Where Shadows Hide the Sun is not a textbook but rather a complete missionary journey told in two volumes. The First Years presents common experiences to starting missionary life, and The Last Years relates events prior to and after leaving the field.
Rationale for Use
We want missionaries to start well and remain healthy. Therefore, it is advisable that we give them opportunities to think critically and delve deep theologically regarding situations they are likely to face when heading to the field, while on the field, and when returning home.
In this case, since a missionary without renown or rank tells the story, readers are free to openly discuss and critically examine the missionary’s decisions, worldview, and character. With guidance from a mentor, this may lead students to better examine themselves.
Although the included discussion questions are scripted to inspire personal reflection, the problems within the story are neither presented with summative statements to prove theological points nor are they framed to shape students’ thinking. Instead, readers are encouraged to search Scripture and dialogue with mentors to gain understanding and perspective.
Suggested Use
Where Shadows Hide the Sun introduces an abundance of topics in a way that students will experience them on the field: interwoven, reoccurring, and often unresolved.
It is suggested that rather than spend a class covering an entire volume at once, a volume be assigned as supplemental reading and be used periodically in class as a warm-up for conversation or a launching point for instruction.
Reading Guides are provided to aid in planning class discussions. They divide each volume into sessions that contain a list of chapters to cover, topics that arise, a quote, and corresponding discussion questions.
The First Years can be completed in 7 sessions and may correspond well with 200 to mid-300-level courses.*
The Last Years consists of 8 sessions and may best align with upper-300 and 400-level courses.*
*Based on a survey of course descriptions posted by Christian universities and colleges located in the U.S.A. and Canada.
