Farewell, Four Waters: One Aid Workers Sudden Escape from Afghanistan

by Kate McCord

Day 14: It should have been the beginning . . .

All she needed were stamps and signatures. Marie and her translator stood in the government offices in Kabul, Afghanistan, to complete the paperwork for her new literacy project. The women in her home town, the northern village of Shehktan, would learn to read.

But a spattering of gun shots exploded and an aid worker crumpled. Executed. On the streets of Kabul. Just blocks from the guesthouse. Sending shockwaves through the community.

The foreign personnel assessed their options and some, including Marie’s closest friend, Carolyn, chose to leave the country. Marie and others faced the cost and elected to press forward. But the execution of the lone aid worker was just the beginning.

When she returned home to her Afghan friends in Shehktan to begin classes, she felt eyes watching her, piercing through her scarf as she walked the streets lined in mud brick walls.

And in the end . . .

It took only 14 days for her project, her Afghan home, her community—all of it—to evaporate in an eruption of dust, grief, and loss. Betrayed by someone she trusted. Caught in a feud she knew nothing about, and having loved people on both sides, Marie struggled for the answer: How could God be present here, working here, in the soul of Afghanistan?

A novel based on true events.

Genres: Christian, Fiction, Christian Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2014

About the author

I lived and worked in Afghanistan for years. And yes, I wrote about that. Sometimes I publish collections of short stories. I love writing and recording them. I do a fair bit of live storytelling, too. That's pure fun!

Reviews

[Dawn Nolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captivated my interest, not only because of the suspense filled story, but because I interact every week with lovely people from Afghanistan who have fled their home. In reading this story, I understood the Farsi words and could picture the faces of the people she described. As a foreign aid worker myself, I could imagine the trauma of needing to flee in a moment without being allowed to say proper goodbyes. Excellent story!

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, great insights into the Muslim faith in Afghanistan and the way the Afghans live. The only problem I had with the book is the author's style of killing you in mundane details. The first half of the book moved very, very slowly and I was confused as to who the main character was due to some oversights in editing (Marie is the main character).

The second half of the book picked up quite a bit but was still bogged down with slowness and unnecessary details.

I read this book because I absolutely LOVE the author's first non-fiction book, In the Land of Blue Burqas. I would definitely recommend that over this book. But this one did add a few more details to life in Afghanistan that were interesting. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.

[Mindy Tharnish · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story based on the life of an American aid worker and her escape from Afghanistan after being caught in the middle of a tribal feud. I felt as if I was hearing a story from a friend. This story maybe is extra precious to me because I know what it’s like to be evacuated quickly from your overseas home. If you’re a Christian who works in the NGO, I think this would be a great read for you. I was deeply touched by Marie’s story.

[Mandie Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, the ending was phenomenal. I really appreciated the story of Afghanistan, and in the end my heart was breaking.
Sadly, the first seventy-five percent of the book fell flat for me. It didn't seem to have an even flow, and Marie honestly got on my nerves.
But overall, I think this was a decent book. Not the best missionary book ever, but it wasn't bad!

[Joanna Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this powerful, descriptive, heartbreaking account of a woman’s evacuation from her work in Afghanistan! I couldn’t put it down, and was so challenged by her testimony. The confusion is so real, and yet Christ is there through it all. I want to know what she is doing now... how does one live in America after being so deeply in another culture? I enjoyed this more than most because of my own experience living in another Muslim context.

[Maggie Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed McCord’s first book but liked this one even more! It’s a page turner.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would suggest reading this book for information only. You will gain insight into tribal relationships, traditions, etc., of Afghanistan. But it was not a compelling read. Most of the book consist of the thoughts of the female aid worker and I found them rambling, sometimes hard to follow. While there were hints of danger and suspense throughout the novel, it only came at the very end. Also, I kept on wondering if I was reading a sequel as the aid worker had been there for years and this novel was just the last two weeks of her experience. I kept on feeling I had missed something.
See my complete review at http://bit.ly/1HfhRqN.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

[Lori Neff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The descriptions were well developed - I could really get a sense of the people and landscape. A great book to read if you want to understand some of the real experiences, joys, and challenges of being a missionary.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farewell, Four Waters by Kate McCord seemed interesting enough. The fact that is was based on true events made it even more frightening. It only took a short time for everything to change. Disaster stroke and danger lied ahead. The main character was an Afghan woman who struggled to survive each passing day. The Afghan culture and belief were mentioned across the pages. Murder, chaos, and deception are themes that are explored here. It was definitely a dark read. The sense of a broken community was sad. Trust was hard to come by...the plot was slow. It felt dragged out.

