Bent Hope - reviewed by Bob Holmes

I was introduced to the author of "Bent Hope", Tim Huff, one Sunday morning at Innerkip Presbyterian Church.  It was not long into his sermon that I was knew I would be challenged and impressed by his message.  He spoke of poverty and homelessness in Toronto from a perspective of having worked the streets.  Tim knew the stories of people who were poverty-stricken.  He has a history of speaking to government leaders, churches and faith organizations on poverty and homelessness.  I was thoroughly impressed because here was someone who lived the gospel and was an advocate for the poor.

In his sermon there was one point that I have pondered for days.  Our society fails the poor not because of funding, but because of lack of relationships.  He pointed to our minister, Rev. Chris Little, claiming that if tragedy struck him and his family, Chris would have a congregation of hundreds providing support, prayer and encouragement.  The homeless do not have that option.  Relationships have been broken.

So when I discovered Tim has written a book on the stories of people on the street in Toronto, I knew it was something I had to read. 

From the cover the book it is aptly described.  "It is a collection of thoughtful narratives birthed beneath crumbling bridges and in the hidden alcoves of darkened alleyways. Each chapter reveals a unique life-story-unpredictable, intriguing and compelling. These gripping true-life stories surface quietly from unforgiving corridors of fear, hurt and uncertainty that unexpectedly and supernaturally transform into fascinating places of intimacy and godly anticipation."

In these heart-wrenching stories, Tim finds a morsel of hope.  The stories are dark reflections of a world gone mad, however Tim has this way seeing beyond the darkness and finding the light of hope.  For years my faith included the need to respond to the poor through advocacy, through support, and through actions, but still this book shook the foundations of my faith as I was taken to places I had not known.  I highly recommend this book.  

Bob Holmes

Friends & Inclusion: Five Approaches to Building Relationships: Reviewed by Megan MacDonald

In the fall of 2009, I attended a workshop in Kitchener where Peggy Hutchison and daughter Karen Lord presented the content included in this book.  This was a short but very impactful workshop during which Peggy shared about the various theories/models to develop relationships and Karen shared about the specific examples of each theory/model from her life.  The theories/models covered include: one-to-one, social networks, circles, bridging, and leisure identities.  The book follows a similar format.

The Hutchison/Lord family has made friendships/relationships a key outcome in Karen’s life and as a result life decisions are influenced by this larger goal.  For example, despite enjoying her job, after a several years with no friendships growing out of this workplace, together they decided to consider a new place of employment where friendships beyond the workplace might occur.

In addition to providing numerous stories and examples, the book also highlights that developing and establishing meaningful relationships is not without challenges.  Including the challenge Karen had in learning the reciprocal nature of friendship.

The book is easy to read and very short; I read the entire book on a flight back and forth to Ottawa.  One critique I might have is that while the book provides great examples from Karen’s life, many people supported by Christian Horizons face additional challenges to connecting with people, such as non-verbal communication methods.  Karen might be considered someone for whom it is relatively “easy” to form relationships with others.  

Available through Inclusion Press http://www.inclusion.com/ for approximately $20.00

Impactful quotes include” it is essential that someone be a champion for relationship building” (pg. 21) and “once people are included in community spaces and organizations, opportunities may arise for friendships to develop.” (pg. 54)