Kindle Price: $9.99

Save $9.96 (50%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Leoma G. Gilley
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Launching Into the Unknown: Discovering the beautiful and bewildering world of the Sudanese (The “Not How I Planned It” Memoirs Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Leoma Gilley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 45 ratings
See all formats and editions

"What should I bring to Africa?"

The answer I got to that question at 31 years old was "Whatever makes you feel at home." Having lived in the southern United States, I had no idea what to pack. Once I arrived in Africa, I adjusted quickly to the various places I lived. “Home” became more of a state of mind than a physical location or set of things.

Some of my most unique experiences happened because I said yes to adventuring half-way around the globe:

  • Waking in the middle of the night to find the house invaded by army ants;
  • Realizing I was the only white person on a very full bus and feeling comfortable with that;
  • Meeting someone at a shop and ending up in their home having breakfast;
  • Spending an afternoon at the Sudanese ambassador’s house;
  • Enjoying sheep intestines while thinking it is macaroni.

This is but a small fraction of the story, for Sudan was fuller, richer, more changeable, unpredictable, and fascinating than I expected. The people are gracious, forgiving, and hospitable. The tastes, sights, and sounds reflect a vibrant, determined, and joyful richness that overcomes poverty and significant difficulties. I was challenged and encouraged while learning great patience and the value of perseverance. This story bears my immense gratitude, especially to the Sudanese, who have taught me so much.

Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 1
    The “Not How I Planned It” Memoirs
  2. Print length
    242 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    July 2, 2023
  6. File size
    4905 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

Review

Written as a series of letters to her cousin, Harriet, Gilley's book is filled with interesting detail. Anyone who has lived in another culture will easily identify with the difficulties she meets with a delightful sense of humor: the airline that "will fly" but not today; spending a cold night in a bus in the Sahara after the axle breaks in deep sand; being designated to cope with "a 10 lb. chunk of buffalo meat complete with skin, fat, gristle, hair, and bone at 8:00 on a Saturday night." BlueInk Review

About the Author

Leoma was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, as an only child. Her father was a gifted storyteller, and she inherited that gift and continues to develop it. She obtained her BS in speech and language pathology from the University of Tennessee and worked for several years as a speech therapist. She then studied for her MA in the same field and worked in a speech and hearing clinic in Macon, GA. In 1988, she earned a PhD in Linguistics from the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies.Linguistics fascinated Leoma, and in 1979 she felt called to join Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. This affiliation led her to more adventure than she had expected and she lived most of her adult life in Africa, about twenty years of that in the Sudan. She has traveled widely and enjoyed discovering the languages and cultures of the places she visited. After thirty-seven years, she retired and settled in Knoxville, TN. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CB1NSR1L
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Peak Press (July 2, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 2, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4905 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 242 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 45 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Leoma G. Gilley

Leoma G. Gilley

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Leoma is curious and wants to understand the world around her as well as the world inside. Her writing reflects this search as she examines the inner world of the spiritual as well as observes the large and small events of her everyday life. Follow Leoma and receive 5 of her latest poems.

Leoma is a linguist, international traveler, author, storyteller and speaker. She has a PhD in Linguistics from the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and has written several linguistic articles and a book on the sound system of the Shilluk language. She has traveled widely in Africa and Europe, mostly on her own. As part of her work with Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International, she has spoken to many groups, both small and large. She loves to tell stories and also to try to answer some of the questions that we should all be asking about life, God, those who differ from us and how to deal with life's challenges.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
45 global ratings
A wonderful account of cross-cultural adventure!
5 Stars
A wonderful account of cross-cultural adventure!
So much fun to read this account of exploring Sudanese culture. From “sausage trees” to flight delays (you can’t buy a ticket unless you have a ticket!) to various household “visitors” (shrews, bats!) I’m impressed with the author’s resilience and positivity!
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Jim Lyon
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an entertaining read and educational
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found myself visualizing what the author was talking about. When I would stop reading for the day, I always looked forward to continuing my travels through this author's story. A very visual book for me. I felt myself there most of the time. Enjoyed the humor and awestruck by the adventures and courage and flexibility of Dr. Gilley. A wonderful read.
Helpful
 Report
Dixie M
5.0 out of 5 stars Challenges Change To Victories
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
Want to laugh out loud on an adventure with an American female missionary headed to the Sudan?
Looking for a great birthday or Christmas gift, appropriate for pre-teen to senior adult? “Launching Into The Unknown,” written by linguist expert, Dr. Leoma Gilley, is the answer. Confronting frequent trials in her travels, instead of complaining with every other breath, Leoma meets the difficulties with faith and humor. God answered prayer, sometimes by very unusual means, making a way when there seemed to be none and opening tightly closed doors of bureaucracy for her. Learning much in the process, she not only accepted her painful challenges, but made them victories.

