In “Wings of Refuge,” Abby has recently discovered that her husband cheated on her and is leaving her for the other woman. Heartbroken and confused, she decides to go on a trip she has long dreamed of taking – an archeological dig in Israel. A kindly fellow passenger befriends her on the plane, only to suddenly die in her arms at the airport, victim of a sniper bullet.
After interrogation, Abby is taken to the hotel where she will meet the others from her group, and they quickly immerse themselves in the dig. We are shown details from the life of Leah, the woman whose belongings are found, a fascinating look into the history of Israel shortly after Christ’s death. With every find, Abby becomes more intrigued with the past, but also realizes that there is more to the airport shooting than she had first thought. She is being followed, and she doesn’t know why.
This artfully constructed novel not only tells Abby’s story and that of Leah, but we are given a first-hand account of the Six-Day War, told from the perspective of Hannah, Abby’s mentor on the trip. We are given a better understanding of Palestinian terrorism, the relationship between the Palestinians and the Jews, and how Christianity found its way into the hearts of many practicing Jews.
A beautiful chapter is spent detailing how Christ fulfilled the prophecies of the Jews and how He truly is the Messiah they waited for. I’ve always believed that Christ is the Messiah, but it really struck me to see it spread out like that, explained point by point. It gave me chills.
The novel closes with breathtaking suspense as Abby discovers who her enemies are, and why. I found myself reading this book in one afternoon, compelled by each character and the desire to learn more about their history. The final scene carries a sweet promise of forgiveness; perhaps not total redemption, but the possibility for a clean slate and the message that God’s mercy is extended to all of us, so shouldn’t we be prepared to extend it as well? With her marvelous storytelling abilities and strong faith in God, Lynn Austin has done it again.
(This book was published by Bethany House in 2000.)