Christine HunterRecensioni

With no mission board to support or guide her, and less than ten dollars in her pocket, Gladys Aylward left her home in England to answer God's call to take the message of the gospel to China. With the Sino-Japanese War waging around her, she struggled to bring the basics of life and the fullness of God to orphaned children.

How a story this brilliant can ever go out of print astonishes me. I first discovered the Reader's Digest version as a child and it captivated me even then. Forty years later I was lucky to trip over this full copy of the story at our library's book sale. It is a highly romanticized but presumably factual account of the missionary work conducted by Gladys Aylward, a young woman of London, England who journeyed to China on her own hard-earned dime in the 1930s with little idea of what she was embarking on. Burgess is very fond of his subject, but he uses an overly fawning tone that infantilizes her character (as the novel's original title suggests.) Fortunately the inspiring story he has to work with succeeds at shining through, as does Gladys' courage and determination. The book's alternative title reflect that of the 1958 film version staring Ingrid Bergman, but it is also a misnomer; the location referred to was actually called the Inn of Eight Happinesses. A bit of googling turns up photos of the location today, and Wikipedia rounds out Gladys' life story.½

Biografía de Gladys Aylward, una misionera británica que atravesó China con un centenar de niños huérfanos ante la inminente invasión japonesa.

I read this years ago and it was wonderful! Have spent hours trying to find a copy of any type that I can afford.

This is a true story of faith, determination, heroism, valor, and amazing.

The Small Woman is the remarkable story of Gladys Alyward, an Englishwoman who became a missionary in China in the 1930s and 1940s. Gladys was known as Ai-weh-deh which meant "the virtuous one". She was there during the invasion by the Japanese, and rescued almost 100 children, and adopted 5. She led her life in prayer and service to God. Her fortitude and faith gained her the respect of many in China.
After nearly 20 years in China, she was able to return to England, where she continued to preach about Christianity.
My main concern with this book was that the pictures didn't correspond to the chapters where they were placed. Otherwise, this is a story of someone I had not known, and it was amazing to learn what she did.
#TheSmallWoman #AlanBurgess

I really enjoyed this autobiography. Amazing stories written very well. My only dislike, and I know I can't really count this towards my rating because it is real life, is the content. There are numerous instances of violence, attempted rape, mild language and disturbing elements. Not recommended for anyone under 15.

I am absolutely blown away by this woman and her faith. I cannot help but admire someone who was able to put so much faith in God and accomplish so much with so little. Her experiences are definitely worth a read and if you want a story that will uplift and inspire you then pick this up!

This book was recommended via this list of Missionary Biographies which is worth checking out;
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/10174784-my-top-ten-missionary-biogr...

This is a great book. It was my second time of reading about Gladys Aylward-the English Christian Missionary who was "unqualified" hence rejected by a missionary organisation so decided to go independently to China during a war......her reasoning;

To realize that millions of Chinese had never heard of Jesus Christ was to me a staggering thought, and I felt that sorely we ought to do something about it.

I love the simplicity of her faith throughout the book and the deep compassion she has for the Chinese who know nothing of God. She arrives in China after a journey fraught with danger and difficulty to be told that her first job will be dragging in and then cleaning up the mules as the owners listen to a Gospel message;

The first mule I pulled in was fortunately old and docile, but its owner was so frightened that he ran away, though he returned later when he found that his companions had come to no harm.

Later she begins to take in orphans to prevent them being trafficked and also becomes the local area foot inspector using this as an opportunity to preach the Gospel. The Chinese had a practice of binding the feet of all girls to ensure they did not grow too large as "small feet are beautiful" but obviously a lot of the women ended up crippled later in life;

I look back, I am amazed at the way God opened up the opportunities for service. I had longed to go to China, but never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that God would overrule in such a way that I would be given entrance into every village home; have authority to banish a cruel, horrible custom; have government protection; and be paid to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ as I inspected feet!

Over time her patience, dedication and love for the people paid off as people recognised the true source of her compassion;

“I have been a wicked woman, Ai-weh-deh,” she sobbed, “but I want to be different. Teach me how to live for the Jesus you talk and sing about. Ask Him to forgive my sins and give me peace.” Together we knelt down and prayed to the loving Saviour who had seen this poor woman's misery, and soon she was radiant with joy."

“You are a great figure in my province, Ai-weh-deh. You care for the sick; you help at childbirth; you visit our criminals; you mother our unwanted children. In every lonely village, in every part of the mountains, you are welcome; yet you came to us a stranger and a foreigner. This must be a strong faith of yours, Ai-weh-deh.”

