Monday Morning Faith

by Lori Copeland

Dear Mom and Pop, Two days ago we all spent the afternoon in palm trees. One of the village dogs broke his leash and treed the whole community. The dog is mean, but I have managed to form a cautious relationship with him by feeding him scraps from our table, and jelly beans ... I hope candy doesn't hurt a dog; it hasn't hurt this dog, I can assure you. I know you're wondering about Sam ... I love him with all my heart, but sometimes love isn't enough. Love always, Johanna Librarian Johanna Holland likes her simple life in Saginaw, Michigan. So why is she standing in the middle of the New Guinea Jungle? Johanna is simply aghast at the lack of hot showers and ... well ... clothing! She is positive the mission field is most certainly not God's plan for her life, but will that mean letting go of the man she loves? Warm and whimsical, Monday Morning Faith will take you on a spiritual journey filled with depth and humor.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Audiobook, Adult, Romance, Contemporary

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

Lori Copeland was born on 12 June 1941. She had a relatively late start in writing, breaking into publishing in 1982 when she was already forty years old. Over the next dozen years, her romance novels achieved much success, as was evidenced by her winning the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. She has been inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.

Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.

Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.

Reviews

[Dora Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a humorous and serious look at missionary work. The story shows how we can fight our call and fight the love God sends our way. It also shows how, and I am guilty of this, we can sometimes feel as though our call is unimportant and has no impact on the lives of others. We can all feel very unworthy. However, we can all be used, all we have to do is listen and follow God's plan.

[Jamie Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could relate to the main character. I think that's why I liked this book so much. She feels like she doesn't fit anywhere and things don't go the way she wants. She finds her place and realizes that she is best as herself.

[Cedar Lea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hesitate to give a book one star, but I found this book to be too unrealistic about missions. The author had a great idea for an overall plot, but there were just too many details that I don't think would ever happen in real life.

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I believe the author intended to illustrate the way that God calls people in different ways to the mission field. The writing is poor and disjointed. There were so many problems with the story, but the top complaint was how the protagonist treated people. I can’t imagine an adult treating others like that-ripping things out of other people’s hands, brawling over possessions, behavior more common to kindergarteners than 40 year olds. They tried to give the least likely solution to their problem by having them live separate lives. Also, why didn’t the missionaries have children? It was unrealistic, simplistic and didn’t teach how to seek God’s will.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the library as an "in-between" book until I could find a something else. Wow! I was bowled over by this fascinating story. I even stayed up past midnight reading (until I couldn't keep my eyes open). The juxtaposition of the Papua New Guinea jungle and the American Midwest is jolting - how much we take for granted! Including touches of humor & romance, this story of metamorphisis is thoroughly enjoyable :)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

God's call sometimes takes time to reach our ears, and we're not always perfectly prepared to answer His call. "Monday Morning Faith" demonstrates these facts. Librarian Joanne discovers true romantic love with Dr. Sam, who's moving to Papua, New Guinea as a medical missionary. While she does join him, she struggles to adjust to her new life and discern God's will for her.
I actually really liked this book. It made me think about my attachment to possessions and if I'm answering God's call on my life. While I normally don't like romances, this one is tasteful. Also, the characters are realistic and human with normal flaws, and the ending doesn't tie up the loose ends neatly like some novels. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who wants an easy but thoughtful read about what it means to be a missionary, Christian or human.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much while reading this book! Like the MC, I struggle with change sometimes. Growing up, however, I was fascinated by visiting missionaries to our church. At one point, I envisioned serving the Lord on the mission field. Now, a bit older than the MC, I have seen how God has chosen to allow me to serve where I am. I'm definitely open to His leading, and continually pray for direction in my life.
Although the Lord probably won't call me to serve Him in Papua New Guinea, I enjoyed reading about the challenges and various ways the missionaries were able to serve. I was able to read a copy of this book via Hoopla, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally, I like Lori Copeland’s characters. But her main character was stupid. She was prideful, materialistic and lacked a sense of humor. I kept waiting for one of the other characters to bring her down a notch or two, but no one ever did. The best thing she did was when she did a pantomime acting out of the story Curious George flies a kite. She was entertaining the kids, so thoroughly, but all she saw was them laughing at her making a fool of herself. To bad the missionaries didn’t think of telling Bible stories that way!

