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Tomorrow You Die
Reona Peterson Joly and Evey Muggleton Heckman never dreamed of the adventure and danger that lay before them as they attended a short-term missions school in Switzerland. Then, as the two young women sought God, they began to sense a burden for the mysterious, isolated nation of Albania - a nation unlike any other.
In the 1970s Albania's leaders boasted that theirs was the first completely atheistic nation in the world. Closed to almost all outsiders, Communist Albania particularly wanted no contact with Christians. In this nation that had sealed Christian citizens in barrels and rolled them into the sea, preaching the gospel was punishable by death.
Willing participants in God's plan, yet unsure of how He would lift their burden, Reona and Evey took the first small steps of faith. Through a miraculous set of events, the two young believers were drawn into the danger and intrigue of being God's undercover agents in a nation that officially despised Him.
On every continent, in every nation, God is at work in and through the lives of believers. From the streets of Manila to mysterious Albania to the jungles of Ecuador and beyond. This and every title in the International Adventures series emerges as a dramatic episode that could be directed only by the hand of God. There are 14 books in this International Adventures series.
In the 1970s Albania's leaders boasted that theirs was the first completely atheistic nation in the world. Closed to almost all outsiders, Communist Albania particularly wanted no contact with Christians. In this nation that had sealed Christian citizens in barrels and rolled them into the sea, preaching the gospel was punishable by death.
Willing participants in God's plan, yet unsure of how He would lift their burden, Reona and Evey took the first small steps of faith. Through a miraculous set of events, the two young believers were drawn into the danger and intrigue of being God's undercover agents in a nation that officially despised Him.
On every continent, in every nation, God is at work in and through the lives of believers. From the streets of Manila to mysterious Albania to the jungles of Ecuador and beyond. This and every title in the International Adventures series emerges as a dramatic episode that could be directed only by the hand of God. There are 14 books in this International Adventures series.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 20, 2024
I was a bit nervous going into this book, based on the title. I wasn’t sure what it would be like, and I rarely read the back cover. I did know that Mom had read and enjoyed the book, so I dove into it—and I’m so glad I did! I had no idea, before reading this book, where Albania even was, so getting to see this portrait of the country from fifty years ago was fascinating. It’s hard to imagine such repressive regimes controlling every little part of people’s lives like this—and inspiring to get to witness Christians standing up for their faith and trying to make a difference in the world, no matter how big or little of an impact they might have.
This book was a much different read from some of the others I’ve encountered in this series; in some ways, it felt almost like a play-by-play account of how Albania’s government, culture, and people worked back in the 1970s. This book gives a lot of information about Albania—it’s almost more of a travel journal or history of the country, rather than just the story of a trip into the closed nation. I found that interesting, and had to wonder if one of the main purposes in writing the book was to give Christians more information about Albania, so they could pray and perhaps some would be stirred to minister there. As a travel journal, this book wasn’t quite as gripping as some stories (it just had a lot less action than other books in the series), but I still found it a fascinating read.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I hope I’ll get the chance to read more in the series eventually. This was an encouraging story.
This book was a much different read from some of the others I’ve encountered in this series; in some ways, it felt almost like a play-by-play account of how Albania’s government, culture, and people worked back in the 1970s. This book gives a lot of information about Albania—it’s almost more of a travel journal or history of the country, rather than just the story of a trip into the closed nation. I found that interesting, and had to wonder if one of the main purposes in writing the book was to give Christians more information about Albania, so they could pray and perhaps some would be stirred to minister there. As a travel journal, this book wasn’t quite as gripping as some stories (it just had a lot less action than other books in the series), but I still found it a fascinating read.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I hope I’ll get the chance to read more in the series eventually. This was an encouraging story.
September 4, 2025
Number of pages: 160
Genre: Non-fiction Missionary Biography
Series: YWAM International Adventure (doesn’t need to be read in any particular order)
Age recommendation: 14+
Summary: Reona and Evey were just two regular women with a love for the Lord. When they felt a burden to visit Albania, they knew it was His will for them to bring the gospel to the isolated country. They obeyed, and it nearly cost them their lives.
