Description
About the Book
This book reveals Gene Anderson, a Spirit-led champion, as he related to people through God’s perspective. Genuine and approachable—with determination and incredible mental and physical tenacity—he unreservedly embraced both awesome adventures and heartbreaking difficulties with zeal and grace.
During the 1952 year-end meeting of the Burma Seventh-day Adventist Union in Rangoon, the chairman stated, “We have had workers in lower Burma for years, but never have we sent anyone to upper Burma.” He continued with a question, “Is there someone here who feels a burden to take our message to this remote region?”
Gene immediately rose to his feet. “I am willing to go,” he said, “if this meets with the committee’s approval, and if the Lord wills it.” Sitting beside Gene was Elder Robert Pierson, division president, who responded to him, “Brother Anderson, you have before you the greatest challenge open to anyone in the Southern Asia Division today!”
Some have described Gene Anderson as fatherless, homeless, and penniless in his foundational years. Outwardly, this seemed to be an accurate analysis, but it did not recognize the character qualities of this remarkable man. Instead of being bound by his early misfortunes, he consistently followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit and sought the wisdom of godly mentors. His daily appointments with God were the source of his strength for each day’s work.
We think of missionaries as superheroes—spiritual giants. Their stories inspire us to rise higher. Gene Anderson—Trailblazer to Tedim draws us into the Andersons’ incredibly challenging life as pioneers in Burma. At the same time, Donna Faye reveals their personal and home life, reminding us that missionaries are ordinary people with an extraordinary God who just might use us too for the frontiers of unreached people groups that still remain. —Scott Griswold, former missionary to Cambodia and Thailand, and currently directs Reach the World Next Door with ASAP Ministries
Available in PAPERBACK and eBOOK formats.
About the Author
Donna Faye Anderson currently resides in California with her husband David. They have shared many adventures, including unforgettable trips all over North America and several international journeys.
During her junior year at PUC, Donna Faye and her roommate were accepted as student missionaries to the Seventh-day Adventist Mission Academy in Koror, Palau—a Micronesian island in the South Pacific. This experience provided a great opportunity for her to grow spiritually and to share Jesus’ love with her students, twelve of whom decided to be baptized during the school year.
Her favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:38–39: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NKJV).
Donna Faye spent the first year of her retirement writing this book. It brought back many heartwarming memories, along with tears and laughter. She can hardly wait to see Gene and Lois when Jesus comes and tell them she wrote a book about them!
Preview (PDF file will open in a new window)
Click here to PREVIEW this book
Book Trailer
Downloadable and Shareable Materials: (PDF file will open in a new window)
E-books Available from:
The above links will open in a new tab/window for the respective vendor
Author available for Zoom and onsite programs or interviews.
To contact the author about speaking at an upcoming seminar or schedule an interview for TV, radio, or podcast-- Click HERE
Details
Binding: |
Paperback |
Printed: |
2022 |
Pages: |
268 |
Edition: |
1st |
ISBN: |
9781479614219 |
Dimensions: |
6 x 9 |
Product Reviews
-
Really Enjoying the Book...
TEACH Services received the following review: “I am really enjoying the book you wrote, Donna. It is so well written. When I read stories about how God works in other people’s lives, it strengthens my own faith. I surely miss Gene and Lois, but I'm looking forward to seeing them soon when Jesus comes.” ~ Barbara King, California
-
Enjoyable!
TEACH Services received the following review: “Reading about the success of your family over several generations has been enjoyable for me! I am more than impressed by your comprehensive and meticulous research. I also enjoyed reading about Ellen G. White’s ministry to the family. You have my congratulations and gratitude! Gene and Lois strike me as each having been born with much more than the usual vitality, creativity, and loyalty to each other, the denomination and to God! They were amazing!” ~ David Larson, California
-
I can sense God’s presence throughout the book.
TEACH Services received the following review: “I am thoroughly enjoying reading the book about the Andersons. I like the picture on the cover and the soft feel of it as I hold it in my hands. The reading of it is so smooth; it flows well. It is written so personal, I feel like I am with them. Thank you, Donna, for writing this beautiful story about a precious family. I can sense God’s presence throughout the book.” ~Eula Barber, California
-
Really riveting reading!
