Shoot Me First. A cattleman in Taliban Country. Twenty-four years in the hotspots of Pakistan and Afghanistan. By Grant Lock. Broad Continent Publishing 2012 ISBN 9780980526417 Also available as an eBook and on CD
This Review was first published in Essentials Summer 2014
Someone once told me that if I wanted to understand the troubles in Palestine I should read The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). It was good advice. I think if anyone wants to understand better the events in Pakistan and Afghanistan they should read Shoot Me First.
Here is an amazing testimony of God at work in places where you wouldn't think God was present at all.
John Thew (former CMS Federal Secretary) said, “It's a missiological book but it reads like a thriller." It is certainly a great a read. Short chapters, lots of action, tension, humour, threat. In some ways the book is like an anthropologist's road movie with story after story describing in fascinating detail the interactions, confrontations and heart-warming love of an Aussie couple attempting to cross cultural and language divides.
In this book you will also get up close, on the ground, insights into Islam for ordinary Pakistanis and Afghans.
It is a personal book, full of hope, fear, frustration, love, and danger. It is also a missionary book that shows how the gospel and the love of Christ can make progress in the most difficult places. Here are eyewitness reports of the power of God at work in very dark places.
Grant says that the aim of the book is to give people an insight into Islam on the ground, and to give people insights into cross-cultural ministry and understanding of development. “I challenge people in the west,” he says, “to love Muslims but ask big questions about Islam and Sharia law.”
The politics of Western aid and intervention are seen with insights only an expat on location can see. The practices of Islam in Taliban territory are described by an eye-witness who lived there for 24 years. He asks questions that people in multi-cultural Australia should ask.
And the final story of the man who turns to Christ in prison after visions of Jesus ought to encourage every person who prays for people to turn to Christ.
It is no wonder that this book is one of Koorong's best sellers. Worth reading - and giving away.