Inside this novel, I followed Marie. Marie spent 14 days of hell. It was quite scary how an ordinary day can turn dark so fast. Everything was told from her point of view. I saw her community and journey through her eyes and ears. An aid worker is shot dead in the street. Everyone saw it. After that, the gates of hell broke lose. Marie questioned whether God was around or not. She felt like God had abandoned the community. War broke out...making it deadly for Marie to stay behind. This story told how she survived and made it back home. Overall, Farewell, Four Waters was a good read. 

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Jill Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie is a foreign aid worker in Afghanistan. Farewell, Four Waters is her, mostly true, story of the 14 days post-assassination of an aid worker in Kabul. From saying farewell to her roommate, co-worker and friend as she returns to America, to the approval and maintenance of her foreign literacy project there is a lot packed into these 14 days.
Written in close connection to her own life in Afghanistan, author Kate McCord pens of her painfully real experiences as an American in a Muslim, foreign country. The friendships she develops and the sacrifices she makes are authentically raw and so well captured within the pages here. While some days pass by rather mundane, others are packed in unbelievable sequences of events.
Despite this being one women’s story of looking over her shoulder in a foreign country, it is excruciatingly similar to the realities many women face in America as well. However, as Americans we often skim past the struggles others are facing in the world, and we fail to recognize the good deeds our ministries are going abroad. McCord brings these works to life in this, Farewell, Four Waters.
*Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journey along with Marie, a non-government aid worker in Afghanistan. Marie has called a small town in Afghanistan her home. She has made friends there. She is implementing a literacy program for women at several sites. She follows Jesus in a Muslim country. The story is based on true events, but it is a novel. The book counts down to the event that would change Marie's world. It got a little confusing at times, trying to keep track of who was who. It is a nail biting story, although for me, I couldn't read it before bed. It was too tense!

[Rob Roy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a novel, that reads like an autobiography. The reader gets a good feel for the Afgan culture and problems. My problem is the attitude of the main character towards the Afghans. While she is there to help, she clearly believes that her own culture and religion is superior. There is an arrogance here, unintentional maybe, but arrogant nonetheless.

[Leah Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful and raw and real. I wept as I read this and God spoke to my heart through Marie and her journey. The writing was beautiful and anyone who has lived overseas or has ever considered it will be shook by the realness of the words and the details which bring back so many memories and remind us that God is faithful even when life is really hard.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man. There is so much soul in this story. The slow build knits your heart to theirs. As an expat, so many things rang true in my own context. I just really love Kate McCord’s heart and gift for sharing.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommend this book! I’ve not been in this person’s shoes, but I imagine it comes close to mirroring many workers’ experience in Afghanistan. “May you know His presence even in the darkest, hardest valleys of your own life journey.”

[Aurelia Mast-glick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. While technically fiction, it's based on true events and so therefore, to me, it qualifies as nonfiction.

[Trisha Throop · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman does not cease to amaze. Her work, her witness, her words are admirable.

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story kept me turning pages hoping for more, but it fell flat. A lot of repetitive religious talk that seemed out of place or just put in.

[Kayla Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book spoke to me as an overseas worker as no non-fiction book ever has. She expressed things I have not been able to put into words with beautiful honesty. I feel so seen, and so encouraged.

[themsbookshelf · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want to read an entire book, waiting for something to happen, and nothing does until the last 40 pages, then this is the book for you.

