Saturday, June 16, 2012

Tiger Hunting (and other adventures) On Christ's Mission in Old India



Senior citizen, Joyce Coupal proves you're never too old to write and publish a remarkable story. She's an author extraordinaire!

The memories of Reverend Herman and Mildred Reynolds, Tiger Hunting (and other adventures) On Christ's Mission in Old India, by Frank & Joyce Coupal is hot off the press, and it's a great example of a dedicated writer who hasn't let age be a deterrent to reaching her goal.

I first heard Joyce's written stories when we attended an Adult-Ed Creative Writing class. We often drove the five miles to the local school, in Noxon, Montana, which provides a range of evening classes to lure local residents to come together for camaraderie and learning during wintertime, when frequent and heavy snowfalls tend to make one stay close by the fire.

Her stories fascinated me, for while I was growing up in the United States, Joyce was growing up in India, where her parents were missionaries.

Joyce has a natural 'writing voice' and is not only never without words (verbally) but is equally entertaining when writing.

Fascinated by the life her writing revealed about her childhood in a small jungle community called Kotmi, in a hilly area of central India, I urged my friend to write a book.

Shortly before her 16th birthday she was put aboard a troop ship by her parents and sent to the United States, because of WWII and the dangers it entailed.


So far, I'm still waiting to read about Joyce's life, because since those classes seven or eight years ago, she set to work to honor her parents by writing about their life -- and it's plain to see from Tiger Hunting (and other adventures) On Christ's Mission in Old India, Reverend Herman and Mildred Coupal set admirable examples for their children.

Tiger Hunting (and other adventures) On Christ's Mission in Old India, is a great 175-page book. With minimal author intrusion, the book expertly weaves together letters and diaries written by Joyce's parents, during the time they served as missionaries, arriving in 1928, to show life in the jungle in India, until their retirement and return to the United States.

The Gonds of old India were considered "untouchable" by the Hindus at that time, and were animists and believed in evil spirits when the Reynolds served among them.

The book contains a number of historical photographs, and should interest a broad spectrum of readers, pre-teens - adults. ISBN: 978-1-886591-10-3; LCCN: 2012934804. $14.95, available from: Blue Creek Press, P.O. Box 110, Heron, MT 5844.

I haven't given up hope that Joyce (with her husband, Frank's help and support) will yet write her fascinating life story: Wife of a geologist always on the move, mother of five, RN, and NREMT.

I'm proud that Joyce added "author" to the long list of hats she's worn successfully, and reached her goal: Tiger Hunting (and other adventures) On Christ's Mission in Old India is a fine addition to the history of India, and the field of missionary work nearly three-quarters of a century ago.