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Biography:
John Avetaranian (Author)
The Muslim who became a Christian, whom this book is about, died in 1919. He told the story of his own life up to the year 1900 in the edition which first appeared in 1905. The story closed with the account of him joining the German Orient-Mission, in whose publications his later experiences were published. The missionary John Avetaranian withdrew from the German Orient-Mission in 1918 and joined Doctor Lepsius' Orient-Mission in Potsdam. Along with Avetaranian, his life work also passed over to Lepsius' mission. His full autobiography/biography was published by Richard Schäfer in 1930 using a slightly edited version of the original 1905 edition along with later pieces written by Avetaranian for the Mission's annual reports, as well as bits written by Avetarnian's wife, Helen, Johannes Lepsius, and Schäfer himself.
Richard Schäfer (Biographer)
After Avetaranian's death, Johannes Lepsius, the man most capable for the job, wanted a new and complete history of Avetaranian's life published, but sickness and death prevented him from doing this. The task was left to his missionary society. As the mission's general secretary who was under Johannes Lepsius for 33 years and worked together with John Avetaranian from 1900 onward, the job fell to me. I am fulfilling a duty towards two men of great merit if only I do not shrink back from my task: to record what a German evangelical life of faith united with the devoted love of the Muslim who has converted to Christianity was able to accomplish in the past.
John Bechard (Translator)
John Bechard originally hails from Clay Center, Kansas in the United States. He studied at the University of Kansas from 1980 to 1986 (except for the 82-83 academic year) and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in German Language and Literature and French Language and Literature. He is married to Bobsie, and they live in London, England. She is originally from Jamaica. He is currently employed as the systems accountant with a grant-making charity in London, United Kingdom.
