Reviews & Comments
NEW REVIEWS - HOT OFF THE PRESS
I am currently reading this wonderful book about the first ROCOR mission in Uganda. I cannot recommend it enough. If you are at all interested in Orthodox Missions and the struggles that are encountered throughout, and the many ways that God and His saints come to our aid in the most difficult of times than you will find this soul bearing autobiography to be one of your favorite books ever.
-Chris Brown
Glory to God--I have had the opportunity to meet Doctor Kambites--his book is a great read which takes us on a heartfelt and inspirational journey--speaking with him I could see the passion which inspired him, to serve God and man.
-Nicolino Lombardo
The Review Board reviewed Tears. Click the link below to read more:
therevboard.com/2016/06/21/controversial-truth-on-tears-on-the-equator-muzungu/
Well, I completed my summer vacation reading by finishing your wonderful saga in darkest Africa. That you survived your travails and arrived where you are now is a proof of your strength of character. Bravo! There is a lot to discuss when we meet again.
- Professor Paris Arnopoulos, Montreal
Why hasn't this book been turned into a movie? A most amazing story, grabs you and does not let go. If you want to learn about Africa, if you want to engage yourself in a deep meaningful quest, this memoir will take you to places unimaginable. I give it a 10 out of ten. I wept, I cried,I laughed, I was angry and amazed. How did the good doctor and his family survive. I am not a believer, not a man of faith, but I was deeply moved.
- Tomothy Kingsley Dorning
This book is a unique journey into the soul of a man, his family and a country struggling with demons of pride, impatience, prejudice and a colonial past to build a school, a clinic, a church and a new future in a land tormented by Idi Amin, Milton Obote and Yoweri Meseveni. “Beats” (Gerasimos/Gerry) and his wife, Sarah, a mixed race couple of Greek and Ugandan heritage struggling with the prejudices of mid-seventies North America, conceive a dream of returning to Sarah’s homeland to live a life of service to her people, providing education, medicine and the example of their profound Orthodox faith. The author describes the incredible challenges they faced, both personal and systemic. “Beats” is confronted by his impatience with the people of Bukasa ( an island in the midst of LakeVictoria) that works against him with the locals and undermines his efforts to help, earning him the pejorative title of Muzungu (“White Man”). Sarah is there to build and run a school as the local government school has been abandoned. Despite their great strides in the face of so much obstruction, misunderstanding and corruption the couple draws the suspicious eyes of a series of Ugandan regimes resulting in arrests and torture for Gerry and ultimately the deportation of the entire family.Throughout the author is unsparingly critical of himself and his actions as he faces intractable bureaucracy, life threatening emergency trips across a hostile Lake Victoria, and a lack of proper financial support.In the end two children are born to the couple on the island, one dies and one lives. The school is done in by the government, the clinic is reduced to a ghost of the dream, and a marriage dies.This is by turns a poignant, heroic, heartbreaking and unsparingly self-critical account of an attempt to incarnate the love of humanity and the love of God on a small island in Lake Victoria. It is also a chronicle of the journey of one flawed but ultimately forgiving and triumphant soul. Gerry’s faith, and the Church of the Annunciation (Orthodox) live on. Thank you, Gerry, for this gift to all of us. - Richard Pitcher
Maryann Miller is a diverse writer of columns, feature stores, short fiction, novels, screenplays and stage plays, Maryann Miller has won numerous awards including being a semi-finalist at the Sundance Institute for her screenplay, “A Question of Honor.” More recently she placed in the top 15 percent of entries in the Chesterfield Screenwriting Fellowship with the adaptation of her mystery,“Open Season.” See what she has to say about Tears on the Equator.
I am currently reading this wonderful book about the first ROCOR mission in Uganda. I cannot recommend it enough. If you are at all interested in Orthodox Missions and the struggles that are encountered throughout, and the many ways that God and His saints come to our aid in the most difficult of times than you will find this soul bearing autobiography to be one of your favorite books ever.
-Chris Brown
Glory to God--I have had the opportunity to meet Doctor Kambites--his book is a great read which takes us on a heartfelt and inspirational journey--speaking with him I could see the passion which inspired him, to serve God and man.
