More Than Serving Tea: Asian American Women on Expectations, Relationships, Leadership and Faith

by Christie Heller de Leon, Asifa Dean, Kathy Khang

Book Overview

Nikki A. Toyama-Szeto, Tracey Gee and Jeannette Yep bring together stories of Asian American women and how God has been at work in their lives. Family expectations and cultural stereotypes assume that these women can only act in certain roles. But with the help of Scripture and mentors, these women have experienced God's blessing and transforming power.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830833714
• ISBN13: 9780830833719
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: IVP
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 3.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.2" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful Inspiration and encouragement for this generation's Asian American women

I was a little skeptical of this book thinking it would be the older Asian American ideologies and views of God and the culture. I thought it would be a straight forward, black and white point of view of Asian women who were perfect Christians and citizens of society by achieving the perfect SAT score, being a praise team leader at their church, and fluent in their respective languages... I was so very wrong. These women each connected with God in their own ways, and I was able to deeply connect with each of their stories and struggles. I had never felt confident about being a woman or Asian American or even a Christian, and this book encourages me that God made me this way intentionally. We are His children and that there is nothing wrong with the way He made us. It is so easy to see our weaknesses and these authors truly understand what that feels like, and how they overcame them by allowing God to redeem them for another purpose. I really, really would like to read more about Asian American women and their relationships with God, but am having trouble finding any kind of material that is somewhat up to date and pin points the issues that we, as Asian American women, deal with and how we approach God and his Word. I was hoping there would be another book out there similar to this book, but to my surprise, there aren't too many (at least that I know of). If any one has any recommendations, I would really appreciate it! *My name is Kathy and am 24 years old. I am half Vietnamese and half Korean whose parents are divorced and am from Ohio. God Bless.

A Great Book for Asian American Christian Women and People Who Love Them

More Than Serving Tea shares true stories of how Asian American Christian women must navigate three cultures; Asian, American and Christian, that sometimes conflict with each other. Being pulled by expectations, perfectionist tendencies, and swallowing suffering are a few of the problems many AAC women face. I really like this book as it is very eye-opening. It speaks to me and elucidates areas that I suspected were true of many AAC women, but were never fully delineated. I' ve learned something about myself and others around me.

Experience confirms these stories

I think that this kind of a dialog is so important, especially in the light of recent events. I know that I have similar experiences that validate and echo the writing in this book. It is the first time in my Christian life that the subject of our faith and ethnicity have been addressed by ourselves and not others and I find the stories particularly necessary and moving. By the way I am 49 years old and I say what I say from having lived in two different cultural contexts, both Hawaii and California. In both instances there were challenges to my faith that were particular to the ethnicity I am a part of. But my experience in Hawaii and my experience in California were totally different due to demographic influences... If a book like this had not been written, one would need to have been written. Irma Nicola

admirable women speaking the truth

I couldn't put this book down! I am an Asian-American Christian woman, and I was constantly surprised at the countless ways that this book spoke to me personally. The stories and insights seemed to echo or explain many aspects of my own life. Things I thought were "just me" turn out to be something I share with many of my sisters. These amazing women are incredibly vulnerable and honest as they share from their lives to the eternal benefit of complete strangers reading their words! Their teaching and strength are bold and assertive, yet loving and gentle. I am inspired and empowered by their encouragement and wisdom; my faith is invigorated and renewed! These writings reflect God's love, wisdom, understanding, suffering, pain, comfort, and truth. I believe that "Asian American women (and those who love them)" [from the foreword] will all truly benefit from this book!

Breaking the silence through shared stories and insights

These are five voices that speak against the silence and begin to fill the void in American culture of authentic Asian American women who share the stories of how their faith, ethnicity, and gender interact and have shaped their lives in both painful and wondrous ways. For those of us who may think we know the stories and the issues, this book will surprise and challenge us - never will we look at a paper crane the same way again!