Jim Gash

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book. I love the "starfish" story (p. 69-70)! Where the man sees a little boy throwing starfish back into the ocean trying to save them when there were thousands of stranded starfish along the beach as far as the eye could see. The man asked the little boy how could he possibly make a difference, and the little boy defiantly replied as he threw a starfish back into the ocean, "I made a difference for that one, didn't I?"

It immediately reminded me of the time when I was walking my daily walks and I'd see earthworms struggling to survive in the scorching heat of the sun in the middle of the road after a heavy rain. I'd stop just to pick them up and help them back to safety in the wet soil. Of course, I didn't go on to do great things in life like Jim. I simply just finished my walk and remember feeling accomplished by saving a few lives...lol. Jim realized later that he was actually the starfish. He was the one saved and enlightened about the true meaning of love while saving lives of young kids in Uganda, and he became especially devoted to helping one starfish by the name of Henry.

We may not see all the little blessings in disguise in our own life as they are happening, but eventually we do see how everything seems to come together and work out for a greater good, and it is very interesting to see and read about it in the lives of others.

FYI: He and each of his family members keep a blog at www.throwingstarfish.com, if interested in keeping up with their continued work.… (mer)

This is a non-fiction novel about helping our fellow man.

After listening to a speaker, Jim Gash knows that people in Africa need help. His friend keeps telling him, “Uganda, 2010.” Jim just smiles and nods but thinks, “I just don’t have time.” As he learns more about kids who are imprisoned for long periods of time before being brought to trial, Jim feels God’s call to go to Uganda. Once in Uganda, Jim has a goal of getting briefs together for kids in one particular “prison” over a very short time. These briefs will be used to get them dismissed for their supposed crimes. It’s in these interviews that he meets Henry and his life changes more than he realizes it can.

Henry is charged with two counts of murder. As you read the book, you’ll learn the circumstances. Jim immediately sees that Henry is terribly smart. He has been the leader of the prison. This leadership is what you will find is odd. There aren’t guards in the “prison.” They basically stay because they are told to remain. As leader, Henry starts a school to help the other boys learn to read and to learn math. He also has them take time for fun--play soccer. Henry becomes Jim’s translator, and he quickly learns how to ask the other boys’ questions. When Jim leaves after this first trip, he knows that he will do whatever it takes to help this smart young man get out of prison and return to school where he dreams of becoming a doctor.

The rest of the book centers on Jim’s efforts to exonerate Henry. Jim and his family enlist help from others to solicit funds for Henry and the other boys as well as prayers to allow the boys to have a better life. I found the novel to be very uplifting. I noticed some reviews stated that they wearied of Jim questioning God. I did not find this to happen so often that I was annoyed. I found it to be realistic. I also liked that it was an uplifting, true story. As Americans, we tend to take our easy lives, especially free access to education, for granted. This book sets our realities back in line--others need help and we are capable of helping because this land is full of abundance.… (mer)