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Though Lions Roar: The Story of Helen Roseveare : Missionary Doctor to the Congo
This is the story of Helen Roseveare, missionary doctor to the Congo. Dr. Helen Roseveare was serving the Lord at an isolated hospital in the jungles of the Belgian Congo, preaching, teaching and doctoring.
In 1960 the colony became an independent Zaire. Four years later, the Simba rebellion threw the country into anarchy. Rebels began a reign of terror and missionaries were under constant threat of personal assault and death. Finally, as government troops advanced, Dr. Roseveare and others were held as hostages by the Simbas.
In 1960 the colony became an independent Zaire. Four years later, the Simba rebellion threw the country into anarchy. Rebels began a reign of terror and missionaries were under constant threat of personal assault and death. Finally, as government troops advanced, Dr. Roseveare and others were held as hostages by the Simbas.
110 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 25, 2013
Helen Roseveare: Though Lions Roar is part of the Faith Adventure Series. As CLC Publications explains, “The Faith Adventure Series is a collection of easily readable biographies of great spiritual giants who dared to live by faith.” That is one of the things that immediately struck me about this biography by Mary Beth Lagerborg. I was excited to think how easy it would be for a pre-teen or teenager to read, comprehend and be inspired by this book. Those who struggle with reading or don’t consider themselves readers will love its simple flow and the size is not at all intimidating considering that it is a small volume of 110 pages, 99 of which are actual reading pages. It easily fits in a glove compartment, a purse or perhaps even a pants pocket.
In May, I gave a review to Helen Roseveare: On His Majesty’s Service. Helen Roseveare: Though Lions Roar has some notable differences with that biography. Already mentioned is the readability of the CLC publication. Also, Mary Beth Lagerborg spends less time on Helen Roseveare’s early life, picking up her story at the age of 12. This gives the reader more valuable material covering her time as a missionary candidate for WEC (Worldwide Evangelization for Christ) based in London. The time spent there was invaluable to the stretching of her faith, her abilities and her character. Quite a few humorous stories are told from this time of her life.
As can be expected, the reader is swept into the story of how Helen Roseveare came to know that the Congo was where God was sending her. In contrast to the earlier book I read, it goes into greater and interesting detail to this calling. Each biographical sketch of a missionary makes important decisions on what will be emphasized and I think that this was an important portion that the other volume minimized.
It tells of the journey to the country and describes the adjustments to be made to the climate, the people and customs of that far away land. Those adjustments received a sudden and disturbing shift when a civil war erupted and rebel forces threatened foreigners and any they saw as collaborating with the government. Even Helen Roseveare experienced suffering at the hands of those rebels.
Helen Roseveare is a name that every Christian should know. Her story is very inspiring, very real and very moving. I thank CLC for the opportunity to review this book for them that they gave to me in exchange for an honest review. After reading this volume, if you like it as much as I did, pick up another in The Faith Adventure Series to read next.
See this review and lots of others as well as other content and supplemental material at: http://beacon2light.blogspot.com/2013...
In May, I gave a review to Helen Roseveare: On His Majesty’s Service. Helen Roseveare: Though Lions Roar has some notable differences with that biography. Already mentioned is the readability of the CLC publication. Also, Mary Beth Lagerborg spends less time on Helen Roseveare’s early life, picking up her story at the age of 12. This gives the reader more valuable material covering her time as a missionary candidate for WEC (Worldwide Evangelization for Christ) based in London. The time spent there was invaluable to the stretching of her faith, her abilities and her character. Quite a few humorous stories are told from this time of her life.
As can be expected, the reader is swept into the story of how Helen Roseveare came to know that the Congo was where God was sending her. In contrast to the earlier book I read, it goes into greater and interesting detail to this calling. Each biographical sketch of a missionary makes important decisions on what will be emphasized and I think that this was an important portion that the other volume minimized.
