Workin Our Way Home: The Incredible True Story of a Homeless Ex-Con and a Grieving Millionaire Thrown Together to Save Each Other by Ron Hall

Workin Our Way Home: The Incredible True Story of a Homeless Ex-Con and a Grieving Millionaire Thrown Together to Save Each Other Reviews

• 
  Michelle

  Working Our Way Home is the sophomore effort of Ron Hall and Denver Moore. I remember reading their first book The Same Kind of Different As Me some years ago during our library's annual summer reading challenge. I loved their debut. It was uplifting and made me feel all warm and tingly inside. I closed the cover on that book hopeful that Denver had seen the worst of his days, encouraged that he was no longer homeless. It was in part a celebration of the friendship these two men have as well as a homage to the God-fearing woman who brought them together.
  At first Working Our Way Home had the same feel for me. Although Debbie had passed and Ron was grieving, the imprint her unshakable faith and character had on him and Denver seemed to be there. But then as I kept reading I found myself becoming angry. I found Ron condescending at times. I felt that Denver faults were being illuminated while Ron was being lifted on a pedestal. Instead of being the feel good piece that the Same Kind of Different was for me I was ashamed of myself for bearing witness to what I thought was Denver's exploitation.
• 
  Jeff Dawson

  Truly, a very touching story and an excellent guide to the power of prayer.
  Mr. Hall had become a success in his own right but didn’t realize something was missing in his life, GOD!. He had more money then he could spend; traveled the world; hobnobbed with the elite social circles of Dallas, Fort Worth and New York. While his wife Deborah enjoyed the money he earned, she kept herself on the ground and did everything she could to keep her husband on the same path. Even though Ron strayed from he once, she forgave him and actually called the woman he was having the affair with.
  His wife’s faith led him on a journey he could have never imagined; making friends with one of the meanest homeless people on the street-Denver Moore.
  Denver grew up in Red River Parish Louisiana as a dirt poor, uneducated sharecropper. When he realized the “man” wasn’t going to let him ever pay off his debts and get ahead, he hopped the train and wound up in Fort Worth, living on the streets. He learned the art of living on his own and only worry about himself. It was a matter of survival since he had no usable skills in the big city, or did he?
  Deborah wanted to do more for the community and decided it was time for her and Ron to travel down to the Union Gospel Mission and share her faith with those less fortunate. Ron was okay with the idea but not enamored with the idea of hanging around a bunch of dirty, grubby, lice infested people. But, his wife wanted to do it and he agreed to go thinking he would only have to ladle out food a couple of times a month, at the most. His perception would start to change when he meets Denver Moore.
  It’s true, that over time Denver and Ron become like brothers, but it was Deborah who is the star of this story because her star Jesus Christ. I’m convinced her faith could have moved mountains, but she used it to move people and have them unlock and tap into their savior and understand the power of prayer. Denver had the faith but kept it hidden. Ron was a Sunday go to meeting man until he realized he was only showing up to been seen and not counted.
  I cannot say enough about her faith, even when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Through all the treatments, set-backs, victories and pain, her faith neve wavered and Ron and Denver’s became stronger through her.
  That my friends, it what the story is about and I highly recommend it!
  Five Stars
  
• 
  PJ

  WOW! Great book. If you've ever read "Same Kind of Different as Me" you will want to read this as it takes you through the entire journey of the unique, crazy friendship of Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Much more insight into things that happened to them and between them. Such a great book. True Story. Based in my hometown, Fort Worth, Texas.
• 
  Lori Wasson

  You have GOT to read this book. If you read "Same Kind of Different as Me", you will love ""Working Our Way Home". This book focuses on the friendship between Ron and Denver since the death of Ron's wife, Miss Debbie. The book chronicles the ups and downs of their friendship.
  
  First, l loved the book for its humor...from Denver "burning off" to losing his car to his hospital antics. There also needs to be a book just for Denver's "Denverisms". Like keeping his "amerysm" warm (aneurysm); statue of Lamentations (statute of limitations); having his credit card "aggravated" (activated); trickonometry; and one of my favorite lines when Denver "burned off" - "I had to get my eyes deleted (dilated)". And Ron's comeback: "Are you sure you didn't get your brain deleted?"
  
  I also loved how Denver and Ron were there for each other. Denver was there when Ron was grieving the death of his wife. Ron rescued Denver from the various kinds of trouble he got into. Ron was also very understanding of the trauma Denver went through as a "modern day slave". The book did a great job in explaining about how this time in Denver's life influenced some of his decisions. And through it all, their love for each other were quite evident in this book.
  
