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My Seventh Monsoon: A Himalayan Journey of Faith and Mission
The seventh monsoon was the hardest of them all. I sat on the back porch of our Himalayan home and stared as the rain streamed down all around me. I had never felt so hemmed in – by the constant rain, by the effects of the civil war and by the demands of home-school. As I sat there and listened to the pounding on our tin roof, I wondered whether I would make it through. I wondered whether I would cope with another 120 days of rain. And in doing so, I began to long for another season . . .’
From the view point of her seventh monsoon, Naomi Reed takes time to look back on the seasons of her life. As she does so, she shares with us her journey of faith and mission and reveals poignant truths about God and the way he works his purposes in our lives through seasons.
From the view point of her seventh monsoon, Naomi Reed takes time to look back on the seasons of her life. As she does so, she shares with us her journey of faith and mission and reveals poignant truths about God and the way he works his purposes in our lives through seasons.
194 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
8 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Reed
24 books15 followersNaomi Reed is a Christian writer and speaker who grew up in Sydney and studied physiotherapy with her husband Darren. After working at Sydney hospitals, they spent six years serving in Nepal with the International Nepal Fellowship. During this time, Naomi worked at Green Pastures Leprosy Hospital and enjoyed fellowship at their local Nepali church. She also home-schooled their three sons and struggled through seven monsoons. At one point, fearing she may not make it through another 120 days of rain, she began to write. The months of typing by candlelight helped her to see God’s purposes through different seasons and (somewhat surprisingly) became her first book, ‘My Seventh Monsoon’. Back in Australia, ‘My Seventh Monsoon’ was warmly received and Naomi continued writing – firstly the sequel, ‘No Ordinary View’ (which won the ACBOY award, 2009) and ’Over My Shoulder’ – a look at the impact of personality on cross-cultural mission.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 21, 2017
Such an inspiring book because it tells it like it is - the excitement of going overseas and the miraculous way that unfolded to the challenges of life in a third world country to utter heartbreak and finding everything upended. And through it all is the celebration of the seasons that God places us in. That there are seasons of fear, of grief, of confusion, of thanks, of inadequacy, of longings...Naomi takes us through them all in her life. We grieve with her, we marvel with her and overall we feel inspired to see the seasons in our own lives and trust God in them.
June 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I could identify with many of the author's seasons - of preparation, inadequacy, adjustment, confusion, distraction, challenge and so on. Some I feel myself going through currently, others I recognise I've passed through previously. I love it when books can make me involuntarily laugh or groan aloud (although that can be difficult if I'm in a public place!) and this one certainly did that.
The descriptions of life in India and Nepal resonated with me - although my time spent as a missionary was in Africa, rather than Asia, it appears that some things are the same in developing nations the world over! The author's description of being called to Nepal and how God prepared her for that was also an experience with which I could identify.
I loved her description of "coincidences", which are more "God-incidences" - especially when you can see the bigger picture.
And it was so nice to read a memoir that was well-written. I often seem to read autobigraphies/memoirs/biographies where a person has had an interesting life, but it becomes clear that they (or the person they've chosen as their biographer) are not the person who should be writing the life story. Many seem to be disjointed and full of seemingly irrelevant details but this author has written her story clearly and succinctly. A true pleasure to read.
My 2 favourite quotes in the book come at the beginning and the end and together I think they sum the book up nicely.
“Spiritually, we also move in seasons. We seem to bounce between times of great intimacy and closeness with God, to times of dryness. Like a ping pong ball that would rather stay still, I long for intimacy all of the time. But I know in my heart that it is not to be. The phone call that heralds fear, the diagnosis that brings grief, the material season that gives abundance... These seasons not only affect the world in front of me but they also in a strange and parallel way, affect my relationship with God. So I peer into the fog of my current season, often wondering what I will gain from my toil. I wonder whether I will see His hand transform my seasons into beauty. I wonder whether I will ever fathom what He is doing from beginning to end...”
“We all know that if the seasons were the same, there would be no growth. We know that without winter there would be no spring. We know that without frosts there would be no bulbs and without the monsoon there would be no rice harvest. In the same way, we also know that without sorrow there would be no joy. Without pain there would be no healing. I think that's precisely where the beauty comes in. It comes in through the fruit of the seasons. He has indeed made everything beautiful in its time.”
