Digs in Paradise

 ABOUT  Digs in Paradise

As a teaching novel, this book seeks to demonstrate ways in which a past with significant traumas does not need to hold us captive. It involves an enjoyable expedition on to an island called Rustenberg, where its characters mainly inhabit the town affectionately known as KP – Kleine Paradijs. In a tranquil tropical setting the reader is introduced to further psychological insights about several people and their oft misunderstood behaviours and reactions. A seeming simple year’s research trip investigating coffee morphs into unexpected encounters with the visitors’ pasts, as well as their becoming part of a tragic event that spoils the deceptively safe tranquillity of the island experience.

 

The journey allows readers to explore individual responses to life’s curved balls, while learning to accept the very real limitations of believing in the idea of paradise on earth.

Release of this book, second week in February. 

REVIEWERS COMMENTS

“In this book John and Esther bring a lifetime of both academic and practitioner experience to their writing. Through the deployment of narrative, they draw the reader into discovering insights into psychology and faith that impact the human condition.”

George Savvides  AM, FAICD, Chair SBS, past Managing Director Medibank Private.

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“John and Esther Roodenburg have lived with a commitment to build strong relationships and to bring out the best in others. Combined with a depth of experience as practising and teaching psychologists, they have produced this book which is rich in insights. I expect that it will bring practical benefits for many readers and for some the experience of liberation from things that have held them back.”

Rev Dr Peter Crawford OAM
Anglican Minister, Vice President CMS Australia, former secretary EFAC Australia

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“You know when you have a great teacher. You do whatever you can to somehow download their expertise, knowledge, and life experiences. Digs in Paradise is the gift that all students wish their great teachers could provide: a timeless snapshot of their learning, support, and worldview. Digs in Paradise offers the pearls of wisdom and thought-provoking story telling I was privileged to experience as a psychologist trained un- der Drs John and Esther Roodenburg. Readers will easily relate to the honest and captivating relationships, behaviours, and experiences of the characters in Digs of Paradise; gaining insight into the human condition whilst receiving subtle guidance for navigating their own world. I am excited for others to venture into the town of KP and learn from two of my great teachers.”

Dr Simone Gindidis
Educational and Developmental Psychologist

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“Cast your mind back to childhood and remember some of the games that you played. Perhaps you recall being on a road trip, and your parents asking you to name what you could see. While ostensibly something to pass the time or avoid the dread of boredom, something else was also happening. Buried in the experience of being entertained was an opportunity to learn! Had you been asked if you wanted to learn something, your younger self would likely have declined - but playing a game was always acceptable.

John and Esther Roodenburg bring their wealth of experience as educators and psychologists together in this teaching novel. Rarely will you have the opportunity to be so thoroughly entertained and yet genuinely learn so much about the inner experience of another person. The complexities of life experiences, behaviours, perceptions, beliefs and interactions are laid bare against a backdrop of tropical intrigue and self-discovery. Whether your goal is entertainment or education, this novel will undoubtedly deliver both!”
Dr Shane Costello
Educational and Developmental Psychologist Senior Lecturer, Monash University

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“John and Esther have devoted many years towards helping folk discover the vibrant life God intends for all of us. In this book is the heartbeat of this same calling, where distilled biblical wisdom, discernment, and authenticity, come to life through the characters and the challenges they face. A book which engages the reader on a number of levels.”
Bruce Park
Maths/Science and Design & Technology Teacher, Past Anglican Parish Warden

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“As they say, “ Some friendship are like ships that pass in the night” and in my rather mobile life I have enjoyed plenty. But others seem as bonded as night and the moon. John and Esther have been such for me for half a century.

One reason is that life for them is like the construction of a strong, complex and fascinating home that grows in usefulness and beauty. It has been so interesting to hear of some new exciting insight into the ways of human behaviour every time we met. Sometimes one insight would replace another but more often, add a new, more holistic way of understanding and helping.
So, I am excited on reading this book.”
Rev Dr James Kime,
Retired Baptist minister, cross cultural worker and theological educator.