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A Missionary in Manila: A Christian Memoir set in the Philippines (Christian Missionary True Stories Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Natalie Vellacott (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 45 ratings
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After 10 years in the British police and a 2 year stint on a giant missionary ship in South East Asia, Natalie Vellacott has fallen in love with a ragged group of solvent addicted Filipino street kids.

In a flurry of activity, she gives away everything she owns, eagerly packs her bags and books a one way flight to the other side of the world.

Her vague idea: to reconnect with the street children, find a church, help the poor, and offer hope in Jesus to all that cross her path.

However, the Christian life is never straightforward and things don’t always go according to plan.

Don’t delay, order your copy of this light-hearted and humorous memoir to discover whether it's really more fun in the Philippines!

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Previous page
  1. Book 3 of 3
    Christian Missionary True Stories
  2. Print length
    162 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    May 6, 2017
  6. File size
    1948 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Two of the best final chapters I have read in a Christian book. This is the fourth book by Natalie Vellacott I have read. All four are well-written, thought-provoking, and take the reader out into the frontlines of the battlefield of the beginning foreign missionary trying to share the Christian gospel message and at the same time minister to the worldly needs...health and financial...that go hand-in-hand with lifting people in third-world countries out of sin, darkness, and the poverty that undermines finding the potential of their new, born-again lives in Christ. An excellent and insightful read. I would highly recommend it to all reading audiences." - Goodreads Review

"A brilliant read of modern day missionary work in the Philippines. A real look into the everyday life of Filipinos and those on the poorer side. A book that calls you to action. Very enjoyable read."- Amazon Review

About the Author

Natalie Vellacott spent a decade as a police officer in England before swapping her badge for a Bible and heading for South East Asia as a Christian missionary. She volunteered on Logos Hope, a giant ship, for 2 years with 400 people from 65 other countries enduring the cultural catastrophes in order to enjoy the exciting adventures.

Natalie began writing in the Philippines when she fell in love with a group of street children addicted to a solvent called Rugby. Having founded a charity to help the boys and draw attention to their plight, she naively entitled her first book and has been trying to get it out of the Rugby Union chart ever since.

Natalie has also dabbled in Christian fiction for children, in the choose your own adventure style, mostly for the benefit of her nephew who is pleased that he takes centre stage.

Natalie is now involved in evangelism in the UK and hopes to publish a new book about her recent experiences in 2023.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B072LCM8QF
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (May 6, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 6, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1948 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 45 ratings

About the author

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Natalie Vellacott

Natalie Vellacott

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Natalie Vellacott spent a decade as a police officer in England before swapping her badge for a Bible and heading for South East Asia as a Christian missionary. She volunteered on Logos Hope, a giant ship, for 2 years with 400 people from 65 other countries enduring the cultural catastrophes in order to enjoy the exciting adventures. Natalie began writing in the Philippines when she fell in love with a group of street children addicted to a solvent called Rugby. Having founded a charity to help the boys and draw attention to their plight, she naively entitled her first book and has been trying to get it out of the Rugby Union chart ever since. Natalie has also dabbled in Christian fiction for children, in the choose your own adventure style, mostly for the benefit of her nephew who is pleased that he takes centre stage. Natalie is now involved in evangelism in the UK and hopes to publish a new book about her recent experiences in 2023.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
45 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Brices Mice
5.0 out of 5 stars A true story that will glorify God's love.
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
"This account is a true story. However, some names may have been changed to protect the identities of individuals." Oh yeah, when I read that I knew I was in for a treat. Even the cover of A Missionary in Manila: (Missionary Stories) by Natalie Vellacot grabbed my attention with those suspiciously sweet looking mischievous little guys.

Vellacot runs the reader non-stop with amazing vignettes of her missionary work in the Philippines. Even though I have never been there, I truly caught the flavor of the country and people. Being a true story, my jaw dropped many times with what she had to deal with, some happy some sad and some just plain crazy! Some of her English translations made me laugh as she tried to explain that "Jesus was living in my cat," or "My coffee likes to drink me."

How Vellacot described the sadness of homeless children, the everyday substance abuse, pregnant young girls and a multitude of other everyday lifestyle will make you admire those who are serving God for His glory.

