Profile of an Inspirational #4

One woman whose biography God used to first plant the seeds of orphan ministry in my heart was Gladys Aylward. Through the teaching of a dear home school mom/friend (see this post) and the inspiration of stories like Dave and Neta Jackson’s Flight of the Fugitives, I was moved and challenged by the testimony of this amazing woman. Born in England in 1902, Aylward came to faith in Christ in her early adulthood and later in her life felt burdened to share God’s Word in China. After applying to China Inland Mission and facing rejection (told she was too old to learn Chinese and not fit for the job), Aylward blazed her own trail to the mission field, traveling to Yangcheng to serve with missionary Jeannie Lawson. While God gave her many opportunities to serve Him, like running an inn for travelers and working for the government to unbind the feet of women and girls (which had been dangerously tied up to remain small and “beautiful”), Gladys Aylward also had an amazing ministry to Chinese orphans. One by one, she provided a home for abandoned or homeless children, beginning with little Ninepence, who was named for the amount which Aylward paid to rescue her from a child-seller. In all, Aylward took in over 100 children in her years in China. When war mandated that she leave the region, Gladys took her entire band of orphans with her. In what was to be a legendary journey, Aylward made the long and arduous trek over the mountains and the Yellow River to safety. Despite repeated threats from the enemy, starvation, and dangerous mountain crossings, not one of Gladys’ Aylward’s orphans died on the journey. She truly was a woman whom God used in incredible ways to minister to and care for the needy children of China, and a woman whose example I and others are still blessed by today. I would highly recommend that you read more about this shining light and faithful follower of Christ!

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