Endorsements:
This is more than a dramatic account of the brutal murder of missionary Edmund Fabian in Papua New Guinea. Rather, it is the account of decades of challenging work to bring the Bible to the Nabak people of that island, providing a host of details that bring to life the joys and challenges of Bible translation amongst people whose language has never been reduced to writing. Yet, the story does turn, in many ways, on the murder of Edmund and the choices his widow, Grace, made in the ensuing months and years. Thus, it becomes an account of the outworking of the gospel itself: forgiveness, faithfulness, joy in the midst of suffering, and the sheer triumph of God’s outrageous grace.
-D.A. CARSON, Research Professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, award winning author of over fifty books including The Gagging of God. Founding chair of GRAMCORD
I was spellbound reading Grace Fabian’s story of her husband’s murder and the redemption God wrought through this tragedy. One thing impresses me above all else—Grace and her family are anything but shallow Christians given to sensationalism. Instead, they are obviously firmly rooted in the soil of Scripture and recognize that God is sovereign over all things, including the temptations of our adversary. In the cauldron of her suffering, Grace has come to know ever more fully that nothing can befall us without first passing through the filter of God’s love.
-HANK HANEGRAAFF, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man Broadcast
Grace Fabian uses words and emotions like a vast array of vibrant colors and paints on the pages of her book the most vivid pictures of God at work in the midst of violent murder and unspeakable reconciliation. You will laugh, you will cry and you will praise God for His outrageous grace.
-RUSS HERSMAN, Senior Vice President, Wycliffe Bible translators
Try to put this book down: I couldn’t. My friend Grace Fabian has given us a ponderous, convicting, inspiring, energizing, deepening look into her life. She has been transparent about how God gave her daily light when in the darkest experiences, courage in the fearful times and a willing heart no matter what. Grace mentors us in what it looks like to be triumphant in the midst of ongoing heartache. Her willingness to walk toward, forgive and serve one whose actions resulted in great pain and loss has marked me forever. You won’t read a book quite like this again.
-GAIL MACDONALD, author of many books including High Call, High Privilege and Keep Climbing
Enthralled, awed, and teary-eyed throughout, I have just finished reading your manuscript and could not stop until I’d read it all. I have no words to describe how grateful I am to our gracious heavenly Father for you and your unfathomable sacrifice for His people. We receive more manuscripts than we can actually read. In my more than fifteen years of working with the Christian Research Institute, however, I’ve never read a manuscript that more bears the mark of Christ and is more worthy of promotion for the sake of His kingdom than your story.
-STEPHEN ROSS, Christian Research Institute
Grace and Edmund Fabian were Wycliffe Bible translators working among the Nabak people of Papua New Guinea. Then, as they were nearing the completion of the Nabak New Testament, an astonishing and crushing tragedy struck them. In this book, Grace tells the story of that tragedy, and how God’s astounding grace overcame the effects of that tragedy and transformed the lives of many people. Grace has written a remarkable and powerful book, filled with spiritual truths and deep insights. Hers is one of the most challenging and inspiring missionary stories I have ever read. I can whole-heartedly recommend this book.
-THOMAS HALE, missionary doctor and author of many books including Don’t Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees and The Far Side of Liglig Mountain
I thank God that I had the honor of being one of the people who helped Grace check the final books of the New Testament. I rejoice with her over God’s mercy and provision in going the last mile to finish the work of Bible translation for the Nabak people. Her story is startling and honest and deserves a place with the great missionaries testimonies of our time.
-NEIL W. ANDERSON, author of In Search of the Source, international speaker, former Bible translator, pastor.
I’ve known Grace and Edmund Fabian since their early years as missionaries in Papua New Guinea. But it was not until the shock of Edmund’s murder that I began to really know Grace through her letters. Her honest faith poured through the bare elegance of her words. Now captured in this book, Grace’s stories bring tears of compassion and joy, and a sense of wonder at the tenderness of God’s greater plan. This is a must read, a powerful story needing to be told.
-VIRELLE KIDDER, conference speaker and author of six books, including Meet Me at the Well and The Best Life Ain’t Easy
Grace Fabian’s tale of murder, persecution, forgiveness and victory is unforgettable. She describes God’s outrageous grace and well earns a name for herself, Amazing Grace.
-CAROL LEE ANDERSON, author of Do You Know What You Are Doing, Lord? Speaker and former Bible translator
“I couldn’t put it down. Thank you for sharing your and Edmund’s story, not just a history but an exemplary spiritual journey. You have given Edmund an enduring tribute. You have given all of us your testimony of God’s amazing grace. Your Nabak story is another confirmation of the fruitfulness — and cost — of the Bible translation strategy.”
-Earl
Clearly God has kept her close in his warm embrace. What special gifts she has to tell her story in such a grace filled way. I was deeply moved by her story. What outrageous grace she lived.
– Rev. John Sundquist
It was a real blessing to learn more about how God used you and the family in missions and how He brought forgiveness, grace & reconciliation between you and the clan whose member killed your husband.
–Sharon Falkenheimer, Director, Medical Education International
How can I ever thank you enough for writing your book ‘Outrageous Grace’? I sat down to read it at 7pm and didn’t stop until I finished it at 1am. Now it is making the rounds of my friends here.
–Helen Miller
I have read it from cover to cover (with tears) and just wished I was closer to give you a big hug. It was awesome.
