ARE YOU GOING TO STOP?
The true story of Gladys Aylward and her
orphanage
By Catherine Mackenzie
Illustrated by Rita Ammasarri
Christian Focus. 24 pages. £4.99
ISBN 978 1 781 911 617
This is one of Catherine Mackenzie’s books especially written for children. It is very clear and readable; I would have loved to have owned it as a child.
It tells the story of Gladys Aylward, a young lady ‘in service’ in London, who longed to serve God as a missionary in China. She was so convinced God was calling her that she saved all the money she could for her travels. Despite others thinking she wasn’t a suitable candidate for missionary work, she made it to China after a long, dangerous journey.
Her first job was to help Jeannie Lawson set up an inn for Chinese mule drivers. As she learned the language she began telling them, and the curious children around, lots of stories and of God’s love.
After Jeannie’s death, Gladys travelled to other places and in one started an orphanage, even adopting some of the children. She became a Chinese citizen and spied for the government during the war. This resulted in her life becoming endangered and she famously travelled about 100 miles with all the orphanage children over mountains and rough terrain to safety, kept by God.
This book gives children an idea of what missionary work is like, and how God called and used Gladys in his service. He gave her a burning desire to serve him and she acted on it, obeying God’s call.
Gladys often wondered why God made her small and dark when all the women around her were tall and blonde. She discovered why when she went to China!
