The Summons is a memoir of the Chambers family's transition from Central Ohio to deep in the heart of Africa. When the book opens in February, 1990, Jim and Rachel are members of a church in Cedarville; he's a plumber and handyman, she's a housewife and busy mom of six kids. For years she has dreamed of serving Christ in missions but has never had an opportunity to follow the dream. All that changes when God begins to lay the same burden on Jim.
The couple initially believe they are called to the Central African Republic, but before they have the chance to leave for the field, through circumstances the Lord redirects them to Zambia. The remainder of the book covers their first tour of duty on the field, ending with their journey back to the States for their first furlough.
Chamber's writing style is wonderful. Through her pen the reader sees a God Who is alive and active in the daily lives and mundane details of life: protecting, encouraging, providing, guiding. Chambers is not bashful; as she tells the tale she holds nothing back, positive or negative, allowing the reader to live vicariously through the surprises, heartaches, joys, and discoveries of a first year in Africa. Through hardship and humor the mighty hand of God is displayed. Everyone who is contemplating missions should read this book, as should everyone who wants to know how to encourage missionary families.
Available on Amazon, Summons is self-published through Xulon Press. Don't let that give you pause; the quality of Chamber's prose is superb, the printing is excellent, and the book must have been very well-edited—I do not remember encountering a single typo. It is well worth the purchase.
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