-Nicolino Lombardo
The Review Board reviewed Tears. Click the link below to read more:
therevboard.com/2016/06/21/controversial-truth-on-tears-on-the-equator-muzungu/
Well, I completed my summer vacation reading by finishing your wonderful saga in darkest Africa. That you survived your travails and arrived where you are now is a proof of your strength of character. Bravo! There is a lot to discuss when we meet again.
- Professor Paris Arnopoulos, Montreal
Why hasn't this book been turned into a movie? A most amazing story, grabs you and does not let go. If you want to learn about Africa, if you want to engage yourself in a deep meaningful quest, this memoir will take you to places unimaginable. I give it a 10 out of ten. I wept, I cried,I laughed, I was angry and amazed. How did the good doctor and his family survive. I am not a believer, not a man of faith, but I was deeply moved.
- Tomothy Kingsley Dorning
This book is a unique journey into the soul of a man, his family and a country struggling with demons of pride, impatience, prejudice and a colonial past to build a school, a clinic, a church and a new future in a land tormented by Idi Amin, Milton Obote and Yoweri Meseveni. “Beats” (Gerasimos/Gerry) and his wife, Sarah, a mixed race couple of Greek and Ugandan heritage struggling with the prejudices of mid-seventies North America, conceive a dream of returning to Sarah’s homeland to live a life of service to her people, providing education, medicine and the example of their profound Orthodox faith. The author describes the incredible challenges they faced, both personal and systemic. “Beats” is confronted by his impatience with the people of Bukasa ( an island in the midst of LakeVictoria) that works against him with the locals and undermines his efforts to help, earning him the pejorative title of Muzungu (“White Man”). Sarah is there to build and run a school as the local government school has been abandoned. Despite their great strides in the face of so much obstruction, misunderstanding and corruption the couple draws the suspicious eyes of a series of Ugandan regimes resulting in arrests and torture for Gerry and ultimately the deportation of the entire family.Throughout the author is unsparingly critical of himself and his actions as he faces intractable bureaucracy, life threatening emergency trips across a hostile Lake Victoria, and a lack of proper financial support.In the end two children are born to the couple on the island, one dies and one lives. The school is done in by the government, the clinic is reduced to a ghost of the dream, and a marriage dies.This is by turns a poignant, heroic, heartbreaking and unsparingly self-critical account of an attempt to incarnate the love of humanity and the love of God on a small island in Lake Victoria. It is also a chronicle of the journey of one flawed but ultimately forgiving and triumphant soul. Gerry’s faith, and the Church of the Annunciation (Orthodox) live on. Thank you, Gerry, for this gift to all of us. - Richard Pitcher
Maryann Miller is a diverse writer of columns, feature stores, short fiction, novels, screenplays and stage plays, Maryann Miller has won numerous awards including being a semi-finalist at the Sundance Institute for her screenplay, “A Question of Honor.” More recently she placed in the top 15 percent of entries in the Chesterfield Screenwriting Fellowship with the adaptation of her mystery,“Open Season.” See what she has to say about Tears on the Equator.
FRIENDS of TEARS ON THE EQUATOR
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MORE REVIEWS
Tears on the Equator is the compelling and brutally honest account of a five-year quest to bring proper medical care and education to the people of a remote island in Lake Victoria, Uganda.
Gerasimos Kambites is a doctor and Greek Orthodox priest who ventures with his Ugandan-born wife to her birthplace, Bukasa Island, where their lives become an epic struggle against overwhelming odds as they battle his inexperience, shortages of medical supplies and equipment, the constant threat of violence from civil wars raging on the mainland, and the deeply held taboos and suspicions of the islanders.
This is the story of a courageous man following his beliefs, facing danger, confronting his own weaknesses and finding inner strengths. Every chapter is a new adventure with laughter and tears. It's a story not to be missed. - David Hutton
Gerasimos Kambites is a doctor and Greek Orthodox priest who ventures with his Ugandan-born wife to her birthplace, Bukasa Island, where their lives become an epic struggle against overwhelming odds as they battle his inexperience, shortages of medical supplies and equipment, the constant threat of violence from civil wars raging on the mainland, and the deeply held taboos and suspicions of the islanders.
