Escape From the Badlands (20 page)

Dear
Reader,

Shane is caught up in the race
of his life. The odds are stacked against him, and he is nearly overwhelmed
by both internal and external challenges. His greatest obstacle is the
crippling guilt he feels over the death of his younger brother.

We all run our own races, don’t
we, dear reader? Personally, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by my own burdens
along the way. There are so many things weighing us down—guilt, failure,
physical pain, sickness—but we strive to finish, knowing that the only way
to complete the challenge is with His help. It’s the ultimate comfort,
knowing that no matter what we face, God is there to help, forgive, listen,
and most of all, to save.

Whatever race you’re running
today, I hope you will feel Him empowering you to tackle the journey. “For I
am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans
8:38–9

I always treasure hearing from
my readers. Please feel free to contact me via my website,
www.danamentink.com.

With
love,

Dana Mentink

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Kelly raises her sister’s child while Rose grapples with alcoholism. How do you think Kelly feels toward her sister at the beginning of the story?
   
2. Kelly and Rose’s mother was a drug addict for most of their lives. How do you suppose Kelly escaped a life of addiction?
   
3. Endurance racers have qualities that enable them to overcome brutal physical obstacles. What kind of mentality does it take to participate in an event like Desert Quest?
   
4. When Todd is falsely accused of murdering his wife, his faith begins to falter. What Bible passage would you suggest to help him overcome his doubt?
   
5. Charlie has grown up without his mother. If you were Kelly, how would you explain his mother’s situation to him?
   
6. Shane enjoys racing because it gives him the fleeting sense that he is in control of his life. In what ways do we nourish similar feelings?
   
7. The river is a metaphor for our own personal journeys, which can be both a thrilling ride and a tragic experience. How can we ensure that the trip is a worthwhile adventure?
   
8. What are your thoughts about Betsy Falco? Why do you think she developed into the kind of person she is at the end of the story?
   
9. Gwen had no children of her own, though she longed to keep Charlie. How can Gwen cope with the fact that God denied her request to be a mother?
   
10. Chenko believes Rose used and abandoned him. How should he have dealt with the situation for his own sake and Charlie’s?
    
11. What do you think of Gleeson? What kind of person is he?
    
12. Shane learns things about himself and his relationship with God. How do you think he’s changed?
    
13. What do you imagine the future will hold for Kelly and Shane?
    

ISBN: 9781459220003

Copyright © 2012 by Dana Mentink

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