The descriptions of life in India and Nepal resonated with me - although my time spent as a missionary was in Africa, rather than Asia, it appears that some things are the same in developing nations the world over! The author's description of being called to Nepal and how God prepared her for that was also an experience with which I could identify.
I loved her description of "coincidences", which are more "God-incidences" - especially when you can see the bigger picture.
And it was so nice to read a memoir that was well-written. I often seem to read autobigraphies/memoirs/biographies where a person has had an interesting life, but it becomes clear that they (or the person they've chosen as their biographer) are not the person who should be writing the life story. Many seem to be disjointed and full of seemingly irrelevant details but this author has written her story clearly and succinctly. A true pleasure to read.
My 2 favourite quotes in the book come at the beginning and the end and together I think they sum the book up nicely.
“Spiritually, we also move in seasons. We seem to bounce between times of great intimacy and closeness with God, to times of dryness. Like a ping pong ball that would rather stay still, I long for intimacy all of the time. But I know in my heart that it is not to be. The phone call that heralds fear, the diagnosis that brings grief, the material season that gives abundance... These seasons not only affect the world in front of me but they also in a strange and parallel way, affect my relationship with God. So I peer into the fog of my current season, often wondering what I will gain from my toil. I wonder whether I will see His hand transform my seasons into beauty. I wonder whether I will ever fathom what He is doing from beginning to end...”
“We all know that if the seasons were the same, there would be no growth. We know that without winter there would be no spring. We know that without frosts there would be no bulbs and without the monsoon there would be no rice harvest. In the same way, we also know that without sorrow there would be no joy. Without pain there would be no healing. I think that's precisely where the beauty comes in. It comes in through the fruit of the seasons. He has indeed made everything beautiful in its time.”
November 9, 2011
A down to earth missionary autobiography. Naomi Reed tells her story as a series of different seasons, which made me think about where I've been and where I'm at now. Also nice to read a biography of a normal person who isn't a "famous hero of the faith"!
September 8, 2008
This book won second prize for Australia Christian Book of the Year for 2008. Two three year terms in Nepal separated by an unexpected ten year interlude in Australia provide the backdrop for Naomi Reed's contemplation of the various seasons of her life and what God has revealed of Himself in each one.
She concludes, "For I know that every type of season will serve God's design for me. I hold out my hands in anticipation ... May we all."
Yes! May I.
She concludes, "For I know that every type of season will serve God's design for me. I hold out my hands in anticipation ... May we all."
Yes! May I.
April 28, 2017
Honest and Transparent are two adjectives I would use to describe this autobiography of a very ordinary woman and her husband and fellow physiotherapist's journey to Nepal to use their gifts and abilities to share the great love God has for the Nepali people in sending Jesus in both word and action. She shares her inner struggles as she goes through different "Seasons" Of her life both in Nepal and in her home country of Australia. I really enjoyed it and was challenged by their courage.
April 25, 2015
This is a fantastic book: a gripping read and a wonderful meditation on the work and heart of God. Naomi has some crazy stories to tell, but she has a gift for generalising her own experiences into truths we can all understand and benefit from.
January 15, 2013
Faith and mission stories can be difficult to read - but Naomi Reed's story as an Australian making a decision to live and work in rural Nepal, one of the ten poorest nations in the world. Naomi describes the various seasons in her life - including seasons of preparation, inadequacy, adjustment, enrichment and thanks.
Naomi has a chatty easy informal style that conveys a lot of wisdom in her reflections on the seasons of life that God has brought her through. She asks
Her conclusion reflects her faith:
"Because He is reigning, I don't need to know how the season will turn out. I can live within the season right now and I can enjoy it. I can resist the temptation to start peering around the corner to get a glimpse of the next season. Instead, I can look for the truths that He wants to show me, right now, in this season, in the middle of the rain."
I read the book almost in one sitting and recommend it highly.
Naomi has a chatty easy informal style that conveys a lot of wisdom in her reflections on the seasons of life that God has brought her through. She asks
"In this season right now, the season I'm living in, what can I learn? How can I grow? What is there to enjoy? What are the most important things for me to do? What is the most important way for me to "be"."
Her conclusion reflects her faith:
"Because He is reigning, I don't need to know how the season will turn out. I can live within the season right now and I can enjoy it. I can resist the temptation to start peering around the corner to get a glimpse of the next season. Instead, I can look for the truths that He wants to show me, right now, in this season, in the middle of the rain."
