Launching a new book results in a very busy period, especially if you are self-published and don’t have the backing of a publishing house to promote your new baby. I mentioned my latest book last month before sales really began, but this particular book is so important that I want to mention it again. To be honest, I would say that it’s the most significant thing that I have ever done as an author.

Back in August, three boxes of 100 books of ‘Bible Reflections from a life devoted to the poor’, were delivered to me from the printer and after three book parties at my home I am amazed to say that I am down to the last box of just 35 books after 6 weeks!

Is this because of my amazing selling skills? No, of course not. I haven’t sold any of my other books like this one.

Am I making loads of money then? No, I’m not making anything at all. The book costs £10 to cover printing costs and after this any money over and above goes to the charities in Addis Ababa to sustain and continue the work.

Most people have paid quite a bit over and above the cost of the print because they knew this lady and saw the work she did, how she gave up a comfortable life, experienced five years in prison and still worked tirelessly to raise funds to change the lot of her people. She worked so hard that she neglected her own health and sadly died in January 2021. She initially asked me to collate her devotional Bible writings, previously published mainly in booklets into one work. That work has now become a tribute book.

I look on the publishing, editing and selling of this book is a part of my giving. I confess that I haven’t been overly generous giving to the poor to date. In fact, if I’m honest, I find giving money to good causes, difficult. But I have put my time and energy into editing this book over months because I believe in it. The devotional passages based on the Bible, speak of a deep and very real faith lived in the midst of great personal suffering as well as in the giving up of a life of luxury to help the poor.

Such faith has also impressed well-known public figures. I mentioned David Dimbleby in my last post, who interviewed Jember, but Jember’s projects also came to the attention of Bob Geldof and Live Aid and received support from him, even though he didn’t share Jember’s Christian faith. That support too was ongoing throughout her life. Comic Relief also gave financial support for the projects for a time. They are now largely self-sustaining and run by local people, overseen by the charity, the CRED Foundation – https://cred.org.uk

It’s amazing the impact that just one life can make…