In his introduction to I Heard A Voice, Archbishop Harry Goodhew lists his reactions to reading the book as pleasure, admiration for the author’s courage, and being struck by the personal nature of the account of her life.

For my part, I found the book interesting and easy to read as I was taken back to the work of CMS in Tanzania in the early 60s and saw the challenges, both spiritual and physical, that missionaries had to face. It was great to meet again through the book people I had seen at CMS Summer Schools over the years, to be reminded again of how God had and is still using them in bringing Tanzanians to know Christ.

Just after I finished reading the book, I went to a meeting with Steve and Kate Bradford who are working at Berega in the hospital and the Lay Training Centre where Jo had served. The video I saw took on a new dimension as I saw a new generation still needing to hear the gospel.

But I Heard A Voice is Jo’s personal journey as she sought to serve God and bring the gospel to those who may never have heard of the Lord Jesus. She shares her struggles and joys at a deep level, and I was challenged to think of my own walk with God and how one often takes God for granted and becomes caught up in the busyness of life. She has constantly sought to seek God’s wisdom at each stage of her life and we see her effort in reading the Bible and praying.

I was also struck with how keenly she listened to sermons and sought to apply them to her life. And it is a privilege to hear God’s word read and taught week after week in church and at Bible study.

How often do we encourage those missionaries we know by sending them tapes, videos and books so they can be built up in their knowledge and love of God as they minister to others?

I’m sure you’ll be encouraged, stimulated and challenged as you read this book and see how God continues to work his purposes out in the world and graciously uses his servants like Jo to bring people to himself.