I read the book almost in one sitting and recommend it highly.
Read
November 1, 2013Always drawn to travel related books, I picked this one up for just $2.00 in a local Op Shop.
Two physiotherapist (a married couple) are looking for meaning in their life. They decide to offer their skills in Nepal where physio's are in very short supply. Reed's takes us on a journey through the homes, communities and hospitals of that country and her comparisons with life and the health system in Sydney show just how good we have it in the west. I was in awe of the determination, resilience and acceptance of people in third world countries and was particularly amused by Reed's comparison of both physio home visits and birthing practice in Australia and Nepal.
Those with an interest in travel, international development and volunteering will enjoy this book.
It was a surprise read. I am now looking for Reed's other books, also based in Nepal.
Two physiotherapist (a married couple) are looking for meaning in their life. They decide to offer their skills in Nepal where physio's are in very short supply. Reed's takes us on a journey through the homes, communities and hospitals of that country and her comparisons with life and the health system in Sydney show just how good we have it in the west. I was in awe of the determination, resilience and acceptance of people in third world countries and was particularly amused by Reed's comparison of both physio home visits and birthing practice in Australia and Nepal.
Those with an interest in travel, international development and volunteering will enjoy this book.
It was a surprise read. I am now looking for Reed's other books, also based in Nepal.
January 2, 2016
Having been to Nepal 3 times & witnessed the struggles & initiatives of this wonderful race of people I found Naomi's book both interesting looking through someone else's eyes & very challenging, all the time wondering if I would be 'up for it' if God was to call me to do similar.
People's faith & God's provision are always an inspiration to me in my own journey of life.
People's faith & God's provision are always an inspiration to me in my own journey of life.
November 25, 2013
A beautiful honest look at life as a missionary in The Himalayas with a season that had it's own struggles in Australia.
Encouraging and inspirational.
Encouraging and inspirational.
May 2, 2012
Missionary biographies can be incredibly challenging and moving - and this one certainly is. A wonderful insight into life in Nepal, and a bumpy journey travelled by a warm and Godly woman.
January 22, 2018
My Seventh Monsoon, is a reflection on the different seasons of Naomi Reed's life as a missionary with her husband and sons in Nepal. It is framed by the concept that 'there is a time for everything, and a season for everything under the sun' from the book of Ecclesiastes. She writes with poignancy of lessons that were only possible to learn during seasons of longing, grief, enrichment, confusion, fear and challenge.
Naomi details the transition from a comfortable life working with her husband as physiotherapists in Australia, to new roles in Nepali hospitals. She writes of the gospel being spread among the poor and the sick, about the joy of Christ received by those who have nothing. She professes the agony of years spent longing for children amid the pain of multiple miscarriages. She writes of the blessings of God in the provision of unlikely friendships and prayers answered in unexpected ways.
Naomi concludes that each season is necessary for spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God. She argued the importance of being present in the current season, and looking for the truths to be seen now, instead of focusing on what may come next. I found this book to be an essential encouragement in what is proving to be a season in my life of learning more than ever the importance of trusting that God is working for good through suffering.
Naomi details the transition from a comfortable life working with her husband as physiotherapists in Australia, to new roles in Nepali hospitals. She writes of the gospel being spread among the poor and the sick, about the joy of Christ received by those who have nothing. She professes the agony of years spent longing for children amid the pain of multiple miscarriages. She writes of the blessings of God in the provision of unlikely friendships and prayers answered in unexpected ways.
Naomi concludes that each season is necessary for spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God. She argued the importance of being present in the current season, and looking for the truths to be seen now, instead of focusing on what may come next. I found this book to be an essential encouragement in what is proving to be a season in my life of learning more than ever the importance of trusting that God is working for good through suffering.
March 31, 2021
Really engaging, some eye-opening facts and stories about Third World conditions - something I’d never thought about was the number of physiotherapists in Nepal. I was startled (though if I’d ever given it a thought I might not have been) by Reed’s matter-of-fact statement that at the time she and her husband, both physiotherapists, first arrived in Nepal, there were two physiotherapists. In the whole country. With a population of 20 million. I live in a city with a population of around 5 million. There are three full time physiotherapists in the practice I go to, just one practice of many in this city. The contrast is staggering, and humbling. Many other thought-provoking details of this sort are embedded in this memoir. Worth a read.
