The Axe and the Tree

The anticipated release date for this novel isn't until April 2017, but you might be able to get your hands on it through netgalley like I did.

If you do manage to snag a copy, please be prepared for the fact that this book is emotionally heavy. It is difficult to get through at points, especially if you're a particularly sensitive and compassionate person.

The novel is about Peter and Brenda Griffiths, a married couple from the United Kingdom who set out as missionaries to help the devastatingly impoverished country of Zimbabwe, which is located in southern Africa. 

Their hope is to build a school, leaving behind a lasting legacy of one of the precious few things in life that cannot be stolen: education. And the freedom of thought that goes along with it.

The series of events that unfold are made even more startling by the author's matter-of-fact prose. In some ways, the stripped down, bare faced writing made the tragedies seem that much more visual and difficult to accept.

Ah, but then we get to see the preciousness and irreplaceability of the ripple effects that can be created through actions born from selfless acts of love. You may never know the beautiful mark that you leave in someone's soul. 

But maybe that's the point.

Haunting – no, that’s not the right word. Inspiring, that’s better. Encouraging, that’s good too. Comforting, that works too. But none is adequate by itself. This book did all of those things to me.
This is a very rare book. Griffiths has written one of the most comprehensive biographies I’ve ever read. It doesn’t just focus on the lives of his parents or even just the mission group they worked with. The politics, culture, factions, military forces, and even international pressures that affected their lives and played into the (I won’t call it a tragedy for they wouldn’t) climax are explained very carefully. The dark history of Colonialism and Revolution that lead to the war are covered as well. Don’t be put off by that. It’s vital to the point of this book.
There are so many lessons to take away from this book. Christianity is hard. God’s will can be hard. God is strong. God is Sovereign. Men are evil. Forgiveness is hard. Evil is real. Life is complex. The rewards God gives are not always immediate or evident. God moves through the deepest tragedy to give His followers glory and victory. Perhaps, the best way to sum up the ultimate impact of this book is to quote He who orchestrated it all. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
One this that made this biography even better is Griffiths didn’t stop just after the deaths of the missionaries. He carried the story on through the next thirty years. You can see the struggles they still had to endure to forgive the perpetrators, to carry despite their grief, and the comfort God gave them. At the end, he tackles the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" It's a wonderful section full of Biblical wisdom and comfort. 
You should read it. Don’t get bogged down. The beginning is a little slow, but be sure to keep reading. If you are saved it will encourage you. If you aren’t, I’m sure the author’s prayer, and mine, is that you will see Jesus as the hero of this story and the Savior who offers you forgiveness for your sins. 
It’s written by and about Pentecostals; though, their particular distinctives aren’t emphasized. There are also overtones of ecumenism in the beginning. I’m not sure how much that was the author’s perspective or his parents. 
I received this as a free ARC copy from NetGalley and Lion Hudson Plc. and Monarch. No review was required, but it was my pleasure to write it.

Not an easy read but worth it. I find it's difficult to get through the book. The beginning is a little slow to start but after a few chapters I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen next.