Rice To Grits

Jason was one of thousands of orphans airlifted out of Vietnam to America during the Vietnam War. His orphanage was located in Saigon and run by Vietnamese woman named Madame Ngai, who often found children lying on the street next to their parents who were dead. He was later rescued by an American woman named Betty Tisdale who orchestrated the largest single airlift from one orphanage in history. He was adopted by a family that resided in a rural Alabama. This is where he derived the quote “from rice to grits”.

His original birth certificate read unknown child to unknown parents. It wasn’t until he came to America and was adopted that he was given an identity and approximate birthday. Being abandoned and orphaned has caused many of his early year details to remain a mystery. His battle for survival changed as he found himself learning how to overcome racial tension and prejudice that stemmed from the Vietnam War.

Once naturalized at the age of eight he became an all American kid going to school, playing sports, learning about patriotism, and understanding all the opportunities that one has in this great country of America. After graduating from college, he worked in the healthcare field and owned a business that provided in home care for seniors.

Jason is married and a proud father of four children, his oldest a son and three daughters. Currently he travels the country as a motivational and inspirational speaker.

Jason's Story Published in Columbus And The Valley Periodical.

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Testimonials

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of listening to the awesome testimony of Jason Robertson, author of "From Rice To Grits". As a Bible Study teacher, I invited him to come and speak at a women's class at our church. There was a large group there that morning, all anxiously waiting to hear what Jason had to say about what God has done in his life. When he was finished speaking, there wasn't a dry eye in the place. Even though this was a women's group, there were men who attended too. We were all touched by his testimony, about where he came from in Vietnam to where he is now. His story is really nothing short of a miracle. I remember the people who lined up to meet Jason personally and buy his book after he gave his presentation. They were really fascinated by him. He signed each and every one of them, including my own. After that speaking engagement, I had several people asked me where I met Jason and told me how anointed he was as a speaker and writer. They also expressed interest in having Jason speak at one of their meetings or functions. It was quite an impactful presentation! We would gladly have Jason back to speak at our church, this time to a much larger and diverse group, if he would accept our offer to do so.
    Kim Taylor
    Teacher - Women After God's Own Heart
    Cascade Hills Church, Columbus, GA

Jason Robertson’s book, “A Love Beyond Explaining-An Orphan’s Journey From Rice To Grits”, could also have been titled, “A Miracle Beyond Explaining”. As an infant, Jason was left to die in the filth along a city street during the Vietnam War. Later, he was found and brought to a Saigon orphanage where hundreds of other South Vietnamese children were living. Jason’s parents, like so many of the other orphan’s parents, had been captured or killed by the invading North Vietnamese soldiers or by Viet Cong guerrillas. Jason chronicles his incredible rescue, flight to freedom to the United States, his adoption, and his lifelong efforts to find his parents or find out what happened to them, and the many emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges he has faced. “A Love Beyond Explaining” is an incredible and poignant story of appreciation, forgiveness, honesty, love, respect, strength, belief in and eternal thanks to God, and a story of appreciation and thanks to the American soldier for the sacrifices each made. Jason’s book is a must read that will both humble and cause the reader to re-examine his own life.
Lloyd A. King
Vietnam veteran and author of, “From ‘Nam With Love-An Infantry Soldier’s Vietnam

Dear Jason,
It is my pleasure to recommend your book, A Love Beyond Explaining. As I mentioned to you when I saw you last, a student of mine had brought the book to my office last September and suggested that I read it. She had heard you speak at her church and was very impressed with you and your story. Unfortunately, I threw the book on the to-be-read stack in the corner and really forgot about it until I saw an article about you in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. I consider myself very fortunate to have had a second nudge to read the book and share it with our students. You presentation at our annual CVCC Book Day on March 13, 2007, was the highlight of the day's activities. As you are aware, the day's theme had to do with "becoming American" and your personal journey was an inspiration to everyone who heard it. A good many of our students are veterans, and they were especially grateful to hear you express your gratitude to them for their sacrifices. I know that you had many questions and strong book sales at the end of the presentation. One student reported the next day that he had stayed up all night to finish the book. I expect that he didn't learn much from his morning classes the next day, but I am sure that loss was more than offset by what he learned from reading your inspiring story. I wish you deserved success as you secure a wider audience for A Love Beyond Explaining. Thank you for sharing your story with our students.
    Anne Messner
    Instructor, English and Reading
    Chattahoochee Valley Community College

