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No Ordinary View
“The Himalayan view from our back porch was normally breathtaking but that day I sat there and wondered. Ten years of civil war, a deteriorating health system, an economic crisis and a political stalemate. It was a background of hopelessness for the lives of our Nepali friends and the community that we lived in. In such a setting of pain and darkness, how could God reveal his nature? And how could he call me by name? I wasn’t sure. I didn’t think it was possible.”
From within the uncertainty of Nepal’s civil war, Naomi Reed continues the story of her family’s desire to train Nepali physiotherapists and share God’s love in word and action. Her honesty and genuine longing to see God’s purposes and sovereignty make this unforgettable reading. While we as readers don’t all live through times of war, we all need to grow in our dependence on God in the hard times that we face. Through reading this story, we too will be inspired to trust “the Lord, the God of Israel who summons you by name.”
From within the uncertainty of Nepal’s civil war, Naomi Reed continues the story of her family’s desire to train Nepali physiotherapists and share God’s love in word and action. Her honesty and genuine longing to see God’s purposes and sovereignty make this unforgettable reading. While we as readers don’t all live through times of war, we all need to grow in our dependence on God in the hard times that we face. Through reading this story, we too will be inspired to trust “the Lord, the God of Israel who summons you by name.”
First published January 1, 2008
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About the author
Naomi Reed
26 books14 followersNaomi Reed is a Christian writer and speaker who grew up in Sydney and studied physiotherapy with her husband Darren. After working at Sydney hospitals, they spent six years serving in Nepal with the International Nepal Fellowship. During this time, Naomi worked at Green Pastures Leprosy Hospital and enjoyed fellowship at their local Nepali church. She also home-schooled their three sons and struggled through seven monsoons. At one point, fearing she may not make it through another 120 days of rain, she began to write. The months of typing by candlelight helped her to see God’s purposes through different seasons and (somewhat surprisingly) became her first book, ‘My Seventh Monsoon’. Back in Australia, ‘My Seventh Monsoon’ was warmly received and Naomi continued writing – firstly the sequel, ‘No Ordinary View’ (which won the ACBOY award, 2009) and ’Over My Shoulder’ – a look at the impact of personality on cross-cultural mission.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 19, 2016
Such a spiritual encouragement! I soaked up every word of this, especially because I think it heralds what my life very well may look like next year.
This is a beautifully written memoir of Naomi Reed's time on mission in with Nepal that is a combination of evocative storytelling and spiritual truths. This is the follow-on book from 'My Seventh Moonson' but could be read as a stand alone.
This is a beautifully written memoir of Naomi Reed's time on mission in with Nepal that is a combination of evocative storytelling and spiritual truths. This is the follow-on book from 'My Seventh Moonson' but could be read as a stand alone.
September 6, 2014
This is the follow-up to the story of Naomi and Darren Reed and their children that Naomi started about their life in Nepal in My Seventh Monsoon: A Himalayan Journey Of Faith And Mission. I love her wisdom and insights and her honesty. I also love the way that she can draw out spiritual lessons from the mundane tasks of everyday life. Her experiences challenge me to look at my own life to see what lessons I need to learn. I felt this one wasn't at quite the level as My Seventh Monsoon, but still an enjoyable and insightful read. 4.5 stars.
July 11, 2016
No Ordinary View is the second in Naomi Reed's series of books about her time as a missionary in Nepal. It overlaps slightly with her first book, My Seventh Monsoon and like her first book is autobiographical in nature.
It is set in Dhulikhel in the Himalayas and the views from their house are amazing but sometimes the most beautiful places in the world seem to be furthest from God spiritually. It is challenging to read of the poverty and the political uncertainty of Nepal and it makes you wonder how one family or many families can make a difference. Yet God would say, 'Who dares despise the day of small things' (Zechariah 4:10). Naomi and her husband Darren were able to leave Nepal knowing they had trained ten Nepalese to carry on their work and a replacement for Darren's position arrived on their last day. So it is also an encouraging book and finishes with a sense of achievement that they had completed the task God had given them.
Naomi writes in an easy to read way which connects with the reader. She relates many of the lessons she learnt in trusting God during difficult times. It was heartening to read how God provided and worked through their circumstances, even though they weren't able to help everyone in need. I was glad I knew they arrived safely back in Australia as I read, because there were several times when their lives were in danger and the tension was apparent.
Overall an entertaining read.
It is set in Dhulikhel in the Himalayas and the views from their house are amazing but sometimes the most beautiful places in the world seem to be furthest from God spiritually. It is challenging to read of the poverty and the political uncertainty of Nepal and it makes you wonder how one family or many families can make a difference. Yet God would say, 'Who dares despise the day of small things' (Zechariah 4:10). Naomi and her husband Darren were able to leave Nepal knowing they had trained ten Nepalese to carry on their work and a replacement for Darren's position arrived on their last day. So it is also an encouraging book and finishes with a sense of achievement that they had completed the task God had given them.
