Beyond the Rapids


Christian - Living
321 Pages
Reviewed on 06/09/2011
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Evelyn Puerto left a career in health care planning to serve as a missionary for seven years in Russia. During that time, she travelled several times to Ukraine, where she met and was inspired by the Brynza family, who she wrote about in Beyond the Rapids. She and her husband live in St Louis, MO. For more about the Brynzas and how their example can help you in your walk with Christ, visit beyondtherapids.com.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Too many Christians believe persecution is a thing of the past. When they hear the word persecution they think of the early church when Christians were fed to lions. Evelyn Puerto reminds readers that in many countries persecution of Christians still exists.

Dr. Alexei Gavrilovich Brynza, his wife Valentine and their four children served the Lord in Zaporozhe in southeastern Ukraine during Soviet rule. Dr. Brynza was a strong Christian and lived his faith despite the consequences. The children attended school and were forced to chant "Lenin Lived, Lenin lives, and Lenin will live forever" along with the other students.

The story of the Brynza family is told by the children of the Brynzas. Lena recounts some of the many times when God answered their prayers and how her parents' influence affected her relationship with Christ. Yakov remembers his mother praying for him and the many times when he felt the Lord presence.

Life was not easy for the Brynza children. They were stigmatized for their parents' faith. Yakov wanted to be a doctor and repeatedly took the exam to enter the university. In large red letters the word Baptist was written on all his work. He was angry that his father's faith was keeping him out of the university. Yakov was left with a choice, God or country. After much prayer and contemplation, he chose God.

This book is a reminder that some day we may each be tested in our faith. Will we stand firm despite the consequences? It is easy for me to say, "Yes, I will," but when confronted with persecution, will I be strong enough in my faith to face what lies ahead?

Beyond the Rapids is an incredible story. I was touched by the faith of the Brynzas. Evelyn Puerto brings this story to life. I felt as though I knew the individuals and they were sharing with me. Each individual tells the story through his or her perspective. Each individual faced temptation in some form yet each held true to his/her faith. Puerto tells a story that had to be told. Christians are still persecuted today in China, Libya, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, and in many other nations. By writing this book Puerto shines much needed light on what is going on around the world. Have we become too complacent? I'll have to answer that for myself.