Thriller - Gladys Aylward

1902–70

She was no Ingrid Bergman. Missionary Gladys Aylward was short and dark haired, with a Cockney accent. So in 1958, when Hollywood created a film about her life, of course they cast Ingrid Bergman, a statuesque Swedish blonde. And that wasn’t the only liberty the filmmakers took. They manufactured a romance that never existed and changed the name of Gladys’s base of operations. There were actually eight “happinesses” in the name of her hotel, since eight is a Chinese number of good fortune. Oddly, Hollywood made it The Inn of the Sixth Happiness.

The true story of Gladys Aylward has enough adventure for several films. As a maid in England, Gladys longed to go to China as a missionary. But the China Inland Mission rejected her application because they thought she wasn’t smart enough or young enough (she was in her late twenties) to learn the language. So in 1932, she spent her own savings to take the Trans-Siberian Railway across two continents—but when passenger space was needed for soldiers, she was put off the train in the middle of nowhere. By foot, bus, and mule, she finally got to the Chinese town where she began her work. At first she was running an inn for traders passing through the town. Later it became an orphanage.

Slowly, this working-class Brit won the respect of the townspeople. She learned the language and adopted the fashion and customs of the locals, even becoming a Chinese citizen in 1936. On one occasion she was summoned to quell a prison riot. Why her? “You have been preaching that those who trust in Christ have nothing to fear,” the warden explained. She waded into the melee, quieted the prisoners, took their complaints to the authorities, and accomplished some meaningful prison reforms.

Nothing to fear. What a great way to be remembered! That’s what makes this adventure story so thrilling. Called by God, this ill-equipped woman crossed the world to find her place of service. In a number of harrowing situations, she did what was necessary, and she led people closer to Christ.

What fears are holding you back? Are you worried about losing your money, your reputation, your free time? Are you afraid you might fail? As the prison warden learned from this plucky saint, those who trust in Christ have nothing to fear.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

Psalm 23:4