Naomi writes in an easy to read way which connects with the reader. She relates many of the lessons she learnt in trusting God during difficult times. It was heartening to read how God provided and worked through their circumstances, even though they weren't able to help everyone in need. I was glad I knew they arrived safely back in Australia as I read, because there were several times when their lives were in danger and the tension was apparent.
Overall an entertaining read.
August 17, 2014
Like my seventh monsoon I found this book inspiring to yearn for a deeper faith and dependence on God. Naomi manages to instruct and counsel through her experiences without sounding "preachy". Her lessons learnt are easy to be adapted and made relevant in my everyday ordinary life.
I marvelled at the courage of Naomi and her family to return to Nepal with a young family, and all the challenges that raising children brings when living in a foreign country.
As well as having beautiful easy to read language, this book has the additional interest of personal experience of being in danger. The honest human response and strength gained from relying on god is truly compelling reading.
I marvelled at the courage of Naomi and her family to return to Nepal with a young family, and all the challenges that raising children brings when living in a foreign country.
As well as having beautiful easy to read language, this book has the additional interest of personal experience of being in danger. The honest human response and strength gained from relying on god is truly compelling reading.
May 2, 2012
Missionary biographies can be incredibly challenging and moving - and this one certainly is. A wonderful insight into life in Nepal, and a bumpy journey travelled by a warm and Godly woman.
June 7, 2017
This is the third book I have read by the author, Naomi Reed. this one and My seventh monsoon were written about her experiences as a Physio in Nepal. This one was about her return, with her husband and three boys, after several years back home in Australia. I have loved all of them and her honest, easy to read style of writing. Taking three young boys into a politically unstable country required a lot of faith and knowledge that they were doing the right thing. I really recommend it.
July 1, 2023
A faith-filled and encouraging read!
May 30, 2009
The author skillfully weaves her moving descriptions of God's work in her heart with heart-stopping stories of the context they lived in in Nepal. I especially appreciated her reflections on putting down roots while living temporarily, and preparing to return to your home country which is now foreign.
June 12, 2019
What took me so long to read this book??? I read her first book and then started this one. Both are about her family’s time living in Nepal in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s during a time of civil war in the country. They were there as medical missionaries teaching students about physical Therapy. This one is about their 2nd time living there. I found it an honest account of her struggles of raising her children in a foreign land and learning how to hold on to God I living in the midst of the uncertainty of civil war.
September 23, 2024
This is the second book in Reed's trilogy of books about her life as a missionary in Nepal, although it could easily be read as a standalone.
The Reeds have previously spent several years in Nepal, but they return now to a different part of the country and to a very different environment. Nepal is wracked by civil war and lacks the safety and stability they have been used to. During this season of Nepalese life, the only constant seems to be uncertainty - trying to work out if the distant gunfire is the army practicing or a real battle, fleeing their home at short notice when they discover it is about to become the centre of a battlefield, living five to one room during a daytime curfew.
As Naomi shares the story of these years in Nepal, she also explores themes of home and security, of holding on and letting go, of the joys that only come during times of difficulty (her account of only being able to hear birdsong in Kathmandu during a lockdown curfew was especially relevant when I last read this in 2020!) learning to plant deeply in the current moment while also being ready to move on. An exciting story which will resonate especially with anyone who is living, or has lived through times of major uncertainty and transition. Naomi Reed is the best author I know at communicating spiritual lessons in an incredibly practical, down-to-earth and 'non preachy' way. I get something new from this book every time I read it and can't recommend it highly enough.
The Reeds have previously spent several years in Nepal, but they return now to a different part of the country and to a very different environment. Nepal is wracked by civil war and lacks the safety and stability they have been used to. During this season of Nepalese life, the only constant seems to be uncertainty - trying to work out if the distant gunfire is the army practicing or a real battle, fleeing their home at short notice when they discover it is about to become the centre of a battlefield, living five to one room during a daytime curfew.
As Naomi shares the story of these years in Nepal, she also explores themes of home and security, of holding on and letting go, of the joys that only come during times of difficulty (her account of only being able to hear birdsong in Kathmandu during a lockdown curfew was especially relevant when I last read this in 2020!) learning to plant deeply in the current moment while also being ready to move on. An exciting story which will resonate especially with anyone who is living, or has lived through times of major uncertainty and transition. Naomi Reed is the best author I know at communicating spiritual lessons in an incredibly practical, down-to-earth and 'non preachy' way. I get something new from this book every time I read it and can't recommend it highly enough.
February 1, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this book about an extraordinary woman and her family living in Nepal for three years. She is ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. Great spiritual enlightenments throughout the book.
Will enjoy discussing this at bookclub later this month.
Will enjoy discussing this at bookclub later this month.
February 10, 2019
More from a gifted succinct writer. I want to read her other books.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews