ANGOLA IN MY HEART: Ruth Hadley PB

Ruth Hadley went to Angola in 1982. When civil war broke out in 1984, she stayed, despite the advice of the Foreign Office. For 34 years she lived among the Chokwe people, sharing in their privations and the perils of conflict. This is a story of courage in the face of danger, compassion in the face of suffering and confidence in God.

When civil war broke out in 1984, she stayed, despite the advice of teh Foreign Office. For thirty-four years she lived among the Chokwe people, sharing in their privations and the perils of conflict- including disease and hunger, gun battles and landmines. Alongside facilitating in-depth Bible study, she organised and dispersed humanitarian and medical aid and, when the war finished, oversaw the building and equipping of four rural schools.

This is a story of courage in the face of danger, compassion in the face of suffering and confidence in God.

'An inspiring and moving account of a life poured out in service for Jesus Christ!'
Ian Burness, Mission Partner, Central Africa 1979 - 1990

As reviewed by Stephen McQuoid, General Director of GLO, in March 2023: 'This tells the story of Ruth Hadley, a missionary who spent 34 of her 61 years in Angola, before dying of cancer on the 19th July 2017. Ruth was someone who served the cause of mission under incredibly difficult circumstances. She was intelligent and energetic, loved sport, excelled in hockey and maintained a passion for football, not least her team West Ham United. She went to Angola as a 26 year old in 1982 and spend the rest of her life working among the Chokwe people in the North East of the country. The Angola where she worked was war torn and a terrible place to be. War damages the very fabric of a nation and the life she became accustomed to was arduous in the extreme. It was demanding, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too.

Despite all she went through, Ruth never lost herself. She began her career working with missionaries whose eccentricities and methodologies were reminiscent of an earlier colonial era and this fresh faced and unconventional young missionary arriving at the scene must have raised eyebrows. However, her tenacity, sense of humour and sheer grit were hard to fault and her capacity for work and endless courage meant that she achieved a great deal in what was to be a very productive missionary career. She also worked intelligently and strategically, ensuring there would be a succession plan in place after she had left. If you wanted to be challenged to the very core of your being, this powerful book is for you.'

Published by Echoes International 26th January 2023
Paperback 145 pages