[Cait Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre writing, but gave an interesting perspective on Afghani living and the realities of life as an aid worker.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommend. Well written historical fiction with insight into Afghanistan.

[Bethany Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

a novel based on the author/her friends experiences in Afghanistan. a beautiful and intriguing story

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about an Aid worker in Afghanistan. It was very good about sharing the main lady's thoughts and struggles. she really loved the people of Afghanistan.

[Tori Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

McCord is such an incredible storyteller and so accurately describes what it’s like to live in a desert, Muslim country.

She is too detailed though- I didn’t have the patience to read through every single sentence that explained what everyone on the streets was wearing or all of the decor on one wall was. The plot also felt very, very slow. Things did not pick up until 3/4s of the book had already passed. This book could have easily been 150 pages.

Nevertheless, I’m so grateful to McCord for sharing her story so humbly and openly. I could deeply feel all of the items, smells, and people that brought her immense joy in Afghanistan. I also burdened the weight of all of her losses, the constantly staring eyes, and the despair.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read on Afghanistan and working within a Muslim culture. It moves a bit slowly until the end, but is definitely worth reading.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be clear, this is a work of fiction, but it is based on a number of real events. Rather than the suspenseful tale I was expecting, this is really more of a tribute to Afghanistan - the people and the land, the good and the bad, and the beautiful and the ugly. As Marie is falling in love with the village of Four Waters, it is easy to be caught up in her enthusiasm and fall in love too. The people are by no means perfect - great wrongs have been done and continue to be done, even within the most important family - but their humanity is clear.

I enjoyed learning about the Afghan culture. While I would not say I am an expert after reading this, the story offers much to appreciate about the Afghan people, and it has much to teach about the culture, especially the women's role. As Americans, we tend to think of Afghanistan as peopled by terrorists and the poor oppressed who cannot fight them, and that the Muslim men have all the rights and the women have none. However, there are many people groups within the country, and even within cities and villages, with all manner of economic situations. While women may have fewer rights, the rules governing their behavior are not as strict as the media would have us believe. Or at least such was my understanding after reading this book.

My problem with Marie is that she is pretty aloof - she tends to hold back from the other aid workers, even her housemate, to avoid being hurt (which doesn't work), and, while she exhibits tons of compassion for the Afghan people, she doesn't show it well with her coworkers. I don't like how she has separated herself mentally from them, and it makes it hard to really connect with her. However, events do force a shift in priorities and attitude, which help near the end.

One thing the author hits right on the head is how we so often think of prayer and God. "How do I know God is with me? I pray. I'm sad, angry, excited, maybe just bored. Then I pray and remember--God's with me. I feel His presence. (She chided herself.) But really, most of the time I just forget. I work. I get busy. I live here like I'm alone. Most of the time, anyway" (171). It's a really easy trap to fall into. If someone asks us how we know God is there, we have an easy answer - I pray and He answers, or I feel His presence. But do we really live each moment of every day WITH Him?

This book reads differently than most novels, and I think it is because its goal is to convey real experiences (though not necessarily the exact situations the author went through). I've read novels with more poignant prose and greater flare for a story, but this one feels real, whereas most suspense novels are simply an enjoyable escape from reality. While I did not love the book, I feel it tells an important tale that will help the average American truly connect with the experiences of foreign aid workers, missionaries, and, above all, a people we tend to misunderstand.

Thank you Moody Publishers for a free book in exchange for an honest review; I was not required to make it positive, and all opinions are my own.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband grew up in a missionary family. His father was a medical doctor in Guatemala for 10 years of Patrick’s early life. When he was 15, they returned to the states.

Ever since we began dating, I’ve treasured the stories of his family’s experiences outside my little world. From their living conditions to the simple, satisfying food; from the rare but frightening stories of hostility to the warm recollections of friendships forged through the bond of mutual service, compassion and faith. Over the years, I began to detect a different tone when his mother relates the stories. Her voice holds longing, a hint of lost or distant identity.