This is the story of a courageous man following his beliefs, facing danger, confronting his own weaknesses and finding inner strengths. Every chapter is a new adventure with laughter and tears. It's a story not to be missed. - David Hutton
The book was an amazing journey, ecstasy and injustice at every turn. - Lynda Cox
Such an amazing book. Not only for its ability to take a snapshot of a time and place most are not familiar with but because of the various levels of human drama. The struggles of you and your wife to provide a better life for these people and the suffering you endured both physically, mentally, and spiritually in that attempt are something we could all appreciate if not emulate. This book deserves to be made into a movie. - Bob Fairchild
I recommend reading Tears on the Equator: Muzungu - Dr. Gerasimos Kambites, a Canadian, writes about his time in Uganda in the 1980's struggling to build a church, a medical clinic and a school. The first person honesty of this book and the exotic beauty of its setting work together to pull us into a world completely different from our own, giving us a fresh encounter with our own prejudices, hopes, fears and loves. It is a masterful exploration of human nature, filled with trials and sorrows yet permeated throughout with hope and beauty - an extraordinary work! - Victor Chiasson
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A compelling and honest autobiographical account by Canadian psychiatrist, ex-journalist and former Orthodox priest Gerasimos I. Kambites of his 5 years in Uganda in the 1980s. This fascinating book will appeal to a wide range of readers, touching as it does on themes related to African society and politics, social justice, racism, spirituality, the Orthodox Church, missionary outreach, medicine, marriage and family life, and more. - Yvonne Lysack
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“It should be savored by anyone who wishes to know more about the realities of spiritual and medical work abroad. Young people who want to understand and live up to the highest ideals of Humanitarian Work would do well to read this book carefully; Dr. Kambites has much to teach about health care and spirituality ...He represents the best kind of Canadian leadership.” - Louis Kelemen
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Tears on the Equator is the powerful autobiographical story of Gerasimos Kambites, his Ugandan wife Sarah and their children as they struggle to set up a school, a medical practice and an Orthodox Church on Bukasa Island, Lake Victoria, Uganda. In strong well written prose, we follow their struggles over a 5 year period of time. Problems at times seem insurmountable! Corrupt officials, political turmoil, marginal living conditions, lack of communication with the outside world, lack of a medical support team, lack of consistent funding, suspicions of the people they are trying to help and the death of one of their own children constantly test the couples faith and endurance. Dr. Kambites struggles with personal demons and a quick temper often get him in trouble with officialdom but he holds true to his religious convictions. The story is riveting! We are witness to medical emergencies that often see Dr. Kambites in a small boat traversing Lake Victoria in the middle of the night with severely ill patients. The challenge of building a medical clinic and a church with little equipment, materials or skilled labor at times proves to be overwhelming. His encounters with corrupt gun toting officials, his eventual expulsion from the country and escape of his family make the story truly memorable. Yet, despite all of the hardships Dr. Kambites shows us the beauty of the country, the true kindness and hard work of many of the local people. Although no longer in Uganda, the church he founded is now thriving. This is an excellent book and a must read! - Dawn Scranton
IMPRESSIONS: My mind was ignited with the visualizations of Uganda’s beauty, countryside, and the abject horror of the conditions and experiences you lived through. I experienced your joys and sorrows…I heard the cries (pleas) of your patients… You enabled others, including myself, an opportunity to relive your life on every page. I saw the squalor and devastation in Kampala… and suffered with you, Sarah, family and fellow Ugandans. Their faces, eyes, joys and pain were everywhere…but so was the joy of new life. Every page is alive … every page is a story of its own. I was able to relive your lives on every page. “TEARS” is a graphic and haunting book. - Ron
I learned about Uganda, about commitment, about fear, about resilience. I cried and raged and laughed with Gerasimos and his family. I felt like I was right there, and understood perfectly well why someone would do the insane things he did...although never once did I feel that I'd have the courage to do them myself. - Katalin Poor
Just finished this book with our book group. At times it was SO depressing but it was great to see the author come through and still be able to continue in the next phases of his life, also acknowledging mistakes made on the journey. People of great conviction and sacrifice.- Sharon Winkler Moren