[Marsha R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's a review you might like:

Monday Morning Faith by Lori Copeland is a decent read, but it didn’t capture me the way her humorous historical Christian fiction does. The story’s focus on faith and personal growth is inspiring, and the setting in Papua, New Guinea mission field is unique. However, I found myself missing the laugh-out-loud moments and quirky characters that I’ve come to love in her historical novels. While it’s a thoughtful and uplifting book, it didn’t leave as strong an impression as some of her earlier works.

[Jackalyn]

Very good; however, it seemed to have a weak ending.

Seemed that in the last ten pages or so the author decided she had written enough and just quickly ended the story. I felt like several story lines were left incomplete. For instance, you assumed that the lead characters married, but that was not in the ending, where they ended up serving was also left dangling. Additionally, what happened to Po, the little native girl, who played a big role in the story.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monday Morning Faith was a lovely story. The main character is a wonderful part of the story! She has lived a quiet predictable life. Then her Monday morning faith is challenged. She handles it kicking, screaming and a whole lot of humor! 🐻

[ANNETTE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought this was good , just a little slow at times.

[LoveAGoodBook · Rating 3 out of 5]

C, some funny parts but generally not too interesting

[Jan Norton]

Very predictable but sweet story. Some facts was inaccurate. It takes longer that a few days or few weeks to be able to go on the mission field.

[Shelly Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was cute! Though I’m not signing up to go to papua new guinea anytime soon.

[Rita Jonakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to do some soul searching...

[Beth Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really did not like either of the main characters in this story. They both kind of ruined the lovely story for me.

[Bastione · Rating 3 out of 5]

Semi creative new setting for the storyline you expected. There were a few laughs, particularly at the start.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I liked this book a lot. The first part of the book was full of humor, but that was right at the point where it was beginning to become almost too much when it got more serious. I appreciated the switch at this point.
The book did leave me hanging at the end. The reader never hears about what happened to the little girl or if the main character does in fact get married.
I rated it 4 stars as I did think it was a good Christian story, but there were no comments by the author as to how true the living conditions were for the missionaries in Papua New Guinea. Are the conditions fictional? I've known some missionaries and not heard of anything quite so bad in recent years.
All these things made me subtract a star. It wasn’t a fantastic page turner. It was OK, but I may look to find more 5-star work by other Christian authors in the future.

[Dailyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I only gave this book 3 stars, I did enjoy this book. I though that for the most part it was well written, especially the descriptions about Papua New Guinea and it's people.

But there were some things I was a tad annoyed at, also. For instance, the book started off in present time, then moved into the character telling the story of how she came to be in that position, but it wasn't really made clear, and it left me confused. The same with transitioning back into the present time near the end of the book. The character would also seem to be confused and ready to give up, ready to say something to someone, and then change her mind. Once or twice would be OK, but after many times it got slightly annoying, as I tend to stay on the same feelings track as the character, and it made me switch emotions. Other people may work differently than I, though. I didn't always understand the character either, though this is probably credited to the fact that I have never been: (a) 40, (b) in a romantic relationship, and (c) on a missions trip. :) The ending also left me a little dissatisfied and confused. I do not believe that you should have a long distance relationship if you are married, even if not on a regular basis. I believe God wants you to be near your spouses side to help and to grown with them. To support them through anything.

However, I really did enjoy seeing the characters walk with God grow closer and more intimate, and getting to experience Papua New Guinea (and that beloved child called Poo) alongside Johanna. The spiritual part of it was enjoyable, despite the entire marriage thing.

[Angie Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written by a Christian author that has a knack for capturing what people experience in real life situations. She does this in such a way to make the reader laugh, cry, and desire to be a better person. At times this book is a little to preachy and too obvious, but it resonated with me for many reasons. The main character goes to New Guinea with a group of missionaries and tries to acclimate to a missionary life. However she has a hard time of it at first focusing on only the things that bug her about the people, climate, and lack of modern conveniences she is accustomed to. Slowly she starts to see the beauty in the villagers around her and the jungle she lives in. She is also trying to decide if this type of living is for her, wondering if she should be a full-time missionary and stay with the man she loves, (one of the missionaries), or go back home because she isn't cut out for missionary work, (this part was not part of my mission experience - ha ha). I enjoyed this book because many of the feelings she experiences when she first arrives in the new climate and culture were very similar to how I felt when I served a mission for my church. Some of these feelings were sheer isolation from not understanding the language, longing for family, and just a general feeling of loss for the things we take for granted in our every day lives. It was fun to kind of relive those feelings knowing I got through them and was able to learn tons from the situation like I knew the main character would.

