Heart of a Lioness

by Irene Gleeson, Nicole Partridge

At 35, Irene Gleeson's life was all but over. Her first marriage had fallen apart, her family home had been sold and her children were on a path of self-destruction. Disillusioned and anxious, she sought answers in all manner of places, but when this all came to nothing, she spiralled further into the abyss. Broke and depressed, suicidal and trawling the night clubs looking for love, Irene made an unexpected discovery of God's love on the 28th of November, 1982. Standing at the back of a small beachside church, the presence of God embraced her, and in that moment, she was finally free. With a renewed sense of purpose, peace and several answered prayers, Irene asked this of her saviour: "Jesus, you've done this for me, what can I do for you?" What followed was a commitment by Irene and her then second husband to sponsoring children from around the world and embarking on short-term missions' trips. But it was a visit to Ethiopia in 1988 to meet their sponsored children that would be the turning point. In February 1992, Irene and her husband sold up everything, waved goodbye to family and friends and shipped their modest aluminium caravan 12,000 kms from the warm, white sands of Australia to the red, dust of Uganda. In a small isolated community on the Sudan border, the couple began their work of rescuing and rehabilitating child soldiers and orphans. Irene taught the children to sing and then to read and write - eventually adding feeding, education and medical care to her repertoire.

While the work continued to grow and flourish, her relationship didn't, and before long, she found herself alone - yet again. Irene forged ahead despite the hardships - extreme isolation, swelteringly hot days, repeated bouts of malaria and several attacks by rebels. Hand in hand with Jesus, she carved out a global organisation that has left an indelible imprint on the hearts and lives of 20,000 war affected Ugandans.

Heart of a Lioness will take readers on Irene's journey of obedience, sacrifice and unwavering faith. A moving narrative filled with drama, humour and deeply personal insights, Irene recounts story after story of God's miracles amidst the frustrations of running a ministry as an older single white woman. The book will challenge and inspire readers to find their mission in life and will reinforce the notion that no matter who you are, or where you've been - it's never too late to find your purpose.

Genres: Biography, Africa, Christian

319 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2014

Reviews

[Eliza Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the life of Irene Gleeson, an ordinary woman who found Jesus when she was 42 and decided to move to war torn Uganda to start a school and share the message of Jesus. What a brave woman. She had experienced immeasurable suffering in her life and had every reason to give up but finding Jesus she decided to sell everything she had and move to Uganda. That’s insane. An amazing book about trusting in God and relying on him.

Would recommend.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of an unlikely missionary, who discovered her calling at the age of 47, sold everything she had, left her children and grandchildren, and moved to the war-stricken East African country of Uganda with her husband. There, the two Australians began to do the impossible: setting up a charity to feed, clothe, house and teach orphaned and neglected children, restoring dignity to the community. The red tape, corruption and frustrations seemed endless. They had to draw on God's strength every day, but they were rewarded with many miracles of healing, barriers being removed and even physical protection.

It wasn't all wonderful though, and trouble came from the most unexpected places, at times leaving Irene bereft of support, sick and alone. Politics and strife were issues even within the Foundation, but she never failed to keep herself focused on her mission. We see the impact of the vocational training, the literacy, the radio station and then her hospice... which sent more people home than it buried!

I was lucky enough to hear Irene speak at our church, and Nicole Patridge has got her tone exactly! As I read, I could hear Irene's voice telling us some of the same stories. From the original few hundred there are now over 8000, and Irene's work continues. If you're at all interested in the plight of Uganda, or want to discover an incredible missionary, this story will blow you away. (You should also read the information on the website: www.irenegleesonfoundation.com.)

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Tania Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. What an incredible legacy. Stirring, inspirational, a challenge and a call to sacrifice for others. This book was a page turner, beautifully re-creating the life and ministry of Irene Gleeson in northern Uganda. Nicole Partridge has captured the heart of a woman whose love for God and the children who suffered through a brutal civil war surpassed all obstacles. Motivated me to give, to follow, to pray. Highly recommended!

[Sherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truely inspirational biography of the life and missionary work carried out by Irene Gleeson. Not only changing her life around from what seemed like she was destined for doom to completely transforming the lives of thousands of children in a remote region of Africa. What a legacy!

[S'hi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even for a non-Christian this is a remarkable story to be read. That one person can go out and touch so many lives in such a positive and uplifting way, and the work to be so enduring in the changes wrought for so many really is inspiring.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring story of what God can do if you are only willing to say YES to His plans.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed going on the journey with Irene and her missionary brought great insight into both the power of God and those less fortunate that us, especially in war torn countries.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

eart of a Lioness
Sacrifice, Courage and Relentless Love Among the Children of Uganda
Irene Gleeson
Authentic Media Inc.
Pub Date   Sep 5 2014

Irene Gleeson had a rough start to life a traumatic childhood and she was pregnant by the age of sixteen.

In 1990 Irene Gleeson and her husband feels the calling to go help kids in war torn Uganda.  By then Schools are closed due to the raging wars and Joseph Kony is kidnapping kids and turning them into Child Soldiers and Sex Slaves.

By the time both there beachhouse and home are sold people realize there is no turning back, Irene and Jack Gleeson are going to Africa.

In Heart of a Lioness we see everyone the struggles that Irene and her husband Jack faced in Uganda bug you also see the miracles they saw Children healed bg the power of prayer and with Jesuses touch.

Irene and Jacks marriage does not survive Uganda it proves to be to much for Jack and he divorces Irene but she continues on in Uganda educating a nd feeding these children amidst the Hell like conditions that often surround them.

Irene continues her work in Uganda until 2012 when she is diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer but even then she continues speaking out and raising awareness until her death in 2013...

I give this book five out of five Stars...

Happy Reading