It tells of the journey to the country and describes the adjustments to be made to the climate, the people and customs of that far away land. Those adjustments received a sudden and disturbing shift when a civil war erupted and rebel forces threatened foreigners and any they saw as collaborating with the government. Even Helen Roseveare experienced suffering at the hands of those rebels.
Helen Roseveare is a name that every Christian should know. Her story is very inspiring, very real and very moving. I thank CLC for the opportunity to review this book for them that they gave to me in exchange for an honest review. After reading this volume, if you like it as much as I did, pick up another in The Faith Adventure Series to read next.
See this review and lots of others as well as other content and supplemental material at: http://beacon2light.blogspot.com/2013...
August 6, 2008
Helen Roseveare grew up in Northern Wales, and wanted to tell other people about Jesus, long before she had a relationship with Him herself. When she became older, she decided to become a doctor, and in college she fell in with another girl who had a Bible study. This changed Helen’s life.
This book looks into Helen’s life and tells of her struggles against herself, the world, and with the “Lions,” as mentioned in the book’s title. One incident was especially encouraging to me. When she was in missionary training, she was given a task: to clean the ladies’ bathroom floor. As she finished in one area, people would come in, and walk on the floor with their dirty shoes. Elizabeth, the one who had assigned the job, asked what was bothering Helen, and Helen told of her discouragement. She asked, “For whom are you scrubbing this floor, Helen?”
“Why, for you, of course.”
“No, my dear. If you are doing it for me, you may as well go home. You’ll never satisfy me. You’re doing it for the Lord, and He saw you the first time you cleaned it. That is tomorrow’s dirt.”
We also read of times when Helen was on the mission field, and Helen fell to relying on her own strength for her work. She saw it as her work, not letting go, and taking both all responsibility and credit. Finally she saw that it was the Lord’s work, and she was only one of his workers. It was encouraging to me, to look at my own life, and my own endeavors.
When Zaire received it’s independence, one of the violent “patriotic” factions was called the Lions, who cherished a hatred for foreigners. One day the Lions came to the mission hospital to steal and plunder, and their lieutenant beat and assaulted Helen before taking her prisoner. She was a prisoner for some time with others at a convent before being released.
Helen still teaches and encourages those around her to a life of surrender to Christ.
This book looks into Helen’s life and tells of her struggles against herself, the world, and with the “Lions,” as mentioned in the book’s title. One incident was especially encouraging to me. When she was in missionary training, she was given a task: to clean the ladies’ bathroom floor. As she finished in one area, people would come in, and walk on the floor with their dirty shoes. Elizabeth, the one who had assigned the job, asked what was bothering Helen, and Helen told of her discouragement. She asked, “For whom are you scrubbing this floor, Helen?”
“Why, for you, of course.”
“No, my dear. If you are doing it for me, you may as well go home. You’ll never satisfy me. You’re doing it for the Lord, and He saw you the first time you cleaned it. That is tomorrow’s dirt.”
We also read of times when Helen was on the mission field, and Helen fell to relying on her own strength for her work. She saw it as her work, not letting go, and taking both all responsibility and credit. Finally she saw that it was the Lord’s work, and she was only one of his workers. It was encouraging to me, to look at my own life, and my own endeavors.
When Zaire received it’s independence, one of the violent “patriotic” factions was called the Lions, who cherished a hatred for foreigners. One day the Lions came to the mission hospital to steal and plunder, and their lieutenant beat and assaulted Helen before taking her prisoner. She was a prisoner for some time with others at a convent before being released.
Helen still teaches and encourages those around her to a life of surrender to Christ.
February 14, 2015
I don't really like missionary books as a general rule. Lots of bad things happen, but it is survived. God seems to really care that they don't lose the radio, but not about personal safety. The message seems to be "The harder you try to follow God, the more your life will suck in incomprehensible ways." It's not entirely unBiblical, but I prefer not to ponder future suckage.
May 29, 2023
Good missionary story, but at times the writer left you a little lost as to what they were talking about. Helen seemed to have lead a life serving the Lord on the mission field in Africa.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews