The Odyssey of a Family:
Shaping of a Servant
About the Book
In his The Odyssey of a Family series, the author reflects on the mystery of how God plans far ahead, arranging details and events that blend to create, shape, prepare, call, empower, and guide very ordinary human beings for his unique purposes.
In his first book, Pilgrims Searching for a Home, the author recounts the impressive story of his grandparents, Jacob, and Justina Friesen, who with their family escaped the horrors of revolution and civil war in Russia to settle in western Canada, where they raised their fourteen children through the trauma of the Great Depression and the war that followed.
In this second book, Shaping of a Servant, the author tells his own story. He begins biographically describing the story of his parents and the mystery of how God brought them together from two distinctly different countries and cultures. He marvels how they found romance in their courtship and marriage under severely stringent conditions. He chronicles their struggles in establishing a loving home into which he was born. From there, the author transitions into an autobiographical mode reviewing his growing years, highlighting the unique circumstances and adventures that shaped him.
This is the story of a young man growing in self-awareness, struggling with a sense of divine call. It leads to a romance in which he finds his significant other. Together they form a team, finding direction and committing themselves to lives of service in God’s kingdom.
What People Are Saying
This deeply personal memoir offers an inspiring narrative about faith, resilience, and divine guidance. It is a heartfelt account of a life journey uniquely shaped by God’s mysterious plans. The author begins with the story of his immigrant parents, coming from different countries and cultures, establishing a home where love and faith enabled their perseverance through challenging circumstances. He then transitions into his personal story, recounting his own experiences of growth, self-discovery, and a sense of divine calling and purpose. This is more than just an autobiography; it’s a testament to how God orchestrates events to prepare ordinary individuals for extraordinary purposes. The journey continues as the young man grows, discovers his divine purpose, prepares himself, finds his soulmate, and together they commit themselves to a life of service.
“Dedicated to his mother and father, Mennonite Carl E. Hansen, now an elderly man, begins by writing about his parents, family members, and his life in rural Alberta Canada among the farmers. The theme throughout the books is "growing with God" and faith. He describes his life as a humble and hard-working Christian, a devoted family man, and a sincere student at Eastern Mennonite College and Seminary preparing him for ministry work in East Africa.” — T.R. Syre, Sr.