Title: Out of Darkness into Light
Author: Lauralee Lindholm
Publisher: Olympus Story House
ISBN: 978-1969422577
Pages: 200
Genre: Christian / Inspirational
Reviewer: Barbara Bamberger Scott
Pacific Book Review
Author Lindholm describes in vivid detail her experiences in Ethiopia as part of a missionary effort along with her family, living, working, praying and discovering for ten years in the small village of Menz in Ethiopia. Under the Southern Baptist aegis, Lindholm and her husband Ray were assigned as missionaries in this remote, almost unseen village, in part because Emperor Haile Selassie wished to improve the region of his homeplace. The couple made remarkable strides in the development of Menz, economically, socially and spiritually, despite ancient tribal restrictions and suspicions regarding foreigners, both global and tribal. Consistent efforts reveal the Lindholms’ spiritual purpose, underpinned by economic aid such as teaching Menzies how to make wool rugs that sold for high prices on widespread markets. As is clearly detailed here, the greatest changes affected during their assigned employment, which entailed living with the villagers, were the rapid, remarkable conversions to Christian viewpoints and their wider implications. This enabled them to delve even deeper into Menz’s culture and ancient lore, and in so doing, to help eager students of all ages to absorb God’s love and care as demonstrated by their resultant positive accomplishments.
The author graduated with honors from California’s University of Redlands and with her husband and three children, made the life-changing move to Ethiopia to share and teach Christian, biblical truths and aid with villagers’ needs and aspirations. In their exemplary community development assignment in the rugged territory of Menz, they were successful, always seeing God’s oversight in all events. Leaving Ethiopia after a communist takeover that affected all foreigners, the family now resides in the U.S. where the author taught English as a second language until retirement. Lindholm’s inspiring memoir provides lively focus for further, rich, Christian-based study, and offers fact-based content for readers across a wide spectrum.
Out of Darkness into Light is anchored in Christian truth, this powerful account demonstrates how God’s grace restores what feels lost and strengthens what feels weak. Through surrender, trust, and perseverance, readers will discover that God’s light shines brightest in life’s darkest moments.
