Melissa Baker (Sydney, 2003).

In our society today we have become far too complacent and our eyes are shut off to what is happening around us. Perhaps this has something to do with the state of affairs in the world in this present age and the need to protect ourselves, but in the midst of this there are people who need our protection, our love, our acceptance, our friendly face, our smile. So often those who live on the other side of the street (that is those who do not live like the majority of the population) do not experience these things. They do not have protection. They are asked to leave. No one loves them, accepts them, and many do not smile and offer a friendly face in their time of need.

It is not easy to be accepting of others who are different from ourselves. In forty-nine countries around the world, Melissa has met many people in her travels, from business people to tourists, from families to children, from the lonely to the elderly, from the poor to the homeless. Most see life as a one-way street, some sit in the middle of the two, and very few are willing to reach out and help.

This book is based on Melissa’s personal story. A story that reaches into the depths of forgiveness, grace, and restoration, saved from a world of drugs, suicide, and living on the streets of Sydney, Australia.

The book is divided into three sections:

Section 1: Sleeping under the bridge Written in third person, under the name ‘Jade Michaels’, Melissa takes the reader through two extraordinary years of her life and flashbacks to her childhood memories. Melissa’s journey also brings out physical, emotional and sexual abuse, trauma, & demonstrates that life was once on the verge of death.

Section 2: Between bridges The story continues on, but illustrates that life is found in death. Trust, faith, love and forgiveness are core to the story and how transformation and restoration took place in Melissa’s life.

Section 3: Builder of the bridge This section becomes a workbook. Melissa has developed six bridge building tools so that readers can engage with her story, their story (or a friend’s story), and learn new insights in their life by engaging with their mind, body and heart. The tools can be used privately, one on one, or in group sessions. The six bridge building tools are: story, questions, music, theatre, drawing, and objects. This section intertwines further with Melissa’s story, now in first person, exercises to complete, and ten reflective listening songs (available on CD).

About the author Rev Melissa Baker is an adult educator and pastoral carer. She regularly attends and ministers at Ryde Baptist church, Sydney.

She trained at Morling College, completing a Bachelor of Ministries and Diploma of Theology, majoring in Ethics and Pastoral Care. In 2002, she completed a Master of Education (Adult Education) at UTS.

Melissa has travelled extensively overseas on short-term missions, holidays, and through Baptist World Aid Australia, where she was their Promotions Manager and Development Educator.

Melissa hopes that this book about her life will be an inspiration to many.

Responses “I have orally shared the story of Jade and now I have read it. It is an account of the human capacity for survival against all odds. I am disturbed by the grim realities of human dysfunction. Delightful insights into the movement from despondency to optimism are to be found in this story and the associated learning experiences. Transformative shifts from poor and destructive attitudes to self to a new ability to take pleasure in personal strengths are Jade’s experience and speak into my story. Here I discover that disappointment and despair do not need to seize human hearts and minds. In Jade’s story hope, based on gracious spirituality, chases fear away.” (This is an extract from the Foreword.)

Rev Dr John Reid (mentor and colleague)

“Jade’s life story shows how God uses the weak, humble and broken to demonstrate his love and power.”

Richard Host (a friend of Melissa’s)

“When I first met Jade as a very reluctant client, she had very little idea of who she was – lost in the pain and confusion of rejection, self hatred and despair.”

Chris Patchett (LifeLine counsellor 86-88)

“Jade is a woman with a deep love for people, particularly those who are poor and oppressed. She is an articulate, gracious person who demonstrates a unique ability to love the unlovely and to forgive, even those who have caused her great pain.”

Graham Francis (friend and colleague)

ON SALE NOW AT KOORONG (all Australian stores and http://www.koorong.com)

l Title – Jade’s Story: a two way street l Author – Melissa Baker l ISBN – 1 740 18285 5

RRP: $32.95

To contact Melissa Baker

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