Into the Mud

Inspiration for Everyday Activists

True Stories from Africa

What's it about?

Into The Mud takes readers behind the headlines, into real stories of real people living neck-deep in some of Africa's most difficult issues — but with hands, minds, and hearts rooted in God's kingdom. Each of its interwoven stories and related discussion questions addresses a broader issue of missions and development, including: evangelism, literacy and education, microfinance, health services, urbanization, and more. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter help readers to apply lessons from the chapters to their own lives.

This book is for anyone looking for God's stories of hope where the world sees only despair.  Study groups, development students, mission teams, and everyday activists alike will be challenged by the stories to enter more deeply into the thick of life's mud. View a sample chapter.

What people are saying about Into the Mud...

God made the first human by breathing into dirt.  Jesus healed a blind guy by picking up mud, spitting in it and wiping it on the man's eyes.  Jesus interrupted a death penalty case by drawing in the sand as people dropped their stones, and he told a bunch of religious folks if they want to enter the Kingdom of God they need to play in the dirt with the kids.  The Scriptures are full of stories of a God who is not afraid of dirt, who is just as likely to show up in the sewers of the slums as in the polished halls of the temples.  Christine has felt the mud between her toes and has seen God at work in the dirt.  This is a book of dirty theology.  It's about a God who is not scared of getting dirty, and invites us to join him in the mud. May we have the courage to roll up our pant-legs and follow.

-Shane Claiborne, author, activist, recovering sinner

Here’s evidence that with God’s help all things are possible. These remarkable stories of South Africans who overcome economic, social and spiritual oppression through faith are testimonies that missionary efforts are bearing incredible fruit.  Two thumbs up for a great book.”

-Tony Campolo, Ph.D.  Speaker, professor, author.

God is calling his people to a strange joy, the kind that comes only by borrowing the discomfort of others.  Some hear the call, many do not. Christine Jeske hears it and passes it on to us in Into the Mud:  Inspiration for Everyday Activists, Stories of Africa.  You don’t have to love Africa to hear the invitation.  Africa’s stories are like all stories in the hard places.  The invitation is to accompany one another in the pilgrimage of faith.”

-Michele Rickett, Founder and President, Sisters In Service, and co-author of Daughters of Hope and Forgotten Girls: Stories of Hope and Courage.

Africa is a rich, harsh, diverse land not made for sissies!  In this riveting book Christine Jeske invites you to experience, and possibly wrestle with, many massive burdens encountered by authentic 21st Century Africans .  With few creature comforts and minimal Western luxuries, we are drawn to the reality of living out Christ in the midst of trials, tradition and tribulation.  The “mud” of each situation forces every reader to examine the impact of God’s Living Water to cleanse, clarify and cultivate.  This is a book we should all read, it expands the mind and softens the heart.

- Rona Miller, Executive Editor Christian Living Today Magazine (South Africa)

Most of the success stories we Christians tell each other are inspirational tall tales.  Even when the facts are technically true, we ministry people generally edit ourselves in such a way as to dazzle - and raise money.  So then, both the good news and the bad news is that Christine Jeske’s collection of stories about the common, un-miraculous transformations of common, un-miraculous people is both rare and remarkable.  If you are looking for some honest hope in a world full of trouble, here it is. 
-Bart Campolo, Author, Speaker, and Leader of The Walnut Hills Fellowship

Where can I go to find out more?

There's now an official into the Mud website, for discussion forum, favorite links, book excerpts, speaking schedules, and more.  www.IntotheMud.com. Bookmark it, tweet it, arrange a time to invite us to visit your church or other group...

Where can I order one?