A Chat with Editor Tony Collins

I have worked with Debbie Meroff on previous books, and trust her judgement and heart for the gospel. So when she approached me with the proposal to tell the story of April Holden I was immediately interested, and when she outlined April’s experiences I was hooked. Here was a lass from Merseyside, far from strong, with a history of ill health, who had been seized from her youth by the vision of going to Africa, specifically to work among the human casualties of conflict: the millions of street boys who have been displaced and traumatised by war.

Ignoring medical advice, April had looked for opportunities and had found them, stepping out in faith, negotiating her way past every imaginable difficulty, every shortage, every suspicion, and bringing hope, light, health, education, love and a home to youngsters in the most hostile contexts, where Christian mission was deeply unwelcome. (‘April Holden’, incidentally, is a pen-name, chosen to ensure she does not jeopardise the ongoing work). Along the way she encountered miracles of timing, provision and protection which read like events from the Book of Acts. The boys she worked with changed, from silent or aggressive children to outgoing and confident young men, capable of contributing to the future of their nations.

 Her sacrificial ministry has come at a cost, of course. And not every boy is a success story. But her intervention has transformed the lives of hundreds. It’s a privilege to publish, and to read, a book such as this. The Aprils of this world are catalysts for good.’