Aylward, Gladys and Christine Hunter. Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman. Chicago: Moody Press, 1970.
Gladys Aylward, Missionary to China. 4 Sept. 2005. Society of Archbishop Justus. 12 Dec. 2007. < http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/73.html >.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Being Ai-Weh-Deh
So much has happened since I last wrote! I can hardly believe how my life is thriving. Not long after I wrote my last entry, Mrs. Lawson passed away, leaving me to carry on the work. At first, I struggled to make ends meet. We hardly made enough to keep the inn running.
It was not long before the solution came with a visit from the mandarin. He has power over the entire province and his company was a great honor. He offered me a job as foot inspector, which I accepted without hesitation. Never could I have imagined that such a wonderful door would be opened for me. A new law has been decreed throughout China that declares that the ancient custom of foot binding cease. I travel about the region enforcing the law. I also have the government’s protection wherever I go and my pay provides enough to make ends meet. The most wonderful thing of all is that I can speak of Jesus everywhere I go. Small groups of believers are forming in scattered villages across the province.
My lifestyle has changed drastically. I live, eat, and dress exactly like a Chinese woman. I even applied to be a naturalized Chinese subject. My new name is Ai-weh-deh, which means virtuous one.
Another blessing has come to my life by way of Ninepence, my new found daughter. I had heard of the horrors of child trafficking, but I had never seen the realities of it until the other day when I was walking through town, on my way to report to the mandarin. A woman sat beside the road holding a sickly child, covered with sores. I approached the woman and tried to persuade her to relieve the child by moving her out of the harsh sun. “Within a few hours, she will die if she is not tended to!” I exclaimed. Much to my dismay, the woman did nothing but jeer me for the tears that had formed in my eyes. “So she will! I can easily get another to replace her. If you like her so much, buy her from me.” I had so little money that I left with great sorrow and anger in my heart. After fuming to the mandarin, I walked by the woman again who offered me a lower price, close to nothing. I held out the meager amount I had in my pocket – an amount equivalent to nine pence. The woman shoved the young, miserable child into my arms and I took her home and cared for her. It did not take her long to recover. Before long, she brought another abandoned child to me, then another and another! Soon, I found myself caring for about twenty children. This is a wonderful time. The great loneliness I felt over the past few years has dissolved as I give myself to my new family.
It was not long before the solution came with a visit from the mandarin. He has power over the entire province and his company was a great honor. He offered me a job as foot inspector, which I accepted without hesitation. Never could I have imagined that such a wonderful door would be opened for me. A new law has been decreed throughout China that declares that the ancient custom of foot binding cease. I travel about the region enforcing the law. I also have the government’s protection wherever I go and my pay provides enough to make ends meet. The most wonderful thing of all is that I can speak of Jesus everywhere I go. Small groups of believers are forming in scattered villages across the province.
My lifestyle has changed drastically. I live, eat, and dress exactly like a Chinese woman. I even applied to be a naturalized Chinese subject. My new name is Ai-weh-deh, which means virtuous one.
Another blessing has come to my life by way of Ninepence, my new found daughter. I had heard of the horrors of child trafficking, but I had never seen the realities of it until the other day when I was walking through town, on my way to report to the mandarin. A woman sat beside the road holding a sickly child, covered with sores. I approached the woman and tried to persuade her to relieve the child by moving her out of the harsh sun. “Within a few hours, she will die if she is not tended to!” I exclaimed. Much to my dismay, the woman did nothing but jeer me for the tears that had formed in my eyes. “So she will! I can easily get another to replace her. If you like her so much, buy her from me.” I had so little money that I left with great sorrow and anger in my heart. After fuming to the mandarin, I walked by the woman again who offered me a lower price, close to nothing. I held out the meager amount I had in my pocket – an amount equivalent to nine pence. The woman shoved the young, miserable child into my arms and I took her home and cared for her. It did not take her long to recover. Before long, she brought another abandoned child to me, then another and another! Soon, I found myself caring for about twenty children. This is a wonderful time. The great loneliness I felt over the past few years has dissolved as I give myself to my new family.
My New Life
I made it to Yangcheng, the town where Mrs. Lawson resides. I cannot tell you my elation at seeing Chinese shores from the ship. As I saw the masses of Asians scurrying about, I realized how much I looked like each one of them with my dark hair and 4 feet, 10 inches height. Something was resolved in my heart that I am exactly as I should be and that I do belong here.
I arrived, bone weary, to Mrs. Lawson’s old, decrepit house that I soon learned was rented out cheaply because it was believe to be haunted. The first night, I awoke to find many faces peering into my glassless window. I was glad that Mrs. Lawson had instructed me to sleep with all my belonging on otherwise they would have been stolen.
Mrs. Lawson intends to use this large house as an inn. My job is a peculiar one, but I am told that it is a common Chinese practice. When I see a mule train coming, I take a hold of the lead mule’s head and drag him inside. The travelers cannot refuse to take lodging with us because they are too weary to argue with us. We provide clean accommodations, good food, and wonderful stories that sooth the soul. Our inn is gaining a good reputation now, largely because of the stories we tell.
