Sarah Monzon is one of my favorite people … and her new book The Esther Paradigm is very close to my heart! I’m so excited to tell you more about it – and to take a tour of the setting with none other than Sarah Monzon as our guide đ
The daughter of missionaries, Hannah Pratt dreams of starting a school for the Bedouin clan with whom she spent her childhood. After completing her education in the United States, she returns to the desert to pursue that dreamâonly to learn her parents have been receiving threats from within the community they serve. As the danger escalates, Hannah must decide how far sheâll go to stay faithful to a calling that could cost her everything.
As sheikh, Karim Al-Amir feels the weight of responsibility as the leader of his people. When a mysterious illness ravages the clanâs flocks and threatens to destroy their centuries-old way of life, some of his people believe the American doctors and their daughter, his childhood friend, are to blame. Karim must do something to keep Hannah and her parents safeâeven if the only solution is to be found within marriage vows.
In a society where the line is drawn between us and them, where Christianity is outlawed and foreigners suspect, will Karim and Hannahâs union heal wounds . . . or inflict a final, fatal blow?
Old Testament history meets Twenty-first Century tensions in this compassionate, tender inspirational romance.
Are you ready for a tour?? Let’s see if we can find Sarah somewhere….Ah! I see her! Hi Sarah!
Sarah Monzon is a Navy chaplainâs wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world. Playing pretend all day with them isnât enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters. When she isnât in the world of make believe, she can be found in a small desert town in central Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings.
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Thank you so much for having me Carrie. I canât wait to play the tour guide and show you and your readers around where Hannah and Karim live.
First, I suppose I should tell you just where weâre going to be headed on this excursion, shouldnât I? Well, Iâm sorry to say that I canât. Not specifically, anyway. You see, in order to protect the safety of our missionaries, the country itself must remain a secret. I will say, however, that we are about to take a journey to where those in the mission field refer to the 10/40 Window.
The country we will be visiting is Islamic, and we want to be respectful of the culture so in preparation for our trip, Iâll need each of you ladies to take one of these scarvesâ*hands out scarves*âand cover your hair. All set? Great! Just one more thing before we get started and that is our mode of transportation. Iâll let you choose. Beat up truck or camel? If you choose the truck, though, you might have to share with the camel.
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Ready to go?
We’re going to start this tour with the beautiful architecture you might have noticed as soon as you stepped off the plane. The two things that always drew my attention as particularly striking was the use of color within the mosaic tile work and the symmetry of the arches that make up many of the buildings.
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Now that youâve been able to take in some of the beauty, letâs be on our way to the Bedouin encampment. To the clan Karim leads as sheik and Hannah grew up among as a missionary kid. I hope all of your canteens are filled with water because we are about to travel to the heart of the desert.
*insert oppressive heat*
*insert glaring sun*
*insert dust covering everything*
*insert aching muscles*
Howâre you guys doing? Holding in there? Good, because weâre almost there. If you look closely you can make out the darker brown rises of the pitched tent amongst the endless beige of the desert.
AndâŚ
Weâre here!
The Bedouin people are known for their endless hospitality so be prepared to be treated as family. Karim and Hannah have prepared us all a feast so this is where we will split up. The men will go with Karim to the menâs tent and the women will follow Hannah to the womenâs tent. Â Go ahead and make yourself comfortable.
Food will be served shortly. I hope you enjoy seasoned lentils, hummus, flat bread, shawarma, and so much more. Iâll even share with you one of my favorite recipes when I come to visit this region.
Tabbouleh
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup bulghur wheat or bulghur
- 1 1/2 cups boiling water
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, peeled and diced small
- 1 cup green onions, sliced thin (about 6 trimmed green onions, using the green and white)
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped finely (make sure to use just the leaves, stems are bitter)
- 1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped finely
DIRECTIONS:
- To a large bowl add the bulghur; set aside.