“It is impossible for me to be saved,” he said at length. “With God nothing is impossible.” “I am too wicked!” “No one is too wicked. Will you kneel down with me and confess to God that you have sinned, but you want to take Jesus Christ as your Saviour?” Still the battle waged. “What do I get if I believe?” he demanded. Another two hours went by while the Spirit of God strove for this man's soul and the devil fought to keep him under his domination. Eventually he knelt down of his own accord, humbly confessed his sins and accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord.

All of this ministry took place during the Chinese/Japanese War resulting in frequent bombings and death to many of her friends and neighbours but still she persevered and eventually led 100 children (in her care) on an arduous and lengthy journey over the mountains to get them to the safety of an orphanage (this part of the story was later the main feature for the film "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness;")

After that I often gave information of enemy movements. I suppose I was a spy, but I was Chinese and the Japanese were our enemies. They had despoiled our country, disturbed our way of life and killed our friends.

My favourite section of the book was chapter 13 which describes an incredible miracle of God to prepare a large number of remote people through several different Christians over many years to finally hear the complete Gospel through Aylward and her co-worker. These people had literally been waiting for the final part of the message for years and were overjoyed when it finally arrived.

Aylward was also involved in prison ministry and local church work. But finally after 20 years she heard an alarming report from England where it seems the people had become apathetic during her many years absence, so she promptly set off to seek to do something about it!

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.

After later returning to China which has become her true home, she ends with thanksgiving to God for His use of her in the ministry to the Chinese...

My heart is full of praise that one so insignificant, uneducated and ordinary in every way could be used to His glory and for the blessing of His people in poor persecuted China.

Every Christian should read this short account of a life dedicated wholeheartedly to reaching the un-reached with the saving message of Jesus.

A great quest.

NOTE The book was originally titled The Small Woman, and this was the title on the edition I read. However, I could not find the book in the GoodReads catalogue under that name, so chose this edition.

What an extraordinary woman Gladys Aylward was. In 1930 she left England for China entirely on her own volition. She had quit school at age 14, having never passed a single examination (per her own recollection), and had worked as a parlourmaid. But she felt called by God to become a missionary in China, and even though no established organization would consider her application she was determined to fulfill God’s wish. She heard of a lone woman, Mrs Lawson, working in a remote area of China who hoped to be able to pass along her work to a younger woman. So Gladys saved the fare for a third-class passage on the Trans-Siberia Express, and set out for China trusting that God would show her the way.

This biography was first published in 1957, and the edition I read had an epilogue, added in 1969. The book had by then been made into the popular movie Inn of the Sixth Happiness, starring Ingrid Bergman. Gladys, herself, never saw the film and didn’t understand why anyone would be interested in her life. I’m just glad she agreed to tell her story.

Summary:A solitary woman. A foreign country. An unknown language. An impossible dream? No. With no mission board to support or guide her and less than ten dollars in her pocket, Gladys Aylward left her home in England to answer God's call to take the message of the gospel to China. With the Sino-Japanese War waging around her, she struggled to bring the basics of life and the fullness of God to orphaned children. Time after time, God triumphed over impossible situations, and drew people to Himself. The Little Woman tells the story of one woman's determination to serve God at any cost. With God all things are possible!
Personal Reaction: What an amazing story of service, love, and perseverance. I was truly captivated by her story. I was in awe at the struggles she was able to overcome and her ability to love the people she served and the respect she had for their culture.
Classroom Extension: This book was very religious, so I am not sure how that would work in a classroom setting. But, I feel it could be recommended as a non-fiction, historical book that focuses hard work, dedication, service, over coming struggles, an perseverance. It is also multicultural and focuses on the Chinese culture, traditions, and perceptions of that time period.

This is a simple yet engaging autobiographic book about Gladys Aylward, a missionary to China. I had read another book about her, "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness", years ago, so some of the story seemed familiar.

I especially appreciated the parts I read about the hardships she and her adopted countrymen faced through war and hostile occupation. An interesting and unassuming little book. Recommended.½

1930 a single woman with little money steps out in faith in what she believes the Lord is directing her. She boards the Siberia railroad heading to China to begin her life as a missionary in China. Her determination, faith, and bravery shine in the writing. Exceptional book that is no longer in print.

Gladys Aylward describes her life as a missionary in China, where she trusted in God to meet all her needs.

This is the fabulous account of one brave Christian woman and her huge impact, by God's grace, on a place called YangCheng, south of Peking (Beijing). A map and several photographs enhance the telling of this kind-hearted believer. This story unfolds how she brings the love of Christ to a roadside inn, stop the cruel practice of foot binding, end a deadly prison riot, and save many children during the Japanese occupation.

The movie about Gladys Aylward (The Inn of the Sixth Happiness) is good, but the book is much better. This story chronicles her life as a missionary in China before and during World War II. The story culminates with her leading a hundred orphans across war torn China to safety.½

Missionary Gladys Aylward

gladys aylward--5' tall-missionary in china during japanese invasion