What do you think?
Rate this book
Threads: Unexpected Adventures in Business, Missions and Family
When newlyweds Steve and Arlene Richardson arrived in Southeast Asia, they were full of hopes and dreams of befriending their neighbors and sharing the gospel in a Muslim-majority country of nearly 175 million and very few believers.
From learning a new language to making a home in a crowded city neighborhood, the cultural barriers seemed enormous. The Richardsons were often overwhelmed with the economic needs of their new neighbors, as they observed their friends struggling to provide for their families in the face of crushing poverty. Even greater were the spiritual strongholds that held them in the grip of religious tradition.
How could they even begin to help?
The unexpected answer came in the form of a cardboard box of quilts from North Carolina and a tiny village woman who became a treasured member of the family. Arlene, who had never sewed a quilt in her life, launched a business venture that brought Muslim and Christian employees under one roof, designing, cutting and sewing quilts for beds 7,000 miles away in America.
Threads recounts the Richardsons' journey—the sorrow, joy and unbelievable answers to prayer that sustained them in their labors and drew their family into a story that only God could write.
From learning a new language to making a home in a crowded city neighborhood, the cultural barriers seemed enormous. The Richardsons were often overwhelmed with the economic needs of their new neighbors, as they observed their friends struggling to provide for their families in the face of crushing poverty. Even greater were the spiritual strongholds that held them in the grip of religious tradition.
How could they even begin to help?
The unexpected answer came in the form of a cardboard box of quilts from North Carolina and a tiny village woman who became a treasured member of the family. Arlene, who had never sewed a quilt in her life, launched a business venture that brought Muslim and Christian employees under one roof, designing, cutting and sewing quilts for beds 7,000 miles away in America.
Threads recounts the Richardsons' journey—the sorrow, joy and unbelievable answers to prayer that sustained them in their labors and drew their family into a story that only God could write.
190 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
5 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 22, 2022
Such a great story! I work for the same organization Arlene serves with and we hope to publish a revised edition of this book in the next few months, before a new book by her husband is published. I re-read it to look for things that might need updating.
July 18, 2025
An Encouraging True Story
Threads is an encouraging story of cross-cultural ministry and compassion. It is told in a simple, clear, straightforward manner. Not preachy, nor apologetic. Just tells it like it is. I found it refreshing. Oh, and apparently we once bought one of their quilts. We use it as our bedspread, and have done everyday for years now; still going strong.
Threads is an encouraging story of cross-cultural ministry and compassion. It is told in a simple, clear, straightforward manner. Not preachy, nor apologetic. Just tells it like it is. I found it refreshing. Oh, and apparently we once bought one of their quilts. We use it as our bedspread, and have done everyday for years now; still going strong.
February 14, 2024
I liked how this book showed the beauty and challenges of ministering to others and the amazing network the authors created all from a simple box of fabric scraps. What small thing do I have or can I use to better the lives of those around me?
April 17, 2023
Clearly shows the work of God and how missionaries can be used
February 2, 2014
Wonderfully fun book to read!
June 11, 2016
Great story about how God can work in and through the lives of those who trust and obey him.
July 10, 2013
A good story about God's amazing work around the world; told in a simple and humble manner.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews