What Difference Do it Make? Stories of Hope and Healing

by Ron Hall, Denver Moore and Lynn Vincent

This charming book consists of intertwining stories. Ron Hall and Denver Moore are an unlikely pair of friends. Denver, a former homeless man was befriended years ago by Ron Hall and his wife Deborah. They each tell the story of their lives through vignettes. Interspersed between Ron and Denver’s stories are other stories of people who have read their previous book “Same Kind of Different as Me”, and had their lives transformed. “What Difference Do it Make?” is an enchanting book of hope that can reach across all religions and backgrounds.

Upon reading the first few chapters of this book, I thought that it was going to be a depressing read. Ron and Denver started both of their stories in their childhood which was filled with anguish, but I suppose the best stories start in the darkest places. As their stories progressed the dark cloud lifted and I became inspired and excited to read more.

Not only did I enjoy Ron and Denver’s stories, but I also enjoyed the stories of the everyday people who sent their stories to the pair after reading their first book, “Same Kind of Different as Me”. Each of these stories gave me hope that this world isn’t such a bad place after all. Each one of these people made a difference in the lives of others, sometimes with a grand gesture and sometimes with just a little blessing.

As a unit, this book worked well. Even though the stories skipped back and forth, it was not hard to follow. The Biblical truth was not buried deep with in flowery prose, it was easy to see what this book was attempting and I felt it was successful.

I would recommend this book to anyone, even the most non-religious cynic I know. If this doesn’t put a crack in their exterior, nothing will.