Almost Gone: Twenty-Five Days and One Chance to Save Our Daughter
Written by John Baldwin, Mackenzie Baldwin and Stephanie Baldwin
Narrated by Rebekkah Ross, Cassandra Campbell and Kirby Heyborne
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
The Baldwins were a strong, tight-knit family living in Texas. When their seventeen-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, met Aadam in an online chat room, she fell for his good looks, his charm, and his respectful conversation. He lived in Kosovo, and they began talking regularly. The more attached Mackenzie became to Aadam, the more detached she became from her family.
Mackenzie’s parents, John and Stephanie Baldwin, had no clue there was a man behind their daughter’s sudden change in personality, her surprising interest in Islam, and her withdrawal from friends and family. When Mackenzie’s attachment to Aadam increased and they became “engaged,” Mackenzie started making plans to fly secretly to Kosovo and marry Aadam.
But twenty-five days before Mackenzie was scheduled to leave the country, three friends in whom Mackenzie had confided told Mackenzie’s father. Through the help of their pastor, John Baldwin contacted the FBI and asked for help. The FBI did not believe Aadam was involved with ISIS or that he was trying to radicalize her, but they were concerned about Aadam’s intentions, as that part of Kosovo was known for sex-trafficking and money scams. With just 72 hours left before Mackenzie’s planned departure, three FBI agents confronted her and urged her to stay.
Told from the viewpoint of both father and daughter, Almost Gone allows us to walk with this family through Mackenzie’s network of lies and deceit and John and Stephanie’s escalating bewilderment and alarm. More than a cautionary tale, this is the story of unconditional parental love and unwavering faith, and how God helped a family save their daughter from a relationship that jeopardized not only her happiness, but also her safety.
John Baldwin
John Baldwin is a deacon and has served in many ministries at Parkway Hills Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. He also serves on the board of directors for High Adventure Treks for Dads and Daughters and Dads and Sons (HATS). This organization promotes father/daughter and father/son communication, leadership, and relationships through shared adventures such as white water kayaking, rock climbing, and other outdoor activities. By day, John is a business technology consultant working with the largest credit card banks.
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Reviews for Almost Gone
52 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book is very detailed & I love the tandum dialog of Mackenzie telling her side after John tells his. The way they both describe their feelings are raw & real. This is a very important book for all parents & young women to read. It's not enough to know there is danger, we must know what that danger can look like.
The only area I was truly conflicted on was the subject of religion. John seemed to view Christianity as a "this is our heritage & tradition. You were raised to be a Christian" mentality instead of a focus on who the one true God is & why he believed Christianity to be the truth. This would have been an excellent opportunity to glorify God by explaining the theology that goes beyond what you are raised in. Additionally, he made troubling statements about being worried Jesus wouldn't be enough. This is the God you depend on for salvation but he's not enough in mentally hard moments? Likewise, MacKenzie never really explains how she returned back to her faith & worked though the questions that ultimately made her doubt in the first place.
All in all though, this book was enjoyable. John's love fo Mac was a beautiful reflection of God's love & helped me know how to talk to my children about these situations once they get older.2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing story of God's grace and a family's faithfulness and unconditional love. It was very encouraging!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Though I think it is a really important subject, and am grateful that the family shared their experience, I thought the book was very slow moving and redundant in the narrative of the father.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book. Shows how faith and love prevail even in the darkest of days
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5It didn’t concentrate on Macs struggle. Just went on and and on how Islam is inferior to Christianity.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Every teenager with access to the internet should read this book. Even if Christianity isn't your jam, listen to the heart of the message. As a counselor I would have to agree with the authors: no one is exempt from the pitfalls. Loved the helpful tips at the end.