Book Review: One Small Sparrow

I happened upon this powerful and uplifting book in a thrift store recently. I cannot wait to pass it on to other members of my family (I have already offered to lend it to my sister-in-law, Mary, Amelia's mother). Jeff Leeland tells the heartbreaking, yet inspiring story of a community banding together to save the life of his young son.

Jeff and Kristi Leeland welcomed their fourth child, Michael, in August of 1991. Within a week, Jeff left the family to begin a new job teaching in a middle school in Seattle, Washington. One month later, the family officially moved. In February of 1992, they learned the devastating news that their baby was fighting cancer and would need a bone marrow transplant. They also discovered that their insurance would not cover the necessary transplant.

What follows is an amazing story of God's hand moving through ordinary individuals. One of Jeff Leeland's students came forward to offer all the money in his savings account ($60)and this became the initial deposit for the Michael Leeland Trust Fund. Within four weeks, because the students and faculty at the middle school banded together to broadcast the need, the Fund raised the necessary $205,000 for Michael's transplant.

This books holds so many stories in one. It is the story of his son's battle, the story of their family's faith in God, the story of students who are passionate, undaunted and jump right in to help out, the story of a community touched by the need of one small person, and the story of God's provision against the odds. It is a touching reminder that, with God, anything is possible.

My favorite quote comes in a passage describing the final half hour Jeff and Kristi spend with Michael before he is placed in sterile isolation. Jeff writes:

"We have discovered along our hard journey two kinds of hope. One looks forward to the final destination, the other for the strength and wisdom to move toward it. Both rest in God's faithful provision.

We have also encountered two types of discouragement. One mistakes an obstacle in the path for the final destination; the other mistakes our own weakness for a reason to give up. Both rest in our faithlessness."

I only wish that I could have accessed the photo which graces the cover of my copy. My copy shows an actual photo of Michael and his mother. This photo compelled me to purchase and read this book in the same way it probably compelled community members to give on behalf of Michael and his family.

I highly recommend this book. It can be purchased for only one cent through Amazon. I also discovered that Jeff Leeland has published another book, entitled A Thousand Small Sparrows. This second book provides many stories of kids reaching out to help other kids. It is based on the work of the Sparrow Clubs, which Jeff Leeland spearheaded after Michael's experience.

These clubs exist primarily in the western states (although, I did note two "sparrows" being supported by a sparrow club in Illinois and Indiana). What a marvelous tool for harnessing the enthusiasm and passion of kids! What a wonderful way to encourage empathy! I wish there were a Sparrow Club at my son's middle school.