Leoma’s genuine love for the Sudanese people shines brightly throughout “Launching Into The Unknown.” Cultural education comes wrapped in a wealth of humorous stories, accompanied by her insightful and informative first-hand knowledge.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
John Hallquist
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging read
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
Leoma Gilley's title explains the theme of her book. The first half covers her training up to the point of arrival on her station. Her “letters to cousin Harriet” provide engaging descriptions of the training, and the story moves along. I went to the atlas many times as I read this book, as the Kindle edition had a map that was not sharp enough to enlarge. Ms. Gilley is helped into the Unknown by friends she meets along the way, and by people who already are living in the new locations. Even in the linguistic aspect of the unknown she finds helpers and prior efforts. My favorite quote: “Until I got to Sudan, the only people I ever met who liked slimy okra were real Southerners.” I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and heartily recommend it.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
S. Avish
5.0 out of 5 stars Not to be missed!
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
"Launching into the Unknown" is a memoir that recounts the real-life adventures and misadventures of the author in her travels to Africa, especially to Sudan. Comprised of many stories in the form of letters home to her cousin, the author describes in often humorous detail what it was like for her to replant herself in Africa and adjust to conditions most Americans could not even imagine. The book provides great insight into the culture shock many Americans experience when traveling to cultures and physical environments so different than what they are used to. The stories are sometimes poignant and sometimes bittersweet, but the author's sense of humor and storytelling abilities shine through every time. Once I started reading, I could not put it down, always wondering what unbelievable thing would happen next. I highly recommend this book!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
NBS
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Bewildering Travel Through Another's Launch
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
"Launching into the Unknown" is a great book about the country and people of Sudan.
It is written in such a way that drew me into Leoma's adventures through the letters
she writes to her cousin back in America. It's a great book if you are interested in African
cultures, if you love to have travel adventures, if you are interested in missionary work, if you
are planning to visit Africa, if you want to learn about Sudan through the eyes of another,
if you want to observe instant flexibility with few personal expectations, and the list goes on.
Helpful
 Report
The Nana
5.0 out of 5 stars Don’t make the same mistake they I did!
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
I started this book late one evening and had a hard time putting it down. So much for a good nights sleep. I could not wait to finish it. Wonderful first hand insight into a culture with such a diverse people. I admire the writer’s courage and humor. You will not be disappointed.
Helpful
 Report
Rhonda Perry
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
I found this book completely fascinating. Written as letters to her cousin, Leoma tells of her adventure traveling to, and living in, Africa. From learning how to speak Arabic, to dealing with snakes, you never knew what was going to happen next.
Helpful
 Report
Ayep Ayep
5.0 out of 5 stars Remembering...
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
I loved remembering what life I rural Africa was like. I knew most of the folks in this book... such good memories. I'm so grateful for the friendship of Africans and this book reminded me again how special to have lived some years in their villages. Thanks!
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Alison
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and plenty of Humor
Reviewed in Canada on October 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
If you have ever gone to stay or live in a very different culture, or even if you wonder what it would be like, this book is for you. As I knew the author in Sudan, I had a special interest in that part of the book. But it is so well written that it will carry you forward and you will find it hard to put down. The blend of sensitivity, understanding, and humour is irresistible.
Report
Pamela Bertha Hollman
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, detailed, humourous, poignant and true!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2024
Verified Purchase
For those of us who lived and worked alongside Leoma during many of the years covered in her book, Launching into the Unknown provides an authentic and vivid reminder of the life and experiences we shared. Leoma is a wonderful story teller and the scenes described came before us in detailed, skilful and colourful pictures. She takes us through not only the scenes and memories but giving insights into her own thoughts and perceptions of the people and culture she was becoming immersed in.
For readers who have not shared in the experiences first hand this book will provide a graphic entry into the culture, practices, challenges and joys of a vastly different life style and world view. It is not merely a description of the situations the author found herself living in but it gives a perceptive insight into her own life journey and how this contributed to her personal growth and the shaping of her life leading the reader to a richer understanding of her as a person.
Report
Jutta Blühberger
5.0 out of 5 stars A real page-turner
Reviewed in Germany on July 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the author's adventures. She writes in a clear and crisp style and you get the feeling of being right there with her. Having experienced many similar situations it reminded me of my own first years in Africa. When I finished the book, it took me a bewildering moment to realize that I am in Austria not in Africa.
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report