A Dream So Big by Steve Peifer {Book Review}

I know it has been a while since I last reviewed a book. I am sad to say that my personal reading time is basically nil at this point, which is sad for a reader like me. I love to read and used to read multiple books for pleasure each week sometimes. But, well, school has kind of gotten in the way. I have had this book for a few months and I just barely finished it, which is kind of sad, because I really enjoyed the book.

This book is right up my alley. Many of you know that I have a heart for the underprivileged as well as third-world countries and their children. This book is the story of the Peifer family, Steve & Nancy, as well as their children, who have lived in Kenya for over a decade now. They originally committed to be missionaries in Kenya for one year after they experienced the loss of their third son, who was born with birth defects. After their one year in Kenya was up, they knew that they needed to stay. In their time there, they have worked for a boarding school for children of other missionary families (Rift Valley Academy), as well as starting a school lunch program for children that now feeds over 10,000 children daily, and starting computer programs in many of the poorest schools in the country so as to give the children a chance in life.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved that it was written with humor and that I feel like I really got to know the Peifer family. I admire so much that they have given up everything, including their home, Steve's high-profile career, and life in America, to give back in Kenya. This was truly a story that shows the power of one person. It is inspiring to see the good that Steve's plans have done in Kenya. Obviously, everything is done with the financial support of a great network in the United States, but Steve was the one who initially saw the hunger of school children and decided to do something about it. It would be easy to say that something is so overwhelming that you aren't even going to try, but that is not what Steve did. Upon visiting some of the poorest schools in the country, Steve witnessed that many of the kids were lying on the floor. When he asked the teacher about it, she said that the children were so hungry that they were lethargic and couldn't pay attention in school. He decided to ask donors in the United States to help him start a school lunch program. The program started in just a few schools and has grown immensely. The outcomes of the students in school have increased exponentially as they are able to focus. Many of the children do not get any meals except for the lunch at school each weekday.

I also loved this book because it has an adoption theme as well. A few years after arriving in Kenya, Steve and Nancy had the opportunity to adopt twins from a local orphanage. It is sweet to read about their story and to see how these two little ones helped heal the grief of the loss of their son.

The only (small) criticism I have of the book is that it felt a little long at times. It really isn't that long of a book, but there are a lot of details packed into it. A good portion of the text comes from emails that Steve has sent to their supporters over the years, and while this was a good touch often, some of them could have been left out or reduced. This really is a small complaint though, as I am sure that summarizing over a decade of adventures, happenings, missteps, etc was really difficult.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a down-to-earth and inspiring book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”