When the Lights Go Out: Memoir of a Missionary to Somalia

by Ruth Myors

In 1960, Ruth Myors left Australia to work as a midwife with the Somali people. For over two decades, she worked in a hospital in Somalia, a village in Ethiopia and in radio ministry in Kenya. During this time, government decisions, coups, communist takeovers, natural disasters, sudden deaths and other misfortunes disrupted plans and brought about unexpected changes in Ruth’s life.
In When the Lights Go Out , Ruth describes how these experiences have shaped her and shown her that God is faithful, and that even during the darkest periods, his light shows the way ahead.

Genres: Christian

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2016

Reviews

[Sharon Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful memoir of missionary life in the not too distant past. Challenging and encouraging both.

[Jana Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started the book earlier in the year and then finally picked it up again just a week or so ago. At the beginning it was a little hard to get into it, but once the author got to the overseas part, I couldn’t put it down. Definitely not sugar coated but very godly perspective of the ups and downs and the hardships she went through. A very good read.

[S C · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story of God's power and grace! Ruth Myor's book is a captivating and inspiring story, told with humour, honesty, and deep reflection.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I know this is a good book when I keep turning to my wife saying “l just love this book!” And she tells me she wants to read it next. This single midwife/missionary worked in dangerous Somalia and was confronted by things no woman should have to endure. But she did it all to show the love of Christ. It was an emotional roller coaster and funny to boot. I laughed a lot. A superb short memoir and one I will not allow to slip from my memory. Ruth is now in her 80s and one of her last quotes was from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

“ For age is opportunity no less
than youth itself, though in another dress,

And as the evening twilight fades away
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.’

Not a great lover of poetry I found this one most poignant.

And her last quote is from AB Simpson (in part):

“What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;”

Read it!

[Malvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly confronting story of a missionary to Somalia and Ethiopia. Her great love of the Somali people came through, and her zeal for her mission.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw and honest perspective of a missionary from Australia to Somalia. Very enjoyable read, sometimes confronting. Hard to put down.

[Pam Ela · Rating 4 out of 5]

story of a missionary in Africa

[Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tells the story of Ruth Myors, an Australian woman who became a nurse and midwife before traveling to Africa where she worked as a missionary in Somalia in the 1960s and 1970s. The story goes beyond that to radio work in Nairobi and studying psychology and using that to help missionaries both going into the field and coming out. An excellent book, fun, entertaining and a joy to read. It's relatively fast-paced and an easy read. If you're interested in missionary stories, this is a good one.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging and confronting but also encouraging and funny, Ruth Myors shares her life as a missionary midwife, radio script writer, and creator ( with her friend Kath) of the Christian Synergy Centre - a wonderful resource for Christian workers.
A great testament to Gods work through women.
There is a podcast interview with Ruth here:
https://www.pcnswwomen.org.au/podcast...