Tag: Missionaries

Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor

Annie & Rebekah

I feel overwhelmed at the thought of trying to write a review that would do this book justice… it’s FULL of jewels.

I first read the paperback book “Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor” when I was 16 or 17; it is one of those books that I can confidently say impacted my life to the extent that my life was from that point forward changed.

Hudson Taylor’s was a life of extreme commitment to God and to the furtherance of the Gospel. He was a man of humility, a man filled with the Spirit, a man who lived out love for his neighbor, and a man who walked with God. I found encouragement in the way God prepared him during his younger years, for the way that God brought a young lady named Maria into his life, for the way he practically served God, and for the way he walked with God. I find encouragement in his story that he started well, continued well, and finished well.

In Eric Metaxas’ book on the life of abolitionist William Wilberforce, he said: “…a short period of the short life of one man is, well and wisely directed, sufficient to remedy the miseries of millions for ages.”

I think that this could be said of Hudson Taylor. His life affected the spiritual lives and destinies of thousands…I wouldn’t be surprised if it was millions, not just from his life directly nor during his lifetime along, but rippling outward from his life through others who were impacted and influenced by him and throughout generations to come.

May we be counted among those whose short lives are well and wisely directed; may God continue His work of changing lives through our lives. To His praise and His glory and for the good of our fellow humanity.

“I frequently felt at that time, and said, that if I pretended to believe the Bible I would at any rate attempt to live by it, putting it fairly to the test, and if it failed to prove true and reliable, would throw it overboard altogether. These views I retained when the Lord was pleased to bring me to Himself. And I think I may say that since then I have put God’s Word to the test. Certainly it has never failed me. I have never had reason to regret the confidence I have placed in its promises or to deplore following the guidance I have found in its directions.” (page 10)

 Hudson (1) cropped

 

The paperback book “Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor” is an abridged version (and very well done) of the two original biographies written by the son and daughter-in-law of Hudson Taylor. The first of the two is “Hudson Taylor In Early Years” and the second is “Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission.” Both are excellent and contain extra details the paperback does not contain. However, if you’re looking for a shorter book than what those two bring, the “Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor” is perfect.

The book I read in my teens is not to be confused with a different approach to this story titled by the very similar name “Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret.”

If a youth or adult is not used to reading 1800s English, this book (“Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor”) might prove a bit difficult to read, but I would say definitely worth the effort.

 

“If we are faithful to God in little things, we shall gain experience and strength that will be helpful to us in the more serious trials of life.” (page 43)

 

Hudson (4) cropped

 

-Annie

PC: Matt Enterline

 

 

“Poor, uninfluential, and without what would ordinarily be regarded as training or talent for leadership, how unlikely that Hudson Taylor should ever become the founder and director of a worldwide organization embracing missionaries from all evangelical denominations and every Protestant land. Yet this was indeed to be the case, for He who is the great, the only Worker, still delights to use what has been well called ‘God’s five-rank army of weakness.'” (page 172, 173)

 

“There are several different ways of working for God, as Mr. Taylor reminded the little company. ‘One is to make the best plans we can and carry them out to the best of our ability. This may be better than working without plan, but it is by no means the best way of serving our Master. Or, having carefully laid our plans and determined to carry them through, we may ask God to help us and to prosper us in connection with them. Yet another way of working is to begin with God: to ask His plans, and to offer ourselves to Him to carry out His purposes.’ This, then, was the attitude taken up. Day by day the needs of the whole work were laid before the Lord, guidance being sought as to His will in connection with them. Mr. Taylor continued: ‘Going about it in this way, we leave the responsibility with the Great Designer, and find His service one of sweet restfulness. We have no responsibility save to follow as we are led, and we serve One who is able both to design and to execute, and whose work never fails.'” (page 335)

 

Hudson (2) cropped

Ida Scudder

Annie & Rebekah

In an earlier post, we introduced you to the excellent book series titled “Christian Heroes: Then & Now” produced by YWAM publishing. In a recent YWAM catalog, the story is told of how these books are now impacting the lives of inmates across the nation. To date, these books have reached 550 prisons throughout the United States and God is using them to touch hearts and lives. To learn more about this, you can visit: Books With A Mission.

We have recently been touched by yet another story of a life well lived. “Ida Scudder: Healing Bodies, Touching Hearts” was an inspiring and challenging chronicle of a life devoted to practically showing God’s love to the people of India.

After nearly 60 years of service and approaching her 90th birthday, Ida finished her race here on earth. An Indian man spoke at Ida’s funeral; he was the General Superintendent of the hospital that she had founded. He said this of Ida:

“Only those who can see the invisible, can achieve the impossible. Dr. Ida Scudder has achieved the impossible through her close touch with the invisible God, through her faith.”

Ida Scudder_0.jpg

A week ago, the name “Ida Scudder” meant close to nothing to me. But now, as I have learned of the impact that this one life had as she was yielded to Christ, living to love, sacrifice, spend and be spent, I am reminded of what God might do through the obedience of one of His children and the impact that He wants to have through our lives. What Ida would have missed, and what the people of India would have missed, had she not given attention to what God was calling her to is staggering! We may never know how far reaching our obedience to Christ is in this life and in eternity.

