Maureen Trowbridge reviews 'God Plus One: To Be Where He is and Go Where He is Not' by Andrew Fanstone (2016, New Wine Press).

This is an inspiring and exciting book; I enjoyed it so much I didn't want to get to the end of it! I wanted it to keep going.

Andrew Fanstone was a physiotherapist working in England. Through studying the Bible and listening to what God was saying to him, he came to the conclusion that God wanted him "to be willing to walk as Jesus walked", and that however large the difficulty and opposition might be, 'God + 1 = the majority'. So at 27 years old (in 2001), he left England to go and live and work in Brazil amongst the poor, the drug addicts and the street children.

One Step at a Time

All through the book he gives lucid explanations of walking as Jesus walked, taking one step at a time, because to change the world means stopping each time to change the life of the person in front of you. However difficult the situations were, God was always there with the reassuring words '"I am with you".

Whilst working with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Brazil, Andrew was inspired to pray and believe that God would provide for a building where the street children could be "cared for, restored and meet with God". It was a great challenge but eventually it became a reality, even greater than he had expected.

Throughout the book there are amazing, and very moving, accounts of young people being miraculously rescued from drugs, crime and squalor in the slums and drug dens.

Learning to Listen

After a while God gave Andrew a new instruction to go and listen to people. As he listened, people opened up their hearts and lives to him. Eventually, two other missionaries moved to Fortaleza and it became clear that God wanted them to work together with Andrew. And so, Iris Fortaleza was set up; a group of young radical Christians was formed and a house of prayer was acquired. Although the slum area where they live and work is known for its violence, God's protection has been miraculous throughout.

The teaching in this book on the love and goodness of God and the insights into the way he works are powerful. As Andrew says at the end – "This book is all about people who not only talk the talk but walk the walk".

Do read this book - it will inspire, bless and challenge you.

God Plus One (142 pages) is available from the publisher for £6.99.