Product Description

In this expanded edition, Edith Schaeffer chronicles the history of the community from its founding to the present day. An unforgettable true story of God's faithfulness.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #450163 in Books
• Published on: 1992-04-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

Still digesting this
L'Abri is part commune, part cult, part youth group. I admire the spirit of this community so much. I am just starting to learn about Francis Schaeffer's writings. Edith's works always strike me as a little too wonderful to be totally true. She was Martha Stewart before Martha! I've read her daughter Susan's works, too, with the same feeling. L'Abri is a place I wish I could have experienced in my early adult years. It seems to take itself a little too seriously though. Still, it is extremely refreshing to read of someone believing the Bible but not wanting to burn art, philosophy, film and other intellectual and creative endeavors and who maintained a truly inclusive home.

Real Christian life
This book is written almost as a condensed form of a diary. It gives details about the ministry of Francis and Edith Schaeffer, and those who joined them at The Shelter (L'Abri) in Switzerland in the 1940's through 1960's.
Many lessons about real life walking with God, living by faith, and submitting all their needs to God in prayer. This book testifies to the practical life of a house church that grew into a community of faith with an international impact. While fairly feminine in tone and at times a little tedious in details discussed, it is well worth reading.

L'Abri Means Shelter...
L'Abri is a very enjoyable book about a dedicated, creative Christian family living by faith and enjoying God's blessings and provision for their needs, over and over again.

How wonderful and inspiring to witness, through the writing of Edith Schaeffer, the birthing and growth of a ministry that God continues to bless.

The official L'Abri Fellowship website includes the following description of the ministry:

"L'Abri Fellowship began in Switzerland in 1955 when Francis and Edith Schaeffer decided in faith to open their home to be a place where people might find satisfying answers to their questions and practical demonstration of Christian care. It was called L'Abri, the French word for 'shelter,' because they sought to provide a shelter from the pressures of a relentlessly secular 20th century. As time went by, so many people came that others were called to join the Schaeffers in their work, and more branches were established."

In the book, Edith Schaeffer recounts the day that the name "L'Abri" came to the mind of her husband Francis Schaeffer (philosopher, prolific author), he said, "Let's call it L'Abri, and let these people know that they are welcome to come back and bring friends with them."

I first read L'Abri about twenty-five to thirty years ago, and have dreamed since then of a ministry similar to L'Abri, one that would be about faithfully teaching God's word and living God's truth, day by day, starting out of our home, or small- to medium-sized working farm or retreat, where our day-to-day living -- whatever that included -- would be part of the teaching, part of the ministry. Recently, the dream has been coming into clearer focus and continues to clarify, pending God's go-ahead, or "green light," but I do see how He has been preparing us for this or something like this for many, many years. God's timing is perfect.

At the time I first read this book, I was so inspired by Edith Schaeffer herself that I read every book she had written that I could get my hands on, which as I recall included The Hidden Art of Homemaking and What is a Family?, and I enjoyed both of them very much. Her writings inspired and guided me.