God’s heart is for people and He chooses to use us to bring His light and life and love to those who do not yet know. The impossible is possible with our God who has no limits. “Unlikeliness” has nothing to do with anything when it’s God’s work done God’s way. Ida saw the invisible and achieved the impossible and the unlikely, because she walked with God…the same God that we too can walk with. Who knows what He might do in our day, if we live not for ourselves, but for Christ who died for us and rose again. Each of us have the opportunity to impact this world with the love of Christ. May this be our hearts’ prayer:

“…to love as You loved, and live as You lived, to never give up on giving You my life.”

(Song “Show Me What It Means” by Meredith Andrews)

Ida Scudder_4.jpg

Our family enjoyed listening to Ida’s story in the evenings using the audio version, which is identical in content to the book. If you want to be encouraged and inspired by this story, you can find the audiobook as well as the paperback book from the publisher, or you can find the paperback book on Amazon.

-Bekah

Photos by: Matt Enterline

Ecuador 1956

Annie & Rebekah

Here are some more books and a documentary as a follow up to the last post on the lives and deaths of the five men who were missionaries to Ecuador. So, if you haven’t read the last post, titled “Through Gates of Splendor”, go do that now to get the background for these resources! 🙂

One of the great features in this documentary, is that people are interviewed individually, including members of the Waodani tribe, as well as the widows of the five men. In these interviews, they share their memories and experiences of the five men and the events of that time in Ecuador and the years leading up to their time there. Another interesting feature is the original video footage of the men and their families.

I love this documentary.

Beyond (1)

 

Jungle Pilot is a biography of Nate Saint, the missionary pilot who served missionaries in Ecuador and who was also involved in the mission to reach the Waodani people. It is one of my favorite books. Included in this book are letters written by Nate as well as some of his journal entries. He had a gifting in writing; his writings are very interesting and help capture one’s attention. I love the insight into the story that this book gives as well as the window it creates through which we can look and get a glimpse into Nate’s thinking process, and his love and commitment to the Lord. Highly recommended!

 

Jungle

 

Rachel Saint was the older sister of Nate Saint and she too was a missionary in South America. After Nate’s death, she went to live with the Waodani tribe for 20 years, loving them and sharing Jesus with them, and remained with them until her death. Hers is another story of faithful service to the Lord.

 

Rachel

 

I’ve only recently discovered this book! It’s wonderful. This book begins with Jim’s childhood, continues with his growing up and college years, his life on the mission field, and then his final mission in life. It is filled with excerpts from journals and letters he had written, making this a much more personal book than what is sometimes found in biographies.

“Weaving together first-person accounts from friends with revealing excerpts from Jim’s own journals and personal letters, Elisabeth Elliot has crafted a stirring account of a man whose legacy will endure longer than he could have imagined.

“This gripping story of a life ignited by spiritual commitment will kindle within your own spirit a burning desire to enter fully and passionately into the adventure of faith.” (Taken from book cover)

Shadow

 

This book’s content is different from the movie of the same name. This book was written by Steve Saint, son of Nate Saint. Awesome book, and very humorous. This is the ongoing story of what has happened since the death of the five men.

Spear

 

This book was also written by Steve Saint and in it he shares stories of his life and his family’s life. For a time his family lived in the jungle with the Waodani. Very enjoyable and encouraging book.

 

Walking (2)

As with the book in the last post (“Through Gates of Splendor”), discretion should be used with all of these resources for young people, due to the nature and location/culture of the story. Some things also may not be appropriate for younger readers as the main characters in this story were in their 20s and 30s. Parents, reading these stories aloud to your children is a wonderful option as you can easily make them appropriate for your particular children, as you choose what information to read and what not to read. (Parents, you can also read these books, or watch the documentary, before handing them to your children if you feel your child is ready for this particular story.)

This list does not include all of the resources that are available on this missionary story, but this will get you started. 😉

 

-Annie

 

Photos by: Matt Enterline

Through Gates of Splendor

Annie & Rebekah

Let me introduce you to 5 young men who have been, for the last 10 years, some of my greatest encouragements to live life well; to live life in light of what really matters and will last….IMG_4977

Ten years ago this month, my parents, Rebekah, and I went to a missionary conference and among the speakers that day were Steve Saint and his friend Mincaye. Since then I have read (and re-read) the books and watched the documentary that records the remarkable story that Steve Saint and Mincaye are so intimately connected with. Through Gates of Splendor was the first book we read, and it tells so wonderfully the incredible story of the 5 young men (one of whom was Steve’s father), who moved from America to live in Ecuador as missionaries, eventually giving their very lives for the sake of the Gospel and the people God loves.

God has used these men: Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, Nate Saint, and Jim Elliot, to be an influence that has continued long past their lives on earth. Their lives ,    stories of devotion to God, and sacrifice, touched the remote tribe that they loved even to death, eventually bringing the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But, their story has touched many more, my life among the very many. I have found that while profoundly impacted by these men’s deaths, I in some ways, have been even more impacted by their lives. These were men who lived their lives for God, seeking Him and seeking to make Him known. In this book Elisabeth Elliot records, “From Rome, an American official wrote to one of the widows: ‘I knew your husband. He was to me the ideal of what a Christian should be.’”