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I am crying finishing his book, I feel his pain and it is just an incredible book. He needs to write more books. - Marina Kravtsova
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Wow! First book I have finished reading since high school!! Reading this made me feel like I was there. - Ted Rigby
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Thank-you for having the courage and perseverance, the openness of heart and soul, to put to pen, this remarkable journey. - Dennis
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Tears is visceral, riveting, emotionally tear jerking, and rewarding. I couldn't put it down. Great job Gerry. - Cynthia
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Tears on the Equator is a story which requires telling...for anyone interested in Africa...this is a seamless book for them to
ingest. - David Hutton, Author |
I was moved by the story throughout. As I have mentioned, tissues were required as well as taking deep breaths occasionally for the scary bits. As a westerner I would find it very difficult to cope with the cultural divide, the many beliefs and superstitions, not to mention the prejudices regarding race and colour. The lack of sanctity for human life also astounds me, and this we read about daily as occurring in many places in the world. And yet, so many people like you and Sarah work so hard to bring about change in the face of insurmountable odds and even abuse. - Victor Bush, Author/Teacher
Warm greetings from Romania! I have just finished reading your book. Learning, crying and raging at the same time. Thank you
for it! - Oana-Maria Rusu
for it! - Oana-Maria Rusu
Tears on the Equator is a must read . From the first page you will find yourself seemingly traveling and experiencing Uganda and the people. I often would find myself unable to put the book down - and even felt irritated if a phone call from a friend interrupted me - explaining to them that I was in Uganda - this is the type of emotion this true story emits - it is tangible . I acknowledge the courage and strength it has taken Dr. Kambites over the last 20 years to write this . It is a true story, so well written, that it will forever imprint on your soul what is possible in the human spirit. - Maria Eisenschmid
I heard your interview on Ancient Faith Radio and felt compelled to write you. I felt the peace and love of God flowing from you over the internet. I could tell that you had been refined by the fiery trial you endured, and that God had been faithful to you and that you are a witness to that faithfulness. Trials and suffering are such an incredible mystery! Thank you for sharing your journey and your hope. I am not Orthodox, but I feel a kinship of the Spirit with you, brother. I plan on obtaining your book. Thank you. - Jerome Ellard
Dear Dr. Kambites: Thank you for attending the recent meeting of the Ladies of Ottawa Book Club. Your presentation was informative and entertaining, just like your incredible book. It was an evening we will not soon forget!
I loved the book. The Kambites had a good reason to go, a good reason to endure, and a very good reason to leave. I feel everyone benefited from the Kambites presence in Africa, but the journey for them reflected their true measure. Hard to read at times....Great book!! - Teri Bowles, Ladies of Ottawa Book Club
I finished your book last week and really zipped through it. I had a hard time going to bed while reading it, since I would "just go to the end of the chapter" no matter how late it was. As the old cliche goes, it was hard to put down. I read some of your poetic paragraphs to Lucie and we are both impressed with your writing. I also was intrigued by the fact that you had articles in National Geographic. I grew up reading NG (my family had a subscription) and I loved it. My parents still have many of those old copies, but they live in Saskatchewan. I faintly remember reading about some people going to Uganda around 1980, and that they posted a guard one night who was armed with a spear or bow and arrow. Was that your article? If it was, do you still have a copy? I was amazed at how extensive your knowledge had to be to pull off all that you did on Bukasa Island. Customs, architecture, medicine, culture, watercraft, etc. You really had to know it all. Of course it is tragic how the story ended, but you really did accomplish a lot. I recently had a week off from work, during which I watched a few movies I'd been waiting to see. I thought that since I was reading your book, I should also watch something about Uganda, so I saw The Last King of Scotland. It turned out to be not exactly the most edifying thing I could have exposed myself to, but it was strange to see it end with a white doctor flying out of Uganda, bruised and beaten, not unlike yourself, who experienced those things emotionally. - Hope to see you soon, Symeon
