While the Alfords
were in the states on a missions furlough one year, Mrs. Alford
found it difficult to find quality Christian, fictional reading.
What she did find available, was set in horse and buggy days
and even some of that did not meet her expectations for sound
Bible teaching and examples. Furthermore, anything set in modern
days was woven with modern-day philosophies that did not line
up with pure, Bible teaching or what separated Christians could
relate to.
This became a heavy burden on her heart and Mrs. Alford began
praying for such a market to open with good, quality, Christian
books but set in modern times so that teenage girls would have
role-models to encourage their stand and walk with the Lord in
today's complicated world.
Mrs. Alford's heart was further burdened for young people to
open their minds and hearts to a great, big, world out there.
Most American teenagers have never been out of their own country
except for, perhaps, a missions trip to Mexico. Europe was such
a different mission field by contrast and it is economically
possible, in many cases, to plan a trip there.
Suddenly, God began to show her a story that was inspired by
a young lady named after Corrie ten Boom. She and her mother's
desire was to visit Holland one day and tour the city of this
great woman. While the Alfords lived in Holland, this became
a reality. Cory's holiday, coupled with dozens of other happenings
became the foundation for Faith Goes To Europe.
The book is full of situations that Gail Alford either experienced
herself, or witnessed one of their many guests or, even a stranger,
experience. |
CAN DO came
around unexpectedly. The Alfords had worked with youth groups
over a course of twenty years. A friend of theirs had moved away
to attend a Bible College and was asked to take over the youth
department in his new, local church. He accepted this challenge
but was at a loss for how to do it. He contacted the Alfords
for some help, advice and tips. As the Alfords began writing
down things that came to mind, they were amazed at how much God
had taught them over the course of those years.
Simultaneously, they had witnessed another youth department that
was setting itself up for some real trouble and wanted to teach
and warn other youth directors how to avoid this. Through these
experiences, the knowledge that God had taught them, was ripe
to be shared with others through the printed page. |