Week 7: Gladys Aylward
Character Traits: Courage, Compassion, Determination, Loyalty, Humility, Initiative, Sacrificial Love
Gladys Aylward was born in 1902, in a small town north of London. She left school at the young age of fourteen and began working as a parlor maid in the large, bustling mansions of London. She enjoyed the lively house work better than the long hours of schooling. One evening, Gladys, in her mid-twenties, went to a revival meeting. Although she was unsure why she attended, Gladys was forever changed that night. She devoted her life to Christ and felt called to the mission field. Three years later, and without the support of a missionary organization, Gladys Aylward left everything in her England home to answer God’s call to spread the love of Christ in China. With the Sino-Japanese War waging around her, it was a miracle of God’s faithfulness that she even made the journey to China. She pushed through her lack of interest in academics to learn the native language and was able to reach many with the good news of the gospel. Time after time, God triumphed over impossible situations, using Gladys to bring many old and young to know Him. When war broke out in Japan, Gladys knew that she and the children she was looking after would no longer be safe in Yangcheng. She had one hundred children ranging from toddlers to teenagers with her at the time, and she relied on the Lord’s guidance and protection as she led the children through the mountains to escape the violence of war. The trek was anything but easy. The trails were long and rough, and they soon ran out of food. However, God provided help along the way. They arrived at Fefung twelve days later. The Lord had delivered all to safety. Gladys served as a missionary to China for many years. She is most-recognized for her prison ministry and the founding of the Gladys Aylward Orphanage. Through many difficulties, trials, and a lack of resources, she faithfully lived out her calling by sharing the Gospel and caring for countless Chinese orphans. Time and time again, God showed His amazing grace and faithfulness through the life of this dedicated woman.
“Here I was worrying about my journey, while God was helping me all the way. It made me realize that I am very weak; my courage is only borrowed from Him, but, oh, the peace that flooded my soul; and although I know that I may be held up at the border, I am at peace within, because I know that He never faileth.”
~Gladys Aylward
Oh God, here's my Bible, Here's my money. Here's me. Use me, God.
―Gladys Aylward
The original uploader was Ibekolu at Chinese Wikipedia., Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsMemory Verse: +25 points
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Easy Recipe from the country of China (+50 points): Coconut Mango Sago Dessert
Recipe Credit—Christie at Home: https://christieathome.com/blog/recipe-coconut-mango-sago-dessert-vegan/#recipe
Ingredients
2 ripe mangoes peeled and diced
2 ¼ cups light coconut milk (not whole fat coconut milk)
¼ cup tapioca pearls small uncooked kind (do not use minute tapioca)
3 tablespoon Yellow Rock Sugar or sub with cane sugar and add to taste
fresh mint optional garnish
Instructions
In a small pot, add light coconut milk and rock sugar. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat and then reduce to low heat and simmer for 5 minutes until sugar has completely dissolved, stirring occasionally. Do not cover. Transfer this to the freezer to cool down completely.
In a medium size pot of water (about 5 cups of water), bring to a boil on high heat. Once the hot water reaches boiling point, add tapioca pearls. Reduce to medium heat or to a rolling boil, boil for 10 minutes uncovered. Stir occasionally. Then turn off the heat, cover and let it sit for another 10 minutes until the pearls have softened and are completely translucent. If you see a small white dot in the center of the pearls, let them sit in the hot water covered for another 2-3 minutes to become fully translucent.
Strain cooked tapioca in a fine mesh strainer and rinse off with cold running water. Leave it submerged in the cold water until assembly, but make sure to strain out as much excess water as possible.
Peel and dice mangoes into small bite-sized cubes.
Once the coconut milk mixture has cooled, add in cooked sago and diced mango and mix well. Garnish with mint and serve chilled!
Biographies:
Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman by Gladys Aylward with Christine Hunter
Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime by Janet and Geoff Benge
Gladys Aylward by Catherine M. Swift
Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman With a Big Dream (Illustrated) by Laura Wickham
