What do Lamplighter books mean to you?

Dear Mark and Staff,

I wanted to express my appreciation to you and your staff for such a fine ministry. Two nights ago I read The Captive to my children. After a few chapters they were sleeping soundly, yet I felt compelled to keep reading aloud. I couldn't put the book down. My heart was stirred and blessed by the grace of God again and again. I found myself tearing up few times and rededicating my life to the Lord. Oh, that God would grant me to simple yet powerful faith like that of Anselmo!

I felt as if I had found a pearl in this precious little book, and for a moment was both mourning and rejoicing at the same time. I was mourning that my children had fallen asleep and were unable to reap the blessings of a such a challenging and captivating story (but that could be corrected as I could simply read it to them again). I felt deeply blessed as alone with my God, I had the freedom to savor every moment without the interruption of questions which I normally would welcome. My love and appreciation for the Savior deepened and widened that night. My love and prayers be with you all, —Harry S.

The Lamplighter book was first rate, and so was The Hidden Hand.

These books you are reprinting are truly treasures! They help knit families closer together and they let us show our family our real selves.  I have greatly enjoyed reading Lamplighter books because they helped me in my walk with Christ! Oh, if you could only see the change God has helped these books make on my life! Thank you so much for finding these treasures.  I urge you with God’s mighty help to continue on your noteworthy search for I know that there is a hidden hand behind your work, the hidden hand of God! May God bless you and your family as He has blessed mine! From a lamb of the Shepherd, —Kylie

Dear Mr. Hamby and Lamplighter Staff,

Congratulations! You have built my character one story at a time!  I have twenty-five of your Rare Collector books and have read eight of them; I have enjoyed them all so far!  My most favorite though has been A Peep Behind The Scenes, this book has brought laughter and tears like no other book I've read! I strongly recommend it to anyone and everyone who enjoys a good story. I’ll keep this book on the top of my list and on my bookshelf for a long time to come.  I have been to many book websites and not many are as neat and convenient as yours, keep up the good work!  “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105. Thanks, —Laurel, Age 13

Dear Mr. Hamby,

I just wanted to write to you and tell you how much I have enjoyed the Lamplighter books. I first read Titus: A Comrade of the Cross and it meant a lot to me. I read a few more and then my mom got The Hidden Hand. 

I have to tell you, I started reading it in the evening and then after I went to bed I stayed up until three o'clock in the morning reading it because I simply could not put it down. I finished it the next day. I have always loved to read since I learned how, and The Hidden Hand is on my top list of favorite books. Behind it would come Ishmael and Self-Raised. My mom bought Ishmael and I read it in a few days, and was begging her to buy Self-Raised. I finally got it a few weeks later and read it in a couple days. Self-Raised is one of the books that I have cried hardest on.  Those three books have impacted my life greatly. As a teenaged girl these days, it is so easy to get caught up in the modern and worldly way of life on this earth. My models from the books are Clara from The Hidden Hand and Ishmael and Bee from the others. I would love to be more like them and help my family so much and truly care about other people. They have improved my writing style and my vocabulary, since I found it necessary to look up so many words!

Thank you so much for the work you have done in publishing so many books, and I will soon be reading more. May the Lord continue to richly bless you as you work for His glory. To the King! To the Kingdom! —Rachel B.

Never in all the thousands of books I own and have read have I encountered books like these! My children sit enraptured while I read to them, often with tears on my face. I glance up at their also wet faces, transformed with the beauty of the stories. After reading A Peep Behind the Scenes my 13 year old daughter could only whisper, “It’s so true…so beautiful.” After reading The Basket of Flowers my seven year old son told me through tears and a huge smile (at the same time!), “It makes my heart sing, Mommy!” This is life-transforming, heart-changing literature, and I recommend it to all who are searching for truth. —Wendy

I have found some of the books being reprinted by Mark Hamby/Lamplighter Publishing to be the best reading that I have ever read to our boys. —Wayne

Dear Mr. Hamby,

I am 12 years old, and I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I wanted to write and express my feelings towards the books, The Hidden Hand, Ishmael and Self-Raised. I believe that The Hidden Hand is the best book I have ever read. All the suspense, humor, action and godliness in this book makes it #1 on my list. I read it in about 2 weeks! I was absolutely inspired by this book. I also was captivated by the purity, humbleness and servant-heart of Ishmael Worth in Ishmael. I read this book in less than a week! I could not put it down. I would rate it and Self-Raised as #2 on my reading list! These three books have influenced me and my parents so greatly in our lives. I am sure they will be in the library in heaven!  One of your many fans, —Michelle M.