Book Review: Out Of A Far Country by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan

The story of the Prodigal Son is one of my favorite parables that Jesus taught in the Bible. In that parable we see a son who wanted his father's inheritance and squandered it until he reached a breaking point where he returned to his father. What makes this parable so amazing is the father embraced his son and restored him. This parable speaks to many Christians because it is their story or someone else's story. For Christopher Yuan, and his mother, Angela, this is their story.

The book Out Of A Far Country tells their story of how they were lost and came to the loving arms of the Father. Christopher is the son of Chinese immigrants, who noticed at an early age that he was different. He was attractive to boys. He kept this secret for a long time until he came forward to tell his parents the truth about himself. Angela could not accept what was happening in her son and she seek to change him which ended up in him in rebellion. Christopher left his home and embraced a life of drugs and porn. Angela was a woman who lost all hope.

Each chapter is written from either Angela or Christopher recalling how their lives were going out of control till one day God got a hold of them. Angela was the first to get saved and Christopher could not accept she was a Christian. Christopher ended up in prison where he discover that he was HIV positive. During his time in prison, Christopher embraced the gospel message and Christ forgave him of his sin.

Christopher went on to Moody Bible Institute, where he is now teaching. He and Angela travel all over the world telling their story how their life was a wreck yet Jesus redeemed both of them.

I have heard portions of Christopher's story before, but never had the chance to read this book until now. I highly recommend and pray this will be encouragement to those who are going through a similar situation.

Thanks Waterbrook Multnomah for letting me review this book.