My thoughts: I thought it was cool the whole book basically took place over two weeks. I usually assume that missionaries give up their entire lives to serve God abroad, but sometimes God calls us to do different things. Their trip to Albania lasted only one week, and the rest of their lives Evey and Reona served God in other ways.
The way they talked about hiding the literature in their clothes sounded really funny. They commented on how much literature they could sneak in their shoes (they could fit two gospels of John comfortably under their feet). They also had to be very careful in their conversations, pretending to talk about something different when others were close enough to hear. I can’t imagine having to hide Christian literature, or pretend I was talking about something else if the wrong person came my way. I am so blessed to live in Canada, where we don’t have to worry about being persecuted; the worst that could happen is someone makes fun of you or thinks you’re dumb for believing. However, in other countries, you could be killed. I think it’s time we realize what true persecution is.
Overall, it’s another interesting YWAM book that I would recommend.
My personal rating: 4/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
Genre: Non-fiction Missionary Biography
Series: YWAM International Adventure (doesn’t need to be read in any particular order)
Age recommendation: 14+
Summary: Reona and Evey were just two regular women with a love for the Lord. When they felt a burden to visit Albania, they knew it was His will for them to bring the gospel to the isolated country. They obeyed, and it nearly cost them their lives.
My thoughts: I thought it was cool the whole book basically took place over two weeks. I usually assume that missionaries give up their entire lives to serve God abroad, but sometimes God calls us to do different things. Their trip to Albania lasted only one week, and the rest of their lives Evey and Reona served God in other ways.
The way they talked about hiding the literature in their clothes sounded really funny. They commented on how much literature they could sneak in their shoes (they could fit two gospels of John comfortably under their feet). They also had to be very careful in their conversations, pretending to talk about something different when others were close enough to hear. I can’t imagine having to hide Christian literature, or pretend I was talking about something else if the wrong person came my way. I am so blessed to live in Canada, where we don’t have to worry about being persecuted; the worst that could happen is someone makes fun of you or thinks you’re dumb for believing. However, in other countries, you could be killed. I think it’s time we realize what true persecution is.
Overall, it’s another interesting YWAM book that I would recommend.
My personal rating: 4/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
July 11, 2026
Read whilst in Indonesia!
✨Quotes✨
"It's hard to wait patiently for the Lord! And yet as the weeks became months and the moths became years, we discovered an important principle: When a burden is given to us from the Lord, it does not lose its strength with the passage of time but rather gains intensity"
"How careful we need to be to distinguish God's movements for His moments."
"We had already learned in our lives that anything vital for God will be tested by the enemy." (James 4:7)
"The power of prayer cannot be finished by distance, and it's not limited by age or infirmity, political change, or restrictions. The power of prayer in the life of a Christian can only be undermined by neglect."
"Because of prevailing intercession, God's power was released and the will of God was realized in ways that only eternity will reveal."
"God wants to assure His people that He is as great as His Word declares Him to be—the strong and Mighty One, able to save and deliver all those who put their trust in Him. But more than this, He seeks to prepare His people, draw them close to His heart that they will not love their lives even into death, but will offer themselves to the great Sower of seed as grains of wheat willing to die."
"The King is returning, and before Home every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
"How can such radical change be explained? I believe above every other explanation is this simple but profound response: God has answered the intercession of multitudes of people who have prayed for the land."
"Pray that in this nation where God had been so vehemently denied, the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the land even as the waters cover the sea (Habbakuk 2:14)
✨Quotes✨
"It's hard to wait patiently for the Lord! And yet as the weeks became months and the moths became years, we discovered an important principle: When a burden is given to us from the Lord, it does not lose its strength with the passage of time but rather gains intensity"
"How careful we need to be to distinguish God's movements for His moments."
