I’m excited about featuring Mabel Ninan’s book, “Far From Home: Discovering Your identity as Foreigners on Earth.” 
I know this book will be a blessing for us all. Continue reading to find out how to enter the drawing for Mabel’s book. (UPDATE the drawing is closed.)
Mabel was born and raised in a Christian home in India, Mabel came to America as a newlywed, confident and equipped to start a new chapter of her life. Instead, she wrestled with questions about identity and feelings of homesickness and loneliness. Her desperate search for belonging and purpose brought her to her knees. God revealed to her that she was not only an earthly immigrant but also a spiritual one, created with a unique calling to impact God’s kingdom. Mabel’s renewed perspective imbued her with joy and hope, urging her to share her message with others.
In Far from Home, she draws from her personal experiences and by examining the lives of biblical heroes. Mabel sheds light on what it means to live as a citizen of Heaven on earth. Far from Home will inspire you to:
- Embrace your identity as a foreigner on earth.
- Make your home with God.
- Find community and common purpose with fellow sojourners.
Here’s an excerpt from Mabel’s book:
Yes, You are Stuck Between Two Worlds
by Mabel Ninan
My five-year-old son, Ryan, and I were riding an elevator in a mall on one of our trips to India. Packed, as only Indians allow themselves to be packed, into that six-foot by six-foot square box with other shoppers, my son felt absolutely and uncontrollably compelled to give voice to his thoughts. Right there. Right then. Out of the blue. Throwing me off guard.
“I am American, right, Mommy? Because I eat American food. I don’t like Indian food.”
Ryan searched my face for clarification or confirmation.
“We can talk about it later,” I whispered. I felt my cheeks flush.
As my fellow elevator riders darted their glances at me, I did my best to avoid eye contact with them.
India was Ryan’s luxury resort and spa. Every other year he got the chance to escape routine, school, and homework for a month-long vacation in the Indian subcontinent, a term that refers to South Asia, where his grandparents catered to his every whim. They considered his indiscretions cute. Aunts and uncles showered him with love, allowing him to indulge in mindless snacking and unrestrained TV watching. In India, Ryan blended in. At the same time, he was also aware of his foreignness, knowing that, culturally, he was different from his own flesh and blood.
A natural dilemma for most immigrant children is whether they should attach themselves to, or consciously strip themselves of, their parents’ ethnic identity. My son will probably have more questions about his identity than I can answer or solve.
Ironically, as someone who lives in between two cultures, I struggle with my own share of conflicting identities.
After living in the new homeland for almost a decade, I feel like I belong. I cannot, at the same time, resist the pull I feel toward my homeland. The umbilical cord has not yet been severed. My parents, sister, and most of my relatives live in India, and I continue to be involved in their lives. I remain in touch with my Indian friends. It is unthinkable to cut off contact from India altogether. At the same time, I gather new friends in America, and some of them have become so close that I consider them family.
For the most part, it seems as if I am stuck between two worlds, sandwiched by two cultures, sometimes believing that I belong to neither. Acceptance and exclusion seem to remarkably coexist, making it harder for me to settle the issue of my national identity.
The ambiguity in my status as an immigrant accentuates an important aspect of my identity that I have previously overlooked and ignored—my identity as a spiritual immigrant.
And that applies to you as a Christian.
Physically, we are earthlings, with both cradle and coffin grounded in earth. But, spiritually, our new birth and identity in Christ changes our status from a native of this world to a foreigner. We are not only the beloved and chosen children of God and coheirs with Christ, but also members of the kingdom of God with the full rights and privileges of citizenship.
We do not belong to this world though God created us to live and prosper in this world. We are a people who live in the overlap of “in the world” and “not of this world.” We are citizens of heaven, living on earth as pilgrims.
Thank you Mabel, for reminding us of this dilemma. We forget how much the dichotomy affects. We need your book to remind us so that we will be wise about living in the midst of two cultures.
To enter the drawing for Mabel’s book, make any comment on the blog post (CLICK HERE). Only US addresses can win. Drawing will end Wednesday, March 8th, 2023. UPDATE: The drawing is closed. Mary is the winner. Congratulations, Mary!
MEET MABEL:
Mabel is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and host of the YouTube podcast, Immigrant Faith Stories. An immigrant from India who has lived in seven cities across the U.S. in fourteen years, she navigates between cultures, feeling at home everywhere and nowhere. Her latest book, Far from Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth, won the 2022 Southern Christian Writers Conference Notable Book Award in the category, Nonfiction (Traditionally Published).