- To a microwave-safe bowl or glass measuring cup, add the water and heat to boil, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour the boiling water over the bulghur, add the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, stir, cover with plasticwrap, and set aside for about 1 hour. After 1 hour, check to make sure bulghur is softened and plumped and most of the liquid has been absorbed. If it hasnât wait a bit longer until it absorbs.
- Add all remaining ingredients, stir to combine, taste and check for seasoning balance (may need more salt, pepper, lemon), and make any necessary adjustments. Tabbouleh can be served immediately but I prefer to make it a day ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate because the flavors marry over time. Tabbouleh will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days and can be served chilled or at room temp.
I hope you enjoyed your tour!
Thank you, Sarah!! Shawarma – yum!!!Â
To help celebrate Sarah’s new book, I am giving away a Kindle version of The Esther Paradigm to one of my readers! (Open internationally, except where prohibited by law) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? Have you ever visited a country in the “10-40 Window”?
I have never been out of the US. I can’t wait to read this one!
you will love it!
I have no visited a country in the 10-40 Window.
i haven’t either đ but i have several friends from there!
I’ve been to Europe and boarder hopped to the US but no where else
Awesome tour!
I have not visited any of the countries in the 10-40 window, but I’m always up for an adventure!
I have been to Israel twice, which were awesome trips! Iâm very thankful for the opportunity to do so.
Awesome pics and I just might like this retelling of the Esther story. đ
Eye-opening tour….though my sitterdowner is bruised from the camel ride. Should have chosen the truck but I’m an animal lover. And love tabbouleh — appreciate the vegetarian spread. I have never heard of the 10-40 window let alone traveled to any of the countries. I’m looking forward to armchair traveling there with Hannah.
you’re going to love it!!
Thanks for letting me be your tour guide!
any time! đ
Thank you for the wonderful tour & delicious food!
I lived in a 10-40 country. My husband and I were missionaries in one of these countries. We are now retired from full time work but we still are part time missionaries and travel overseas to this country all the time.
I have not visited in the window but I lived on Guam for 4 years while hubby was in the service and we ministered to people there and the military guys. Iâve had tabboule and itâs delicious.
I haven’t ever visited a country in the 10-40 window. The recipe sounds delicious and the book quite interesting as well. Thanks for the giveaway.
No,but I know people who are serving there!
what brave people!
I’ve been to Portugal, Spain and the Rock of Gibraltar. It looks like they’re barely inside the window.
Thanks for the tour, Sarah. I’m sorry, but you lost me at sand and tents, camels and beat-up trucks. Ummmm, I really enjoy my comforts–not into camping at all! đ
LOL!!!
Iâve never been to that region, but my best friend from highschool is a missionary there. I get their missions letter, and itâs fascinating to see the pics and hear of their experiences. They have to go in through a charity. Love the pics here. Great interview and great book!
oh wow!! I love that!
I have not visited anywhere in the 10-40 area. Iâm sure it would be very scary to go to one of these countries
yes!
This story is totally different from what we usually see in Christian fiction. I haven’t been to the Middle East but my husband was through with his Dad in the early 1950’s. Would really like to read this book.
you will love it!
I have never heard of the 10/40 window but there are countries on there I would like to visit.
I am praying that I can go to India next year with A Fresh Chapter( an organization that gives a cancer survivor their own fresh chapter after diagnosis).
oh that sounds fabulous! What a great organization!!
no I have not. this sounds like a very intriguing book
It is! Itâs so good!
I’ve not been out of the U.S. except for a couple of hours when we went to Canada for a sight seeing trip while on vacation in Michigan.
Lol love it. Sounds like me đ
Unfortunately not. Maybe one day.
Yes!
I have not visited a 10/40 country. But I so enjoyed the journey through one in this books. It was truly fascinating <3
Yay!
I’ve not been out of the United States. I can’t wait to read the Esther Paradigm!
Wonderful interview. And no I have never visited.
I have been to Israel, but never to one of the 10/40 countries. This book sounds very intriguing!
i would love to go to Israel someday đ