– Keyser
Your book gave me a new vision of who God is and how He works. Thank you for writing this! I want my children to read this one day.
– Deborah Smith
We heard your story via DVD, not the way you might have imagined. But many, many people were deeply moved.
–John Henderer FBC Missions Chairman
God bless you for accepting the task of writing your book. I know it must have been excruciating to relive the pain and grief plus the discipline needed to get it down on paper. But how I thank Him that you were enabled to do it. Others have expressed how richly you shared the spiritual experiences as well as your skill in writing in English. I saw all that and more. I’ve read it twice and plan to read it again.
– Ruth Roesler
While recovering at home I finished reading your book. There were many thoughts flowing in my head as I was reading it…As you unfolded the story how this man’s mental state caused the death of Edmund, you revealed [the] overflowing of God’s outrageous grace… Your own upbringing from your father’s life of forgiveness challenged me to ask the hard question. The ordeal of murder, suffering from unjust and persecution while living in the village without Edmund, you openly shared the realistic truth to all the believers that we are to carry the cross as our Lord did. Living a life without the cross is not much of victory before entering the Narrow Gate to meet my Lord face to face.
-Lisa
I have been struggling with one area of forgiveness in my life, and reading your book has completely helped me! The Lord used this book to help me get a break through in forgiving one person in my life! Thank you for writing this book, it has been a complete blessing to me!!! A beautiful book!
– Ruth Hubinette
Your book was such a blessing to read! There was so much analogy with their culture and God and His plan of salvation.Thanks so much for sharing your life with all the joys and sorrows.
-Rebecca Bishop
I enjoyed reading this story very much. I could barely put it down. It was so intimate. I could feel the pain of losing Edmund. I felt the strength pouring from God into Grace to keep moving forward with the translation. It was so extremely refreshing to see a story of such heartache be turned into a story of redemption. I have always heard of Bible translators but I had NEVER given them much thought or what they do. I just thought, “Oh, they give people Bible.” That is the furthest thing from the truth. I am so thankful that I was able to read this book and be encouraged by the work my brothers and sisters in Christ are doing out in the world. I have the utmost respect for international missionaries who have dedicated their lives to getting the Word of God to more unreached people. It shows how powerful the Bible is. It truly is God’s love letters to the world.
-Anonymous
We are passing around your book and it has been a great encouragement to us. We are currently in a dangerous place in the middle of the drug wars of Northern Mexico and it was good to read of your perseverance under attack.
-Anonymous
I got to know Edmund and Grace in Papua New Guinea but was living back in England when I heard the shocking news of his murder. Since that time I’ve heard her news through her newsletters, which I always enjoyed reading. Not all missionary newsletters are good reads: some are quite the opposite! But Grace’s letters were among the select few printed letters that I always read the moment I opened the envelope. Her book was the same; I read it the day it arrived. Few of us will suffer such traumatic loss as Grace, but even in the most humdrum of lives there is a need to forgive. If you want to learn about forgiveness then read this book.
-Margaret Decker
I enjoy the book you gave me very much and finished reading within a week. Lots of tears and laughter and prayers while I read it. The book really helped me to rebuild the daily conversation with the Lord.
-Anonymous
I would like to thank you for writing the book “Outrageous Grace.” I was so blessed and edified as I read the book. Each chapter spoke to my heart as I was struggling with the idea of having another son leave home. I know the Lord has a call on their lives but my mother heart strings were having a hard time letting go. But as I read your book I knew the Lord would be there for me as He was there for you when you lost your husband, Edmund. So much of your book I hung unto, all the promises. It hit me that the giving of my sons for His cause was the most precious gift I could give Him. And I have given them to Him for the furtherance of His kingdom.
-Brenda
It was so very nice to get to know your husband and other family members through reading the pages. As with good books, I am sad when they end, because I feel like I am losing some friends.
-Sharon
I felt compelled to write this email to you after completing the reading of your book. God’s use of your life has inspired me to revisit many things in my own life and indeed I always come out of it with the feeling that somehow it is God’s purpose although I am just an ordinary simple person of no great talent or achievement – now that is changed – by your recounting your experience (which was so terrible) and how you have come through it so lifted and revitalized is indeed a thing of grace and God has set His hand solidly on my shoulders again.
-Helen
I bought this book for someone who lost their husband many years ago. I have not given the book yet b/c I wanted to read it first; I finished the book in a few hours. This is a wonderful gift – for anyone. God’s in control and if you turn to HIM … He will guide you and lead you out of the darkness and back into light.
-Liz
If you want to read a amazing story, this is the one for you! Grace’s life is one of dedication to God, from such an early age. Her name aptly describes her nature and personality. The book will have you in tears at one moment and in laughter at others. A MUST READ!! I’ve waited for this book for years!
-Nancy
This book was amazing! Not only do you learn from her tragedy but you also learn a great deal about how Wycliffe Bible Translators do their job. I hope I can meet her someday.
-Nurse Kathie
I recommend this book for anyone! Even if you haven’t experienced tragedy, we all know someone who has. This book will change your perspective and open your eyes to real and genuine forgiveness. A MUST read!
-Anonymous
You will cry and you will be challenged at what God can do through a person that puts their life on the altar for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Grace’s testimony will show how Christ leads us in triumph and diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
-Andy Uhrberg
I loved the book! Not only was the topic riveting, but the prose was wonderful.
-Anonymous