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Say to These Mountains
Say to These Mountains tells the true story of Wallace Turnbull, one of Haiti’s pioneers in development and missions. Over the course of 70 years, his work changed countless lives and influenced national policy in both Haiti and the United States. As told by Wallace’s granddaughter, this eloquent biography takes the reader on a journey through the life of a complex man and his adopted country, painting a picture of grace and mercy vastly different from the often-grim stories shared about the island nation and her people.
286 pages, Paperback
Published October 17, 2017
About the author
Elizabeth Turnbull
15 books20 followersElizabeth was born and raised in the rural mountains of Haiti where the songs of women on their way to market and the braying of a donkey formed the soundtrack of her life. Surrounded by storytellers, Elizabeth didn't have much choice in the matter – she simply fell in love with writing as a child, creating her first "book" in second grade.
Today, Elizabeth works full-time as the Senior Editor with Light Messages Publishing, a small independent publisher based out of Durham, NC. She has several books and their characters ambling about in her mind and hopes to set them free soon.
Today, Elizabeth works full-time as the Senior Editor with Light Messages Publishing, a small independent publisher based out of Durham, NC. She has several books and their characters ambling about in her mind and hopes to set them free soon.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 23, 2017
Say to These Mountains: A biography of faith and ministry in rural Haiti
by Elizabeth Turnbull
Light Messages Publishing
Biographies & Memoirs , Christian
Pub Date 17 Oct 2017
I am reviewing a copy of Say to These Mountains: A biography of faith and ministry in rural Haiti:
Wallace Turnbull was a pioneer in Haiti’s development and missions. He lost his Mother after his youngest brother was born. Wallace graduated from high-school from Bob Jones academy on May.19.1943, and then started his college training.
Wallace’s approach to evangelism was not conventional for the time. He would also deal with diseases, death and religious oppression. In June of 1949 about a year after they were married Eleanor and Wallace had a son. When there young son was less than two years old they took a break from the mission field.
This biography tells the story of a complex man. Written by his Granddaughter, we learn of this man’s passion for his adopted country.
I give Say to These Mountains: A biography of faith and ministry in rural Haiti.
Five out of five stars.
Happy Reading!
November 16, 2017
Say Yes to this Book
By weaving multiple plot threads into an engaging narrative fabric, author Elizabeth Turnbull creates a complex portrait of a nation and of a family in Say to These Mountains, her newly released biography of her grandfather, Wallace Turnbull, who spent almost seventy years as a missionary in Haiti.
This compelling biography reaches beyond the challenging physical landscape of the Haitian mountains—where Wallace Turnbull yoked himself to a people with whom he deeply and authentically connected—and into the psyche of a troubled nation.
Turnbull’s life story is not a tale of proselyting or spiritual hubris but one of service and respect as he participates in the struggle of a dignified people wishing to rise from poverty and from lives with limited options.
Readers who might be wary of the intentions of Christian missionaries will find here the story of a man who offered the Haitian people not only the promise heavenly rewards but also of a better life on earth. Elizabeth Turnbull presents a rare glimpse into the passion and humility of one man’s on-going labor in an evolving Haiti.
Working alongside his wife, and later with his children and grandchildren, Wallace Turnbull offered himself as a servant to a cause larger than himself—one that required belief, duty, self-sacrifice, and devotion. Turnbull and his family—whose lives are forever linked to Haiti’s political and economic history—built roads, schools, hospitals as well as churches and did so with open hearts, an open mind, and the belief that with faith all things are possible.
Say to These Mountains offers a remarkably uplifting, readable, and well-paced biography. Elizabeth Turnbull’s book is a page-turner; I couldn’t put it down.
—Robin Greene, author
By weaving multiple plot threads into an engaging narrative fabric, author Elizabeth Turnbull creates a complex portrait of a nation and of a family in Say to These Mountains, her newly released biography of her grandfather, Wallace Turnbull, who spent almost seventy years as a missionary in Haiti.
This compelling biography reaches beyond the challenging physical landscape of the Haitian mountains—where Wallace Turnbull yoked himself to a people with whom he deeply and authentically connected—and into the psyche of a troubled nation.
Turnbull’s life story is not a tale of proselyting or spiritual hubris but one of service and respect as he participates in the struggle of a dignified people wishing to rise from poverty and from lives with limited options.
Readers who might be wary of the intentions of Christian missionaries will find here the story of a man who offered the Haitian people not only the promise heavenly rewards but also of a better life on earth. Elizabeth Turnbull presents a rare glimpse into the passion and humility of one man’s on-going labor in an evolving Haiti.
Working alongside his wife, and later with his children and grandchildren, Wallace Turnbull offered himself as a servant to a cause larger than himself—one that required belief, duty, self-sacrifice, and devotion. Turnbull and his family—whose lives are forever linked to Haiti’s political and economic history—built roads, schools, hospitals as well as churches and did so with open hearts, an open mind, and the belief that with faith all things are possible.
Say to These Mountains offers a remarkably uplifting, readable, and well-paced biography. Elizabeth Turnbull’s book is a page-turner; I couldn’t put it down.
—Robin Greene, author
November 19, 2017
I have known Wally and Betty (son and daughter-in-law of Pastor Wallace) for several years, and knew that they had spent 30 years on the mission field in Haiti. But this book opened my eyes to just what that means. Wallace and Eleanor Turnbull helped to shape a nation from the ground (literally) up to the heavens through their nearly 70 years of ministry. Faith, work, service, hardship, sorrow, innovation, and abiding relationships mark their lives as recounted in this book. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in Haiti and its history or an inspirational life lived deeply rooted in confidence and reliance on God.
March 17, 2026
Because I know the Turnbull's this book was even more powerful. I would recommend it to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews