Book Review: Call of a Coward by Marcia Moston

It seems that being a missionary to a foreign country involves more than simply deciding to go and then selling all you have to move to that country. It means more than having a passion to serve. And it often costs more (physically and emotionally) that you would expect.

Marcia Moston found that out by personal experience. Her husband returned from a mission trip one day and told her that they were going to move from their home in New Jersey and work in a home for widows and orphans in Guatemala.

To say she was unprepared would be an understatement. She immediately began voicing her objections to her husband's (and, apparently, God's) plans. After much prayer and introspection, she "came to the conclusion there were only two choices - either God was or he wasn't both Supreme and personal." She then agreed with her husband - they (and their ten-year-old daughter, Lily) would go to Guatemala.

This book is an account of what happened when this family answered God's call and the lessons learned along the way. Marcia gives an honest picture of the struggles she had as she experienced a culture much different from the one she was accustomed to.

I thought it was helpful for me to see not only what the Mostons saw, but also to feel what Marcia felt during this time in her life. Having been a "missionary" myself, I could relate to what she went through in trying to adjust to living in a foreign place. All of what she wrote rang true.

Call of a Coward is a candid story of a woman who put aside her own dreams and desires and followed God in obedience. I was both challenged and encouraged by it.

I give Call of a Coward 4 out of 5 stars!