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Digging Ditches: The Latest Chapter of an Inspirational Life
Doctor Helen Roseveare, affectionately called Mama Luka, pioneered vital medical work in the rain forests of the Belgian Congo - now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Throughout her eight years in training for the mission field and her first twelve years in Congo Helen Roseveare had prayed that God would giver her a mountain top experience of his glory and power. However, after enduring civil war and having to start from the beginning again, and later when caring for her elderly mother, she realized that God's work is done in the valleys. He gives us the valleys and we are to dig the ditches (2 Kings 3: 16), trusting that they will be filled with life-giving water at the appropriate time. This is an inspiring story because it shows those times when God's blessings seem withdrawn - they are subsequently shown to have been there all the time. If you have ever experienced times when God's call on your life seems remote, or you are encountering trials and problems, you will find refreshment from Helen's pen. She shows how 'trusting in the Lord' can be a gritty, rewarding drama rather than a wispy platitude.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
14 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Helen Roseveare
29 books60 followersDr. Helen Roseveare was born in Hailebury, Herts, England in 1925. She became a Christian as a medical student in Cambridge University in 1945. She continued to have strong links with the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union and was designated as the "CICCU missionary" during the 1950s and 1960s. She built a combination hospital/ training center in Ibambi in the early 1950s, then relocated to Nebobongo, living in an old leprosy camp, where she built another hospital. After conflict with other staff at the hospital, she returned to England in 1958.
She returned to the Congo in 1960. In 1964 she was taken prisoner of rebel forces and she remained a prisoner for five months, enduring beatings and rapings. She left the Congo and headed back to England after her release but returned to the Congo in 1966 to assist in the rebuilding of the nation. She helped establish a new medical school and hospital (the other hospitals that she built were destroyed) and served there until she left in 1973. She helped many people from different countries, and helped them when needing food, and drink.
Since her return from Africa, she has had a worldwide ministry in speaking and writing. She was a plenary speaker at the Urbana Missions Convention three times. She is now retired and lives in Northern Ireland. Her life of service was portrayed in the 1989 film Mama Luka Comes Home. Her touching story about how the prayer of Ruth, 10-year-old African girl, for a hot water bottle to save a premature newborn baby after its mother had died has been widely forwarded by email. She survived rape and trial during the Congolese civil war in 1964 because of the intervention of the villagers she had helped previously.
(Wikipedia)
She returned to the Congo in 1960. In 1964 she was taken prisoner of rebel forces and she remained a prisoner for five months, enduring beatings and rapings. She left the Congo and headed back to England after her release but returned to the Congo in 1966 to assist in the rebuilding of the nation. She helped establish a new medical school and hospital (the other hospitals that she built were destroyed) and served there until she left in 1973. She helped many people from different countries, and helped them when needing food, and drink.
Since her return from Africa, she has had a worldwide ministry in speaking and writing. She was a plenary speaker at the Urbana Missions Convention three times. She is now retired and lives in Northern Ireland. Her life of service was portrayed in the 1989 film Mama Luka Comes Home. Her touching story about how the prayer of Ruth, 10-year-old African girl, for a hot water bottle to save a premature newborn baby after its mother had died has been widely forwarded by email. She survived rape and trial during the Congolese civil war in 1964 because of the intervention of the villagers she had helped previously.
(Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 31, 2014
Brilliant account by a godly lady. Very much challenged by her life and obedience,and found her honesty and recognition of her own failings refreshing. She fully recognises what it is to be a Christian -no fluff involved, just true heartfelt love for God,above all else, including self. This is someone in whose life God has been working and through whom He has been speaking. I had not previously read any of her books but am very glad that I picked this up from the bookshelf. I recommend it,but do be prepared to be both challenged and inspired by her account.
February 12, 2016
I'm never quite sure how to "rate" Dr. Roseveare's books. She's not the most eloquent writer and she tends to ramble a bit more than she should...but then again I so deeply appreciate the depth of her life and experience, that I find I can easily overlook these "faults." As far as I'm concerned, it's well worth the read just to benefit from her wisdom, her amazing outlook, and her honest and profound faith.
September 23, 2013
Beware. Ms. Roseaver will challenge you to live more for Jesus and to truly give all things--good and bad--for his glory.
December 27, 2025
'What Helen Did Next' might be a better title for this one. Dr Helen Roseveare spent many years as a medical missionary in what was then Zaire and is now DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo). After the 1964 coup she had some respite in the UK before returning for another stint in a different area. From a rough clinic to a training hospital, the work grew and grew, reaching a wider population with healthcare and the good news of Jesus.
This book relates how Helen struggled with the mundaneness of being back in the UK after her mother died ,and how her mission society (WEC) pulled her in to not only writing about their four pillars (faith, holiness, fellowship and sacrifice), but also to speak at conferences at home and around the world, at house parties, Girl Crusader gatherings and missional events. Her insights are tinged with the frustration of coming to terms with a different pace and context of life while living out a vital and vibrant faith.
Helen felt that God had commissioned her to dig ditches as referred to in the Old Testament (see 2 Kings 3) and allow Him to fill them (with His life) as and when appropriate. It's a great illustration of how keeping in step with Him is the priority and taking our hands off the outcome, which is beyond our area of responsibility.