  The 2 men also taught each other some very important life lessons. Ron taught Denver unconditional love. He tried to teach Denver accountability and responsibility but didn't always succeed :). Denver taught Ron about the homeless and taught Ron what was really important in life. It wasn't about the fancy clothes or all the money but about our relationship with God. I also loved how Denver said that it was not the government or welfare that is going to solve the issue of homelessness because these programs aren't about love and that love is the true motivator to helping those that are homeless.
  
  It helps to go back and read "The Same Kind of Different as Me" but this book can be read without it. Some of the things written in that book are recapped in this book.
  
  Rating: 5 out of 5
  
  I received this book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson publishing in exchange for a review.
• 
  Allison

  Heartfelt Story
  
  After seeing the movie based on the original book, I was interested enough to read this follow-up detailing the friendship of Ron and Denver after Miss Debbie’s death. It wasn’t that well written, but frankly people don’t select this for its literary merit. They are intrigued by the deep faith-based friendship of two such widely different men. Over and over through the book, Ron tells us what a true man of God Denver was, but, I have to say, it was Ron who kept turning the other cheek and forgiving Denver’s destructive behavior. Denver had a lot of personality — he was almost a caricature of an old streetwise bum — but often his poor decisions were really aggravating. If it hadn’t have been for Ron and his money bailing him out, his “skitzy” behavior would have ended the story much sooner. I can’t imagine the cost of all those hospital stays for this uninsured old man.
  But there is no denying the team of Ron and Denver raised a lot of money for the homeless and their deep friendship is an inspiration.
• 
  Teresa

  This was a wonderful behind the scenes story of Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It has been several years since I read their book, Same Kind of Different as Me. So this was a wonderful reminder of the relationship between these two very different men. Ron Hall does a great job of sharing Denver's human side.
  
  Denver was an amazing man. I loved some of the things that came out of his mouth. To be unlearned, he would express deep thoughts that take you right to the heart of God's love. I found myself chuckling with tears trickling down my face and then the next moment I would be sitting in my chair in awe of the thoughts Denver expressed.
  
  I am so grateful that Miss Debbie opened up the door to a relationship with Denver and allowed us to experience the behind the scene story of love, faith, and mercy. I hope this story will allow others to reach out in a sense of grace and allow themselves to discover relationships that reach beyond their comfort zone.
• 
  Clare Hatt

  Ron is a very difficult character to like - I have so much to say on him I don't even know where to begin! To keep my review as brief as I can, all I will say is if it wasn't for Denver, I wouldn't have continued reading past the first few pages. (I wrote this after Chapter 19).
  
  I'm glad I kept reading! There aren't words to describe all the emotions this story triggers. Whilst my greater love was towards Denver, I did find myself becoming slightly fond of Ron by the end.
• 
  Brenda Wharton

  Another great book by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Run’s wife, Debbie has died and. this book is the story of Ron and Denver spending time together, growing in their friendship, teaching each other about love, family, faith and commitment. They start writing a book with their story so that they can bless the homeless in Texas and around the world. Fantastic story!. The other books were great as well
• 
  Jeannine

  Received a copy of this book free from Net Galley. This book is a continuation of the story started in Same Kind Of Different As Me. The book is about the friendship that develops between Ron Hall and Denver Moore after Debbie's death. Excellent book. Do not have to read Same Kind Of Different first. This is one of the books that will stay with you for a very long time.
• 
  Diana H.

  As of the time I read this book I had not read "Same Kind of Different as Me". It is now on my list of to-read books. This isn't a traditional story. Rather, it's a memoir told in two voices, both of them unique and powerful.
  If you have not read this book, you have missed out on a fantastic/thoughtful work.
• 
  Patti

  A follow-up book to “Same Kind of Different as Me” that I read only last week.
  I would have enjoyed it more if I’d spaced them apart by at least 6 months.
  Many stories were duplicates of stories that I’d just read in the first book, with less than half of the book adding anything to their relationship.
• 
  Beckie

  Excellent read. A poor black man and a wealthy white man come together via circumstances. What made it so interesting for me is that it is true and written as the black man spoke, i.e., bisness rather than business.
• 
  Carly Palmer

  I’ve been reading this book for the past week, and finished it in the midst of #georgefloyd. I don’t think I’ll ever forget how it felt having those two things collide, and how it made me want to be better- be better for black people, for the homeless, and for men and women caught in cycles.
• 
  Rustie

  3.3 - Clarification and/or more detail to Same Kind of Different As Me. This rendition is more about Ron than the work Debbie did. Felt a little like he wanted one more book for financial gain. Just my opinion.
• 
  Pamela

  Great inspiring story - the story of the homeless man “Denver” and Ron Hall and their grief after Ron’s wife Debbie dies. They had to save each other in their grief. P
• 
  Ann Gemmel

  Wonderful continuation of the unique friendship between Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Delightful and so inspiring.