Jamie Wright (5)

A very well-written account from someone full of insecurities, whose background was nothing like that of most missionaries. The author describes her initial contact with Christians, her longing for acceptance and her need, at the same time, for authenticity and transparency.

Much of the book recounts her family's experiences in Costa Rica, where they went as missionaries for five years. It's peppered with 'strong' language but nowhere near as much as I had expected, after seeing some show more critical reviews. And while I don't like bad language, the writing feels honest and raw, expressing the author's feelings in the way that comes most naturally to her.

Definitely worth reading by anyone who is willing to ask questions, and who realises that the Christian (and missions) world is full of flawed people, often following models that are well out of date.

Longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-very-worst-missionary-by-jamie.... show less

This is indeed more a memoir than a theological treatise. Every chapter does lead to a point, however, and usually a good one. There, of course, is no point in disagreeing or arguing about the author's history and the lessons they learned. Sometimes though it feels like they are expanding their personal experience to draw conclusions beyond her own experience. For example, there are some swipes at short-term missions trips that are undoubtedly sometimes true but are not always true. It might show more be more effective to talk about what a great short-term mission experience could be like, than to just throw them all out as useless. (And the limitations/problems with short-term mission trips are not new, but calling them out in this book is a good reminder.)

Look as you probably already know she's swear-y. The thing is that sometimes it doesn't feel like she's doing for any other reason than it proves she's super edgy.

So why 4 stars? Cause it is interesting and provokative. show less

Twenty-two LibraryThing members have read this (or at least entered it,) but only one has rated it and so far no-one has written a review. It is a challenging book because Jamie Wright speaks boldly about missions. If you haven't even been on a short-term mission, you might doubt her point-of-view because of what you have learned in church and heard in all your missions conferences. I wanted to rail against her swear words, because I don't swear (much and not in public or writing,) and I show more don't even think it proper English, but I don't want to throw out the baby with the bath water, because everything else was spot on. show less

Not great. The last few chapters were the real meat and I appreciated her words. The rest just came off as whiny.