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slc54hiwi's review against another edition
2.0
Edith Schaeffer's L'Abri is a touchstone for many conservative Christians who, to this day, still seem to idolize Schaeffer & her husband for their work in establishing the Swiss retreat. Edith's account of their work, in this book, is certainly glowing and positive. If, however, you also read their son's memoir, Crazy for God, as well as one or more of his roman-a-clef such as Portofino, the picture becomes very murky if not dark. Clearly, things were not as wonderful or happy as Edith Schaeffer portrays them.
rachelb36's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book!
Edith Schaeffer writes about how she and her husband, Francis Schaeffer, came to begin L'Abri Fellowship, a community where people can come and wrestle with their questions about God and spirituality.
One of the hallmarks of this community is that Edith and Francis aren't official missionaries and don't receive traditional financial support. They also don't advertise their needs widely or ask for funds. Instead, they pray and trust God to provide for their needs - and He has.
As with other accounts of God's provision, this was an incredibly encouraging read. Something that really struck me is that they also prayed for God to keep people away, those people who would only be taking advantage of the free accommodation near a skiing area (they are in Switzerland), and not actually interested in spiritual matters.
"If God exists, He is the One with infinite intelligence, infinite wisdom, infinite knowledge, infinite judgment. He would know how to plan a work, how to use lives, beyond any human being. We felt then that it would be possible to place our individual lives, and our 'work' of the future, into His planning. We felt it would be possible for Him to communicate day by day, week by week, month by month, this plan of His to us." p 127
Edith Schaeffer writes about how she and her husband, Francis Schaeffer, came to begin L'Abri Fellowship, a community where people can come and wrestle with their questions about God and spirituality.
One of the hallmarks of this community is that Edith and Francis aren't official missionaries and don't receive traditional financial support. They also don't advertise their needs widely or ask for funds. Instead, they pray and trust God to provide for their needs - and He has.
As with other accounts of God's provision, this was an incredibly encouraging read. Something that really struck me is that they also prayed for God to keep people away, those people who would only be taking advantage of the free accommodation near a skiing area (they are in Switzerland), and not actually interested in spiritual matters.
"If God exists, He is the One with infinite intelligence, infinite wisdom, infinite knowledge, infinite judgment. He would know how to plan a work, how to use lives, beyond any human being. We felt then that it would be possible to place our individual lives, and our 'work' of the future, into His planning. We felt it would be possible for Him to communicate day by day, week by week, month by month, this plan of His to us." p 127
kara4's review against another edition
I’m always encouraged to read stories of God providing, and this is a detailed account of how He did that with Francis and Edith’s ministry. It has challenged me in respect to my own journey of prayer and reliance. The second piece I love is what L’Abri was (is)-I wish we had more of this going on today-an intellectual curiosity and conversation over the Bible, who God is, what is Truth etc in a way that attracts people through relationship in a relaxed setting. A gathering place of discussion.
bzzzzzz's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
A beautiful book! The illustrations are gorgeous. The story of the Shaeffers is so encouraging—living to show that God exists. I love it, and am almost ready to book a ticket to Huemoz! The writing was a little hodge-podge at times, but the story makes up for it.
justinmartyr's review against another edition
delightful book with a great perspective on how the schaffers started their community of thinkers, As a person that respects them it was a great book and i cant wait to read others by Edith and Francis, Francis will be missed!
timlittleford's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully compelling recollection of the everyday happenings and beginning of the L'Abri community in the mountains of Switzerland.
stephanieridiculous's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
hollyhandal's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book about God’s providence and provision, and I enjoyed reading Edith’s story on the founding of L’Abri. It was very long and descriptive, so it was a lot of work to get through, but there were several gems here. I loved seeing the daily miracles that took place in their ministry, and the huge mountains that were moved as a result of God’s provision and their prayer and faith in Him. It’s truly amazing to see the enormity of impact this community has had, and how it all began as a sheer act of faith. She admits that the dream and mission of L’Abri was far more than any of them could have ever planned or hoped for- it was as if it was a moving freight train God set in motion, and they all just jumped on and committed to going wherever it took them. Really great story and very inspiring.
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