November 17, 2020
What a wonderfully encouraging book.
I love what another reviewer said, that this biography isn't of a "super Christian" but just of an ordinary Christian who ends up in Nepal as part of her normal following of the Christian life.
I especially like her nuance, e.g. "I'll never do renovations" to "It's ok to enjoy God's good creation at times".
She also made it clear that being a missionary isn't scary, it has its ups and downs (like all of life) which she calls seasons, and God reigns in all things.
I highly highly recommend this book!
I love what another reviewer said, that this biography isn't of a "super Christian" but just of an ordinary Christian who ends up in Nepal as part of her normal following of the Christian life.
I especially like her nuance, e.g. "I'll never do renovations" to "It's ok to enjoy God's good creation at times".
She also made it clear that being a missionary isn't scary, it has its ups and downs (like all of life) which she calls seasons, and God reigns in all things.
I highly highly recommend this book!
February 6, 2021
This is really well written making it easy to read.
It was an honest look into the life of the author, with many struggles and difficulties. This honesty is what I appreciated most in this book, as often we do not hear or see behind the scenes of the "ordinary" Christian. We see the reflections and lessons learnt, answers to prayer, and the understanding of God's providence in retrospect. All things that are important for Christian living.
Life is hard, but we have God.
It was an honest look into the life of the author, with many struggles and difficulties. This honesty is what I appreciated most in this book, as often we do not hear or see behind the scenes of the "ordinary" Christian. We see the reflections and lessons learnt, answers to prayer, and the understanding of God's providence in retrospect. All things that are important for Christian living.
Life is hard, but we have God.
February 13, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. Inspiring, heartbreaking and gripping. Reed’s raw honesty is a stand out element- sharing her fears and struggles…the miracles and stories of God’s work are equally jaw-dropping.
I’ll be reading other books by Naomi Reed as this has been on of my favourite reads this year.
Recommend
I’ll be reading other books by Naomi Reed as this has been on of my favourite reads this year.
Recommend
July 18, 2017
Just loved this book, so interesting and inspiring made so much better now that I have actually met Naomi.
Not so sure about the title, "My Seventh Monsoon", it was hardly mentioned.
I will definitely be reading more of Naomi's books.
Not so sure about the title, "My Seventh Monsoon", it was hardly mentioned.
I will definitely be reading more of Naomi's books.
July 3, 2020
I really enjoyed the way Naomi Reed looked back at the different 'seasons' in her life. Her writing is engaging and thoughtful and gives insight into God's character and His presence in every season or situation we find ourselves in.
April 13, 2021
This encouraging read gets 4.5 stars! Naomi shares the ups and downs of their lives. Woven into the intriguing story of their lives is God’s working in their hearts and how God grew their faith and trust in Him. Wonderful read!
July 13, 2024
2 physiotherapists go to Nepal as missionaries. She takes us through the seasons of her life. Need to live in the current season. Really enjoyed this. The spirituality is a little different to mine but still good.
December 11, 2024
Inspiring, comforting and challenging. ‘My Seventh Monsoon’ is a heartfelt testament to God’s sovereign control over every season of life, and the good comes from His timing. Vulnerable and well-written, this book is a powerful witness to God’s love and kindness even through the difficulty seasons.
February 10, 2019
What a faithful Christian woman. Loved the writing about her job, her faith and family life.
December 1, 2023
My favourite book!!!! Read twice and absolutely love. Highly highly recommend
May 13, 2025
authentic
January 9, 2017
I love this biography by Naomi Reed, she encapsulates how god uses seasons within each of our lives by sharing her own journey in Nepal and the times in between. A well written book and a great read.
April 2, 2016
I enjoyed Naomi Reed's book, My Seventh Monsoon, very much. The book is her autobiographical account of her two trips to Nepal as a missionary with her husband and also the intervening years back in Australia.
Naomi has arranged her material by using the idea of 'seasons' from Ecclesiastes 3. I found this to be a helpful way of understanding the events and emotions that she was experiencing at different times of her life. Naomi's writing has an honestly and clarity about it that makes it engaging. This was especially evident when she wrote about the heartache they faced during their time back in Australia.