IMG_4978

This book, Through Gates of Splendor, was written by Elisabeth Elliot. She was the wife of Jim Elliot, and after his death, went to live with the tribe that had speared her husband. The other wives were Barbara Youderian, Marilou McCully, Olive Fleming, and Marj Saint. These women are incredible examples of faithful, steadfast service to the Lord; they loved and served the Lord before marriage, while married, and did not stop when they became widows.

Barbara Youderian wrote after the deaths:

“I wrote a letter to the mission family, trying to explain the peace I have. I want to be free of self-pity. It is a tool of Satan to rot away a life. I am sure that this is the perfect will of God. Many will say, ‘Why did Rog get mixed up in this, when his work was with Jivaros?’ Because Rog came to do the will of Him that sent him. The Lord has closed our hearts to grief and hysteria, and filled in with His perfect peace.”

This month marks the 60th anniversary of these men completing their races that they ran, and ran well. May we receive from their examples encouragement, and a challenge to us, that we would lay aside every sin and the weight that so easily ensnares us, so that we might run with endurance this race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith…

IMG_4980

*Due to the nature and location/culture of the story, this makes for a great read-aloud for children (the parent can choose what to read and what pictures to show). Rebekah and I first became acquainted with the story when we were ages 11 and 13 (and our mom read it aloud to us then – screening it for our ages).

This is just one resource (and the one I would recommend starting with) that tells the story of this missionary venture. I plan on referencing more books and a documentary  about this same event…so get this book here at amazon or here at CBD (link to the edition we have – you can check to see if there’s a newer one) and read it so you’ll be ready for more! 🙂

-Annie

Photos by: Matt Enterline

 

Distant Fields: The Amazing Call of George Markey From Farmland to Missions

Annie & Rebekah

“The most important thing is to see where the Holy Spirit is moving

and get into the flow of the Holy Spirit.”

Distant Fields (cropped)

These words were once spoken to George Markey and seem to describe how George lived his life. In “Distant Fields: The Amazing Call of George Markey from Farmland to Missions”, Jed Gourley, son-in-law of pastor and missionary George Markey, chronicles the journey of one man who was surrendered and yielded to God, one man who was used by God because he not only believed in, but also followed Jesus!

We are blessed to have mutual friends of the Markey family. We have often received updates from our friends as to the current whereabouts of all of the Markey children. It was not only George who became a missionary. George’s wife, Pam, grew up serving the Lord in South Africa with her family. And now the children of George and Pam are literally all over the world ministering and taking the love of Christ to the lost and hurting.

One of my favorite parts in this book is when the Markeys were making their move from the United States to Ukraine and  brought all their children with them. (They ended up having nine children.) George and Pam’s ministry efforts were discouraged by some who thought that the Markey children would be a hindrance to the work. What some saw as a hindrance actually became their greatest blessing in the ministry! Isn’t that how God often works? God so often takes what the world, or even the church, thinks will work against us and He weaves it all together into something glorious!

Distant Fields_2 (cropped)

Anyone who reads this book will receive insight into the work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life. They also will read of the pain and discouragement that came to the Markey family during a difficult time of betrayal. But, what could have embittered a family was used to drive them closer to the Lord. They chose to surrender it all to the control of God. Praise God that they did, because their lives of obedience, love, and self-sacrifice have made an eternal difference in many people’s lives on more than one continent!

We enjoyed “Distant Fields” together as a family. Though it was not written particularly for the younger reader, anyone can learn from George’s simple faith in God and His Word. Along with the many victories, this book is very transparent when it comes to the real-life struggles that faced George and his family in the ministry. At some point we too, like the Markey family, will probably know someone who says that he or she is a Christian, but then by their actions or words, misrepresent Jesus. When that happens, it can be confusing and shocking. When a person does things their own way, it’s not Jesus’ fault! It’s because they are letting their flesh control them and not letting the Holy Spirit control them. The Holy Spirit is also called “The Spirit of Christ”. If we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives, then we will be more like Jesus. But, if we let our sinful flesh control us, then obviously our lives won’t look much like Jesus! If we are following Jesus, when a person does do something wrong toward us, we should remember a couple of things. First, that’s not the way Jesus is – Jesus is perfect. And second, it’s our response to the hurts done toward us that will make the difference. We can respond like Jesus! The life of George Markey is an inspiration and encouragement to not give up, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart! (Galatians 6:9) Only the Lord knows how many lives He touched through the obedience of this one man and his family!

The story of this modern-day missionary will challenge and encourage you, all the while strengthening your faith in the Word of God. You’ll enjoy the many amazing stories shared and insights given in “Distant Fields”.

“Distant Fields: The Amazing Call of George Markey from Farmland to Missions” can be purchased by going to www.distantfields.com or by going to Amazon.

-Rebekah

Distant Fields_1 (cropped)

Photos by: Matt Enterline