The train rounds a bend.
The rest of the cars appear one by one,
all tied to one another
far into the distance.
It comes as a surprise to be tied to things so far back
by Nazım Hikmet
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As many of you know, Passages Through Pakistan: An American Girl's Journey of Faith was released in early March.
Below is a short video about the book with some amazing pictures of Pakistan taken by a couple of friends, as well as me. Enjoy!
Passages Through Pakistan from Marilyn Gardner on Vimeo.
Advance Praise for Passages Through Pakistan"Passages Through Pakistan tells the captivating story of Marilyn Gardner's childhood as a 'third-culture kid', raised by her Christian, American missionary parents in the heart of Pakistan. Gardner's eloquent story of the trials, tribulations, and lessons of growing up as a bridge between these rich cultures serves as an important lens through which Americans and Pakistanis can learn more about one another and their important long-term partnership in a time when the gap between the two nations seems to be growing ever larger. By shedding light on how our faiths, our cultures, and our worlds are far more alike than different, Gardner's story is a must read for those wanting to build bridges."Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University,Washington, DC
Marilyn demonstrates sensitivity and understanding toward an often misunderstood part of the world...
"Marilyn Gardner's Passages Through Pakistan is a wonderful book, presenting in both a descriptive and reflective way the wonder of her childhood that took place in the mountains of northern Pakistan, the villages and deserts of southern Pakistan and the small towns of New England, along with some of the places in between.
As the only daughter in a remarkable family that included four brothers, Marilyn emerges as a sensitive observer with an impressive eye for detail as well as a well developed memory for the small anecdote that often reveals a much larger meaning.
Part spiritual reflection, part childhood reminiscence and part travelogue, Marilyn's book will be especially welcomed by those trying to make sense of their own personal stories, especially if they involve transitions across multiple cultures and geographic locations.
A deeply moving observer of the places, people and events that have surrounded her, she demonstrates sensitivity and understanding toward an often misunderstood part of the world, presenting the sights, sounds, landscapes and peoples of Pakistan in ways that are largely absent in both newspaper headlines and superficial social media accounts that all too often know little and understand even less.
Americans growing up in Asia and Asians growing up in America will especially gravitate toward this account, capturing as it does the complexity as well as the wonder and astonishment of childhoods spent in unlikely places. It will also resonate strongly with missionary kids and third culture kids everywhere." - Jonathan Addleton, former US Ambassador to Mongolia, is the author of several books including The Dust of Kandahar:
A Diplomat Among Warriors in Afghanistan and Some Far and Distant Place
Passages Through Pakistan is available at the following locations:
