Ever since I saw the movie many years ago called
*The Inn of the Sixth Happiness*, I've wanted to learn more about the true story of Gladys Aylward, known as the Small Woman.
This is the
1st of those
once in awhile *Abounding Heart posts* and I hope you enjoy what I've discovered ... the truth behind the story :o)
"My heart is full of praise that one so insignificant, uneducated, and ordinary in every way could be used to His glory for the blessing of His people in poor persecuted China." ~ Gladys Aylward toward the end of her life.Gladys Aylward was born short in size and short in worldly status but what was lacking in height and social standing she made up for in determination and spirit.
Born in London, on February 24, 1902, to a working-class family Gladys became a wealthy family's parlor maid at the age of 14.
She trudged through this life of routine
until one day after attending a church service a stranger confronted her with the message of salvation.
Gladys, newly reconciled with God, began attending Young Life services and reading about the far-away land of China from books in the vast library of her employer. This birthed an unstoppable desire to go to China herself. Gladys applied with the China Inland Mission as a candidate for China.
After reviewing her advanced age and test results it was determined that she was too old and unfit to learn the difficult Chinese language. At the age of 28, Gladys dreams were momentarily crushed; she decided if she couldn't go with CIM she would go on her own. Every month, Gladys would save all the money she could from the small paycheck she received to buy a one-way train ticket to China.
On Oct. 15, 1932, Gladys left Liverpool Street Station by train to travel across Russia and eventually into Northern China. She carried 2 suitcases, a bedroll and wore a bright orange jacket. At one point on her journey she was asked to get off the train as it was being used to carry only Russian soldiers. She insisted on staying and was dropped off later in the middle of nowhere to eventually retrace her steps on foot and take another train through Siberia. After a brief journey to Japan to confirm with the British counsel, Gladys finally set foot in her beloved China.
Gladys began her missionary career in Yangcheng working with veteran missionary Jeannie Lawson. She helped operate an inn for mule drivers where she learned Chinese from daily interaction with these travelers. After Jeannie's death, Gladys was unable to financially sustain the Inn.
The local officials approached her and asked if she would be willing to be a "foot inspector." The tradition of binding Chinese women's feet had recently been outlawed, but due to cultural perceptions of beauty it was still being practiced in many places.
Gladys began traveling around inspecting the bones in women's feet. As she traveled she would tell stories from the Bible and many looked forward to the days they could hear these strange new stories.
The people's esteem and respect for Gladys also continued to grow throughout the region. What was even more remarkable was the ability she had to take on Chinese culture and language.
By 1937, when the Japanese begin bombing nearby mountain villages, Gladys had so identified herself with the Chinese people that she refused to leave even as artillery shells begin to fall. She even became a spy for the Chinese army using her foreign appearance to travel across battle lines and also bring food to trapped villagers. She was so effective that the Japanese even put a price on her head.
During this time Gladys also adopted war orphans and eventually had over 100 children in her care.
In 1940, the war had escalated and she was forced to leave Northern China and head south to Sian through the thickening battle, over mountains and across the Yellow River. This experience left her mentally and emotionally drained.
After recovery in 1943 she moved to Chengdu to begin work in a local Church as a Bible woman. This work was usually reserved for only Chinese women and involved evangelism, travel, and Bible teaching.
Gladys had taken on so much of the Chinese culture that it was unquestioned whether she would fit in the role.
After 20 years in China, Gladys returned to England in 1940. She was embarrassed to find that she quickly became a celebrity. A book, movie and TV documentary were all made about her life. To many Gladys became known by many as "The Small Women," the title of her biography. She continued to travel and speak about her beloved China, returning to Taiwan in 1957.
Humble in spirit, Gladys once made this comment to a friend, "I wasn't God's first choice for what I've done for China. There was somebody else. I don't know who it was --- God's first choice.
It must have been a man --- a wonderful man, a well-educated man. I don't know what happened. Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn't willing.
And God looked down and saw Gladys Aylward."
The above is Copyright Felicity Tinker
Many years after Gladys arrived in China, she felt that she must return to Britain. In doing so, she faced ‘culture shock’.
She said: "Even in the churches themselves, the Christians appeared lukewarm.
The women were dressed in the height of fashion, and social events were of much greater importance than the prayer meeting or the spread of the gospel message.
It was far harder to reach the hearts of an English congregation than those of the ignorant, heathen Chinese.”
Then in the early 1950s, after the Communist Revolution, she tried to re-enter China but was refused entry. So in 1953 she went to Taiwan, where she set up an orphanage. She remained there until her death on January 3rd 1970.
Her life's story is the subject of the 1957 book "The Small Woman" by Alan Burgess, and the following year it was made into a Hollywood movie, "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness," starring Ingrid Bergman.
She was very saddened by all the inaccuracies in the movie and felt that it had tainted her reputation.
Photo of Gladys in her old age and the tombstone are courtesy of Find A Grave.com
and Chris Nelson, one of the photographers and transcribers in Taiwan.MISS GLADYS AYLWARD, MISSIONARY (1902-1970)
Born on the Twenty-Fourth of February
Nineteen Hundred and Two in London, England.
She came to China in Nineteen Hundred and Thirty
to preach the Gospel in response to the Lord's call,
And became a citizen of the Republic of China
in Nineteen Hundred and Forty one.
She was laid to rest in the Lord at Taipei, Taiwan,
on the Second Day of January, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy.
* * * *
"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
it remains alone;
but if it dies it bears much fruit." - John 12:24
Burial:Christ's College Cemetery
Danshui, Taiwan
NOTE:There are 3 - MP3s available from old recordings ofGladys herself telling her story.
I have listened to them ~
she tells an amazing story of
how the Lord spoke directly to her heart
and how she had to respond ...
It's been a very long while since I've posted an ABOUNDING HEARTS story . . .
