Title: Out of Darkness Into Light
Author: Lauralee Lindholm
Publisher: Olympus Story House
ISBN: 9781969422577
Pages: 200
Genre: Christian / Inspirational
Reviewer: Ella Vincent
Hollywood Book Reviews
Out of Darkness Into Light is an inspiring memoir by Lauralee Lindholm about her life as a Southern Baptist missionary in Ethiopia. This book tells the story of how two very different cultures found common ground in faith.
Out of Darkness Into Light tells the story of Lauralee Lindholm and her husband Ray going to Menz, a small town in Ethiopia to perform missionary work. They encounter some welcoming citizens who are Orthodox Coptic Christians. However, when a prominent member of the community, Priest Girma, renounces his indigenous religion and burns books from his old beliefs to focus solely on his Orthodox Christian faith, he and the Lindholms have to deal with a lot of resistance from many of Menz’s citizens. During the backlash, three missionary couples are put on trial after being falsely accused of stealing arks from churches around town, which was impossible since the churches were only reachable by plane or helicopter. During the trial, many citizens of Menz and other larger Ethiopian cities like capital city Addis Ababa signed petitions to free the Lindholms and try to vouch for them as upstanding Christians. Though they were driven out of Menz for a month, they returned and still ministered to people throughout Ethiopia and converted a lot of citizens to Christianity.
Lindholm writes so well about the strong faith that united them and the Menz residents despite the Lindholms being Southern American missionaries reaching out to Ethiopian people. The Lindholms weren’t just going in and out of the community, but made Ethiopia home for years by building relationships and starting community projects to help the small rural towns there. They also defied threats of violence to deliver the word of God and that showed their great commitment. Out of Darkness Into Light also shows the bravery of the Ethiopian people who left their indigenous religions behind and faced violence themselves for converting to Christianity. Instead of talking in a derogatory manner about rural Ethiopians, she shows the resiliency and kindness of the residents of the East African nation.
Out of Darkness Into Light would be best for seasoned Christian readers who want to learn more about missionary work and how to reach out to people from different cultures. Lindholm’s book would also be best for readers who want to learn about faith and how to spread faith through acts of service and respect for other people. Even people who aren’t religious will be inspired by the kindness shown between the citizens and missionaries. Out of Darkness Into Light is a memoir that will inspire readers to help people and improve their lives.