I met Jason Robertson at our Teacher Staff Development Institute for the Diocese of Savannah this past February where he was presenting his story "Rice to Grits, A Love Beyond Explaining". His message moved me more than I ever expected it to. My Father is a 2 tour Vietnam Veteran who rarely talked to us about his experiences in Vietnam. I always believed that the War did nothing for him or my family until I heard Jason's story. I now believe that what my Dad did in Vietnam had a purpose, A purpose I would have never realized had I not had the good fortune of hearing Jason speak. That purpose was to help those less fortunate experience freedom like they had never experienced before, freedom that we take for granted everyday. Jason message of how Betty Tisdale and Madam Ngai along with the Catholic Church helped free the thousands of Orphans trapped in Vietnam at the end of the Vietnam War made me realize that my Dad did fight for something, Freedom. I became aware that these Orphans were the reason so many soldiers fought and many ultimately lost their lives so that many more could have the same freedom we enjoy every day. Jason's story truly moved me to this understanding. Jason's story and the things that have happened to him since are truly moving and a testament that God works in extraordinary ways through ordinary people. I was so moved that I had Jason come to speak to our Youth group and our School so that they could hear first hand God's awesome power as spoken through someone who had experienced his love in such a dramatic way. The youth of our School and Parish were very moved by Jason's story, many teachers and students as well as others who listened to his story bought his book to read and share with others. My Father and Mother were also in the audience to hear Jason speak and I could tell from their expressions that day that they were truly moved and blessed to see that what they had fought so hard for many years ago had actually born good fruit through God's hands. Jason is truly a gift from God in both his story and the person he has become.
Thank you and God Bless,
    Joe McBride
    Assistant Principal
    St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School
    Augusta, GA 30904

I met Jason Robertson when he spoke at my church, the First United Methodist Church of Warner Robins, GA. I have never heard a more inspiring story. His faith and belief in Jesus as his Savior and our American military really touched my heart. I wish every Christian, military person, and every American could hear him. I was told when he spoke in Atlanta one of the Viet Nam veterans said that was the first time he felt appreciated for what he did. This is a story every veteran should hear. I bought several of his books for myself and gifts. I also plan to get more to give to vets so they can realize they are appreciation. My husband was a POW in Viet Nam for 63 months and I was asked to speak to the POW/MIA group to welcome our Viet Nam vets home, after all these year. It would have been wonderful if they could have heard Jason. If there is anything I can do to help promote his book, or get him engagements to speak to groups I will be happy to help. Every American should hear him, especially our youth, to see such a proud Christian American, and how his life could have been if it were not for a great American woman and the American solider.
Sincerely,
    Jo Sehorn
    wife of retired General Jim Seahorn
    Kathleen, GA

This is to certify that we personally know Jason Robertson and he has given his story several times to different groups within our church congregation. Also we know that he is frequently invited to different churches and organizations to share his story. We are so impressed with Jason and his story that we personally refer him by letter and by phone to many. We feel the world needs to hear this story and that it is very appropriate timing for his book and testimony.
Sincerely,
Gordon and Delores Darrah
Darrah Agency/Pre-Paid Legal Services Independent Associates

During my term as executive vice president for Military Writers Society of America (MWSA), I have had the privilege of hearing Jason Robertson speak on several occasions to various focus groups. Fascinated and impressed with his story as well as his talent for captivating an audience, I invited Jason to give a presentation at our first annual “Salute to the Military” conference. The conference was held in October 2006 with over 45 authors and a half dozen publishers in attendance. Jason is quite articulate and able to develop talks that focus on his target audience, whether they be military, religious, youth or other. Each time he is rewarded by having attained increased awareness and appreciation of the U.S. Armed Forces, religion and youth’s ability to create change. I have since gone on to take on the presidency of American Authors Association (the parent org. of MWSA) and hope to have Jason join us for future author events. If there is anything I can do to assist in furthering his efforts to see his book reach a national publisher, please do not hesitate to contact me.

    Respectfully,
    Maria Edwards
    President
    American Authors Association

....The Motivational Story Of Jason Robertson

Testimonials