"We had already learned in our lives that anything vital for God will be tested by the enemy." (James 4:7)
"The power of prayer cannot be finished by distance, and it's not limited by age or infirmity, political change, or restrictions. The power of prayer in the life of a Christian can only be undermined by neglect."
"Because of prevailing intercession, God's power was released and the will of God was realized in ways that only eternity will reveal."
"God wants to assure His people that He is as great as His Word declares Him to be—the strong and Mighty One, able to save and deliver all those who put their trust in Him. But more than this, He seeks to prepare His people, draw them close to His heart that they will not love their lives even into death, but will offer themselves to the great Sower of seed as grains of wheat willing to die."
"The King is returning, and before Home every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
"How can such radical change be explained? I believe above every other explanation is this simple but profound response: God has answered the intercession of multitudes of people who have prayed for the land."
"Pray that in this nation where God had been so vehemently denied, the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the land even as the waters cover the sea (Habbakuk 2:14)
February 19, 2021
This was a true life modern day Paul like story. Reona and her friend Evey miraculously get to go to Albania on a tour with the sole reason to secretly leave The Gospel in spots where people could find them. In this fully Communist country where religious materials of any kind were prohibited, they fully rely on God's leading and protection even through 'getting caught, interrogated, threatened with death or life in prison'. God's peace and strength sustained them and even had them released! Through these women, who knows how many came to know Christ? They do know of at least one young fellow traveler, Helene, whose life was saved and turned on fire for Christ.
I truly was inspired and motivated by this story and I hope many others are as well, to go out into the world and share The Good News!
I truly was inspired and motivated by this story and I hope many others are as well, to go out into the world and share The Good News!
June 22, 2023
Tomorrow you Die was an amazing story that gave me insight to how much things can change in countries in such a short amount of time. Joly was telling the story of how she felt a calling to go to the closed and communist country of Albania that did not allow Christians in on pain of death. The story follows Joly and her friend as they sneak into the country as tourists and quietly pray and share the gospel whenever they see an opening.
After they get caught, they are threatened with death and the things that follow are amazing and almost unbelievable.
A must read!
After they get caught, they are threatened with death and the things that follow are amazing and almost unbelievable.
A must read!
February 28, 2024
So good and a fascinating story of a lady fully chasing after God's heart for a certain people group. Her choice of surrender was so impactful for me in my journey to becoming a missionary
October 5, 2015
What blew me away about this story is the amount of faith Reona and Evy had - and how God worked because of their faith. It reminded me that miracles still happen, and God is still moving in huge, obvious ways. I think many Christians in our culture (including me) don't really expect God to move, or at least don't trust Him enough to put their lives on the line for His glory. As a result, we deprive ourselves of the awesome things He can do.
Also, Tomorrow You Die was a beautiful picture of unity of spirit and purpose among believers - especially Reona and Evy. It solidified what God's been telling me lately about the benefits - actually, almost the necessity - of working alongside others in the body of Christ.
Also, Tomorrow You Die was a beautiful picture of unity of spirit and purpose among believers - especially Reona and Evy. It solidified what God's been telling me lately about the benefits - actually, almost the necessity - of working alongside others in the body of Christ.
February 8, 2008
Action packed easy reading hard to put down story about two gals who entered Albania on a tour. Albania at the time was a country that was "backwards" to the way most other countries operated. the two women had a mission and almost got away with it - but were caught. If you are looking for a fun book to read, this Christian novelette is a very good read.
May 8, 2014
Not my area of interest but there was nothing wrong with the writing and could be considered exciting for those interested in a story about two missionary girls risking their lives to spread the word of God in Albania.
May 8, 2014
Not my area of interest but there was nothing wrong with the writing and could be considered exciting for those interested in a story about two missionary girls risking their lives to spend the word of God in Albania.
November 4, 2014
The International Adventure series is amazing. I love reading about Christians who are alive and working today. All the books in this series are very well written. These books are all about various live that have been (and are being) lived for God's glory.
March 17, 2020
Must read. Inspiring story about Albanian missions, especially to give a background of life in one of the most difficult totalitarian regimes.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews