The Gregg A Granger

Family Adventure

  
 
 
 
 

 

I finished reading your well-written and interesting book, and I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you.

You wrote from the human perspective, about people and the impact even strangers have on our lives. I liked that you grouped your photos by category, and then in the text referred to the appropriate photos out of number order.

Not knowing what to expect from your book on your sailing adventures, I was pleasantly surprised to find your book was (in my estimation) 70% about people you met during your four years, and 30% about the act of sailing. Blended in both categories were your many experiences checking in/out with local Customs officials. There were good sprinklings about your Faith in God. Your use of medical facilities in different countries certainly contrasts with US healthcare.

Thank you for writing about your family's experiences and personal growth. You have given your children a wonderful head-start on becoming wonderful helpful and understanding adults. ~Win Stebbins

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I really enjoyed your book immensely and particularly getting to know your family. What an undertaking to sail the world with your family for 41/2 years!! ~George Guerre

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I've been reading while enroute sitting in an airplane. Your book is well written, I am enjoying reading about your family's journey. ~Ray Easton

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I just finished reading your VERY WELL WRITTEN book. Thank you so much for taking the time needed to put you & your family experiences in print. I had no idea how many countries you were in. ~Ron Granger

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I just finished reading Sailing Faith and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. I had the opportunity to hear you so combined with the book I've had quite an indoctrination and am amazed.

You have an extraordinary family to embark on such an adventure and I enjoyed learning all about it. I'm sure you could also regal with many tales not in the book. ~Gene Semple

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It was with a touch of sadness that I finished the journey with your family, sad that that portion of the adventure was finished but rejoicing that you finished well. As with the Bible, there were many times during the reading that I was happy I knew the "end of the story." What an adventure!

We will be anxious to read your next book. ~Marge Farmer

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It takes a lot for me to get into a book, but want you to know when I started reading it Monday, I just wanted to keep on reading. It is truly a magnificent book, can't get it off my mind what you all went through, sicknesses, pirates, boat breakdowns, etc. ~Bonnie and LeRoy Ward

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I finished Sailing Faith several days ago afterwhich I mulled over in my thoughts as to whether or not to e-mail you. Generally, I did enjoy most elements of the journey. It's always interesting to learn of people, their lifestyles, and customs. My greatest disappointment was your constant slamming of the United States. After reading the book it seems I, as an American, can do nothing right. I'm greedy, make too much money, evil, present a false world to my brothers and sisters living at the other parts of the globe, and have a fully distorted view of things as they really are. At least that's the impression you gave me. In reading the book I found myself wanting just one comment about the positive aspects of America and the willingness of many of its people to help others, befriend others, and possess the desire to understand and accept the culture of others.

I'm sure the journey was great for you and your family. Thanks for listening to my thoughts. ~Jerry Adams

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I heard you speak and bought your book. They both were great! ~Audrey Van Strien

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Having just finished reading your book I am once again inspired by what you did with your family. Your book is wonderful! For me it was one of those where you start to get sad near the end because you are running out of pages to read and wish the story would continue.

Thanks again for sharing your story and for the inspiration! ~Jan and Kate Smits

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I had the opportunity to read your book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have had the opportunity to travel and see many parts of the world, very minimal compared to your trip, and was able to relate to some of your reactions in places we have both been. Your story renewed many great feelings and inspired me to continue visiting countries around the world.

Most importantly I want to thank you for sharing your memoirs, feelings, humor, sarcasm, and political views. I have always thought that if people in this country would travel more they would have a better and realistic view of the world, not distorted through the eyes of the U.S.A.

There are tourists and travelers, you and your family are truly travelers. I know the world is a better place because of people like yourself who choose to venture out and share with others around the world that not all Americans are rude, obnoxious, self centered people. Thanks to you and your family, my travels have been and will be better. ~Michael L. Bass

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Thank you so much for Sailing Faith: The Long Way Home. Was really fun to read it and brought back
wonderful memories. ~Berndt Barzik

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Thank you for Sailing Faith: The Long Way Home. What a great book, ~Ed Barton, Volunteer Curator, Michigan State University Libraries

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I just finished reading your book, Sailing Faith. I wanted to thank you for talking the time to share your experiences with me through your writing -- I enjoyed every page. ~Phil Dirkse

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I am enjoying your adventure. ~B. J. Dekoning

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I love it. It took me a while to read (too much going on) but I really enjoyed it. What a story! ~Gail Turlock

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I totally enjoyed your presentation and talking with you. I'm so glad [for] your book. I have been reading it slowly and am truly enjoying it. My friend Sue, whom you signed it for, will really love it as many of the places are familiar to her. ~Pat Broadhurst

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I want to thank you again for your sharing of your trip of a lifetime. Thanks again. From all I have heard, and by the questions, it was well recieved. ~Dick

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What a pleasure it was to read the published version of your sailing saga. Although there are many distinct similarities to the manuscript, the published version is much improved and is worthy of a book that should be on many bookshelves. Thanks for the wonderful story. ~John Verwolf

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I am happy to have been invited to join you on your voyage. I found it an impressive accomplishment in many ways:

--physically. You managed the routine tasks of sailing but also coped with various weather challenges and equipment failure.

--socially. You interacted with not just nice people but also with annoying ones and found ways to get special help and services when you needed them.

--psychologically. You were far from home and spent large blocks of time with just your family, while maintaining mostly harmonious relationships.

I feel honored by your asking for my feedback on your book. Best wishes on the next steps.

Marlys Admiraal (provided editing for Sailing Faith: The Long Way Home)

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Firstly, I just wanted to thank you for your book. To a fault, I am a hyper critical person when it comes to writing. That being said, for whatever it is worth, your book was a fascinating read to me. I enjoyed it on many different levels for many different reasons.

So much of how you all processed your journey is similar to how we have processed our journey.

~Jessica Davis

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Thanks for your book, Sailing Faith: The Long Way Home. It enriches the picaresque literary genre.

Reading it, I was reminded of Saint Augustine's sage counsel, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” Your journey shows you are exceptionally well read! The name of your boat “Faith” was the vehicle you used to replicate one of the epic biblical adventures: Abraham went out, not knowing whither he was to go” (Hebrews 11:8).

What a journey of faith you and your family pursued. Your adventure makes clear what Jonathan Edwards believed. Faith's locus isn't in the head filled with right doctrine. It doesn't reside in the heart with sentimental feelings about Jesus. Faith is riveted to the viscera—the guts—as the Holy Spirit shapes our will to venture into an uncertain future.

I share your convictions (p.244) about national policies that too many evangelical Christians rubberstamp. You are being most generous in language to call these grievous mistakes “curiosities.” I judge them as national calamities.

Cordially

The Rev. Dr. Jack R. Van Ens

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I'm very excited about your book. I have re-read some parts to underline some sentences that I enjoyed. Also taking some notes. It gets better and better. ~Karen Hutchens-White

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What a great read! ~Ken and Ann Minnema

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Please accept our deep appreciation for the time and fascinating story that you shared with our service club on Thursday. Your trip with your family is one that many of us only dream about. I know that I do, but I don't think I could be that close to my family for that long even though I love them dearly.

You have given your children an education that is unsurpassed by any I can think of. They should do well. I know the girls at Calvin will succeed and perhaps will end up doing something worthwhile for the world.

Congratulations to you for proving that you could realize your dream. The talk on the sidewalk after your presentation was very positive. In fact your trip was the talk at a board meeting last Tuesday. We are all very appreciative of your willing to share your trip with us. ~John Verwolf, Grand Rapids Round Table