God's Needle: How Lily Gaynor brought hope and healing to the land of the witchdoctors

by Lily Gaynor, John Butterworth

In 1957 freshly qualified nurse and WEC missionary Lily Gaynor set sail for Guinea-Bissau, to live among the Papel tribe. Tuberculosis, malaria, and typhoid were rife. Children were grossly malnourished; witch doctors flourished. Lily set up a clinic under the mango trees, administering penicillin - 'God's needle'. Medical care didn't stop there: pigs, cows, rabbits and hens all passed through Lily's hands. Many villagers suffered agonizing toothache: Lily learned emergency dentistry. The book is filled with one arresting medical story after another. In the evenings she learned Papel, invented an alphabet, and finally translated the entire New Testament, now published with Wycliffe Bible Translators. She faced considerable opposition. Witchdoctors cursed; new converts were threatened with death; senior colleagues opposed her medical efforts. Yet today Guinea-Bissau has one of the biggest national churches in West Africa.

Genres: Christian, Biography

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2013

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, we get a look into what it is like to be a missionary in a foreign land without any of the necessities we take for granted such as bathrooms, running water, electricity a a roof over our heads and electricity. Lily tells us how she accomplished translating the new testament into Papel, she had to invent a written alphabet in order to even begin her work. She is truly a remarkable woman who loves God and devoted her life to his work.

[Georgia Herod · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an interesting title: God's Needle. That's what the people in Guinea-Bissau called the syringe used to inject penicillan and other lifesaving drugs as Lily Gaynor and others fought tuberculosis, malaria, and typhoid, as well as pneumonia and other common maladies as a result of poor nutrition and sanitation. Prayer was God's Needle to combat witchdoctors and evil spirits.

From 1957 to 1992, Gaynor served in Guinea-Bissua (northwest Africa), where she had the privilege of starting a medical clinic in Ondame that treated and saved the lives of thousands. She was part of starting a church in Biombo, where hundreds of the Papel became Christians. She was also involved in writing down the Papel language for the first time and then translating the New Testament into Papel, a version now published by Wycliffe Bible Translators. Later, she assisted with translating the Jesus film into Papel.

The narrative is full of stories of God's provision and protection as time after time Miss Lily faced the "dregs" of herself under difficult, demanding circumstances. When she was overwhelmed by the needs and numbers, she often asked God, "Do I have no rights?" And God reminded her of her rights in Christ alone. Gaynor chooses to be vulnerable and honest about her shortcomings.

I enjoy reading biographies of ordinary people who choose to serve an extraordinary God--I always stand amazed at what unfolds which impacts eternity!

Readable, fast moving!

[Hayden Helton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down. Absolutely phenomenal book. Lily is real, raw, and a joy to know her heart. She makes me want to know Christ more.
“There is no gain but by a loss, We cannot save but by the cross. A grain of wheat to multiply, must fall into the ground and die”.

[Marja Verschoor-Meijers · Rating 3 out of 5]

How could one not like real-life stories from people who followed their God-given calling and ended up in places like Guinea Bissau? God's Needle is such an intriguing and unbelievable story of courage, fear, doubt, and perseverance. I loved it and I recommend it.

[Leslie (updates on SG) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly good read for my AtW challenge (Guinea-Bissou). Gaynor tells good stories without proselytizing: her faith and actions speak for themselves.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, quick read which taught me the term “hay box.”

[Natalie Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. We need to trust God and His plans for our life xxx

[Eilidh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super book, amazing story of Lily's life as a missionary but written well all about God and how he worked and taught her along the way

[Nancy Kendall]

no audio

[Andrew Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a European now living in Africa I can relate to many of the situations Lily came across and it gives a great insight in to anybody who want to learn about life in tribal Africa. This is the sort of book that would make a great read for a Christian book club because it is one of those incredible, faith-inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Prepare to be amazed and saddened as you are taken on a roller-coaster emotional journey through the amazing life of Lily Gaynor.

Lily left her home of Liverpool, England as a single woman to dedicate her life to serving a small indigenous tribe in West Africa. As a healthcare professional her presence brought much needed medical care to the tribesmen and women but upset the monopoly that the witch doctors had developed over generations. The persistence of Lily to love those who came against her and model God's love was truly inspiring, and she left a legacy that remains to this day.

Do buy this book! It is one of those that you won't want to put down. It may even change the direction of your life!