I have just completed reading the auto-biography and assorted reflections by an “old friend” – John Hymus. The full title of the book is “I’m a Stranger in Paradise – TAKE MY HAND”, which is described as a Journey of Faith, Adventure and Self-Discovery (see here for the Publisher’s blurb).

Over the years, I have read many biographies and, while less in number, I have read a good number of auto-biographies too, and have generally taken something away as a result, such as inspiration as to life’s possibilities and food for thought if it told me significant stuff I did not already know. I have known many who have thought about writing their story but had not done so, often an opportunity missed, but also many who did put to pen or ether their thoughts. Invariably, I admire such folk for having the courage and fortitude to undertake such a venture.

I have never met John in person but we have had several amicable exchanges, typically over the Internet. He is one of the select few that generally likes what I post in the blogosphere or on social media. I was introduced to John by my friend, Paul Barnes, and besides often being on the same page as to how we see the world, all of us have served in some capacity and have taken an interest in the missionary organisation – Operation Mobilisation.

Besides spending a good deal of time, now in my dotage, writing stuff that I feel is significant and needs to be said, I have been a prolific reader and have prided myself by having eclectic tastes, taking inspiration from Dr. Samuel Johnson in wanting to be a man of letters and be able to hold my own on a variety of subjects and not just those that might interest members of the God squad. While I have slowed down in my latter years and my concentration on more heavy duty stuff is less than it was, I can generally be found with reading material on the go and, more often than not, several items.  

I only recently got wind of John’s newly published book and I decided to acquire my copy via Amazon – with a warning if it didn’t match expectations, I would demand my money back. I then decided I would make reading this, from start to finish, my priority. Therefore, over a period of a few days and a few short sessions, ending today, and glad did! It was very readable and while focusing on things John felt were significant, he managed to tell a well flowing story about his eighty odd years, beginning with his modest beginnings in Cambridge to where he now is in Wales, doing lots of interesting things, meeting many interesting people, in-between. Very much a free spirit that loved to question, which God managed to harness, I could resonate with a lot of what he did, like hitchhiking across Britain and Europe while still a teenager

What I particularly appreciated was his self-effacing approach, wacky sense of humour, brutally honest take on life, endeavours in mastering languages other than English, notably Russian and German, found in this most readable account, where he freely admitted to his own shortcomings and failures. He talked about his own struggles with candour and that to do with confronting freemasonry and the occult. I loved the way that after having found Christ for himself whilst at university, faithfully following Him became his first priority from that point on – whether leading evangelistic teams around the Indian sub-continent, including doing long overland drives, smuggling Bibles into Iron Curtain countries, working on the OM ship, helping to mentor the next generation of Christian leaders, full on involvement in the local church, running language schools, encouraging others, family life, etc.

He was forthcoming when it came to giving his opinions on world events and what the Bible has to say about dealing with them. I liked how he applied scripture, including this one, which I end with.