I have enjoyed all of Helen's books, mostly because she's not afraid to show her faults, weaknesses and mess ups. Her honesty is refreshing and brings integrity to an area of life which could easily be dressed up to look more shiny than it really is. I know this is one that I will read again, just like all the others.
This book relates how Helen struggled with the mundaneness of being back in the UK after her mother died ,and how her mission society (WEC) pulled her in to not only writing about their four pillars (faith, holiness, fellowship and sacrifice), but also to speak at conferences at home and around the world, at house parties, Girl Crusader gatherings and missional events. Her insights are tinged with the frustration of coming to terms with a different pace and context of life while living out a vital and vibrant faith.
Helen felt that God had commissioned her to dig ditches as referred to in the Old Testament (see 2 Kings 3) and allow Him to fill them (with His life) as and when appropriate. It's a great illustration of how keeping in step with Him is the priority and taking our hands off the outcome, which is beyond our area of responsibility.
I have enjoyed all of Helen's books, mostly because she's not afraid to show her faults, weaknesses and mess ups. Her honesty is refreshing and brings integrity to an area of life which could easily be dressed up to look more shiny than it really is. I know this is one that I will read again, just like all the others.
August 17, 2020
Within the past couple weeks I have read 'Give Me This Mountain' and 'He Gave Us a Valley', as well as this one. I can say of all 3 that none of them were particularly thrilling or entertaining, but challenging? YES! Helen has a way of showing how even the most 'mature' of Christians struggle in their thought life and constant devotion to Christ. Her thoughts are down-to-earth and rather refreshing. She seems like a normal lady, through which Christ accomplished quite miraculous tasks! Amazing!
"I was hurt, probably more deeply hurt that I at first realized. I really couldn't even pray about the matter. I was hurt, and I felt I had the right to be hurt. I didn't want to pray about it, as I feared God would speak to me about my attitude!"
"God won that round. He taught me, and I learned slowly. That God did not always allow us to defend ourselves (or even each other) in certain circumstances, seemed hard to me, particularly if someone had clearly been wronged or falsely accused or misjudged. Christ, for my sake, was misunderstood by His closest friends, and falsely accused by His enemies, yet He made no effort to defend Himself...Was I willing to so love God, with all my heart, that I would give up loving myself, and my reputation, and the importance of what others thought of me?"
"I was hurt, probably more deeply hurt that I at first realized. I really couldn't even pray about the matter. I was hurt, and I felt I had the right to be hurt. I didn't want to pray about it, as I feared God would speak to me about my attitude!"
"God won that round. He taught me, and I learned slowly. That God did not always allow us to defend ourselves (or even each other) in certain circumstances, seemed hard to me, particularly if someone had clearly been wronged or falsely accused or misjudged. Christ, for my sake, was misunderstood by His closest friends, and falsely accused by His enemies, yet He made no effort to defend Himself...Was I willing to so love God, with all my heart, that I would give up loving myself, and my reputation, and the importance of what others thought of me?"
September 9, 2023
'Digging Ditches' by Dr. Helen Roseveare
This is the 3rd installment or "final chapter" of autobiography by Dr. Helen Roseveare. She is a modern hero of the faith to me. Years ago, I did a study on this remarkable woman. Her life story contributed to my decision to pursue a career in healthcare. She was sincere and earnest in serving as a physican, missionary, speaker, and author. Her life in the Congo was filled with great successes, and she contributed significantly to the healthcare system in the Congo by founding several hospitals. She also suffered terribly, including sexual assault during a horrific captivity by rebel forces in 1964. Despite this, she held fast to her hope and faith.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in modern missionary history or women's ministry and leadership in the church. Dr. Roseveare explores her faith and the beliefs which sustained her throughout her life in both Congo and the UK. I think the reader will find her insights inspiring.
4🌟/5🌟
This is the 3rd installment or "final chapter" of autobiography by Dr. Helen Roseveare. She is a modern hero of the faith to me. Years ago, I did a study on this remarkable woman. Her life story contributed to my decision to pursue a career in healthcare. She was sincere and earnest in serving as a physican, missionary, speaker, and author. Her life in the Congo was filled with great successes, and she contributed significantly to the healthcare system in the Congo by founding several hospitals. She also suffered terribly, including sexual assault during a horrific captivity by rebel forces in 1964. Despite this, she held fast to her hope and faith.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in modern missionary history or women's ministry and leadership in the church. Dr. Roseveare explores her faith and the beliefs which sustained her throughout her life in both Congo and the UK. I think the reader will find her insights inspiring.
4🌟/5🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2023
I probably should’ve enjoyed this book but I just didn’t much. The theology was good and her insights were encouraging but the whole book felt like capsulized sermons from hundreds of large public meetings. I love the thought of faithfully “digging ditches” in quiet ways, but speaking to thousands of people is an interesting application!
April 21, 2019
Another wonderfully encouraging read! Love ALL of Helen’s books!
July 8, 2021
Some of her latest exploits from this veteran missionary who served it what was Congo - many of her situations and biblical insights will inspire many in their own faith journey.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews