I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Jericho Books and received a copy of The Invisible Girls to review.
Helping others can be a balm for your woes, be those woes simple or serious.
In giving, you often rejuvenate your own spirits.
Ask Sarah Thebarge.
Diagnosed with breast cancer at twenty-seven, she endured surgeries and treatments. Toward the end of that grueling time, her boyfriend dumped her, saying, “I can’t do this anymore. It’s just too hard.”
When her treatments ended, Sarah left the East Coast and moved to Portland, Oregon in search of a fresh start.
A little girl engaged her in a game of peek-a-book one day on the train into the city. Sarah learned from the mother that the child was one of five daughters.
The mother, Hadhi, explained with motions and short phrases that they were from Somalia. Hadhi’s s husband had deserted the family soon after they arrived in the United States.
Something sparked in Sarah. The mission to help the family began.
Sarah Thebarge does a masterful job of juxtaposing the story of her own breast cancer with the struggles of Hadhi and her girls. I couldn’t put The Invisible Girls down when I read the book a few weeks ago.
Sarah’s heart and energy continue to amaze me as I write this post.
Safe on my couch, I have a stack of Halloween cards ready to address to shut-ins. A small good deed.
Sarah Thebarge got off her couch, stepping with boldness into a home of near strangers. There she discovered an almost unfurnished apartment and watched as the children ate a dinner of molded bread dipped in ketchup.
At Sarah’s age,I wouldn’t have had the grace, motivation, or courage to do jump into the lives of the Somali family. I doubt I do now.
Bless you Sarah Thebarge!
Sarah wrote the book for a specific purpose– to raise funds for the college educations of the girls. Hear her explanation in this short video.
You can read reviews of The Invisible Girls on Amazon.com and learn more about Sarah Thebarge on her website
You can understand better how to help a friend with breast cancer from this piece on Sarah’s blog.
Giveaway: I’m giving away my copy of The Invisible Girls. Simply enter a comment by November 15 saying you’d like to win.
Friend For The Ride 
What an inspiring story and brave young woman. Scary so young to face breast cancer.
Would love to read it!
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I’d love to read about Sarah and the invisible girls. What a wonderful role model Sarah is!
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I want to read this book!
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sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing!
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What an awesome young woman! I’d love to read the book.
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Sounds fascinating! Looking forward to reading it…(whether or not I win!)
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Incredible story. I would love to read. So inspiring.
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Wow…..what an amazing young lady and story. I would love to read it. Thanks for sharing your synopsis with us.
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This woman is clearly extraordinary. Someone to not only admire, but try to emulate. Thanks for the inspiring post. I’d love to read the book!
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We look at so many people in our day to day lives, but do we ever really “see” them? A truly brave young woman!
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us, Barbara. I just went over and read through some of Sarah’s blog. What an incredible woman.
Yes. I want to read this book.
(Since my daughter and family lived for 8 years in Portland Oregon, the image of the train station and approaching train in the video is so familiar to me… it was almost eerie.)
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Looks like a great read, what a brave tale
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Wow, this sounds great. Would love to read it.
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I would love to read this. Would it be a good book for book club? I need some ideas to bring to our next meeting. Does anyone here have recommendations for some good book club reads and discussions?
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Hi Leslie,
I think it would make a good title as lots to discuss. The book does have a Christian slant (for want of a better word) but I think could be appreciated by people of other religions too.
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I would love to read this book! Thanks for sharing
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I would love to read this book because I think it is a remarkable story that is filled with hope and inspiration. I would love to win this book and even if I don’t I would like to know where it is available for purchase.
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please think of me when giving this book away. I want to give it to my niece who lives in Portland and barely escaped cancer at 22 and is turning 28 on Nov. 10th. This book would be encouraging to her. Thank You.
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