I arrived, bone weary, to Mrs. Lawson’s old, decrepit house that I soon learned was rented out cheaply because it was believe to be haunted. The first night, I awoke to find many faces peering into my glassless window. I was glad that Mrs. Lawson had instructed me to sleep with all my belonging on otherwise they would have been stolen.
Mrs. Lawson intends to use this large house as an inn. My job is a peculiar one, but I am told that it is a common Chinese practice. When I see a mule train coming, I take a hold of the lead mule’s head and drag him inside. The travelers cannot refuse to take lodging with us because they are too weary to argue with us. We provide clean accommodations, good food, and wonderful stories that sooth the soul. Our inn is gaining a good reputation now, largely because of the stories we tell.
An Endless, Dangerous Journey
I am writing from an icy cold state, feeling pitiful and small. I boarded the Trans-Siberian Railway that transported me farther and farther into the unknown. My dream has finally become a reality. Deep within I am thrilled, yet I currently feel only the chill in my toes and a chill of fear in my heart. I have had frightful journey so far with many complications in Russia that deterred me for a while. In an attempt to communicate with the Russian authorities, they mistakenly understood that I worked with machinery and they began insisting that I remain in Russia to help their country progress. They claimed my passport and I could do nothing but wait with uneasiness. I saw such grievous things there which tore at my heart and made me hate communism with all my being.
Just in time, a visitor met me and helped me escape. If it were not for her and another older man, I am certain I would have been detained in Russia forever. Everything of value has been taken from me. I have only my Bible, a trusty teakettle, and the clothes I am wearing.
I am currently the “prisoner” aboard a Japanese ship. Since I had no money, it was my only way to escape communist Russia. Thankfully, the captain has been very kind to me. I cannot wait to arrive in China. It will not be long now!
Just in time, a visitor met me and helped me escape. If it were not for her and another older man, I am certain I would have been detained in Russia forever. Everything of value has been taken from me. I have only my Bible, a trusty teakettle, and the clothes I am wearing.
I am currently the “prisoner” aboard a Japanese ship. Since I had no money, it was my only way to escape communist Russia. Thankfully, the captain has been very kind to me. I cannot wait to arrive in China. It will not be long now!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Renewed Hope
I have such wonderful news! I heard of a woman in China who is in need of a young assistant. Her name is Jeannie Lawson and she is seventy-three years old. I am going to write a letter and inform her of my interest. This has given me renewed hope. Right at my darkest point, a beacon of light has finally shown through.
Weary Again
It seems that I am in a constant state of weariness these days. Because I work several jobs, I hardly have time to sleep, but I am not unaccustomed to this type of hard labor. I have been a parlor maid since age fourteen and I will continually persist in working hard. I am constantly driven by one thing -- a ticket to China! My savings are meager, but I gain satisfaction simply by knowing that I am making some kind of effort toward my goal.
The other day, I went to the ticket office and discovered that the cheapest way to China is by railway through Europe, Russia, and Siberia. It was difficult to persuade the booking clerk that I was not joking with him, that I did indeed mean to go to China. However, in the end he allowed me to put a down payment on my ticket. The total will be 47.10 pounds.
It is so easy to be discouraged these days. Every so often, the feelings from my childhood return and I wish that I were someone else. I remember being so dissatisfied with my dark hair and short stature. I was so envious of my friends' beautiful golden locks. Thankfully, I have grown out of the petty little vanities that young children often undergo, however the thought persists that perhaps if I were taller and looked more sturdy, the mission board would accept my application. I know it is a ridiculous idea, but I can't help but think of it every so often. Moreover, there is nothing I can gain by wishing I was someone different than I am.
Little can be done now besides save my earnings and wait...
The other day, I went to the ticket office and discovered that the cheapest way to China is by railway through Europe, Russia, and Siberia. It was difficult to persuade the booking clerk that I was not joking with him, that I did indeed mean to go to China. However, in the end he allowed me to put a down payment on my ticket. The total will be 47.10 pounds.
It is so easy to be discouraged these days. Every so often, the feelings from my childhood return and I wish that I were someone else. I remember being so dissatisfied with my dark hair and short stature. I was so envious of my friends' beautiful golden locks. Thankfully, I have grown out of the petty little vanities that young children often undergo, however the thought persists that perhaps if I were taller and looked more sturdy, the mission board would accept my application. I know it is a ridiculous idea, but I can't help but think of it every so often. Moreover, there is nothing I can gain by wishing I was someone different than I am.
Little can be done now besides save my earnings and wait...
Burning Desire
I cannot contain the desire I have within me. The yearning to go to China consumes my thoughts everyday and every night. You can only imagine how the news I heard today devastated me. "Unqualified" is what they labeled me. The mission will not even give me a chance to prove myself. I may come across as a small, weak woman, but I am sure that the strength of my passion can sustain me through great hardship. If only the board could see my inner strength.Whatever they say, I will move forward. If the mission will not send me, I will work hard and pay my own way. I do not have any contacts there as of yet, however I am hopeful that a way will open up for me. I heard of a job opening on 26th street which I will look into in the morning. Perhaps I will be able to sleep tonight even though I am plagued with visions of Asians.
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