[Geeske · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Spoiler alert

I really liked how the book explored deep things, like the difficulty of giving things up and adjusting to a much more simpler life in a foreign country as a missionary. I found the story very interesting and gripping. And yet at the same time, there were things I had issue with...
Points of criticism:
1. I don't feel the characterisation of the main character, a single woman of 40 years old, is realistic, or consistent. I felt the lacking maturity often attributed to her did not fit her age or life experience. This could have been more nuanced and also do more justice to the experience of single women. In this book, the single woman's life was basically on hold until she met her Prince Charming... I am not a fan of that, nor is it realistic.
2. At one instance, which is an exception however, the native people were called "savages". This is usually not the case, and in general, the depiction of the native people was more respectful, though other readers more in tune to such issues may find that it could still be better.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Librarian Johanna Holland thinks she is content with her life, she enjoys her work and taking care of her parents. But her life gets shaken up when her parents decide to move and she meets a man who takes an interest in her. Suddenly Johanna is getting made over by her best friend, moving into a new apartment, and going on dates with Sam. But all this change has her a bit befuddled, and she is especially confused by Sam s choice of careers he wants to work as a missionary doctor in Papua New Guinea. Does Johanna love him and God enough to follow him to a different country to live among people of a different culture? [return]I enjoyed this romance because for a while I wasn t sure how it was going to end and I could easily relate to the characters and it had a nice message besides.

[joyce lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

i can't imagine setting myself up for a marriage where i might only see my husband about one month out of the whole year, so i found this story to be a little bit unbelievable, hence not getting a full 5 stars. BUT ...

i fell in love w/ the main character. has struggles, including w/ her faith, like most of us do. and, also like most of us, is scared to death of her own shadow, if it falls outside of her comfort zone. YET ...

she could even laugh at herself. i loved that about her! and, that was why i probably gave the book 4 stars when i might otherwise have only give it 3

i must admit, it was probably a great book to end the year on, as it gave me hope for what can come, and left me laughing instead of crying

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was okay. i liked the parts when she was in New guinea and describing everything there. It was fun to imagine doing that. I really liked the main character's friend Melva, she was a good character. There were parts that definitely got on my nerves, but all in all it was good. The author didn't develop the romance relationship well at all and it was hard to imagine that they loved each other since the build up was nonexistent for that. A couple things like that you had to just push through and keep reading, but it was a good summer read. Light hearted and entertaining. No, it wasn't great, but I'm very picky. I'm glad I read it.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book that partially takes place in Papua New Guinea. And once again, while I know this is fiction, I was too distracted by the inaccuracy of how PNG was portrayed to enjoy the story. Sure wish some of it were true...like flying directly from Chicago to Port Moresby. Some of it just made me cringe...like the main character getting in a physical altercation with an elder in the village. I would hate to see what would have happened if this were based on a true story.

So....while the story was OK, I would not recommend it to those who know PNG. And to those who don't, I would not recommend it as it misrepresents PNG.

[Barbara]

What a great book of Christian faith and walking with the Lord. Helped me realize missionaries don't always see their results. They lay the groundwork and other missionaries may witness the results. Building trust and relationships takes time -- sometimes a LONG time. This helped me realize the value of relationships with non-believers whether foreign or in my own neighborhood. Feed them and then witness to them!!

[Amanda Birdwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like I can probably write one review and use it for all of the Christian chick lit I am reading lately. I truly do not understand my sudden need to read about formula novels about Christian ladies. I liked this one pretty well, though, and would probably have given it three stars were it not 1. embarrassing! and 2. while I don't hold it against Copeland, I am resentful regarding the total absence of writerly, literary Christian fiction.

[Debdanz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book as it came highly recommended to me, but i found it to be the most insidious type of mind-poison I have read in a long time- perpetuating the myth that women must sacrifice themselves to men because God says so. Balderdash.

[Rshelite · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 40 year old librarian has finally met the man of her dreams and he is a retired doctor who has a deep love for missions. He wants her to to with him and she tries it, but she doesn't take to it like he does.