GREAT LINES:

Quite simply, to become immersed is to say ‘no’ to the way the world is and begin to create a new world built not on injustice, greed, individualism and passivity, but rather a world based on justice, community, solidarity, action and love of the other. In short, immersion is to help the world stand the correct way up.

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This book surprised me in that I don’t usually pick out a book on this subject, but when I was browsing, the cover photograph of a man’s dusty bare feet drew me in. I’m glad it did, because I was rewarded by a smart, sincere first-hand account of an immersion volunteer’s experience in Zambia. Donaldson’s depiction of the impoverished strikes a perfect balance – there is none of that coddling tone sometimes taken when discussing the poor. He tackles the subjects of immersion versus volunteer tourism, injustice, the marginalized, and how existing systems create poverty. He challenges one’s privilege and inaction, but he adopts a fair stance towards everyone including the wealthy, so the book doesn’t read as heavy-handed or preachy to me. Read it!

Check the BPL catalog for this title: Encountering God in the Margins