Divine Collision: An African Boy, An American Lawyer, and Their Remarkable Battle for Freedom

Written by Jim Gash

Narrated by Brandon Batchelar and Jason White

"The story is as emotional as it is thrilling, and it reads like a major film." - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Jim Gash's comfortable life as a Los Angeles lawyer and law professor nearly ensured that he and Henry, a Ugandan boy languishing in prison for two murders he didn't commit, would never meet. Henry was losing hope and prayed for a sign from God. Halfway around the world, Jim listened to best-selling author of Love Does, Bob Goff, encourage lawyers to use their legal training to help imprisoned children in Africa. Jim felt an irresistible urge to respond to this call. Little did Henry know, his prayer had been answered.
  Divine Collision tells the first hand, true story of how Jim and Henry, separated not only by an ocean and thousands of miles, but also differing cultures and life experiences, inspired justice reform for an entire country. Divine Collision is a fast-paced thriller and will keep you listening, wanting to know what happens next for Henry and Jim.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oasis Audio
• Release date: Jan 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781621885702

Reviews for Divine Collision

[Roberto Nascimento · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This Is the history of an African Boy unjustly accused of crime and an American lawyer trying to give back his freedom.

[thesilverofhisfining · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! What an amazing telling of God's sovereign work in the lives of His children! One thing stands out -- the faithful answered prayers of Henry and his mother. Not to minimize the faith of many Americans involved in the story, but in perspective, Henry's and his mother's prayers were pure faith, because there was no Plan B, nothing on which to fall back. Truly the character and integrity of Henry is the heart of this story, without which the story would fail to stand.While I have never gone on a missions trip, I have heard and read about many, which are of great interest to me. This is not a missions trip, but Americans venturing into the Ugandan culture to assist their criminal justice system -- leaving the comforts of their own culture to assist Ugandans in theirs. In other words, making themselves available as God's feet, hands, and mouthpiece with no agenda of their own. Now that's faith.It is incredible to me that these children, of whom Henry is the leader, faithfully stayed in the remand 'home' (prison) for such a long time (some up to two years) with minimal provisions and minimal adult supervision. What an incredible situation! And one that God used for His glory.My favorite scene in the book, and the one which was ‘shown’ rather than ‘told’, is the loading and unloading of the cows! You will just have to read it, my friend (no spoilers).Jim Gash, the author, did an incredible job of blending the events of this lengthy legal process and the thoughts and feelings of several people beside himself and Henry, into a readable story. I love the way Henry’s thoughts are interwoven on the pages, as well as those of Jim’s wife and daughter Jessica. They add such perspective to the story.The email sent to Henry by Jim Gash’s friend Jessie was the most moving part of the book. Thanks for including it. It says in part (page 171):… God does not promise that justice will always be done, although we are already free in the Lord and He is a God who loves justice …Please tell him [Henry] my story and let him know God does have a plan for a hope and a future for him. God asks that we run with perseverance this race, and for you and Henry: keep running this race and under no circumstances give up.There was a point in the reading where I felt bogged down by the details of the legal process, but overall I think that reinforced for the reader the purpose for which Jim Gash and his team went to Uganda.Prayer, persistance, loyalty, integrity, faith in Almighty God, the truth, and always depending on God and giving Him the glory — that’s what Divine Collision is about. Oh, yes with global justice thrown in for good measure.Thank you, Jim Gash and family, and Henry, for sharing your faith in Almighty God in this unique way. I give Divine Collision 5 stars.I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review and participating in the First Look blog tour. Opinions are my own.

[Robert J Prankard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very well written account of how a lawyer's obedience to God's call made a life-altering difference to children -and one boy in particular - half way around the world. One of the best books I've read in a very long time.

[bookwyrmm_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very uplifting, but at times tear-jerking, true story of a Ugandan boy and the American lawyer who changed not only his life but the Ugandan judiciary.

