Streets Paved With Gold

Review These are not simple, pious stories which dismiss the pain and confusion of human suffering as if it didn't matter. Even in the reading, the pain at times is almost overwhelming. The accounts are unashamedly real. They are presented with the confidence of people who know that they stand not on their own limitations but on the support if the Lord who is always there. This is a real treasure. -- The Monthly Record- Free Church of Scotland Magazine (Magazine of the Free Church of Scotland)"It is thrilling to see what God does through ordinary men and women filled with uncontrived godliness, dogged perseverence,true compassion and genuine friendliness. -- John Ross, Greyfriars Free Church of Scotland, Inverness (Pastor, Glenurquhart Free Church of Scotland)These swiftly told stories vividly depict what goes on daily in the work of the London City Mission. As one might expect, the Missioners' work is as varied as the colourful characters who feature in her pages. These include not only the people who need help but also the Missioners themselves who often have surprising backgrounds. I liked the fast pace at which these stories unfold, almost tumbling over each other, telling all you need to know but without any unnecessary detail. This would make it easy to offer to a reluctant reader who might find at least some of the short accounts relevant to their own situation.Although the stories have much in common, one has no feeling of repetition. Not all are 'success stories', but most show how knowing Jesus as a personal Saviour has revolutionised life even in our own times. -- CLC Book Reviews"The history of the London City Mission is remarkable...How is it possible for such a large agency to have stayed so steadfastly committed to its vision for so long? The simplicity of its mission may be its 'secret. "The same person going to the same people regularly to become their friend, for Jesus' sake'" -- Tim Keller Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City (Redeemer City to City) The story of London City Mission is of men walking the poorest streets of London, getting their hands dirty as they reached out to people in need with the message of the Gospel and their unique brand of practical help. Rather than writing a consecutive history of London City Mission, the authors selected areas of the work and told the story of each. The story takes a different turn as it enters the 20th C. From being the capital city of an empire, London became a city at war with itself and then with others. LCM missionaries were right in among the revolutionaries.What comes out in the story of LCM is that missionaries were men (until the late 1980s) whose hearts were full of compassion for the lost and the needy. The Mission is still looking forward to the challenge of the 21st Century LCM may be an old Mission, but it is not resting on its laurels; rather it is grappling, as it always has, with today's London, and planning for the needs of the London of tomorrow. About the Author Irene Howat is an author and ghost-writer for many different Christian biographies as well as multiple children’s books and biographies. Her writing skills have gained her an award from the Australian book trade and a reputation as a reliable writer for young children.Award-winning authorIrene Howat is an award-winning author and a talented artist in Ayrshire, Scotland. She is married to a retired minister and they have a grown up family. She especially enjoys receiving letters and replies to all of them; check out her new stories at www.story-a-month-club.org.uk.Associate Minister, Smithton Free Church of Scotland, Inverness, formerly Chief Executive, London City Mission