Longing...that is the tenor of Kate McCord’s, Farewell Four Waters. In this sequel to, In the Land of Blue Burqas, McCord unwinds the painful process of saying goodbye to her Afghan life—in truth, leaving her Afghan self. Deftly, she details the circumstances that led to her final decision to return to America.

In 2008, Marie, the author’s representation of herself, was working to develop a literacy program for women during a uniquely tumultuous time. Afghanistan conflict, she explains in the book, is almost always regional, and for years her beloved city of Shektan was calm and safe. But suddenly, at first with no explanation, violence erupted. Three people were killed within a span of a few days, one a female aid worker—gunned down right out in the open, two others by police.

A quiet tension, a sort of underlying panic ensued. That's difficult to understand from the North American cultural perspective of non-violent demonstrations that only occasionally devolve into street riots. Aid workers began a slow, steady exodus. Even Marie’s dear friend, roommate and architect of the literacy project, Carolyn, abandoned her post. Marie was left virtually alone.

But that’s what sets Marie’s story apart. Shored by her faith and willingly but warily dependent on the Afghan friends she’d come to love and trust, Marie refused to leave. She would stay until she had no other option.

Farewell Four Waters is a delicious story. The narrative moves slowly, mirroring the progress of Marie’s choices, her endurance, longing and letting go. While the first half of the book is not laden with excitement, it does take an inexplicable grip on the reader, causing them to feel that if they don’t finish the story something in their own lives will remain unfinished.

I highly recommend this book. In addition to the pure joy of exploring a distant world, the reader will walk away with greater knowledge of the Afghan culture, a splinter of understanding of what it’s like to bear the mark of Jesus in a hostile environment and will fertilize the spiritual fruit of long-suffering in their own life.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farewell, Four Waters is an intense and personal look into the life of an aid worker in Afghanistan. Kate McCord combines her in depth knowledge with deep emotion to produce a book anyone who is interested in God’s work overseas should read. This book will hold your interest as you join with the main character to fulfill God’s commands to love Him and her neighbor.

Marie has been an aid worker in Afghanistan for over 5 years. She has come to love the people and the country and embraces both as her family and home. But another aid worker is targeted for murder and things change. Marie must balance her care and love for the women in her town with the distrust she must have to keep herself safe.

Farewell, Four Waters explores the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll that working in a foreign country puts on aid workers and missionaries. In Afghanistan, there is another level of security that other workers may not experience. The characters must maintain a hyper-vigilance that seems counter to the work that they are trying to accomplish. The book also offers a unique and personal look at women in Afghanistan. Complex, smart and capable, these women are cloistered and treated like children by the men. Even young boys are deemed more capable in keeping women safe than themselves. During Marie’s visits to the literacy classes she establishes, she attempts to bridge the gulf of culture. Western culture is as incomprehensible to the Afghan women as their’s is to us. But one truth remains — these are people that God loves and calls us to love as well.

I enjoyed Farewell, Four Waters. There was a tension that began in the opening pages and continued to ramp up to the very end. Marie was a difficult character, yet all the more real for it. Her fears, loneliness, grief and faith in God are very real. And best of all, the book is based on real events and people, giving it an accuracy that may not be present in other fictional accounts. This book is a good choice for a book club — a lot of topics to spark conversation.

Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: older teens to adults.

(Thanks to Side Door Communications and River North for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Mazzou B · Rating 3 out of 5]

   I have read the author's previous two books- In the Land of the Blue Burqas, and Why God Calls Us To Dangerous Places- and was fascinated by her activities in Afghanistan. I was interested in reading Farewell, Four Waters which is the author's fictional account of her own and others' experiences in Afghanistan. This is slightly longer chapter book but I was interested for the entirety. The reader will learn a wonderful amount about life in Afghanistan just from reading this novel. The characters are very real which makes sense since the author based it off of her own experiences. I was a little disappointed by how quickly the end culminated after I spend the entire book wondering when the intrigue and suspense in the book would begin. I will point out that this book is not a suspense novel for light reading. It is an informative novel which will open the reader's eyes to life in Afghanistan, particularly of an American's life in that country.