I had read a ton of books which offered no "real" answers for me. Maybe it was the images, maybe it was her candid way of making sense of theological issues involved with abuse, but for me, this is a very well thought provoking and moving book. For the first time in my life, I was able to find closure where other books had failed. This author's artwork so eloquently describes what can often not be stated in words. But she does that well too! I appreciated her "down to earth" language. I didn't get lost in the "sexual abuse" jargon that often accompanies these type books. Thanks Melane for a such a blessing of a book and opening and sharing your art and words for all to heal from. I can't thank you enough! I loved it so much I sent a copy to entire family, so they too can begin the process of healing."

Author	Jansen, Melanie
Year Published	2001

For such a time

Category: Fiction

Powerful Retelling of the Story of Esther

In 1944, blond and blue-eyed Jewess Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, she is able to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. However, in order to survive and maintain her cover as Aric's secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz.

Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths and sympathies, Stella cautiously appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric's compassion gives her hope, and she finds herself battling a growing attraction for this man she knows she should despise as an enemy.

Stella pours herself into her efforts to keep even some of the camp's prisoners safe, but she risks the revelation of her true identity with every attempt. When her bravery brings her to the point of the ultimate sacrifice, she has only her faith to lean upon. Perhaps God has placed her there for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she is unable to save herself?