A contributor to Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures: Daily Devotions for Animal Lovers since 2022, Mabel’s articles have appeared in Upper Room, CBN.com, LeadingHearts.com, and (in)courage.me.
Mabel is currently pursuing M.A. in Theological Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She lives in Silicon Valley with her husband, eleven-year-old son, and a Maltese.
Contact Points/Useful Links
Website – https://mabelninan.com
FREE Bible reading plan and devotion, Discover your Immigrant Spiritual Identity, when you sign up for my emails – http://bit.ly/3I0E2t5
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MabelNinan
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mabel_ninan
YouTube – https://youtube.com/@mabelninan
10-Day Jonah reading plan on YouVersion app: http://bible.us/r/7Z3
Buy Far from Home on Amazon – https://amzn.to/3INfXmU
Buy a Signed Copy of Far from Home– https://form.jotform.com/221366566535158
I just read Mabel’s survival story–SO grateful that God answers prayer! He DOES have a plan for each of our lives–what an encouraging thought! It not only encourages me but reminds me to use my time for His glory and be attentive to His leading.
Mary, thank you so much for affirming the value of Mabel’s book. I’m so excited to share with others such an important book. Thank you for entering the drawing.
Mary, thank you for entering the drawing. Amen to everything you mentioned. I’m glad my story encouraged you.
Congratulations, Mary! You are the winner of Mabel’s book. I’m so happy for you. I will connect you and Mabel by email. Thank you again for stopping by and entering the drawing.
The concept of “home” and finding home is so central to our wellbeing.
Well said, Linda. All of us are longing to return to the perfect Garden, which was the ultimate beautiful “home.” We are all longing for heaven. I’m so glad you are supporting this book, Linda. You are entered!
Linda, well-said! Home is an integral aspect of identity and belonging and hence affects our well-being. Thanks for entering the drawing 🙂
This world is not my home. I looked forward to my eternal home in heaven. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of Mabel’s book. I would love to read it and share with others.
Yes, indeed, Julie, I’m with you! Thank you for seeing the value of Mabel’s book. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
New author for me
HI Brenda, yes, you are right. This is Mabel’s first book and I think she has done an excellent job. I”m so glad to support her worthy service for the Lord. Thank you for doing the same thing by entering the drawing.
Julie, I look forward to heaven too! I wrote Far from Home to encourage believers to embrace their pilgrim identity on earth. Keeping heaven on our minds helps us live intentionally on earth. Thanks for entering the drawing!
Great book!
Thank you for all the great book drawings!
Mona.
Mona, thanks for entering the drawing!
Always enjoy. Thank you Ms. Kathy!
Thanks, J.D. You are entered.
This sounds like a great book! So many times I feel as though I’m a stranger in this land and need the reminder!
HI Paula, thank you so much for your comment and reminding us we all need to remember we are strangers in this land–Mabel’s wise perspective. Your name is entered in the drawing.
Sounds like an interesting read. Having spent 8 years in Europe as a native Californian, and also being a citizen of Heaven who longs to see my homeland there, I get it. Thanks, Kathy, for making us aware of Mabel’s book, and thank you, Mabel, for sharing your story. I’d love to win a copy and share a review.
So glad you’ve entered the drawing, Becky. Becky wrote a book about how we can be hospitable to those who are “foreigners” in our area and to Americans who live in our area. She shares lots of stories of ministering in Europe and representing the Lord wherever we live. Her book is “The Art of Heavenly Hospitality.” Check it out:https://www.amazon.com/Art-Heavenly-Hospitality-Friends-Strangers/dp/0578922703/
Becky, thank you! Your book sounds interesting too. Hospitality is one of my spiritual gifts :). I feel we have so much in common. I’m glad we “met” through Kathy’s blog. Would you be interested in swapping books? I can send you a copy of my book and you send me yours. Let me know if you’re interested. You can email me – mabel(at)mabelninan.com
I love to read and look forward to learning about this new perspective!
Darleen, So glad you’ve entered the drawing. And keep being a reader! We authors love you!
If you recommend it Kathy, I look forward to reading it!
So glad you’ve entered the drawing, Karen. I know you’ll find Mabel’s book meaningful whether you win it or purchase it.