By faith, can the sheep know the shepherd’s voice?Right after she marries in 1970, love carries Hannah Claire to Nigeria, following her husband David to the mission field—for only two years, she thinks. Miracle upon miracle brings five-year-old African orphan Adaolisa into the young wife’s life and she becomes a mother. Can the love for a child keep her where she doesn’t want to be? The children … The children of wickedness threaten to make her a widow; they threaten everything, and danger abounds! Only by obedience can Hannah and her revivalist husband survive and prosper in a land torn by violence.
more
I really liked the premise for this book and so I was quite excited for the opportunity to read it. Having said that though, I was surprised that I found myself struggling through it. The faith element was very high which I appreciated, but I think it fell short on the realism for me and I think that prevented me from connecting with the characters as much a I was hoping.
I have heard some amazing true stories of people speaking in tongues and discover they are speaking the actual language of the people around them. Although I have never attended a church where people speak in tongues, I believe that God can use people in that way and it can be an incredible testimony. I struggle however with a person suddenly being able to speak the language of a different people and it becomes a permanent new skill. I think something about that concept cheapens the effort countless missionaries have put into learning the language and customs of people to reach them for Christ.
I admit that I am a person who likes a lot of realism in what I read. I will also admit that I believe that can sometimes be a flaw of mine because it prevents me from enjoying the true nature of fiction. Honestly when I take the realism factor out this wasn’t a bad story. It was fast-paced and encouraging. So while this wasn’t one of my favorites, I believe it’s strongly due to personal taste and not the author’s storytelling abilities.
*I received a copy of this book through celebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
An interesting book that was not at all what I expected. Listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit, David and Hannah Claire each find themselves in very unexpected situations. As a story about missionaries, faith plays a huge part and the results of that are quite openly recorded. I loved the way they used what they had available to help fund their work. Hannah Claire’s struggle with fear and learning to leave everything in the Lord’s hands resonated with me as a lesson we all can learn!
I received an ARC of this book through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.
Hannah finds herself in the wilds of Africa, following her husband, David as he answers the call to be a missionary. After all it is just for two years that they will be in Nigeria and then back to the states and family. Hannah is led by God to a slave auction where a five year old orphan girl was being sold and they outbid all the bidders to keep her from sold to some other man and possibly becoming a sex slave. Now Hannah finds herself an instant mother and she loves this child fiercely as a true mother would. David finds lots to do as well as being a street preacher and Hannah works a couple of days in the week. They also do a little exporting and raised extra funds. This allows them to meet different people there. Hannah lives in constant fear for Davids life, she wants to trust the Lord but has a hard time placing her husband completely in God’s hands. She also longs to go back home but will not do so until the visa for her adopted daughter comes through. There is victories and disappointments along with added dangers as they strive to do what the Lord has placed in their hearts. As you end this book, you are looking forward to the continuing of their story in the next book.
Hannah Claire’s Wilderness
Following the leading of the Lord in their lives, Hannah and David go to Nigeria as missionaries. Not knowing the dangers they will face while there, they must walk by faith, only Hannah struggles with her faith as she longs for home in Texas.
Having not read the first book in this series, I was slightly confused at first as to what was going on. This second book apparently picks up where the first left off, but once I realized that, I was able to quickly get caught up in this story.
This story of trust God and being willing to surrender to His plan with faith that he will see you through was a very enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, but was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of this book.
I liked this story but it was not my favorite from this author. It was interesting to see how Hannah Claire was able to do some things when she and John David made it to Africa but I enjoyed the stories in Texas better. I did like how they became part of Adaolisa’s life. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Hannah Claire’s Wilderness
Hannah and her husband David are missionaries in Nigeria. She has a dream about a baby in danger but she is actually five years old. Hannah does get homesick for Texas where her family is and keeps hoping to have a child of her own.
Hannah is young. Such a strong person and loves working with her husband in being a missionary. I loved that Adaolisa ends up with a monkey for a pet. Had a cool name of Jocko.
This is part of a series but could be read as a stand alone. But it is always good to read all the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review.
This has been a wonderful story of a young couple who become missionaries and travel to Nigeria. I loved reading about the land and the exotic animals there. I can’t imagine being young like Hannah and following her husband to a foreign place. It was a place that was hard to live at times . What a joy it was for Hannah and David to be able to save a five year old girl named Adaolisa. She was definitely a gift from God. They young girl had been through so much and now she found a new beginning with Hannah and David.
It was amazing how God provided a way for Hannah to understand the language that Adaolisa spoke and it warmed my heart to read how quickly they bonded. I remember watching a show a few weeks ago about a man in Africa that made sandals out of tires. What a surprise when it was included in this story. It is not an easy task, but the workmanship was unbelievable .
The trials that Hannah and David endure are at times hard to read. What would it be like to be in a foreign land knowing that the enemy was out there trying to destroy you? Spreading the Word of God will take lots of prayer as the couple seek to spread the Good news. I could picture men surrounding their camp ready to cause damage and then angels appear to cover them in peace and safety. Hannah wants to leave but David assures her that God will protect them. Will Hannah trust God as they do the work they have been called to? The thing that really struck me was how young they were and answered the call on their lives. I know at eighteen I would not have had the courage to do what Hannah and David did.
As David goes out into the streets to preach, Hannah is a little fearful for his safety. She is constantly saying they should return to the states, but David is not ready to go. I loved reading how Hannah was tested in her faith and how determined David was to follow God’s calling. The story is well written and delivers a great idea of what it was like to be missionaries in the 1970s. The author intrigues readers with her knowledge of Africa and the cuisine. Hannah is at times discouraged but what she really needs to work through is her trust that God will keep them safe.
I loved reading how the Lord worked in Hannah and David’s life and showed then that He would provide their needs. There are many lessons in the story that touched my heart. We all struggle at time with trusting God. Hannah will find herself learning that God is in control. When you have a call on your life like David you obey and trust God to keep you safe.
” I know now that being obedient is the way we can show God how much we love Him.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
We follow Hannah and David to Nigeria as Missionaries. There are a lot of miracles and a dialog of daily family life of Hannah. Interesting story line but I just had trouble liking Hannah who the story is told through. I really like Caryl’s books but this one is just not what I expected.
I was gifted a copy through CelebrateLit and the author. No review was required. My review is voluntary.
Once again, Ms. McAdoo has delivered a great story. This sequel to John David’s Calling is full of adventure and had my attention from the first page. This story tells of God’s power and what he can do. I liked the way that Hannah grew in her faith, especially toward the end. Adaolisa was a delight and Mum and Pop wonderful. I really liked this book and would recommend it.
I received a PDF copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review.