“I finished reading the book about Gene and Lois and their mission to Burma. Really riveting reading! I enjoyed it very much, especially when I could relate to some of the characters in the book. Lois must have kept some good journals for you to draw from since the word pictures you paint are astonishing. I felt like I was right there. It’s so sad that they couldn’t have stayed in the Chin Hills longer, but they accomplished a lot in a short time. Thanks for writing the book Donna.” ~ Julie McGhee, California
-
Story Is So Inspiring
TEACH Services received the following review: "I just finished your book and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it! I hadn’t meant to start it right away because I was in the middle of reading another book, but after reading the first few pages, I couldn’t put it down. I wish there was more to read! The story is so inspiring and you did such an amazing job bringing it to life on the pages. I knew Dave grew up in a missionary family, but I did not know the whole story. I am just so impressed by it all. Great job!” ~Peter Garcilazo, California
-
I was spellbound through the whole book!
I was spellbound through the whole book! I could feel the emotions expressed and my heart was right there with them! I was so disappointed that after all the waiting, planning and building, even digging a well by hand, the Andersons were in the Chin Hills only a short time before having to leave. I felt like they had been cheated. I was thrilled that nearly 50 years later, they had the opportunity to visit the thriving mission compound in Tedim. How fascinating this book has been from start to finish! Imagine piecing all this information together to make it so interesting! I was amazed by the Appendix narrative of Gene’s Adventist ancestry that began in Petaluma. Gene and Lois must have felt it a privilege to serve in the place of Gene’s ancestors, the place where Elders Loughborough and Bourdeau set up the first evangelistic tent on the West coast! Thank you, Donna Faye and David, for all the love that you have put into this very special bit of Adventist history! ~Patricia Cochran, Washington
-
Will appeal to many and bring a blessing.
TEACH Services received the following review: "My hearty congratulations on publishing Gene Anderson:Trailblazer to Tedim. It’s obvious to me that you spent a lot of time in researching the material and organizing it into a coherent narrative that is well told. You write well. Only those who have published a book know the effort it takes to bring it to a successful conclusion. Well done! I salute you! This book, I think, will appeal to many and bring a blessing. I hope it sells like hot cakes!" ~Elder William Johnsson, California
-
The book ended too soon!
TEACH Services received the following review: "I recently read the book Gene Anderson:Trailblazer to Tedim by Donna Faye Anderson. In it she tells the story of her father-in-law and his family during their years as missionaries. After setting the background by telling the story of the early lives of both Gene and his wife Lois, the story concentrates on their time in Burma, in the Chin Hills of Tedim. She details some of the joys and challenges of mission service in the early part of the 1950s, and the work that they did to bring the Seventh-day Adventist message to an unentered area, while raising three energetic boys. Their time there was cut short (after less than two years), but during that brief period they had established a solid foundation for furthering the work and made many life-long friendships. My only regret is that the book ended too soon! The rest of their story is skimmed over in a short epilogue. There could easily be a sequel or two!" ~Ginny Frost, Oregon
-
I could hardly put the book down!
TEACH Services received the following review: Gene Anderson: Trailblazer to Tedim is a monumental recounting of a Providence-inspired-and-directed establishment of a hugely successful Seventh-day Adventist mission headquarters in northern Burma. The narrative is so detailed, colorful, smooth-flowing and edge-of-the-seat producing. Readers will feel as though they are actually participating in each event or conversation. I could hardly put the book down until I had read it from cover to cover! Above all, the numerous instances of God’s miraculous control of outcomes is frankly stunning. A worthwhile read indeed! ~ Don Joyce, California
-
Completed the book with the greatest interest and delight
TEACH Services received the following review: “I have just now completed the book with the greatest interest and delight, feeling so blessed to have known your family. And now to also know their awe-inspiring life of mission service in more detail is truly remarkable. The details in the book are amazing and speak to Lois keeping a very accurate and detailed diary! The amount of work put into gathering, organizing and writing the story is, I’m sure, monumental and most admirable! Your folks would be very pleased to know their story is in print for many others to read, enjoy and be inspired. Thank you for your efforts. I have been truly blessed!” ~Carol Campbell, Tennessee