[acargile-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a non-fiction novel about helping our fellow man.After listening to a speaker, Jim Gash knows that people in Africa need help. His friend keeps telling him, “Uganda, 2010.” Jim just smiles and nods but thinks, “I just don’t have time.” As he learns more about kids who are imprisoned for long periods of time before being brought to trial, Jim feels God’s call to go to Uganda. Once in Uganda, Jim has a goal of getting briefs together for kids in one particular “prison” over a very short time. These briefs will be used to get them dismissed for their supposed crimes. It’s in these interviews that he meets Henry and his life changes more than he realizes it can.Henry is charged with two counts of murder. As you read the book, you’ll learn the circumstances. Jim immediately sees that Henry is terribly smart. He has been the leader of the prison. This leadership is what you will find is odd. There aren’t guards in the “prison.” They basically stay because they are told to remain. As leader, Henry starts a school to help the other boys learn to read and to learn math. He also has them take time for fun--play soccer. Henry becomes Jim’s translator, and he quickly learns how to ask the other boys’ questions. When Jim leaves after this first trip, he knows that he will do whatever it takes to help this smart young man get out of prison and return to school where he dreams of becoming a doctor.The rest of the book centers on Jim’s efforts to exonerate Henry. Jim and his family enlist help from others to solicit funds for Henry and the other boys as well as prayers to allow the boys to have a better life. I found the novel to be very uplifting. I noticed some reviews stated that they wearied of Jim questioning God. I did not find this to happen so often that I was annoyed. I found it to be realistic. I also liked that it was an uplifting, true story. As Americans, we tend to take our easy lives, especially free access to education, for granted. This book sets our realities back in line--others need help and we are capable of helping because this land is full of abundance.

[benuathanasia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Heartbreaking and inspirational. The first third of the book was filled with unexpected twists, while the last third was a beautiful tapestry of unexpected coincidences.

[kristelh_15 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A true story of American Lawyer who follows God's command and leading and goes to Uganda to work with the legal system of Uganda and specifically children in custody. This is a great story of obedience to God's commands to serve those in prison. It is a very uplifting and inspiring story. Juvenile justice program, Uganda, Global Justice Program of Pepperdine University.

[mmeckenstock · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Falsely accused of murder, along with his brother, Joseph, Henry arrived in Ihumgu, a juvenile imprisonment/detention facility. It more closely resembled punitive hard labor in the mornings, spending the rest of their time in “the custody,” a primitive concrete building. Violating any of the rigid rules brought barbaric punishment, including caning and being buried up to the neck. Punishment was first ordered by Rose, their cruel “caretaker,” and often delivered by fellow detainees, then by Rose. Later, further caning was ordered and administered again by detainees in an attempt to keep order and avoid Rose’s crosshairs. When Innocent, a sickly youth newly brought to Ihumga, was unable to keep up with work due to weakness, injuries, and asthma, Henry was ordered to cane him. For the first time, he challenged the orders, causing Rose to make empty threats for a few days. Days later, when Henry realized he had no choice, but to deliver the strokes, he did so with leniency. Rose exploded in anger, beating Innocent and ordering him to be buried to his neck. The next day, Innocent’s attempt to escape drew the wrath of Rose once again. Detainees were again ordered to cane the boy, which led to his death the following day. Realizing the peril she was in, Rose pointed blame at Henry, his second accusation of murder. Months of detainment turned into years, all without ever having cases heard in court. Henry, taught by his parents to trust a loving and all powerful God, repeatedly rose above his circumstances to emerge as a leader with deep hope, faith, and impeccable character.On the beach, the man saw a young boy throwing starfish back into the ocean. When the man questioned his actions and the fact that the boy couldn’t rescue all or make a huge difference, the boy responded that he made a difference to the one he was throwing. Jim Gash would reflect on that story many times in the coming years.Gash, who had told himself that he would never go to Africa, found himself there for a few brief days to help interview boys and gather evidence with the intent of speeding up trial dates. Planning a brief visit to make a difference to a few boys, with no intent to return, Jim came face to face with his calling to Africa when he encountered Henry. In this divinely appointed collision, Jim came to the realization that love isn’t just about prayer or well wishes, but about following through with action. Jim determined to defend Uganda’s children caught in the rigid and slow moving judicial system. Thus began a long relationship with Henry and with the Ugandan government, where Jim’s actions would impact many, now and in the future.Layers of the story are strategically peeled back to reveal how characters came to be in their present situations, yet at the same time, moving the storyline forward chronologically. This book is very well written, unfolding in a complex but effective manner. The style and material beg to be chronicled in a movie. I could not put this book down. Depicting Uganda’s culture and embracing deep, actionable faith, it is an inspiration to do more than observe, wish, and pray for, but to “put some skin in the game” by investing ourselves.I received a Kindle formatted ARC of this book from Worthy Publishing through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.