Overview

On a balmy summer’s night in rural New Zealand, Brian Wilkinson, a father of three and Chair of the Waikato Fruitgrowers Association, was about to turn out the lights and head for bed when, whack! The blow seemed to come from nowhere. As Brian slumped to the floor, he looked up to see his friend and right-hand man standing over him, pointing a sawn-off shotgun at his head. The gruelling hours that followed left Brian and his family reeling for years to come. Brian tried one thing after another in an attempt to recover his once-normal life, but even he could not have foreseen the waves of betrayal, grief and turmoil that were to come. Attacked traces one man’s journey to rock bottom, offering readers an incredible story of forgiveness, restoration and hope.

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9781991299697

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Reviews

Attacked is a riveting story and a heart-wrenching account of one man’s journey with gain, loss, heartbreak, grief, restoration, and ultimately, HOPE. I have known Brian now for many years and have watched him up close and from a distance learn to overcome, with God’s amazing help, huge hurdles inwardly and outwardly. If you know of anyone who has suffered trauma, loss, heartache and deep grief, Brian’s story is for you or for someone you may know.  The honest, raw, and real way that Brian has written offers a glimpse into a tragedy that was evil, murderous, violent and debilitating, an event that set in motion a set of circumstances you would not wish on anyone. Brian’s willingness to forgive and ultimately come into an intimate relationship with Father God is telling and triumphant. The statement from scripture has proven true: “God works all things together for good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose.” This is truly a story of God doing this in and for and through Brian’s life, especially where one night, it all changed. — David Dishroon Senior Pastor, Changepoint, Tauranga, NZ I have known Brian for years. I sit by him in church and we get in trouble for laughing too much. Joy and peace are always around him, and I find him an endearing character. The importance of Brian sharing his story is immense. He is a quiet and humble man, the quintessential Kiwi guy, who fell victim to violence and walked through extreme trauma. I hold him in high regard as a friend who I can trust. His strong faith will impress you and encourage you. — Mark Richard ‘Bull’ Allen NZ Rugby Union Player and TV Personality Former All Black (1993) I was overwhelmed with emotions as my friend, Brian, told me the story of his life. As he revealed his past, I thought to myself, What would I be like if all of that happened to me? Would I be able to forgive? Brian’s surrender to God’s perspective on evil was very encouraging. He is a walking testimony to the power of God in a believer’s life and his story needs to be told! This book will help so many of us who can be sorely affected by the actions of others. Brian’s story is a triumph of God’s grace and mercy in a fallen world. You, too, will see there are no ‘victims’ in God’s kingdom. — Philip Pigneri C3 City Church, Tauranga Attacked is a vulnerable and moving account of incredible loss. The author takes us on an intensely personal journey through traumatic events and the fallout after. It’s a Job-like story of the bottom being pulled out from under a person’s hard-fought world and the ensuing struggles with faith, pain and hopelessness. It’s ultimately a story, however, of the healing power of radical forgiveness, that no one is meant to make it on their own, and that there is hope of a return to joy no matter how deep the darkness. As a counsellor, I especially appreciated that this story is written by a man. We need accounts like this from a male perspective of mental health to encourage other men to seek help sooner. — Heather Pound Counsellor and Author of Known

Author Information

Today, I find abundant pleasure in the simple little experiences life offers us that I once took for granted. Residing in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, the kiwifruit capital of New Zealand, on a small rural property, gives me opportunity to spend time out in the fresh air, sometimes just leaning on the fence, taking in the surroundings, the glistening green grass, the cattle chewing, and looking at me and thinking, Wow! Some days, I’ll stroll on one of our stunning beaches or take a walk in the forest, admiring the view or a breathtaking sunset bringing a close to the day. Sometimes it’s a drive in the country or coffee at a café, ‘chewing the fat’ with one friend or another and laughing freely. I enjoy reading, sport, and being connected to the agriculture sector, enabling me to help farmers maximise their on-farm performance. I am beyond blessed to have family nearby who are all great company. I take great joy in being with my children and eight grandchildren, indulging in the love that we share with an overwhelmed and truly thankful heart. What surprises me most is the indescribably deep joy, peace and contentment that underscores my everyday, despite what might be happening. To me, that is what counts as a successful life well-lived. It is opposite to how I once was, always chasing something to satisfy my inner longing for those qualities. I am grateful for the, at times, debilitating experiences of my life, for I have been transformed in so many positive ways. I am grateful simply for the gift of this life and for the deep understanding and empathy it has given me for the hurting, so I can hopefully, in a small way, help others to see life as I do. Most of all, I give all thanks to my heavenly Father, for without him walking beside me, I would not have made it to the point where everything in life now makes complete sense. I have enjoyed a front-row seat as he turned even the most dire of circumstances into victories. He is more real to me than anything else, and today, I want for nothing. I am privileged and blessed beyond measure. 

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