I think it takes special people called by God to do missionary work, serving others and helping meet their needs just to live a basic life. As Vellacot states: "We are a product of the culture we live in...We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We stand in need of His rescue."

Whether you are called to be a missionary or not, this book will sink into your soul at how the mighty power of God works within us.
2 people found this helpful
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player
3.0 out of 5 stars Odd book..
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
The beginning of the book is entirely dull and dry as the author recounts in detail traveling amongst places which have no meaning to the reader at all. The rest of the book seems to primarily serve as a recounting of how foolish, impetuous, and ill-prepared she was for the task she undertook. There is a good reason to go under a mission organization or at least the auspices of a sending church. They are there to help you make decisions, ensure you have proper cultural acclimation,and hold you accountable. It appears she is self-funded as there is never any mention of interaction with supporters or accounting of fiscal fiascos to others. Not a book I would recommend to someone thinking of missions, except as a cautionary tale.
2 people found this helpful
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Green Fire
4.0 out of 5 stars A Missionary in Manila
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2018
Verified Purchase
I admire people who do missionary work and this book and its details is no exception. I'd read Rugby Boys by Vellacott a couple of years ago and enjoyed that book as well as this one.

There are some great stories that come from Vellacott's experiences in this book along with some heartaches. All in all, I'd recommend this book to others especially those considering missionary work.
One person found this helpful
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Bart Jahn
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and insightful.
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2017
Verified Purchase
Two of the best final chapters I have read in a Christian book.

This is the fourth book by Natalie Vellacott I have read.

All four are well-written, thought-provoking, and take the reader out into the frontlines of the battlefield of the beginning foreign missionary trying to share the Christian gospel message and at the same time minister to the worldly needs…health and financial…that go hand-in-hand with lifting people in third-world countries out of sin, darkness, and the poverty that undermines finding the potential of their new, born-again lives in Christ.

Missionary In Manila describes very accurately the dilemma of every foreign missionary taking the Christian message of salvation and hope to nations that have political, economic, and cultural problems structurally systemic throughout the country…as an independent solitary missionary working within local organizations…to bring about positive change on some scale.

The biblical idea that even one person is of great value to God…and that most Christians cannot change and fix the whole world all at once on our own…sets up the real-world context of bringing the love of Christ to a few people one at a time…requiring the exercise of all of the fruits of the Spirit…with special emphasis on patience, faith, endurance, forgiveness, self-sacrificing love for other people, and trust in God.

Natalie Vellacott describes all of this in a series of honest and revealing short episodes that depict the challenges of being a Missionary In Manila

An excellent and insightful read…I would highly recommend it to all reading audiences.
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer 000500
3.0 out of 5 stars which "Investigates Claims that 'It's More Fun in the Philippines
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2017
A Missionary in Manila is a memoir, which "Investigates Claims that 'It's More Fun in the Philippines!'" The book has interesting stories about what the author experienced while living in the Philippines; nevertheless, I felt there were some disjointed threads uniting the book as a whole. This detracted from the great experiences the author willingly shared about her life.

I am unsure why the claim that "It's More Fun in the Philippines" is placed on the cover as it isn't fitting nor do the experiences leave a reader believing the claim as such. On the other hand, it is obvious the author wants to share the gospel with those that are hurting and are in need of Jesus' love; therefore, I am focusing on those merits as being the underlying possibility to this claim.

Even though this book, from as far as I can tell, doesn't state it as a sequel to They're Rugby Boys, Don't You know? I recommend you read Missionary to Manila after reading They're Rugby Boys, Don't You Know? because a good chunk of this book follows the lives of a couple of boys from the other book.
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eric roth
5.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
I liked the read. Many many stories relating to culture but also to faith and serving God. A good primer for anyone considering working among the Filipino poor.
One person found this helpful
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Joseph Gilpatric
4.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2017
After reading "The Rugby Boys" by this author, I wanted to give this book a try. I would highly recommend these books to anyone.
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Top reviews from other countries

popo.m
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent account of Natalie's experiences whilst living in the Philippines
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
An excellent account of Natalie's experiences whilst living in the Philippines! Her strong faith in Jesus, utter determination to help and hilarious sense of humour stand out in this autobiography.

Great read!!
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