Return to Dignity: Stories of Hope, Faith, Courage and Transformation

by Marilyn B. Skinner

Chronicles the life-giving stories of transformation of African women once scarred by war, disease, poverty... Now living a life of hope, dignity and purpose.

Genres: Faith

178 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2012

Reviews

[Samantha]

Horrifying, but inspirational, stories from women in Uganda who have overcome unimaginable traumas.

[Renata Vilela Kalil]

Só de ser do Watoto já tem um significado especial para mim. Acompanho e admiro esse trabalho há anos, então fiquei imensamente feliz ao saber que publicaram um livro.

A leitura é forte. A obra resume os testemunhos de mulheres africanas que enfrentaram absurdos inimagináveis, mas que encontraram restauração ao conhecerem a Deus por meio do Watoto. A cada história, fica claro que, independentemente do abismo que alguém tenha enfrentado, o SENHOR Deus tem poder para transformar qualquer realidade.

É um livro que, ao mesmo tempo em que nos expõe à decadência da natureza humana, nos enche de esperança. Ele nos lembra de que o próprio ser humano, quando usado pelo Espírito Santo, pode ser um instrumento de cura e recomeço.

[Krista]

How in the world haven’t I read this book before now?! It will most definitely become one of my top recommendations not only for people interested in Africa, but for anyone.

The stories of these women are heartbreaking and reveal the harsh realities that many women in Uganda face. There is a lesson for all of us to learn from these accounts. There is no life to broken, and no hurt to deep for God to heal. He can restore hope and dignity in any circumstance.

Often times the most uncomfortable reads, are in fact, the most important ones. Read it.

[Julie Berzins]

The women themselves were inspiring in how they worked so hard to overcome the obstacles in their lives, with stories of great community and strength.
I'm not religious and I didn't enjoy this book as it was too in your face preachy for me. Tone that down a bit and I think a lot more people would want to read and contribute.
I almost felt the women in the stories HAD to convert and go deep into the church to receive the help offered. It seemed very conditional given that religion is supposed to be all about conditional love.

[Amie]

“God is doing something incredible in Africa. He is mobilizing a generation of wounded women, and raising them up to transform their communities.”
-Marilyn Skinner

This book is filled with 8 short stories of graduates of the Living Hope program, at Watoto church in Uganda. It’s filled with kidnap, rape, and HIV... but it is also filled with love, growth, dignity, and proof of the amazing power of simply believing in someone.

[Becki]

Inspiring stories of women who's lives have been changed through Living Hope Ministries.
They were hard to read at times. Not just for some of the content; what some of these ladies when through is horrific. But the way the stories were written themselves. I don't know if that is because maybe they were told orally and then written down without much editing. But the narrative timeline in each story bounces around some, and there's repetition.

[Abbie]

This is a story of women who rise up to overcome their worst nightmares to finally be able to live live free. The book is so moving and full of hope.

[Omo -]

Great stories and journey to finding dignity in a country undergoing war.
Really grateful for the people who shared these stories with us and their experiences.

[Paula Monteiro]

Emocionantes relatos, que nos fazem repensar em como podemos contribuir para o resgate das pessoas

[Amanda]

This book is packed full of individual stories and photographs from an incredible mission in Uganda. While the stories are at times difficult to read -- some of the things these women have been through are absolutely unthinkable -- they are nevertheless inspiring. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about what life is like in other cultures or is interested in missionary work.

[Robyn]

The stories of women scarred by war, while not written in a literary style that immediately engaged me, are inspirational and beautiful. I wonder if I would have the courage that these women have shown through all that life has thrown at them.

[Fran]

Very thought provoking read. It took me ages though as some of the stories were difficult to read because of what happened. But I pushed through because I'm only reading it, not having to experience it.
Very uplifting messages here.

[Ellen Hefner]

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[✿ ♥ Heather ♥ ✿]

A hard, but thought provoking read; very worthwhile

[Maddy Estherby]

Really inspiring book that is written in a way that makes you emotional and reverent.

[Joanne Compton]

This is a hard book to read. The ladies whose stories are told have been through so much. But God is a God of restoration! Comes with a DVD that I've yet to watch!