The book is a valuable tool in understanding God's guidance. Sometimes it is very clear, particularly in the early stages of embarking on a new venture. However later, when Naomi and her family were back in Australia and planning to return to Nepal, God's leading was harder to fathom. Sometimes God's plans are clear and sometimes they are not. It was only in retrospect that Naomi was able to appreciate how perfect God's timing had been.
The book ends uncertainly with Naomi and her family in Nepal. This leaves you with a slightly unsatisfactory feeling of 'loose ends' not being tied up. But life's like that, not everything works out neatly. However it does anticipate the sequel, No Ordinary View which I look forward to reading.
An enjoyable read.
Naomi has arranged her material by using the idea of 'seasons' from Ecclesiastes 3. I found this to be a helpful way of understanding the events and emotions that she was experiencing at different times of her life. Naomi's writing has an honestly and clarity about it that makes it engaging. This was especially evident when she wrote about the heartache they faced during their time back in Australia.
The book is a valuable tool in understanding God's guidance. Sometimes it is very clear, particularly in the early stages of embarking on a new venture. However later, when Naomi and her family were back in Australia and planning to return to Nepal, God's leading was harder to fathom. Sometimes God's plans are clear and sometimes they are not. It was only in retrospect that Naomi was able to appreciate how perfect God's timing had been.
The book ends uncertainly with Naomi and her family in Nepal. This leaves you with a slightly unsatisfactory feeling of 'loose ends' not being tied up. But life's like that, not everything works out neatly. However it does anticipate the sequel, No Ordinary View which I look forward to reading.
An enjoyable read.
September 8, 2024
I've now read this book five times in 10 years, and every time I get something new from it.
Naomi Reed and her husband are missionaries who went to work in Nepal , a country desperately in need of their physiotherapy skills. On one level, this is a straightforward biography of an Australian family and their experience of living in another country, but as Naomi takes time during the rainy season (her seventh in Nepal, hence the book's title) to reflect on her past, she realises that it divides into different seasons, and that "in every season there's a new truth to be learned and it may be a truth that can only be learned in that season."
Naomi's Christian faith is the thread that ties this whole book together, but if you think that makes it a stuffy or 'preachy' read, you would be mistaken. Sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always engaging, her writing is a breath of fresh air. This is a book I reread whenever I need reminding that "life is not about the number of days we spend here on this earth, it's about the way we spend those days here on earth."
Naomi Reed and her husband are missionaries who went to work in Nepal , a country desperately in need of their physiotherapy skills. On one level, this is a straightforward biography of an Australian family and their experience of living in another country, but as Naomi takes time during the rainy season (her seventh in Nepal, hence the book's title) to reflect on her past, she realises that it divides into different seasons, and that "in every season there's a new truth to be learned and it may be a truth that can only be learned in that season."
Naomi's Christian faith is the thread that ties this whole book together, but if you think that makes it a stuffy or 'preachy' read, you would be mistaken. Sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always engaging, her writing is a breath of fresh air. This is a book I reread whenever I need reminding that "life is not about the number of days we spend here on this earth, it's about the way we spend those days here on earth."
January 4, 2014
Really enjoyed getting to peer inside the heart and mind of Naomi as God led her through the various seasons of preparation, inadequacy, adjustment, enrichment, expectations, longing, life, grief, confusion, closure, newness, fear, distraction, challenge, and thanks -- from Sydney to Khammam, India to Pokhara, Nepal; back to Sydney and the Blue Mountains; and back to Nepal.
Stand-out theological thoughts and applications:
- God's grace sufficient through our weaknesses
- risk-taking for God
Stand-out theological thoughts and applications:
- God's grace sufficient through our weaknesses
- risk-taking for God
September 16, 2013
Naomi tells the story of her first seven monsoons from the perspective of seasons (a time to sow, a time to reap etc). She tells the story well, offering insight into the way we relate to God through different seasons and how those different ways aren't necessarily wrong. Aside from that, this was an informative read about life in Nepal.
June 30, 2016
This is the second time I've read this book. Loved the honesty and also the descriptions of cultures. Loved also to be reminded of Aussie culture from the outside.
I would have loved to see a discussion guide with this book - perhaps it could be a free download off a website? So many issues raised it would have been good to discuss.
I would have loved to see a discussion guide with this book - perhaps it could be a free download off a website? So many issues raised it would have been good to discuss.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews